Chapter 3: Blind Love

Chapter 3: Blind Love

As Noelle settled into the luxurious limousine, she could feel Carol Blackwood's piercing gaze studying her with the precision of a hawk examining its prey. Noelle felt like she was on trial while her humble shirt and jeans glared out of place in the sleek, polished interior of the vehicle.

So..." she began, her voice smooth but edged with disdain. "You're the one who's captured my son's heart."

Noelle offered a polite smile, though her nerves were frayed. "Mrs. Blackwood, it's a pleasure to meet you. Adrian has spoken fondly of you."

Carol arched a brow, her lips curving into a tight, humorless smile. "Is it? I doubt he's told you much. Adrian and I don't often discuss... trivial matters."

The jab was subtle but enough to make Noelle's cheeks flush. Still, she kept her composure. "Adrian values family. He's mentioned how much he respects you."

Carol let out a small laugh, though it lacked any real warmth. "Has he? That's sweet of him. But I can't help but wonder... what exactly do you bring to the table, Miss McGrath?"

Noelle blinked, caught off guard. "I—I'm not sure I understand the question."

Carol's smile grew sharper, her gaze turning cold as she regarded Noelle. "Of course, you don't. My son is a man of extraordinary talent, wealth, and standing. And you..." Her eyes swept over Noelle's modest attire with a faint sneer. "You're a flower shop owner, is that correct?"

Noelle nodded hesitantly, her stomach twisting in knots. "Yes, I own a small flower shop. It's something I've always been passionate about."

Carol's expression hardened further, her tone cutting. "How quaint," she said with thinly veiled disdain. "Tell me, Miss McGrath, how much do you actually know about my son?"

The question caught Noelle off guard. How much? She knew his quirks, his habits, the way he liked his coffee, how his smile looked in the morning light. She thought she knew everything about him. But before she could muster an answer, Carol's voice cut through her thoughts.

"You know nothing about him," Carol snapped, her words like a slap. "Aside from the fact that he's a world-famous actor with a wealthy mother, what else could you possibly know?"

Noelle's lips parted to respond, but Carol didn't give her the chance.

"My son must have told you he worked tirelessly to get where he is today, that he built his career from scratch, that he's grateful for everything you've done for him." Carol let out a bitter laugh, her eyes darkening. "What a fairy tale. The truth is far more complicated, Miss McGrath. And I doubt you'd like it."

Noelle swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "I don't understand," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Carol leaned in, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "My son became a star to chase after the woman he actually loves. You're really not the one he loves, poor girl."

Noelle froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Before she could respond, the car began to slow down and Carol's words echoed in the tense silence. The door slid open, revealing a nearby restaurant's large glass windows and the very first thing she saw was Adrian sitting across a stunning blonde woman.

Bianca Monroe.

She recognized her instantly from the countless magazine covers and interviews. And before she could even process the sight, Bianca reached out, pulling Adrian by the neck into a kiss.

Noelle's breath hitched as she watched, her chest tightening with a pain she hadn't anticipated.

Carol's sharp gaze flickered to Noelle and a cruel smile played on her lips as she noted the younger woman's stunned expression. "See for yourself," she said, sounding more triumphant than ever. "That is the world my son belongs to. Not some quaint flower shop or your naive notions of love. You were never part of the plan, Miss McGrath. And you never will be."

Noelle's throat felt dry. Her heart sank as her eyes remained fixed on the scene through the restaurant's glass window. Adrian didn't pull away from Bianca's bold kiss. He didn't look startled or angry. He looked... calm, as if this was something he was used to.

The betrayal hit her like a crashing wave, stealing her breath. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the door handle, needing to escape the suffocating tension in the car, but Carol's cold voice stopped her.

"You should leave him now," Carol said, her tone deadly serious. "Save yourself the heartbreak. Bianca is the one who truly belongs in his world, and deep down, you know that."

Noelle turned to face her. Her expression was unreadable though her chest felt like it might explode from the pain. "I don't believe you," she said quietly, though the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her. "Adrian loves me."

Carol scoffed and leaned in. "Then why is he sitting there with her, looking perfectly at ease, as if nothing has changed? Think about that, Miss McGrath. You're not the first woman to believe she could hold his heart."

Noelle's vision blurred as tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them back and stepped out of the car and onto the pavement. The sound of the city buzzed around her, but all she could focus on was the image of Adrian and Bianca who looked so close and intimate, as if she didn't exist.

Carol's voice called after her. "You'll thank me one day for showing you the truth. Walk away now. You'll save yourself a world of pain."

Noelle didn't turn around. She closed the car door with trembling hands as she fought back the storm of emotions threatening to consume her. She stood there for a moment, staring at the pavement, willing herself to stay calm.

The ache in her chest was unbearable, like a heavy weight pressing down on her. But she refused to fall apart in the middle of the street. Instead, she took a deep breath, straightened her back, and started walking away from the restaurant, away from Adrian, and away from everything that suddenly felt so uncertain.

And yet, the image of Bianca kissing Adrian played over and over in her mind like a cruel reminder. Her stomach churned, and her hands clenched at her sides.

She thought she knew him—the man who made her laugh, who held her when she cried, who promised her forever. But now, doubt seeped into every corner of her heart. Did she truly know the man she was about to marry?

Still, a small voice deep inside her refused to give in to despair. Adrian had always been honest with her—or so she thought. If he had secrets, if there were things he hadn't told her, didn't she deserve to hear them from him?

Noelle's steps slowed as she turned a corner.

'I need to know the truth,' she thought. 'I can accept anything as long as he loves me and is honest with me.'