Chapter 13
She stared at the ashes smoldering in the fire pit.
A bitter laugh escaped her. “Nothing special. Just some useless junk cluttering up the bedroom.”
Leister didn’t think twice about it, though he seemed momentarily fixated on the charred remains.
He pulled her to her feet, rubbing her ice–cold hands between his warm ones.
“I should’ve handled this for you. You don’t need to be out here doing stuff like this.”
Noelia watched their joined hands.
she’d always been freezing–winter, summer, didn’t matter. Her hands were perpetually cold, and he used to warm them without complaint.
Now those same hands had been all over another woman.
she blinked back tears and pulled away, giving him the most emotionless “okay” she could manage.
Too bad there won’t be a next time.
Back when they were struggling financially, every little gift from him felt like treasure. She’d cherished everything.
Now she’d never again waste her heart on his meaningless gestures.
Put the fire out,” she said quietly.
Sure thing, Step back so you don’t get hit by sparks.”
eister pulled her behind him protectively, his broad shoulders shielding her. Once upon a time, she’d thought that back was
er sanctuary…
The turned away, fighting tears.
The flames slowly died.
Just like their love–killed by Leister’s own hands.
‘Come on, let’s head in.” After cleaning up, he wrapped an arm around her. “Made you some ginger tea–it’s upstairs. You go rest, I’ll grab a heating pad.”
His eyes were all soft and caring.
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Which only reminded her of that disgusting video call she’d witnessed.
God, the irony.
“Go ahead.”
She shrugged him off and headed upstairs alone.
Leister stared at his empty arms, watching her disappear with this hollow feeling eating at his chest. She was right there, but it felt like she was slipping away…
Noelia used to be so affectionate–always touching him, calling him “baby” in that sweet voice…
Now she barely looked at him, and he couldn’t remember the last time she’d used any term of endearment…
Panic crept up his spine.
Had she somehow found out?
No way. He’d been careful as hell. She couldn’t know.
In the bedroom, Noelia washed off the smoke smell and collapsed into bed, completely drained.
Ping.
Her phone lit up with a new photo.
It caught her eye immediately, making her grip the sheets until her knuckles went white.
The image showed Leister and Anita during their video session-
His face twisted with pleasure, that usually controlled expression gone completely wild, looking exactly like the reckless guy she’d first fallen for. Except now everything was poison.
(Oops, sent to wrong person! ?]
[Leister asked me to send this for when he gets bored with you know who.]
[Kinda weird though–I thought he loved you? He keeps telling me how tedious being with you is.]
So he found her that boring?
Made perfect sense. Before marriage, she’d been this bright, energetic girl everyone loved being around.
Now she was just another dull housewife.
Of course he’d find her mind–numbing.
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Noelia bit down hard enough to taste blood: [That’s what pets are for–entertainment.]
After hitting send, she tossed her phone aside. No response came back.
She lay there like a discarded toy, completely empty inside.
Leister quietly entered to find her already in bed.
Not wanting to wake her, he tiptoed around, dimming the lights and tucking her in before sliding in beside her. Knowing about her cramps, he gently placed a heating pad on her stomach.
“Sweet dreams,” he whispered, kissing her hair.
So fucking tender it made her sick.
Noelia’s whole body stayed rigid.
In the darkness, her eyes redened.
Once he was deeply asleep, she slipped away to the bathroom and scrubbed her skin raw under near–scalding water.
[oo wired to sleep afterward, she went to her study to work on jewelry designs.
Vext morning.
Leister woke to find Noelia curled up on the far edge of the bed instead of in his arms.
Must’ve rolled away during the night.
Chuckling, he reached over to pull her close, his stubbled chin playfully nuzzling her neck.
Got a light day at work. Want to hang out this morning?”
Maybe hit up that amusement park? You used to be obsessed with those haunted houses…”
Noelia stared down at the sheets, too exhausted from her late night work session to want to go anywhere.
But he was like an eager golden retriever, all charm and persistence. “I planned something special. Come see, pretty please?”
Too tired to fight and not wanting to seem suspicious with only twenty five days left, she caved.
Leister’s face lit up like Christmas morning as he cupped her cheeks, leaning in for a kiss.
She frowned and turned her head away.
“Babe…” His voice went all wounded puppy. “You’ve been dodging me lately…”
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Chapter 13
Too drained to explain, she forced a smile. “Your stubble’s scratchy. Go shave.”
She pushed past him toward the bathroom.
He followed like a lost dog, mood brightening as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
“Help me shave?” he asked with that boyish grin that used to melt her.
Usually she’d give in to his requests. She’d always been so damn accommodating.
But not this time.
She pulled away, face completely blank. “I need to wash my face. Handle it yourself.”
His expression crumpled like she’d kicked him. “Just real quick? Please?“.
Same old routine–big bad wolf pretending to be a harmless puppy, working those manipulation tactics.
She’d never been able to say no before.
But now? She was done with this performance.
‘We’re running late. Quit being a baby.”
Her ice–cold rejection hit him like a physical blow. Yesterday’s guilt came rushing back.
He’d definitely make it up to her at the park.
He hugged her one more time, chin resting on her shoulder. “I’ll be better, okay? More time together. Won’t let you get hurt
anymore…”
Be better?
Noelia almost laughed out loud.
What’s the point?
Leister, in twenty–five days you’ll be completely alone.
Under the brutal summer sun.
Leister held an umbrella over her head, carrying her purse and constantly fussing over her comfort.
Anything that caught her eye got bought immediately.
When she mentioned wanting to try the haunted house, he didn’t hesitate to stand in that massive line under the blazing heat.
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A couple nearby took notice, the girl jabbing her boyfriend. “Look how sweet that guy is! Meanwhile you just scroll TikTok the entire time we’re out!”
Her boyfriend rolled his eyes. “Don’t start.”
“You weren’t like this when you were trying to get with me!”
Listening to their argument, Noelia felt that familiar hollow ache.
“Babe, got our tickets! Ready to get scared?”
Leister jogged back through the crowd, sweat on his forehead but grinning like an idiot when he saw her. His annoyed expression from dealing with the crowds melted completely.
Just like in high school when he’d run over after basketball practice.
He took her hand, fingers interlacing tightly.
The memory was like a knife to her chest.
That’s when someone walked up to them.
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