Library
Search
Home / Emotional Realism / Paid in Blood for a Lie / Chapter 2

Share

Chapter 2

Author: Faraway Cat
Noelle cleared her throat.

“Gabriel, could you come with me for a moment?”

The second I was called away, the office erupted in hushed chatter.

“Oh, my God! Did you see the news? Noelle is the chairwoman of Strom Inc.!”

“Gabriel just hit the jackpot, but did you see the look on his face?”

“You don’t get it. The couple is having a spat, but I reckon things will blow over behind closed doors.”

Everybody saw me as the lucky man who was about to step into the CEO role.

Unbeknownst to them, I was only looking for an exit.

In the office, Noelle reached for me.

I backed away from her.

“Ms. Strom.”

Noelle furrowed her brows.

“Why didn’t you come home last night? Are you still mad at me?”

I shook my head.

“I was with Mom.”

The reason I stayed away was to spare Bridget from Noelle’s presence.

With treatment, Bridget could’ve had the chance to live.

However, Bridge chose to end her life so as not to add to our burden.

Noelle picked up that something was off.

After a brief silence, she said, “We should visit Bridget tonight.”

Struck by a thought, Noelle appeared hesitant.

She slipped me a bank card.

“I’ve deposited a million dollars in this account. Buy Bridget some clothes. Consider it a little something…”

I didn’t take the bank card, my eyes staying locked on it.

Money couldn’t even begin to cover the cost of what she had taken from my family.

My silence sparked an alarm within Noelle.

Before she could say anything, her phone cut her off from her thoughts.

Noelle pulled out her phone and glanced at me.

After much hesitation, she stepped away.

I knew that it was likely one of her games, meant to test my loyalty and my intentions toward her wealth.

However, I couldn’t care less at that point.

I handed in my resignation.

Even at my abrupt request to leave, Elfed Barwise, the VP, didn’t seem the least bit surprised.

“Are you leaving because Ms. Strom has other plans for you, Gabriel?”

I clenched my fists, finding the whole thing absurd.

Everyone assumed I’d marry the chairwoman and take my place in high society while running her company as the CEO.

They envied my luck.

If only they knew that it came with the price of my mother’s life.

Given a choice, I’d rather have never met Noelle at all.

On my way out, I ran into Noelle and her childhood friend, Charles.

Noticing my gaze, Noelle jumped to explain.

“This is Charles Atkinson. He’s my—”

Charles took her arm.

“Fiancé.”

Amid my silence, Charles uttered, “Excuse me. Could you step aside?”

Defiance flickered in Charles’ eyes.

Without a word, I stepped back and gave way to them.

Noelle looked at me, conflicted. Clearly, there was something on her mind.

In the end, Charles pulled her away.

That night, I went to the chapel to place Bridget’s ashes, remaining there until the prayers for her peace were finished.

Noelle didn’t show up or ask questions.

I didn’t care.

It didn’t matter whether she was aware of Bridget’s death. Her knowledge wasn’t relevant anyway.

I believed that if Bridget knew the truth from beyond the grave, she would never want to see Noelle again.

Five years of misplaced devotion ended there and then.

…

I returned home in the wee hours of the morning.

Noelle was nowhere to be found, but it wasn’t my concern.

While I packed my bags, the broadcast announced that Strom Inc.’s chairwoman had appeared at a gala alongside her fiancé, Charles.

I stared at the couple matched in heaven, feeling nothing inside.

Zipping the last of my bags, I got up to leave.

Then came the turn of the door lock, and Noelle walked in.

Noelle rushed over and grabbed my hand the moment she saw me.

“Where did you go last night? Why didn’t you take my calls?”

Taken aback, I withdrew my arm from her grip.

“I was with Mom last night. I didn’t want to disturb her rest, so I turned off my phone.”

The mention of Bridget filled Noelle with guilt as the conversation from the other day came to mind.

“I’ll get the best doctor for Bridget.”

She took out a box and pressed it into my palm.

“This is the gift I promised Bridget.”

I opened the box, and inside was a bracelet.

It was the genuine version of the bracelet that Bridget had been so fond of.

I was stunned.

In the past, Noelle would hold Bridget’s hands, promising earnestly to present her with a genuine piece of real worth.

Back then, Bridget gazed at Noelle with joyful affection, not concerned about the authenticity of the bracelet.
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Latest chapter

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 8

    Since my departure was so abrupt, it took a while before many figured out that I had gone abroad. I returned to the city I was once so familiar with, a place that held a lot of my memories. The city was just as I remembered, but I came back with a different mindset. I made my way to the memorial chapel. The property had been refreshed, its surrounding area serene and shaded by trees.My mother’s grave was tucked away in the quietest corner of the land. I froze when my eyes fell on the gravestone. The gravestone was imposing and beautifully made, clearly created with great thought and effort.It read, “Beloved mother, cherished forever.” The words couldn’t be more heartfelt. Who could have built this for Bridget?I honestly had no idea. It never crossed my mind that someone would erect a fancy memorial for my mother. After the initial confusion, one person quickly came to mind. It could only be her. With a lingering sense of doubt, I approached the gravestone.

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 7

    In the next few years, I was hardly the same man I used to be. Away from all things familiar, I left the land filled with painful memories for a fresh start elsewhere. I embarked on a long journey, visiting places Bridget often dreamed of seeing. The soil of countries she had once known only through pictures lay beneath my feet.On the shores of Bali, I took in the sea breeze brushing against my skin. I sipped coffee on the romantic streets of Paris. Standing on the African savannah, I bore witness to great herds moving as one. I took the time to explore every landscape. Along the way, I met many walks of life and listened to all sorts of stories. Realization slowly sank in that the world was huge, and there were endless possibilities in life. With that, I stopped clinging to the pain of the past and started to embrace a new life. Not long after, I settled down in a picturesque town in the South of France to start a tiny business. I sold my travel finds and cultu

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 6

    “Do you really think Gabriel left his mother to die, all for you? What a joke!” Charles’ shrilling voice cut Noelle like a knife. “Shut up!” Noelle angrily refuted. “Oh, really? Stop living in denial, Noelle! “Gabriel is a gold digger. He was only after your money. Now that he has gotten what he wanted, he’s gone.” Charles inched closer, his eyes reflecting delight and defiance. “Face it, Noelle. He doesn’t love or care about you. He never has.” With Charles’ voice growing louder and grating, Noelle lost it. “Shut up!” Noelle yelled and slapped Charles across the face. “Y-You hit me?” Charles put his hand over his face while looking at Noelle in disbelief and fury. “Get out! Get out now!” Noelle spoke chillingly, her eyes fixed with disgust and anger. Staring at Noelle’s bloodshot eyes, Charles tasted fear. He had the feeling that he had lost Noelle forever. Charles fled the office, leaving Noelle behind to wallow in agony and regret. Not long after Charles

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 5

    “Mr. Lamb submitted his resignation three days ago, saying that he was moving back home. I assumed that he had acted on your instructions.” The office believed that Noelle and I were dating. As I was about to become Noelle’s husband, my colleagues were courteous and never stood in my way. Before Noelle could say anything, someone else jumped into the conversation. “Move back home? Hmph! He’s a quick runner, for sure.” Charles cut in, his voice laced with smugness and disdain. “What are you doing here?” Noelle furrowed her brows. She’d rather keep the details from him. “What’s wrong? Am I ruining your moment with your lover?” Charles’ harsh tone reflected his jealousy. “Don’t be ridiculous. Do you need something? If not, you should leave. I’m in the middle of something.” Charles was about to blow up. Then came a call from Noelle’s assistant, and she had shocking news to share. “Ms. Strom, we have information on Mr. Lamb’s mother.” “Oh? Where is she?” Noelle asked

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 4

    My phone rang relentlessly. Even as Noelle’s name flickered across the screen, I refused to answer her calls. Noelle also bombarded me with text messages. The notification had not stopped popping up on the display. She was desperate to learn Bridget’s whereabouts. Noelle asked where Bridget went and my location, all the while begging me to pick up the phone. I read her messages, my fingers shaky as waves of emotions overtook my every being. It finally dawned on Noelle to show some concern for Bridget and me. However, it was far too late to matter. I looked at the name flashing on the screen one last time before turning off my phone. It had been a while since I turned in my resignation letter. For the last few days, I cut off all contact with the outside world. I retreated into an obscure corner of the city.Ever since Bridget passed away, sleep eluded me. I felt so exhausted and sleepy, my eyelids heavy. I tried to organize my thoughts and find a way to start af

  • Paid in Blood for a Lie   Chapter 3

    Any gift from Noelle—the girl she loved—was enough to make Bridget smile.However, that was in the past. I closed the lid and handed the box back. “You should give this to Mom in person when you have the chance.” Noelle furrowed her brows. Usually, I would act the way she expected me to. However, my distant yet courteous behavior felt alien to her. With uneasiness rising within her, she clutched my hands. “Bridget’s health…” Charles showed up and wrapped his arm around Noelle’s shoulders. “I call dips on this room, Noelle.” He pointed at my bedroom. “That room is taken.” Noelle turned to me and explained, “He’s a friend of mine. He needs a place to stay for work.” She stared intently at me, as if expecting me to put my foot down. To her dismay, I nodded and agreed without hesitation. “He can have the room. I’m going to my mother’s.” Noelle was taken aback. Not giving me a chance to change my mind, Charles bolted into the room. It was then she took not

More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status