The Billionaire's Last wish

Chapter 2

Noah’s eyes remained fixed on the horizon beyond the windshield, the faint breeze tousling his hair. Inside, however, a tempest raged. Anger simmered beneath his calm exterior, threatening to erupt. Walking out of the church had been the only way to avoid doing something he’d regret later.

As much as it infuriated him, he had to maintain his composure. His father’s ultimatum left him no choice but to endure this charade.

The sound of the car door opening pulled him from his thoughts. Lucas, ever the dutiful assistant, guided Noah’s new bride into the backseat.

Noah’s gaze flicked toward her, watching as she settled in, her expression shifting subtly. She seemed to sense his presence, her eyes widening slightly as if she were staring at a predator.

Good, he thought bitterly, turning his attention back to the road. She should be afraid.

The engine roared to life, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. Noah’s eyes snapped back to her. She clutched the voluminous layers of her white gown, her knuckles whitening. He studied her intently, curiosity mingling with irritation.

Was it his presence that unsettled her so much? The thought lingered as the car moved, his eyes never leaving her figure.

When they arrived at the reception venue, Noah stepped out first, his jaw tight. A red carpet stretched before them, flanked by cheering crowds. He waited impatiently as Lucas helped her out of the car. Reluctantly, Noah extended his arm, offering it to her.

Valeria hesitated for a moment before placing her hand on his forearm. Her touch was light, almost tentative, yet it sent an unexpected jolt through him. His body stiffened, a reaction he couldn’t explain. Human contact usually repulsed him—he’d made that clear to every woman he’d ever been with.

So why did her touch feel different?

Shaking off the strange sensation, he led her through the throng of well-wishers, their congratulations ringing in his ears. The event proceeded without a hitch, though the silence between them was deafening.

They exchanged no words, no glances—only the occasional brush of her hand against his arm, each touch stirring something he refused to acknowledge.

“Mr. Owen, Mrs. Owen, congratulations!” The voice of Mr. Chadwick, Noah’s business partner, broke through the noise. He extended a hand, which Noah shook with minimal enthusiasm. His expression betrayed no warmth, and the crowd took notice.

Whispers rippled through the room, speculations about the arranged nature of the marriage already spreading like wildfire.

“Could we discuss the project for a moment?” Noah asked abruptly, cutting through the pleasantries.

Mr. Chadwick raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the request in the midst of a wedding reception. But Noah didn’t care. He needed an escape, even if only for a few minutes, from the suffocating weight of the day.

“B-but it’s your wedding, and you need to assist Mrs. Owen. That would upset her, wouldn’t it?” Mr. Chadwick stammered, his tone laced with awkwardness. He glanced at Valeria, clearly expecting her to respond.

“No, it’s okay… I’m good,” Valeria replied softly, though her voice carried a hint of disappointment. She knew she’d be left alone, but what choice did she have? Noah didn’t wait for her permission—he was already turning away, his mind set on distancing himself from her. Her feelings were irrelevant to him.

“I’ll just walk her to a seat,” Noah said curtly to Mr. Chadwick, who nodded in agreement. Without another word, Noah guided Valeria to an empty chair, his grip on her arm firm but impersonal.

As she sat down, he paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on her. He wasn’t sure why he hesitated—perhaps it was a flicker of pity. After all, even he had a shred of humanity left, buried deep beneath his icy exterior.

Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the bustling crowd. Valeria watched him go, her heart sinking. She had hoped, foolishly, that this day might be different. But it was clear now—Noah had no intention of playing the role of a doting husband.

Noah approached Mr. Chadwick, who was holding a champagne flute and chatting animatedly with two women. Their laughter echoed as Mr. Chadwick cracked a joke, clearly enjoying their attention.

“Oh, Mr. Owen, really, I don’t mind if we postpone this conversation. We’re here to celebrate, after all,” Mr. Chadwick said, his tone light but his eyes betraying his annoyance. He didn’t want to leave the company of the two women, whose interest he’d worked hard to secure.

“It’s better if we talk now,” Noah replied, his voice firm. “My schedule for the next three weeks is packed, and I won’t have time for this later.” Mr. Chadwick sighed, reluctantly excusing himself from the women.

“Alright, Mr. Owen, let’s talk,” Mr. Chadwick said, maintaining a composed demeanor despite his irritation. He followed Noah, casting one last glance at the women he’d left behind.

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Meanwhile, Valeria shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her stomach growled softly, a reminder that she hadn’t eaten since early that morning. The sales attendant at the bridal shop had warned her not to eat to ensure the gown fit perfectly. Now, the tight fabric pressed against her, adding to her discomfort.

As she sat there, she couldn’t help but overhear snippets of conversation from nearby guests. A group of women stood a short distance away, their voices carrying over the hum of the crowd.

“Why would someone like Noah Owen marry someone who’s… you know, physically challenged?” one woman whispered, her tone laced with disdain.

“It’s their loss, really,” another chimed in, her voice dripping with pity. “She doesn’t seem like she belongs in his world.”

Valeria’s chest tightened, but she kept her head down, pretending not to hear. Just then, she felt a presence in front of her. Looking up, she saw a familiar face—though whether it brought relief or more discomfort, she couldn’t yet tell.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Owen,” a voice called out, smooth but unfamiliar. Valeria turned her head slightly, trying to place where the sound had come from.

“I’m right here,” the woman said, her voice closer now. Valeria felt a hand wave inches from her face. “Oh, right—you can’t see. My mistake,” the woman added, her tone dripping with mockery. “Anyway, where’s your husband? I thought he’d be here by now, ready to take over as your new assistant,” she continued, her words laced with sarcasm.

“Who are you?” Valeria asked, her voice calm but edged with suspicion.

“Me? I’m April. A friend of your husband,” the woman replied, her tone light but carrying an undercurrent of something darker.

Before April could say more, Noah’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Hey,” he said, his tone low and dangerous. Valeria recognized her husband’s voice immediately, the anger in it unmistakable.

“Oh, hi, Noaaah,” April purred, her voice soft and breathy, almost sensual. It was a tone that made Valeria’s stomach twist.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Noah demanded, his voice tight with controlled rage. April’s lips curved into a sly, wicked smile, as if she enjoyed pushing his buttons.

“I came to congratulate you, of course,” April replied, her tone sweet but insincere. Valeria sat quietly, her hands twisting together in her lap as she listened. The tension between them was thick, their words heavy with unspoken history.

“And why are you talking to her instead of coming to me?” Noah pressed, his fists clenched at his sides, his patience clearly wearing thin.

“Oh, come on, Noah. It wouldn’t be fair to congratulate just you. You’re not marrying yourself, are you?” April drawled, her voice teasing and provocative. The nearby guests had fallen silent, their attention now fixed on the unfolding drama. The sudden hush caught Lucas’s attention, and he quickly made his way over.

“I’ll handle this, Noah,” Lucas murmured, leaning close to Noah’s ear in an attempt to calm him. “Hey, April,” Lucas said, his tone calm but firm, “why don’t you come with me? We can have a little chat.”

“If you think you’re going to get me thrown out of here, Lucas, you’re going to regret it,” April snapped, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her voice sharp and bitter.

Before Lucas could respond, Noah’s patience finally snapped. “Damn it, April! Drop this act and get out of here right now, before I do something we’ll both regret!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. The outburst drew the attention of everyone in the reception hall. Some guests even pulled out their phones, eager to capture the scandalous moment.

Valeria bit down hard on her lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. She sat there, helpless, wondering how her life had become such a mess.