Chapter 3
Noelia capped her pen, her voice eerily calm.
“Just marking off days until our anniversary. Don’t want to forget when you should open that gift.”
She straightened his tie, her downcast eyes completely detached.
Leister melted instantly, taking her soft hands in his. “Of course I’ll remember, babe. I think about that present every day–1
can’t wait to see what it is.”
Can’t wait, huh?
Her smile was razor–thin as she caught a sweet aroma from the bag in his hand.
Tiramisu?”
Ha, my little foodie’s nose never fails.” He grinned and booped her nose, handing over the elegant pastry box. “Your favorite rom that place downtown.”
his used to be their thing–Leister would wait in those ridiculous lines just to get her tiramisu from that tiny Italian café.
le’d always tease her: “You’re so easy to please.”
nd she’d laugh back: “When you love someone, the little things matter most.”
ow she took the box mechanically. Same sweet taste, same creamy texture.
ifferent man.
eister watched her for a long moment before clearing his throat.
About that dress you liked today–turns out someone had already reserved it. The salesgirl screwed up. Let me get you
omething even better, okay?”
Joelia paused mid bite, the tiramisu suddenly tasting like sawdust.
o everything has a price tag after all.
le was going to give her favorite things to his mistress.
he swallowed the burning sensation in her throat. “Sure, whatever.”
Keep the dress. Keep the man. I don’t want either anymore.
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Chapter 3
Monday morning hit like a freight train.
Noelia had barely walked into the office when Beatrice Rossi came flying over, practically hyperventilating.
“Whoa, Bea, what’s wrong?”
“Nochia, we have a major problem-”
She stormed into the CEO’s office and slammed a folder on Leister’s desk.
“You’re replacing my endorsed model? Without even discussing it with me?”
Her voice cracked with fury and hurt.
Leister immediately stood and pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back. “Hey, breathe. Getting worked up isn’t good for you.”
“This is my fault–1 should’ve talked to you first.”
“But your original choice had some… personal issues that came to light. We had no choice.”
He handed her the file.
After reading it, her anger cooled slightly. “Fine. Who’s the replacement?”
‘Anita Duke. She’s with Cielo Media, trending pretty hard online right now. Actually, she’s that girl we bumped into yesterday–small world, right?”
The words hit like a sledgehammer.
Leister continued obliviously. “Market research shows she’s perfect for our demographic. The numbers don’t lie.”
“What do you think?”
Noelia’s throat felt like it was full of broken glass.
He’s making his mistress the face of my project.
“What if I said she was completely wrong for this? Would you replace her?”
Leister hesitated.
The pause said everything.
He’s actually weighing whether to choose me or his side piece.
“Never mind.” She pushed away from him, her voice arctic. “Do whatever you want.”
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Baby L
My Weilin
Twoon
Chapter 3
The coldness in her tone made him flinch. They’d had disagreements before, but never like this–never with her shutting down completely.
“Noelia, wait-”
But she was already gone, the elevator doors closing between them.
He stood there, suddenly regretting last night’s promise to Anita.
“Leister…”
Soft arms wrapped around him from behind as Anita pressed against his back.
His mood was already sour, but he turned and kissed her forehead anyway.
What did I tell you about public displays? Go back to your office.”
Anita pouted, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Sorry, I just missed you so much. It won’t happen again…”
Good girl.”
Her obedience pleased him. He softened, giving her another quick kiss before heading back inside.
Anita smiled sweetly until he was gone, then her expression turned venomous.
Your move, Noelia.
lack in her office, Noelia was sketching jewelry designs for the competition, completely absorbed when Leister walked in arrying an elegant gift box.
he jewelry set she’d admired earlier.
the quickly shoved her sketches into a drawer.
I’m sorry about earlier. Please don’t be mad.” He started massaging her shoulders. “Forgive me?”
She shrugged away from his touch. “I’m not mad. Just busy. You should get back to work.”
Her tone was pleasant but her eyes were ice.
This wasn’t the reaction he expected. Usually, any gift–even a single rose–would make her light up with joy.
Now? Nothing.
He was about to say something when his assistant knocked. “Mr. Devereux? The board meeting?”
Reluctantly, he left.
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Chapter 3
The moment the door closed, Noelia picked up her phone.
“I need to sell a jewelry set. Donate the proceeds to… let’s see… the city waste management program.”
The confused silence on the other end was almost funny.
Her desk phone rang immediately after.
“Noelia, there’s a welcome dinner tonight at Le Jardin Tranquille for the new spokesperson. Eight PM.”
Despite her feelings about Anita, this was business. “I’ll be there.”
Le Jardin Tranquille was New York’s most exclusive restaurant, all glass walls and hanging gardens.
Noelia arrived in an elegant white suit, immediately spotting Anita holding court in the center of the room, draped in that gorgeous dress.
The same dress she’d wanted.
Even knowing Leister had given her things to his mistress, seeing it still felt like a knife to the chest.
Anita noticed her and smiled brilliantly, as if to say: See? He spoils me, not you.
Anita, that dress is absolutely stunning! Isn’t it like, crazy expensive?”
Who bought it for you? Must be someone special!”
Anita blushed prettily, making sure Noelia could hear every word.
My boyfriend insisted on getting it. Said I was the only one who could make it look that good.” She emphasized each word like
weapon. “No one else could even come close.”
Your boyfriend sounds amazing! Almost as generous as Mr. Devereux with Noelia!”
Right? Some women are just so lucky!”
Voelia’s nails dug into her palms, but her expression remained neutral.
So this is how tender he is with his mistress.
‘Boyfriend?” Noelia’s voice cut through the chatter like ice as she stepped forward, her presence commanding the room.
Anita felt a chill but stood her ground. “That’s right!”
She twisted the knife deeper. “He’s always surprising me with little gifts… Last night he brought me tiramisu from that cute Italian place. So sweet of him!”
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Baby Ex Don’t Cry. F’in Smiling at My Wedding with Tyron Knight
Chapter 3
Tiramisu.
The same tiramisu he’d given her. After his mistress.
Noelia felt like she was being burned alive and stomped on simultaneously.
Anita’s eyes glittered with triumph. Let’s see you act superior now.
But Noelia just smiled–cold, sharp, dangerous.
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