Mirabelle’s POV:
We stared at each other for a while. I was about to leave, to put this strange, confusing moment behind me, when he grabbed my wrist, his grip was surprisingly strong.
“Ken, let go,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction.
His eyes were glary and intense. “No,” he said softly, pulling me closer, his face inches from mine. Before I could react, he moved, his body pressing me back against the bed. I was too shocked to move, his breath was warm on my skin.
“Ken, stop-”
But he didn’t. He leaned in, slowly, his lips almost touching mine.
“No!” I yelled, shoving him back with all the strength I had left. He stumbled, and I was on my feet in an instant, my heart pounding.
I backed away, my hands trembling. “You need help, Ken.” I remarked. “But it’s not going to come from me.”
He looked at me with a mix of hurt and confusion, but I didn’t give him a chance to speak. I grabbed my things, practically fleeing the room and slamming the door behind me.
Outside, the cool night air hit my face, and I took a shaky breath, as I pulled out my phone, fingers hovering over Noah’s number. But I couldn’t call him-not now.
Not after this.
What the hell do I tell him?
That I escorted my ex-husband to a hotel room?
This is so fucked up!
I shoved the phone back in my pocket and got into my car, hands gripping the wheel until my knuckles turned white. It wasn’t until I was halfway home that the tears finally came, and I let them, not knowing who I was crying for-Ken, Noah, or myself.
*****
Morning came by quickly.
I hardly slept.
My thoughts wouldn’t stop racing, replaying every single thing that happened last night over and over until I thought I’d go mad.
The guilt was like a stone in my chest-I couldn’t shake it, couldn’t breathe past it. What was I even thinking, almost taking Ken to my house, our house? Noah’s house. The shame of it twisted in my gut, and I buried my face in my hands, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.
I couldn’t afford to break down, not today. I had to get through this. I threw my hair into a messy bun and forced myself to get dressed, picking out the first suit I grabbed.
I looked like hell-pale, tired, but I told myself it didn’t matter. All I had to do was make it through the day without falling apart.
When I walked into the sitting room, my heart nearly stopped. Edward was sitting there in the couch area, waiting for me. I plastered on the best smile I could manage and hoped he couldn’t see the anxiety hiding behind it.
“Good morning, Edward,” I greeted him.
“Good morning, Mirabelle,” he replied, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he could see right through me. “I noticed your car wasn’t at the house until late last night. I wanted to know why you returned so late.”
I forced a laugh. “Oh, I had to… take care of some errands and all. You know how work is.”
He didn’t buy it. I could tell from the way his gaze sharpened. “Is everything alright with you and Noah?” His voice was gentle, but I heard the concern in it-the suspicion.
It made my stomach churn.
“Yes,” I said, too quickly. “Everything’s fine. Noah’s busy with work, and I’ve just got a lot on my plate. Nothing to worry about.”
Edward didn’t say anything for a moment, just kept watching me like he was searching for cracks in my expression. I hated that he could make me feel so exposed. “Well,” he said finally, “you know I’m always here if you need to talk. You’re family, and I care about you.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, barely meeting his eyes. I couldn’t do this-not now. I made some excuse and hurried to my car, closing the car door as quickly as I could.
My hands were shaking
The office was my sanctuary. I’d lose myself in work, just like I always did when everything else got too complicated. As I drove there, I tried to focus on the meeting I had planned, but I kept seeing Ken’s face, hearing his voice, the way he’d said he was sorry… I shook my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
This wasn’t the time!
For the next few hours, I buried myself in work, trying to ignore the thoughts in my head.
But it was useless.
Everything felt wrong-Ken’s unexpected visit last night, Edward’s unending questions… and the fact that Noah was so far away.
My phone buzzed on the desk, and my heart leapt when I saw Noah’s name. I took a deep breath before answering, trying to sound normal.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Mira.” He said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “How’s everything going?”
I forced a smile. “Oh, you know. Busy as ever. How’s Shanghai?”
“Good, actually,” He replied, curtly. Then he changed the topic almost immediately.
“I’ve been thinking, Mira… When I get back, I want to take you somewhere. Just us. I’ve missed you.”
My throat tightened. I wanted to feel happy, excited even, but all I could think about was the guilt sitting heavy inside me, and the fact that I was lying to him.
Well to be fair, I wasn’t lying to him. I just wasn’t telling him about last night. “That sounds great, Noah,” I managed. “I’d love that.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” His tone grew softer. “You sound… different.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
There was a pause, and I knew he didn’t believe me. But he didn’t push. “Alright,” he said finally. “I love you, Mira.”
“I love you too,” I said, but the words felt hollow, like they belonged to someone else.
We said goodbye, and I set the phone down, staring at it like it might suddenly show me the answers I was so desperately searching for.
I didn’t have time to catch my breath before a knock echoed in the office. I looked up, and there he was-Ken.