Chapter 5
Noelle left Sabrina’s ward, still clutching her abdomen against the cramps.
Just as she stepped out the door, she ran into Conner. He was carefully carrying a bowl of beetroot soup. Meanwhile, Yasmine trailed behind him, balancing a small plate of pickles Sabrina had suddenly craved.
All Conner had were eyes for Sabrina. He stepped past Noelle, his shoulders brushing against hers just enough to push her toward the doorframe. Then, he gingerly crossed the room to Sabrina. “This isn’t the best, but I’ll have Hugo import some next week,” he said.
Suddenly, the angry expression on Sabrina’s face disappeared, replaced with a gentle smile as she grinned at Conner. “If you treat me so well, honey, you’ll just spoil me.”
Conner settled down beside Sabrina’s bed and dotingly ruffled her hair. “You’re pregnant with our baby now, silly. Who else would I pour all this love onto?”
Yasmine eyed Noelle before speaking in a tone edged with disapproval, “What’s with that face, Noelle? Sabrina’s pregnant, and you should be happy for her.”
Noelle figured Yasmine might have long been harboring silent resentment toward her. After all, through all the years of Noelle’s failed attempts at conceiving with Conner, Yasmine had more than once suggested she approach Dalton to identify the issue. Yet, she had repeatedly brushed it off.
Eventually, Yasmine decided that Noelle simply wanted to enjoy her childless marriage a little longer and was indifferent to the fact that the Ashford family’s bloodline was thinning.
By then, Noelle’s stomach cramps had grown so intense that she could barely speak. As she braced herself against the wall, beads of dense sweat rolled down her back and soaked into her blouse.
However, to Yasmine, this was nothing but Noelle’s petty jealousy and resentment on full display. If she couldn’t bear children herself, she had no right to act bitter or begrudge Sabrina’s pregnancy.
As Noelle steadied herself against the wall, she could feel Conner’s gaze sweep over her for the briefest moment. She knew he understood what was happening to her, yet he decided to stay silent.
“I’m not feeling well,” she said in a tight voice, frowning.
Yasmine set the pickles aside, visibly annoyed. It was as if she was convinced that Noelle’s discomfort was nothing more than an excuse borne of spite and envy.
So, she waved Noelle off. “Fine, go home. Don’t stay here and upset Sabrina. Right now, the only thing that matters to the Ashfords is keeping this precious baby safe.”
From the bed, Sabrina shot Noelle a small, smug smile. The look in her eyes seemed to tell Noelle that she was the one the Ashfords saw worth protecting. No one cared if Noelle lived or died.
Chapter 5
2/2
After returning to the Ashford residence, the first thing Noelle did was call Mary.
She stood on the bedroom balcony, where an easel and a wooden chair were.
Noelle had studied fine arts in college, but she’d become a full–time housewife after marriage. Sometimes though, when she felt inspired, she would paint while Conner joined her at the balcony.
This place had used to be a warm corner of Noelle’s world. But now, it just stung to be here.
She pressed the phone closer to her ear, her tone casual as she said, “Come get me this week, Mom. Conner’s gone, and there’s no point in staying with the Ashfords anymore.”
In truth, Mary had wanted to bring Noelle back home for a while now, but she was held back by the thought that it might be better to keep her at the Ashford residence. At least here, there’d still be
memories of Conner around the house.
However, she was delighted that Noelle had chosen to leave now. “Home! Yes, you must come home! We’ll sever every tie with the Ashfords, and you’ll meet new people and start fresh. I’ll pick you up this
week!”
Mary’s voice grew heavy as she continued, “And Noelle, the Ashfords called. They’ve arranged a top–tier lawyer for your dad’s case, but other than Conner, no one else in that family is easy to deal with.
“Let’s not take their favors. I won’t have you indebted and humiliated all over again…”
Noelle rested her hands on the railing of the balcony and looked down on the sprawling Ashford residence. “Mom, since when had Conner been easy to deal with?”
Mary went quiet, not quite understanding what Noelle meant. To her, Noelle had loved Conner too deeply to speak of him in such harsh words, especially now that he was dead.
Upon sensing her puzzlement, Noelle gave a faint smile. “Everything’s fine, Mom. The Ashfords don’t give without having received payment first, so let’s just take what they’ve offered and live with it in peace.”
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Chapter 6
Chapter 6
