The Ashfords sent Noelle off like she was the black sheep of the family.
As the driver, Max Steele, pulled away from the Ashford residence, Noelle glanced back at it.
Three years ago, she’d entered that house under the same dazzling lights, and now, she was being driven out in such a wretched state.
The car had barely left the gates when someone stopped them.
Noelle looked out and noticed that it was Conner, who carried a trace of guilt on his face.
After the car pulled to a stop, he came forward and leaned down to the open window. Then, he hesitantly asked, “How’s your arm? Do you need it treated?”
But Noelle didn’t spare him a single glance. She simply fixed her eyes on the road ahead. “It’s none of your business.”
Conner inhaled sharply, then let out a slow breath. “At least let me clean it.” With that, he slipped into the backseat, pulled out a band–aid, and pressed it over the bleeding scrape. “You shouldn’t have pushed Sab,
” he murmured.
Perhaps sorry for having lost his temper earlier yet not wanting that guilt to settle in either, he was shifting the focus and blaming it on Noelle instead.
Noelle gave Conner a sidelong look but said nothing.
By then, the car had gone beyond the Ashford residence gates, and she knew that she would never go
back.
When Noelle didn’t respond, Conner continued, “I’ll tag along. That way, Mary won’t-” Mid–sentence, he caught himself and quickly corrected his words. “That way, Mrs. Spencer won’t think we’re trying to
mistreat you.”
Just as Max started driving again, Noelle stopped him and turned to Conner. “Don’t bother, Caleb. Sabrina’s pregnant and not stable yet. You should stay with her.”
Besides, who knew when and if Sabrina would start throwing her manic fits again?
Conner’s gaze reluctantly lingered on Noelle.
In truth, he’d missed her over these past few days. In fact, she was on his mind even when he was laying
beside Sabrina.
“There’s a doctor with her. She’ll be fine,” he said.
Just then, his phone rang with a call from none other than Sabrina.
Since they were seated together in the backseat, Noelle could hear Sabrina’s soft, whining voice complain
Chapter 11
over the phone, “Where are you, Caleb? I’m not feeling well, and I need a hug.”
2/2
Conner shifted toward the door and replied in a soft, gentle voice, “Stay there. I’ll be right back.” He then hung up looking so apologetic that it made Noelle’s stomach churn.
She never needed that apology anyway.
“I’m sorry. Sab’s not feeling well, so I-”
“Go,” Noelle said, cutting him off with a flick of her hand. “It’s just a trip back to the Spencers. Don’t bother
seeing me off.”
Conner–oblivious to her irritation–stepped out.
Yet, he’d turn back every few paces, and in the end, he couldn’t hold back and was soon leaning into the window again. “Take care of yourself while you’re at the Spencers, Noelle. Once she’s stable, I’ll come
back for you myself.”
Noelle responded with a cold laugh. “Save it. Just think about taking care of your wife.”
With that, Conner somewhat absent–mindedly returned to the Ashford residence.
The doctor had already relayed the necessary precautions, and Yasmine was now supervising the housekeepers as they prepared some beetroot soup.
At that moment, only Conner and Sabrina were in the bedroom.
Sabrina nestled into Conner’s arms, her voice carrying a soft sweetness as she suggestively said, “Caleb, I asked the doctor… She said it’s fine and won’t hurt the baby…”
Before her pregnancy, they’d barely gone a night without sex, but it had stopped after she was found to be expecting. However, Sabrina wasn’t used to it now and eagerly pressed against Conner’s chest in a subtle
invite.
Conner hesitated before asking, “Did the doctor say so? Are you sure it’s okay?”
Upon sensing his imminent rejection, she gave a tiny, tearful pout. “I want to… and she said keeping the mother happy is important.”
A few coaxing words were all it took to convince Conner. As Sabrina’s husband now, he told himself that it was his duty. So, he bent down to kiss her and eased her back onto the bed.
After their intimacy, with Conner dozing at her side, Sabrina quietly lifted her phone. Then, she snapped a picture of their entangled selves and silently sent it to Noelle.
Chapter 12
