Noelle made her way back to the Spencer residence, lost in thought.
Mary was already home from meeting Alan Marshall and had cooked a full spread for dinner. Every dish leaned sweet–just the way Noelle liked it.
After days of sour, puckering meals at the Ashford residence, even the memory of the food there made
Noelle’s stomach churn.
Noelle wrapped her arms around Mary. “Mom, you’re the best.”
Mary caught the hurt in Noelle’s tone and teased, “What’s wrong? The Ashfords are filthy rich. Don’t tell
me they didn’t even let you eat what you wanted.”
She’d meant it as a joke, but it struck right at Noelle’s sore spot.
The Ashfords had never flat–out stopped Noelle from eating what she wanted, but Sabrina had insisted
that she sit at the table for every meal just to flaunt her place in the family.
The dishes on the Ashfords‘ dining table were Sabrina’s way of unsettling Noelle. They were a reminder of where they stood in the Ashford family–Sabrina high above, and Noelle far below.
When Noelle suddenly fell silent, Mary realized she had hit a nerve. So, she quickly pulled Noelle into a seat and steered the topic away. “Noelle, did you see Sebastian at the Cole residence today?”
She wasn’t just making small talk. After all, the Cole family’s influence was rising fast. With Sebastian’s birthday having attracted a crowd of well–wishers, they’d probably been swamped, and Noelle might not
have had a chance to meet him.
Noelle picked up her cutlery, sliced off a piece of glazed rib, and set it on Mary’s plate. She paused, then
said, “Yeah, I saw him.”
Mary’s face lit up. If Noelle had met Sebastian, it meant the Coles hadn’t played any of their usual high-
society games.
Mary softly asked, almost tiptoeing around the question, “Do you see yourself with Sebastian?”
The question nearly made Noelle choke. She burst into a fit of coughing that didn’t settle until she took a long gulp of water.
Instead of answering Mary’s question, she countered with one of her own. “Mom, the real question is, do
you think Sebastian would ever like me?”
Her question made Mary pause, and her cutlery froze mid–air.
After a moment of thought, Mary said, “He probably does. After all, the Coles were the ones who’d brought up the marriage. If he doesn’t like you, why would he propose?”
In fact, the proposal had come the same week that news of Conner’s accident broke.
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Mary simply hadn’t brought it up right away. After all, she knew how deeply Noelle and Conner had loved each other. With his accident still fresh in Noelle’s mind, she might’ve taken offense at the proposal.
Noelle picked up another piece of glazed rib but lost her appetite halfway. She set it in her bowl, her
expression clouded in thought.
Mary was right. If Sebastian didn’t have feelings for her, why would he have proposed?
Meanwhile, Mary couldn’t make out what Noelle was thinking. So, she simply urged her to eat. “Noelle,
didn’t you say you love my glazed ribs? Come on, have some more. I’ve been making them for you every
day.”
Noelle suddenly looked up and fixed her gaze on Mary. Then, she asked, “Mom, does Sebastian have
some kind of hidden illness?”
Noelle had spent the past few years tucked away at the Ashford residence, rarely going out and barely
socializing. Not to mention, she had little interest in the gossip circulating through Norland’s elite circles
and knew even less about it.
Maybe Mary knew more.
But Mary frowned, puzzled by the sudden question. “Why are you asking that out of nowhere?
“There have always been rumors though. People say Sebastian isn’t in the best health.” She hesitated, her
expression turning serious. “Noelle, did you notice anything? The more I think about it, the stranger it
seems.
“The Coles are one of the most powerful families in Norland. Why would they suddenly propose this marriage? I haven’t seen Sebastian in years. Could there actually be something wrong with him?”
Noelle’s mind drifted back to the moment outside the Cole residence. He had looked so pale and hollow
that it had unsettled her. It was as if he could barely breathe.
Self–reproach washed over Mary. She slapped her thigh and said, full of regret, “This was careless of me!
If Sebastian really has some hidden illness, I’ll help you call off the engagement. Don’t worry. I’m not letting anyone take advantage of you.”
Warmth rose in Noelle’s chest as she watched Mary get so worked up.
Anyone else in the world might turn on her, but not Mary.
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Chapter 18
