er 19
With Noelle–the only person who’d been standing in her way–now kicked out, Sabrina couldn’t have been
happier.
Meanwhile, Conner, too, felt a weight lift off his chest when he saw how happy Sabrina was.
In another five or six months, he could finally break free of this life built on pretense.
Ever since Noelle had left the Ashford residence, this was the longest he had gone in years without seeing or hearing from her.
They’d used to spend hours on the phone whenever he traveled for work. Now, after so long without hearing Noelle’s voice, the ache of missing her was becoming unbearable.
July in Norland brought sudden downpours that drenched the city without warning.
Around midnight, Sabrina straddled Conner. Then, in a soft, seductive voice, she whispered, “Caleb,” she
breathily said, “we haven’t been together like this in so long…”
Instantly, Conner rolled over and claimed Sabrina’s eager lips.
That night, having given in to his selfish desire, he pushed them both to the limit.
Afterward, Sabrina–utterly spent–drifted into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, Conner quickly got dressed in the
darkness and slipped out.
The longing he had felt for Noelle over these past few days was a storm he could no longer hold back.
He drove to the Spencer residence, but it was only to be stopped by Mary at the door.
Thunder rumbled overhead, and rain hammered down in sheets. Soaked to the bone, Conner stood
outside, fumbling for a reason to be there. “I have something for Noelle. Please, just let me see her for a
minute.”
“Noelle is already asleep. And you shouldn’t be bringing her anything, especially not as her brother–in–law.”
Mary was initially puzzled when Conner had shown up, but she’d quickly brushed it off. After all, since Noelle had decided to marry into the Cole family, she had to sever all ties with the Ashfords.
Mary’s firm stance left Conner with no choice. In the end, he kept making noises, hoping to catch Noelle’s
attention. He was convinced that if she knew he was there, she would come to see him.
But Mary blocked the doorway and warned, “Caleb, if you keep this up, I’m calling the cops.”
Conner stared at the familiar woman, the name “Mary” stuck in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to reclaim his rightful place and say, “It’s me, Conner, the Spencers‘ prized son–in–law. I’m not Noelle’s brother–in–law!”
Chapter 19
2/2
He was running out of options, so he said, “I have some of Conner’s belongings I need to give to Noelle. Please don’t refuse on her behalf. She’d want them.”
Mary hesitated for a moment, then replied, “I rarely make decisions for Noelle, but today, I’ll refuse for her.
“Caleb.” She addressed Conner the way Noelle would. “Noelle’s remarrying, and we’ll be cutting all ties
with the Ashford family.”
The downpour washed away whatever expression was initially on Conner’s face. He’d thought the thunder
had muffled Mary’s words and that he had misheard. He stared at her in shock. “What did you say? Who’s
remarrying?”
“Noelle’s remarrying.”
Conner’s every nerve went taut at those plain words.
He lost his composure and grabbed Mary’s arms, his face tight with panic as he blurted out, “How can Noelle remarry? She’s married into the Ashford family. She can’t remarry! None of the Ashfords would
ever agree to it!”
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
