Noah’s POV:
I straightened my collar and ran a hand through my hair as I entered the lobby of Mirabelle’s office building, holding a bouquet of fresh lilies and roses. The receptionist looked up from her desk, giving me a polite but blank look.
“Can I help you?” She asked, eyes flicking to the flowers, then back to me.
“Yes. I’d like these delivered to Mirabelle Davis, please.” I replied.
“Are you on her visitor list?” She asked, with just enough of a questioning tone to make my irritation spark.
“I’m…Noah,” I introduced, biting back my pride. “I’m her husband.”
“Oh, Mr. Sylvester!” The receptionist stood up. “I hadn’t realized-of course. I’ll see that they’re delivered right away.”
As the receptionist turned to take the flowers, I hesitated, feeling a slight awkwardness at leaving without even a glimpse of Mirabelle. I wanted to see her reaction, to see if my gesture might chip away at her anger.
“Actually…could you make sure she gets these directly?” I forced a smile, hoping to convey the importance of the request.
The receptionist nodded, and I walked away.
Much later, I found himself at the mall, browsing dresses with Mirabelle in mind. I knew her style well: classic, sexy and elegant. I imagined her walking into the restaurant in one of these dresses, the whole room turning to admire her. She’d look at me, and in her eyes, I’d finally see that hint of forgiveness I’d been waiting for.
Just as I selected a dark-blue dress I thought she’d love, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Noah?”
I looked up to see Natasha standing nearby.
“Natasha,” I greeted her, keeping my tone neutral.
“Shopping?” She asked, glancing at the dress in his hand.
“For Mirabelle,” I replied, giving her a slight nod. “I wanted to surprise her.”
Natasha’s smile faltered, and for a moment, she seemed uncomfortable. “That’s…sweet. Is she still upset?”
I paused, narrowing my eyes slightly. “Did you really need to ask that?”
Natasha sighed. “I want to tell her there was nothing to those pictures. You know that, don’t you? That was just a coincidence-”
“I know what it was,” I cut her off. “But I don’t want to discuss my marriage with you, Natasha.”
A flicker of hurt crossed her face, but she quickly masked it, giving me a faint smile instead. “Understood. I’ll see you back at the office,” she murmured, turning on her heel and walking away.
I watched her go, then I bought the dress and left. Heading back to the office.
After stopping by home briefly, I noticed that it was getting late and checked with Jamie. “Mirabelle hasn’t returned yet, sir,” she said, glancing at the clock.
She wasn’t usually out this late. Trying not to overthink it, I made the decision to go back to her office.
When I arrived at her office, I knocked on her doors and she opened it almost immediately.
“Mirabelle,” I began, but my voice trailed off when I saw Ken.
“Noah,” She called, blocking my view of the room. “What are you doing here?” She asked.
I glanced past her again, my fist tightened. “I wanted to talk. To apologize.”
“Oh, now you want to talk?” She replied. “Funny, because you didn’t seem like you wanted to talk when you were too busy spending time with Natasha earlier at the Mall.”
My eyes narrowed. “So, this is what? Payback?”
Ken, sensing the tension, stood up. “Maybe I should go-”
“No,” She cut in, reaching out to stop him. “You’re fine, Ken. Noah was just leaving.”
I clenched his fists, my eyes boring into hers. “Mirabelle, can we talk-alone?”
“I think I’ve heard everything I need to,” She said, stepping back to close the door.
“Mirabelle, don’t do this,” I pleaded. “I know you’re hurt, but you don’t understand. Nothing happened between me and Natasha.”
“Nothing happened?” She repeated. “Because from where I was standing today, it looked like you were pretty cozy with her.”
I looked down. “She’s a Partner, Mirabelle. We were discussing work. That’s all.”
“I don’t care what you were discussing,” She snapped back. “The point is that you keep spending time with her.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out.
“This is unfortunately not about me, it’s about him isn’t it?” I began. “You don’t want to believe me because of what he did to you, how you lost him to another woman. But what I find dumb is how you could foolishly go back to him just to make jealous.”
“I think you should go, Noah,” She said, glaring at me.
I looked at her for a long moment, but I didn’t fight it. I turned and walked away.
As I drove home, I replayed the argument I had with Mirabelle over and over in my head. How had it gotten so complicated? And why did she have to turn to Ken, of all people?
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I glanced down, seeing Natasha’s name on the screen. I almost ignored it, but something made me answer.
“Noah…” Natasha’s voice slurred slightly. “I…I need a ride.”
“Where are you?” I asked.
“Just…a bar, near your company.” She mumbled. “I had a few drinks, and…well, I didn’t want to risk driving.”
“Can you take me home?” She asked.