Chapter 10
Calista arrived at the courthouse alone. Her fiance, Theodore Fenwick, hadn’t shown up yet. But unexpectedly, she ran into Noah.
His friends followed close behind, loud and smug, clearly there to cheer him on.
When they saw Calista standing in a wedding dress, their expressions twisted into amused smirks.
The expression was one s
she knew too well. She had seen it countless times over the years, whenever she showed up where Noah was.
They gave her that same smug look–half amusement, half disdain–already convinced she was there to humiliate herself.
To them, it was obvious. Calista had once again come chasing after Noah.
After all, she had pursued him for 12 relentless years. She had endured more heartbreak than she could count. No matter how many times she had been rejected, she had never truly given up.
Today was her 30th birthday. She had come to get married. And in their eyes, this was her last–ditch effort–a desperate bid to force Noah into marrying her.
Noah’s expression turned dark the moment he saw her in the wedding dress. His features tightened with barely restrained anger.
Эне
He snapped, “Didn’t I tell you not to come looking for me? You really wore a wedding dress just to force me into this, huh? You’re that desperate to marry me?”
Calista didn’t flinch. She met his fury with a calm voice. “I’m not here for you.”
But Noah didn’t believe a word of it. He looked at her like sh
she was some persistent nuisance he couldn’t get rid of.
“Are you done with your little act? If you’re not here for me, then who the hell are you here for?”
He had always believed Calista was hopelessly in love with him. She was so devoted that she couldn’t possibly leave him.
One of Noah’s friends sneered as he gave her a once–over. “Unbelievable. I’ve never seen a woman so shameless before. Showing up at the courthouse in a wedding dress to force a man into marriage?
Seconds ticked by. Patricia should be arriving any minute,
Terrified the two might run into each other, Noah harshly tugged at her and snapped under his breath, “If you have any self–respect, you’ll get the hell out of here. Don’t blame me if I lose my temper.”
H
The sudden tug had knocked Calista off balance. She stumbled back a few steps before regaining her footing.
Her eyes dropped to her wrist, already blooming with bruises. For a moment, she simply stared at it.
“Today is my 30th birthday,” she said.
Noah scoffed. “I know you’ve been waiting for this day, so I’d finally marry you. But haven’t I told you already? The company is just getting off the ground. I’m not ready to get married.”
“I can’t wait anymore,” Calista replied, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes held nothing but calm. She knew Noah was never going to marry her. That was why the man she came here to meet wasn’t him.
But to Noah and his friends, it sounded like a plea, like a woman begging the man she loved to marry her.
Noah’s expression darkened, and he growled, “Calista, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not going to marry you today.”
One of his friends scoffed, pushing her roughly on the shoulder. “You seriously have no self–respect, do you? Calista, you’re seriously beyond pathetic. Noah’s cursed, being stuck with trash like you chasing him around.”
Noah said, “If you really want to get married on your 30th birthday, just grab some random guy off the street. I’m not going to be that Euy.”
He was certain that Calista loved him too much to ever want someone else. He used every cruel word he could muster to cut her down, convinced her feelings would never change.
One of the men in the group gave a low whistle, thoroughly enjoying the scene. He leaned forward with a smirk.
“Calista, how about you marry me instead? I’m kind of a player, but I’m fantastic in bed.”
The disgusting words made Calista’s face go cold.
“No need. I already have someone. He just got off an international flight. He’ll be here soon,” Calista replied calmly.
Chapter 10
The moment Calista said those words, Noah’s friends burst into laughter.
“Does this guy even exist?” one of them asked. “You’re obsessed with Noah. No way you’d actually marry making this up just to avoid looking pathetic?”
“Yeah, I bet the groom turns out to be imaginary.” Another sneered.
someone else. Are you
Someone else chimed in mockingly, “I’m actually impressed. Calista, you’ve taken shamelessness to a whole new level.”
Noah listened to them mocking her and frowned. Time was running out, and he didn’t want to waste another second arguing with Calista.
“I already told you. I have no plans to get married right now. Are you deaf, Calista? Do you even understand a word I’m saying?” he snapped, voice tight with impatience.
He told himself it didn’t matter how harsh he sounded. Calista was so in love with him that she would eventually forgive him. A few sweet words and some cheap trinkets were always enough to reel her back in.
Just like the past 12 years, he had done countless cruel and selfish things to her. She always said she would leave, always claimed she was done. But in the end, she always came back
He just wanted her gone now. Yet no matter what he said, she didn’t budge.
“I hear you loud and clear, Noah. But the man I’m marrying today isn’t you,” she said calmly.
Noah let out a cold laugh. “You’re seriously making up crap like this just to force me into marrying you? When did you become so damn annoying, Calista? I swear, if you don’t leave right now, I’ll lose what little patience I have left.”
The more Noah wanted her gone, the more aggressive he became.
He had barely finished the threat when he shot a glance at his friends. They immediately stepped forward to grab her, rough and ready to drag her out.
Their grip was harsh, their strength overwhelming, and Calista couldn’t even struggle. She was trapped.
But she couldn’t leave. Not now.
If Theodore arrived and didn’t see her, he might think she had backed out. He would believe she didn’t want to marry him after all.
