Chapter Four
The tension in the room was palpable, like a charged magnet ready to attract mayhem. Leo’s eyes narrowed as his mother shifted uncomfortably in her seat, while Isabella wore an expression that could curdle milk. And then, like a light switch being flicked, the atmosphere changed. I clasped to Noah’s arm, stared Leo down with a defiant glint in your eye. It was as if a new energy had taken hold of me, making me bold and unafraid to speak my mind. “I am not the type that explain and talk too much but I think I owe the family explanation, I caught Isabella and Leo two times, they were kissing each other and the other at our bridal suite” Their mouths were wide open. “I tried forgiving him because I don't want to turn the wedding down, how do I go around and tell people that the event is not going to come up, I invited celebrities and all,I keep on forgiving him, it's high time, I don't want to keep loving someone who doesn't value or respect me, I have broke the engagement ring already” “Really? So you stopped dating him to date his brother?” Isabella added “Shut up, she's needed in the family, whoever she dates isn't your concern, you went to date your sister's boyfriend, that's cruel and unfair, you betrayed your sister, and for you Leo, I am sure you would regret this either now or later, I have nothing to say to this, you are a disgrace” This is the first time I will be hearing such a thing from her, regardless of her ruggedness, she has a good heart. Again, what would she think of me when she eventually knows that we two are not both In love? She would think I came to play a game with her son's heart, but regardless I just want revenge on Leo and my sister. “So what is now happening between you and my brother” “What is your concern about it? What do you have to do with it? How's that your business, I have leave you to her, you can actually decide to do whatever you want with her, I do not care anymore, I will announce to everyone that we are no longer in a relationship, and the wedding celebration of you and I will not be commencing anymore, if anyone wants to tag me as anything, they are free to” They all watched me as I spoke boldly. “Yeah, I don't have a business with you, Noah, what are you doing with her” “Well, Leo, I heard that you are going out with her sister, and I want you to choose now between her or her step sister” “Why would he choose her over me?” Isabella asked. “Well, I am choosing Isabella, I'll choose her again and again, I have found peace with her, so there's nothing anything could do with her” “And I think that have answered your question, but I don't even know why you have to hurt her by making all the wedding preparation, you made her go through a lot of stress, when you know you would be doing this, then why do you have to, because you are my brother, I'll have to look over it, if it was someone else who did that, I might not forgive the person, but Leo, I'll take care of the situation” The room was a whirlwind of emotions, a turbulent sea of shock and betrayal. The revelations I had dropped were like a bomb, exploding with devastating force. Everyone sat there, dumbstruck by the drama unfolding before them. Leo, stunned by Noah’s choice and his harsh words, was visibly shaken. Isabella’s bravado began to waver as her superiority crumbled. Meanwhile I stood tall and defiant in the eye of the storm, ready to weather whatever came your way. The air was thick with tension as the family struggled to process what had just transpired. “Well, we are going now, you can enjoy and chill, don't worry something like this will be happening soon again, so enjoy” I said and held Noah's hand. As we left, everyone was staring at us. ***** “How are you going to rate me?” Noah said while untying his shoe lace. “99% thank you for today, I really appreciate” I replied while getting off my heels, “I am tired” “I understand, but I never believed my brother could do that, I am more than shocked, we grew up together, he's such an adorable boy, and to me he's such a little boy, I am sorry that he hurt you” “It's fine” I said as I rested my back on the chair I sat down I could not even believe I will now start living with my ex-fiancé brother all because I want him to be pained. Noah's house is undoubtedly adorable, but I wonder if I would ever feel comfortable there. I don't know why he brought the idea of contract marriage all just because he wants to help me, just to pretend to be in love with me for a night. “Are you thinking about anything?” He asked. “No, your house is very comfortable, nice and welcoming” “Thank you” He called out “Anna” After a minute a lady entered. “Good Day Sir” “Anna, this is Rachel, and Rachel, this is Anna, she will be your personal maid in this house, you can ask her what you don't understand, she can go on errands for you, she knows what to do” “Welcome Miss. Rachel” “Thank you Miss. Anna, nice to meet you” “My pleasure to meet a well-known Model, I never believed I could meet you” I smiled, “Thank you” “When we are done discussing, you can come around to take her to her room, just go and prepare a room, make sure it's nice” “Alright, I'll do that sir, see you soon, Miss Rachel” She said as she waved her hands. I waved my hands too. “What do you want to discuss?” “I just think I need us to just gist, probably you have something to tell me, I just felt you are not free enough here” “You shouldn't expect me to be very free, it's not easy” “I understand and I am sure very well you will be heal and fine” As I talked with Noah, I could feel his kindness and sincerity shining through. His words were like a warm blanket, enveloping me in comfort and support. Yet, a part of me remained cautious, wary of trusting someone so quickly after the betrayal I’d suffered. Anna’s presence was a gentle reminder that this new life, this house, was now my reality. The adjustment would not be easy, but Noah’s reassuring smile gave you a sense of hope. “I know it's not easy for you, Rachel,” Noah said, his eyes meeting mine. “I don't know what to feel right now, happy or sad? I am even thinking of how to announce the call off party, the call off wedding celebration, I don't know, I am tired and I think facing this contract marriage, I don't know why I signed it at first, I was so very serious about the revenge that I want to mess up my life” Noah moved closer to me,, he sat beside mw, and then held my hand “I am sure you wouldn't regret this Rachel, you will never regret stepping in here, I will never allow anyone hurt you not even my brother, be comfortable, be fine, as I am not here to hurt you” “How do I trust you when it involves your brother? It's your brother, you can't leave your brother and fight for me, you did that earlier today because it was all acting, I know you might go and tell them later that it was only acting and that we both are pretending, they are your family and at the end, I will be the one to suffer all these” “I understand your plight but I want you to understand that my brother could not even hurt a fly, he's not going to do something that will hurt you, you are safe here Rachel” “I won't argue further, I accepted the term myself…” “Rachel, I don't want it to be like I am forcing you, please” “Don't worry, let's leave that, I want to go and meet Anna, so she can show me my room, I need to shower, and moreover I need to go to my house tomorrow to take some of my clothes, am I permitted to go please” “Of course, you are permitted to go, I am not holding you, I want you to be free” “If you say so” “If you want to take it this night, I can drive you to your house, your safety is my priority” “I need something to change to” “Alright, do you care if we should go and get some clothes out there, or you go to your house? It's late already, why not put on my cloth, I have a good clothes that you had would be comfortable putting on” “Bring it, let me see it then”Chapter Ninety Six: PeaceThe room was quiet, the hum of the evening outside barely heard through the windows. Rachel sat on the bed, pulled her knees up close to her chest, and looked down at her hands. It had been an emotional day in surges which would leave one drained and still feel lighter than it had in weeks. She had heard Noah's words, taken the weight of his forgiveness, and finally-finally-allowed herself to believe that moving on was possible.But it was not only the past that weighed upon her with Noah. It was something deeper, far deeper, which she carried with her for much longer: the weight of decisions taken and actions she had led herself into in this position she is in presently. And none of these would have been possible without Vanessa.That made Rachel stop and think. Her friend, her confidante-her best friend-had always been there for her. In the maelstrom of their pain together, however, there was a part inside Rachel that wondered whether those choices had been
Chapter Ninety Five: The Unannounced VisitThe air was cool that evening, with that certain sting that made one clinch the jacket tighter and quicken the steps. Noah and Stephanie just stepped out of the restaurant, with the silence between them thick with dinner. Noah's mind had raced since their conversation, but his resolve had only been strengthened. He had to do this. He needed to see Rachel, to tell her he had forgiven her and wanted nothing other than for the two of them to be free to move on in life and find peace.Stephanie walked beside him, her hand clasped in his. She knew what he was doing, and as much as the wiser part of her still harbored her own reservations about the situation, she did understand that Noah needed this for his healing. She couldn't deny that a part of her was nervous, too-this wasn't going to be an easy conversation. But they couldn't ignore the past forever. Sometimes, closure was the only way forward.They turned to the building that housed Rachel's
Chapter Ninety Four: A Dinner Between HeartsEvening had worn into the comfortable silence; Noah sat opposite Stephanie, watching as she carefully placed the settings of the dishes she prepared for the better part of the afternoon. The hum of the kitchen at the restaurant behind him was accompanied by clinking of fine china and silverware, with wafting smells of fresh vegetables and herbs that reminded him of how much he had missed homely comforts.With a quiet contentedness that only can come from cooking for somebody dear, Stephanie smiled brightly at him across the table. She had always been a fantastic cook, and tonight wasn't going to be an exception. There was such delicacy in the balance of tastes and flavors on his plate to confirm her genius, but more important than anything was the fire that lit with her presence there, and her laughter that danced around the room in its voice.You know, she said, sipping her wine, I think this might be the best meal I've made in weeks. Mayb
Chapter Ninety Three: Rachel's Inner StruggleRachel sat alone in the darkened room of her apartment, hands clasped tightly around a mug of tea that she hadn't sipped. The warmth from the cup seeped into her palms but did nothing to quell the chill gnawing at her chest. She hadn't been able to get out of bed for the past few days, but today, her mind couldn't afford the luxury of lingering in self-pity any longer.She knew no longer what to do with herself as the world kept blurring into one big confusion of pain. The weight of her actions weighed heavily upon her, at times insurmountable. She quit her job, the one thing that anchored her into some kind of routine, just to get away from the tension slowly choking her. The thought of facing Noah after everything that had happened-after having betrayed him and watched him move on with Stephanie-was just too much to bear. Her guilt was eating her from the inside out, spiraling further down each passing day.The betrayal nipped at her con
Chapter Ninety Two: The fight of Rachel and Vanessa's Growing PressureShe sat on the edge of her bed and stared into the quiet night out her window. The city glowed alive, but every one of its lights, so it seemed, was farther away from the storm brewing in her heart. An ache inside her chest made her feel the air thicken enough to suffocate her with every desperate attempt to get more air in. It wasn't the night that was heavy, but the torment inside of her, her guilt, the betrayal, and all her wrong choices.Each time her mind drifted to Noah and the days with him, she remembered how he loved her, took care of her, and was there for her during the days when she needed it most. It now felt like the memories had been poisoned. Every touch he had given her, every word of love, every gesture was clouded in the knowledge that she had betrayed him. Not just once but twice-first by dating James, then by her part in Stephanie's kidnapping. She had crossed lines she could never uncross.Tea
Chapter Ninety One: GuiltThe soft, rhythmic sound of the rain tapping against the windowpane provided almost a melancholic soundtrack to Rachel's thoughts. She sat alone in her small apartment, the dim light from the lamp casting long shadows on the walls. She stood stiff, her hands curled into fists where her nails had dug deep into her palms to steady some unevenly escaping breaths from her chest. The whirlwind of turmoil, guilt, and regret all swirled within her mind.Rachel had sat here for hours without the slightest idea how much time had actually elapsed since she last checked her watch. Outside, the world had dulled to a gray haze, rain diffusing reality and fantasy. Her head was filled with visions of what had taken place during the last days. The look on Stephanie's terrified face when they took her away-when she and Vanessa dragged her away-stayed in her mind, awake or asleep. It was a memory that she could not shake, no matter how hard she tried.She thought of Noah and h