Chapter 7
“It’s nothing! Miss Montez is just kidding!”
Anita’s face drained of color as she frantically waved her hands, eyes glued to the phone like it was a loaded gun.
Noelia cocked an eyebrow. “Why so freaked out, Anita? Weren’t you just playing the victim card? Demanding Beatrice grovel?
Well then…”
Anita’s heart was hammering against her ribs.
Fuck pride–this was survival mode.
“No! I totally started it with Miss Rossi first. This is all on me–I should be the one apologizing. Sorry, Miss Rossi.”
“Mr. Devereux, this whole thing was my fault. Miss Rossi did nothing wrong.”
Noelia snorted, fixing Leister with an icy stare.
“So? Still gonna play white knight for your little princess?”
“You’d seriously trust some random actress over your own people? That’s pretty cold… If this got out, our company would look like a joke.”
She lobbed his own corporate bullshit right back at him.
Leister practically choked, his face twitching.
With half the office watching, he couldn’t exactly dig his hole deeper.
He stepped closer and grabbed Noelia’s hand, forcing a smile. “My bad, babe. I was totally overreacting, wasn’t thinking. Thanks for keeping me honest.”
Noelia’s expression stayed dead flat as she tugged her hand away.
Feeling that arctic chill, Leister’s stomach dropped. He tightened his grip and whipped around to glare at Anita.
“Miss Duke, you’ve stirred up enough drama for one workplace. Last time, Miss Montez was nice enough to let it go. This time? You better have a good explanation. Since this dramatic show’s definitely going viral, you’ll be posting a public apology.”
For any celebrity, that was basically career suicide.
Anita wanted to puke from rage and humiliation.
But she knew when to fold.
“I… yeah, got it…”
Leister’s voice went all soft and syrupy as he rubbed Noelia’s palm.
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Chapter 7
“Baby, don’t be mad. I totally screwed up back there. From now on, I’ll listen to you, yeah?”
He looked like a guilty golden retriever begging for treats.
Usually when they fought, one round of his puppy dog routine and she’d cave completely.
But not this time.
Noelia didn’t break into her usual forgiving smile.
Instead, she pulled free with the fakest smile imaginable. “Sure, I believe you.”
The brush–off was brutal.
Panic flashed across Leister’s face as he scrambled after her. “Noelia, wait-”
Behind them, Anita watched Leister practically kiss ass and felt sick.
ust fucking wait. Someday I’ll make him dump that bitch and come crawling to me.
And whatever’s on that phone… I need to get my hands on it. Can’t let Noelia have dirt on me.
he whipped out her phone and fired off a text.
eister trailed Noelia into the break room, shooing Beatrice away with a wave.
Tow it was just them.
Toelia treated him like furniture–pouring tea, diving into paperwork, the whole ice queen routine.
eister’s chest felt tight. He started his usual routine–cutting fruit, hovering around her like a helicopter husband, feeding her rapes, massaging her shoulders.
Toelia docked every move.
ld her would’ve melted in five seconds flat.
But now? Her heart was too fucking destroyed to care.
Stop.” She brushed his hands off, voice flat as roadkill. “I’m not mad. Go handle your things.”
Leister’s panic spiked. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, chin on her shoulder–the same move that used to make her putty in his hands.
His voice cracked like a teenager’s. “Baby, please don’t shut me out…”
Noelia squeezed her eyes shut, too emotionally drained for this performance. She turned and planted a mechanical peck on
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Chapter 7
his cheek.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Go do whatever.”
Leister perked up like he’d won the lottery, stroking her face.
“I promised to spend today with you. You work, I’ll be your assistant.”
He seemed dead set on this.
Noelia gave up fighting it.
But working side by side dragged up memories of their broke–ass startup days–splitting dollar ramen because they were too proud to beg his family for cash.
She remembered him watching her divide one pathetic bowl into two, tears in his eyes: “I swear I’ll never let you struggle like this again…”
She blinked away the sting and focused on her sketches.
Hours later, Leister’s phone started buzzing.
He checked the screen, frowned, and hit decline.
Noelia glanced over.
Just Zane and the boys. Nothing important–promised to hang with you today.”
The phone went off again immediately.
Just take it,” Noelia said.
nswered.
Donet
are you? Zane’s birthday rager is off the charts! We got some seriously fine-”
e’s waiting for your ass!”
cut them off sharp, “I told you idiots, I’m married now. Stop inviting me to that bullshit. It’s late, I’m with my wife.
“Come on! It’s Zane’s birthday–you can’t just bail!”
“Bring Noelia! Let her cut loose for once!”
Leister held firm. “Not happening. Nothing matters more than my wife.”
Noelia set down her papers. “Just go. I can Uber home.”
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Chapter 7
Leister pocketed his phone, grabbing her hands. “If you’re not going, I’m not going. Promised to stay with you.”
“Come on, Noelia! You and Leister should both come! Staying home’s boring as hell!”
“For real!”
They weren’t backing down.
After a beat, Noelia caved. “Fine.”
Notte Lounge–they’d bought out an entire floor for this circus.
When Leister walked in with Noelia, the VIP room was pure chaos–music loud enough to cause brain damage, half–naked bottle girls everywhere.
Complete degenerate playground.
Noelia’s face twisted in disgust.
Leister pulled her close and hit the lights, his voice cutting through the noise. “Everyone out. Now.”
Zane and his crew read the room instantly–Leister was pissed, and Noelia clearly wanted to burn the place down.
Out! Everybody fucking out!”
The scantily clad women slunk away looking embarrassed.
Only then did Leister guide Noelia to a couch, knowing her germaphobia, he sanitized the whole thing first.
No smoking. Lia can’t stand the smell.”
de crushed some dude’s cigarette and chucked it in the trash.
Jesus, Leister’s like the most whipped husband in all of Manhattan!”
No shit–just dropped seven figures on jewelry for her last week.”
Everyone was roasting him.
‘She’s my wife. Course I spoil her.”
Leister ignored their bullshit completely, focused entirely on feeding Noelia fruit.
Noelia felt absolutely nothing.
Just bitter fucking irony.
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Chapter 7
Who would’ve guessed this man who worshipped the ground she walked on would cheat?
Life was hilarious.
Around nine, Noelia made up some excuse to bail early.
eister started following.
‘ane’s crew protested: “Let your driver take her! Stay a bit longer–it’s not even midnight!”
eister wavered.
Joelia squeezed his arm. “It’s cool, I’ll grab an Uber. Super safe. You stay and party.”
he peer pressure was obvious. Leister folded. “At least let me walk you out.”
he shrugged.
In the street, Leister flagged a cab, paid upfront, and gave the driver a whole speech–playing perfect concerned husband.
he cabbie was impressed.
Lady, your husband’s a real one. Most guys these days don’t give a shit.”
Joelia said nothing, her throat feeling stuffed with concrete.
he patted her pocket and realized her sunglasses were still inside.
hose weren’t just any sunglasses–custom–made by Leister when they were dating, specially designed for her light sensitivity. he’d worn them for years and couldn’t bear losing them.
he apologized to the driver and got out.
Valking back toward the entrance, she spotted Leister by the door, scanning the street.
he was about to call his name when some girl came bouncing out like an excited puppy and launched herself into his arms.
Mmm, Leister! God, I’ve missed you so much!”
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