Chapter 11
Just as Calista was trying to figure out how to break free from the hold of Noah’s frie
“Let her go!”
a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
Calista flinched in surprise and turned toward the sound. But it wasn’t Theodore, the man she was supposed to marry today. It was
Patricia.
Wearing a wedding dress, Patricia walked straight toward Noah. He opened his mouth to explain, “–”
But before he could finish, she brushed past him without hesitation and walked directly toward Calista. Without a word, she slapped Calista hard across the face.
“I can’t believe how shameless you are, Calista,” she hissed. “You’ve been throwing yourself at my fiance like a desperate dog for years. And now you have the nerve to show up here on our wedding day–in a damn wedding dress–trying to steal him from me right at the courthouse? Really?”
Calista was still restrained by Noah’s friends. She couldn’t move, couldn’t dodge, and couldn’t fight back. She had no choice but to endure the slap.
Her ears rang from the impact, and blood welled at the corner of her mouth. She slowly lifted her head, looking at Patricia’s furious face with icy calm.
“Your fiance? Who exactly are you talking about?” She sneered.
“Don’t play dumb!” Patricia snapped. “My fiance is obviously-
But before she could finish the sentence, Noah stepped in and cut her off. “That’s enough. Get her out of here. What do you think this is, throwing a scene at the entrance of the courthouse?”
Even at that moment, Noah still tried to keep the truth from Calista.
With that, he shot another look at his friends, signaling them to hurry.
They got the message instantly. Several of them tightened their grip on Calista and prepared to drag her away.
But just as they turned to leave, Calista spoke again. Her voice was calm, but it cut deep. “Noah, the reason you won’t marry me on my 30th birthday it’s because you’re marrying Patricia, right?”
The moment the words left her lips, everyone froze all except Patricia
Noah stared at her, shocked. He hadn’t expected Calista to already know he was planning to marry Patricia.
In that instant, everything clicked. Her strange behavior over the past few days suddenly made sense. She had already figured it out.
No wonder she had stopped hand–washing his designer shirts. No wonder she kept putting off the bid proposal he had asked her to
prepare
A flicker of panic crossed his face.
But Noah quickly pulled himself together. It didn’t matter that Calista knew. He was still convinced she wouldn’t leave him.
She had loved him for 12 years. She had given him her youth, her loyalty, her dignity. That kind of love wouldn’t just disappear.
All he had to do was throw Calista a little affection, say a few sweet words, maybe promise that even after he married Patricia, she could still stay by his side.
With how much she loved him, Noah was certain she would agree without hesitation.
With that in mind, Noah pulled himself together. Regaining his composure, he looked at Calista and said calmly, “I’ll explain everything to you later. Go home for now, okay? Be good.”
Calista suddenly laughed. It was the kind of laugh that sent a chill up Noah’s spine.
“Noah, even at this point, you’re really still trying to lie to me?”
Noah opened his mouth, but before he could respond, Patricia’s voice rang out sharply. “What is he lying about? You think Noah belongs to you just because you grew up together? You really believe that gives you the right to cling to him like some pathetic shadow?
“Get over it, Calista. He loves me. I’m the one he wants to marry. You need to let him go. You’re just a pathetic lapdog. No matter how long you chase after him, Noah will never love you! Isn’t that right, Noah?”
Chapter 11
With that, she turned to look at Noah.
Feeling her stare burn into the side of his face, Noah’s scalp tingled. If he denied it, Patricia would definitely make a scene later. But if he confirmed it, then Calista…
Still, Calista was easier to deal with than Patricia. She always had been..
So Noah gave a short nod. “That’s right.”
Even though Calista had long known how Noah saw her, hearing him admit it out loud still cut deeper than she expected.
She kept her composure, suppressing the surge of emotion in her chest. Looking him dead in the eye, she asked in a steady voice, “So that’s how you truly see me?
There was something off about her tone. It was too calm, too quiet. It made Noah uneasy, though he couldn’t explain why.
Then again, he told himself that she had just been caught off guard. She had loved him for so long, it was only natural that his words had hurt her.
But once today was over and he had the marriage certificate with Patricia in hand, he could find a way to smooth things over. Patricia was his real bride today, and he couldn’t afford to upset her.
He looked at Calista again and replied without hesitation, “Yes. That’s exactly how I feel.”
Hearing him admit it out loud, Calista smiled bitterly.
At least now everything was clear. She wouldn’t have to worry about any more misunderstandings when she married Theodore later. There was no room left for doubt,
“Are you done? If you’ve gotten your answers, then get lost already, Stop ruining my morning. Tricia and I are about to get our marriage certificate,” Noah snapped, his eyes flashing with guilt. All he cared about was getting Calista out of there..
Out of nowhere, Calista shoved back the men restraining her with surprising force. Her voice rang out clear and unwavering
“I’m not leaving. Noah. I’ve already told you, the man I’m marrying today isn’t you. My fiance and I made a promise. He said he would marry me here at the courthouse on my 30th birthday.”
Patricia scoffed, “You’re still making things up? God, I’ve seen shameless women before, but you? You take the cake. You just can’t stop clinging to him, can you?”
Burning with fury, Patricia raised her hand again, ready to slap Calista a second time.
Just then, a commotion broke out near the front of the building.
Everyone turned.
A long line of luxury cars pulled up to the entrance, sleek and gleaming, forming a polished motorcade. At the center was a black Rolls- Royce with custom plates bearing matching numbers, a small gold–trimmed flag fluttering from the corner of the hood.
It was obvious. Whoever was in that car wasn’t just rich. He had power.
Moments later, the driver stepped out and opened the rear door. A man stepped out of the car. He was tall and striking, with an effortless elegance and a commanding presence.
Calista recognized him instantly.
He was here.
The man she was going to marry–Theodore Fenwick
