The Billionaire's Last wish

Chapter 3

The party had ended in an absolute disaster. Now, Noah and Valeria sat in silence as Lucas drove them home. The tension in the car was suffocating, and Valeria had to bite her tongue to keep herself from shouting.

Noah stared at his phone, his jaw clenched. The video of his argument with April had gone viral, making him the most searched name online. This was the last thing he needed.

His grip tightened as he muttered a curse under his breath, then slammed the phone down onto his lap. Lucas, watching through the rearview mirror, sighed. It never ceased to amaze him how Noah carried so much anger within him.

The car pulled up in front of Noah’s home, and without a word, he stepped out, not even glancing at Valeria. He stormed up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and pushed open his bedroom door—his matrimonial room now—before slamming it shut behind him.

Frustration bubbled inside him. He threw his phone against the wall, running a hand through his hair. But what irritated him the most wasn’t the scandal—it was the look of contempt on his father’s face. He knew a reprimand was coming.

The door creaked open, and Lucas entered, guiding Valeria inside. Noah’s glare sharpened as he was reminded that he no longer had this space to himself. His eyes flickered to Valeria, and despite everything, he couldn’t deny how striking she looked.

“I’ll handle the press articles in the morning, sir. Get some rest,” Lucas informed him before leaving. Under different circumstances, he might have teased Noah about his wedding night, but tonight, he knew better than to risk it. He left the newlyweds alone, both painfully aware of their solitude.

Valeria sat at the edge of the bed, its surface adorned with red flower petals. Though she couldn’t see them, their fragrance filled the room. The silence pressed against her, unbearable.

“Are you uncomfortable with me here?” she finally asked, her voice soft.

“Yes,” Noah responded bluntly. He saw no reason to pretend otherwise.

“Oh.” Valeria hadn’t expected such honesty, but it put her at ease. At least he wasn’t the type to fake kindness out of pity.

Another silence settled between them. Noah stole a glance at her, debating whether to speak.

“Aren’t you going to shower?” he asked, his tone unreadable.

“Oh… Emma usually helps me with that, but she’s not here, and I wouldn’t want to trouble you to call for assistance. I’ll just sleep in this,” Valeria replied, surprisingly cheerful.

Noah raised a brow. He had expected hesitation or embarrassment, but her lighthearted response caught him off guard.

“I assume Emma is your maid?” he asked, unbuttoning his shirt.

“My assistant,” she corrected with a small smile.

Noah frowned. He disliked being corrected, even over minor details, and Valeria had done so unknowingly. He chose not to respond, instead continuing to undress. He had no qualms about his nudity—even if Valeria weren’t blind, he wouldn’t have hesitated.

Without another word, he stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Valeria listened to the water running, her cheeks warming at the thought of wedding night expectations. Of course, hers would be different. No man had ever desired her because of her blindness, and Noah was no exception.

Determined to familiarize herself with the room, she reached out, using her hands as her guide. She had mastered her surroundings at her father’s house, aided by her loyal guard dog, Daisy. The thought of reuniting with Daisy tomorrow brought her comfort.

Her fingers brushed over the neatly made bed, measuring its size. She climbed onto it, trailing her hands across the fabric. As she explored, she unknowingly moved closer to the edge.

Then—

Thump!

A loud crash echoed through the room as Valeria tumbled off the bed. The sound reverberated off the walls, sharp and sudden, breaking the silence of the morning. Valeria winced as she hit the floor, her wedding gown pooling around her like fallen angel wings, the fabric fluffed and tangled.

Hearing the commotion, Noah rushed out of the bathroom, a towel hastily wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his skin, his hair still damp from his shower. His sharp eyes immediately landed on Valeria sprawled on the floor, her face a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

“Oh, for God’s sake…” he muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of irritation and something else—something softer, though he’d never admit it. He quickly crossed the room, his bare feet silent against the polished floor.

Without thinking, he bent down to help her up, his movements brisk but careful. His voice, though sharp, carried an undercurrent of concern. “What were you thinking? That was reckless.”

Valeria blinked, her cheeks flushing as she felt his hands grip her arms, steadying her. “I was just trying to get used to the room,” she answered, her voice calm despite the fluttering in her chest.

A faint smile played on her lips, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I need to familiarize myself, or I’ll always be lost.”

Noah stared at her, his brows furrowing slightly. How can she smile after something like that? he wondered, his gaze lingering on her face. She had just fallen, yet there was no trace of self-pity in her expression.

Instead, there was a quiet determination, a resilience that both intrigued and frustrated him. How can someone who’s faced so much misfortune still carry such a gentle spirit?

Placing a hand on her waist, he helped her to her feet, his touch firm but not unkind. As Valeria sought stability, her hand instinctively landed on his bare chest. The instant contact sent a jolt through both of them, and Valeria pulled away abruptly, her face flushing a deep crimson.

“I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned her head away, as if trying to hide her embarrassment, but the redness of her cheeks betrayed her.

Noah studied her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he said nothing, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn’t quite untangle. He knew he should step back, put distance between them, but something about her reaction—her vulnerability—kept him rooted in place. Why does she have to be so… genuine? he thought, his internal battle raging. It’s infuriating.

Before he could stop himself, the words left his lips, low and measured. “I can help you with your bath.”

The moment the words were out, he regretted them. *What am I doing?* he thought, his jaw tightening. This wasn’t like him. He didn’t do kindness, didn’t do compassion. And yet, here he was, offering to help her—a woman he barely knew, a woman he had vowed to keep at arm’s length.

Valeria’s breath hitched, her lips parting in surprise. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. The air between them grew heavy, charged with an unspoken tension that neither of them knew how to navigate.

Noah exhaled sharply, breaking the silence. “Don’t make this awkward,” he said, his tone gruff as he turned toward the bathroom. “Just… come on.”

Valeria hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. What is happening? she thought, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. But despite her reservations, she found herself nodding, her feet moving almost of their own accord as she followed him.