"Please hurry..."
...
That was her voice. She'd cried for me, begged for my rescue. And I'd believed Isabella's lies, torturing her again and again, even punishing her in the most brutal ways in that basement.
"Fuck!"
I swept everything off the desk.
Papers scattered, the lamp shattered, glass flying.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
I destroyed everything in the study. Books tumbled from shelves,the liquor cabinet's glass doors smashed, picture frames, vases—anything breakable turned to pieces.
"Boss!" Dmitri rushed in. "Please calm down—"
"Get out!" I roared. "Everyone get the hell out!"
He retreated to the doorway, not daring to approach.
I stood among the wreckage, hands braced against the desk, breathing hard.
Glass shards cut my palms, blood dripping onto the wood, but I felt nothing.
"Noelle..." My voice was raw. "What have I done..."
I'd destroyed the only person who truly cared about me, personally shoved that guiding light into the abyss.
The truth was a blade, and in this moment, it carved me to pieces.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Noelle
"Leo, baby, no more crying."
I held my son, pacing gently around the shop, my palm stroking his tiny back. He'd just woken up and was fussing restlessly.
"Oh, my sweet boy... Mommy's here..."
The little one gradually quieted, his soft cheek pressed against my shoulder. He'd just learned to crawl and always babbled happily, reaching out his little hands for me to hold him.
The doorbell chimed softly as a customer pushed inside.
"Welcome." I greeted them while continuing to pat Leo gently.
"Tara, how much for this ceramic pot?" It was Mrs. Yoki, a regular.
"Twenty dollars."
"I'll take it. This child is absolutely adorable!" She moved closer to examine Leo. "He looks more like you every day."
"Thank you."
After the customer left, I placed Leo in the baby cradle in the shop. He played happily with his stuffed toys, giggling from time to time.
Watching him, my heart grew extraordinarily tender.
