Chapter 10
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Leister walked in carrying a foot spa basin, his face etched with genuine concern.
“Baby, your period’s been going on for a week now. You must be stressed or something’s thrown your cycle off. I got some herbal supplements from that wellness clinic–the doctor says they’re really effective for regulating hormones.”
He knelt in front of her, gently taking her ankle and guiding her feet into the warm water, personally giving her a foot massage
Such a stark contrast to the commanding CEO who ruled boardrooms with an iron fist.
Anyone seeing this would be incredibly envious.
But Noelia’s eyes filled with tears as she gripped her phone with trembling hands.
The messages on screen felt like daggers:
[Miss Montez, so what if you filmed me hitting Beatrice? I just had to sweet–talk Leister a little and he got me your phone. Those photos are all deleted now!]
You have no idea how wild Leister went after you left the club that night. I could barely keep up! ?]
Meanwhile, you’re just sitting there like a complete idiot while he and his boys play you for a fool!]
Noelia blinked back the burning sensation, staring numbly at the screen.
Yeah, I really am a complete idiot. Can’t believe I fell for his lies for so long.
I actually thought he was faithful.
Leister’s guilty voice drifted up from where he knelt,
He looked up at her with those soulful eyes. “This is all my fault. I should’ve taken better care of you. Can you forgive me this
time?”
Noelia lowered her gaze, hiding the raw pain in her eyes, then let out a hollow laugh. “It’s fine.”
Whatever. If he wants to treat me like an idiot, I’ll play along.
After drying her feet, Leister’s mood lifted completely at her words. He stood and pulled her into his arms desperately, nuzzling into her neck.
“Thank you, baby. Oh, didn’t you mention visiting your grandmother? How about I come with you tomorrow?”
His guilt offering? A slap followed by candy.
“Sure.”
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Chapter 10
Noelia smiled bitterly–her grandmother really did want to see Leister.
She pulled away and turned her back to him, lying down.
“Let’s sleep. I’m exhausted. Not hungry either–I feel too sick to eat…”
The last part was barely audible. Leister, riding his wave of relief, clearly missed it. He kissed her cheek and settled beside her
‘Good night, gorgeous.”
Noelia made a noncommittal sound, then scrubbed at her cheek where he’d kissed her. Once his breathing evened out, she lipped from bed.
Walking to the calendar, she marked a big X through the 27th.
wenty–six days left.
nstead of returning to bed, she went to the study to work on her jewelry designs.
he’d had some new inspiration today and needed to refine several details.
He made his choice. I won’t lose my career too.
The next morning.
eister woke reaching for Noelia, but found only cold sheets.
nstant panic shot through him, that familiar dread.
the bedroom, bathroom, walk–in closet–everywhere. Empty,
fell on the calendar with its stark red X’s–four of them now. An inexplicable sense of loss washed over him.
“What’s wrong?”
Noelia walked in, already dressed and made up.
Relief flooded through Leister as he rushed to embrace her.
He rubbed her back, murmuring against her hair, “Thank God you’re here.”
I’m being paranoid. My Noelia would never leave me.
She’ll always be by my side.
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Chapter 10
Noelia caught the fear in his voice and smiled mockingly as she pushed him away.
“Come on, we need to get to work. We’re having lunch with Grandma later, remember?”
“Right, whatever you want.”
The elderly woman had been cooking since dawn, excited to see them both.
The thought warmed Noelia’s heart even as it broke it.
Her parents had divorced when she was young. She’d lived with her mother until age five, then returned to her father when her mother remarried. With her father always working, her grandmother had raised her.
Grandma had also witnessed her love story with Leister, completely approving of him.
When they’d gotten engaged, he’d sworn to her grandmother that he’d never betray Noelia.
3ut he did anyway.
She blinked back tears.
Around noon, Leister picked her up.
The moment she got in the passenger seat, he handed her a container of pre–peeled grapes and snacks.
‘It’s a bit of a drive. Watch something on your phone, enjoy the treats.”
He ruffled her hair affectionately.
Noelia stared at the food, emotions churning.
If only he weren’t so sweet. It would make this so much easier.
Even quitting smoking has withdrawal symptoms. How much worse for a man you’ve loved for nine years?
She took a shaky breath and turned to the window.
Half an hour later, they pulled up to the apartment complex.
Grandma was waiting by the entrance, beaming when she spotted them.
The three of them headed upstairs together.
It was a gorgeous June day, sunshine streaming through the windows.
Noelia helped in the kitchen while chatting with her grandmother.
Baby Ex Dont Cry, I’m Smiling at My Wedding with Tyroon Knight
Chapter 10
Leister gave them space, waiting in the living room.
His phone buzzed at the worst possible moment.
Seeing the caller ID, he frowned slightly, glanced toward the kitchen where Noelia was busy, then slipped into the bedroom.
Anita’s sobbing voice filled his ear.
“Leister, I feel awful. Everyone online is calling me a whore, telling me to kill myself. Is it really all my fault? Maybe I should just die…”
Her broken cries made his heart race with panic.
“Anita! Don’t think like that! Those people don’t know what they’re talking about! Don’t you dare hurt yourself!”
‘I don’t know what to do anymore, Leister. They all hate me. Maybe if I were dead, everyone would be happy?”
Leister went white with terror.
Anita had struggled with depression before–seeing all that online hate would devastate her.
And it was because of Noelia’s demands that Anita had to post that apology in the first place.
n a way, this is partially Noelia’s fault….
Leister, lunch is ready!” Noelia’s warm voice called from outside.
ie squeezed his eyes shut, torn.
Anita was sobbing hysterically on the phone.
f he didn’t go to her, she might actually hurt herself.
But there will be other lunches. Other chances.
This is an emergency.
His mind made up, he opened the door to find Noelia approaching with a bright smile.
She seemed unusually happy today. “Time to eat! Grandma made your favorite honey garlic salmon!”
Guilt stabbed through him.
But he couldn’t leave Anita in crisis.
“Baby, I just got a call about the resort project. There’s an emergency I have to handle immediately. I can’t stay for lunch–I’m so sorry. Rain check?”
He looked genuinely panicked and rushed.
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Chapter 10
Leister gave them space, waiting in the living room.
His phone buzzed at the worst possible moment.
Seeing the caller ID, he frowned slightly, glanced toward the kitchen where Noelia was busy, then slipped into the bedroom.
Anita’s sobbing voice filled his ear.
“Leister, I feel awful. Everyone online is calling me a whore, telling me to kill myself. Is it really all my fault? Maybe I should
just die…”
Her broken cries made his heart race with panic.
‘Anita! Don’t think like that! Those people don’t know what they’re talking about! Don’t you dare hurt yourself!”
‘I don’t know what to do anymore, Leister. They all hate me. Maybe if I were dead, everyone would be happy?”
Leister went white with terror.
Anita had struggled with depression before–seeing all that online hate would devastate her.
And it was because of Noelia’s demands that Anita had to post that apology in the first place.
n a way, this is partially Noelia’s fault….
Leister, lunch is ready!” Noelia’s warm voice called from outside.
le squeezed his eyes shut, torn.
Anita was sobbing hysterically on the phone.
fhe didn
to her, she might actually hurt herself.
e other lunches. Other chances.
mergency,
Bind made up, he opened the door to find Noelia approaching with a bright smile.
She seemed unusually happy today. “Time to eat! Grandma made your favorite honey garlic salmon!”
Guilt stabbed through him.
But he couldn’t leave Anita in crisis.
“Baby, I just got a call about the resort project. There’s an emergency I have to handle immediately. I can’t stay for lunch–I’m so sorry. Rain check?”
He looked genuinely panicked and rushed.
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The resort project was indeed one of their biggest deals–any crisis would need immediate attention.
Noelia didn’t suspect anything. Though disappointed, she managed a understanding smile.
“Don’t worry, work comes first. Go handle it. Grandma will understand.”
He touched her cheek briefly, then hurried out.
Noelia stood there for a moment, swallowing her disappointment before going to explain to her grandmother.
The old woman said it was fine, but Noelia could see the hurt in her eyes.
Lunch felt hollow and sad.
3y three o’clock, Grandma was already urging Noelia to leave, worried about keeping her from work.
Jnable to refuse, Noelia finally left.
‘erfect timing, actually. I have something very important to do…
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