Chapter 19
542 Words
Shadows and Strings
Juliet Carter sat at the edge of the grand piano in the living room, sipping her black coffee like it was wine, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping against the cup.
“You should’ve stopped him,” she said flatly to Isabella, who lounged carelessly on the sofa in her silky robe.
Isabella rolled her eyes. “I’m not his mother.”
Juliet’s gaze sharpened. “But you are the only one he trusts right now. I gave you space in this house so you could remind him of where his loyalty lies.”
Isabella’s smile faltered for a second, but she masked it. “He kissed her, didn’t he?”
Juliet didn’t respond.
The silence was enough.
Isabella stood up, her voice suddenly cold. “Anna always had this effect on him. Even when I tried to tell him who she really was.”
Juliet leaned back. “Then maybe it’s time you tell him again.”
Meanwhile, Noah stood by the large bay windows upstairs, staring out at the dull gray sky. His mind kept replaying flashes of something he couldn’t hold onto.
A ring box. Her laughter. The smell of coffee and books.
He pressed his fingers to his temple, a sharp pulse in his head growing stronger.
He heard a knock on his door. “Come in,” he said absently.
Juliet entered, poised and calm. “How are you feeling?”
Noah turned to her slowly. “Like I’m living someone else’s life.”
Juliet hesitated. “You are recovering, darling. And you’re doing better than we hoped. That woman—Anna—she’s trying to confuse you.”
“She said she’s my wife.”
“She was,” Juliet snapped, then softened her tone. “But she walked out on you years ago. You were miserable, Noah. She left you when you needed her the most.”
Noah frowned. “That doesn’t sound like what I felt when I saw her.”
Juliet’s nostrils flared subtly. “She’s playing on your emotions. And that man—Daniel—is her boyfriend. He’s probably laughing behind your back.”
Noah’s jaw clenched. Something didn’t sit right.
“I kissed her,” he said.
Juliet's cup nearly slipped from her hands. “What?”
“I kissed her. She slapped me. And I—” He paused. “I didn’t regret it.”
Juliet moved closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’re vulnerable, Noah. Don’t let your weakness be mistaken for love.”
He didn’t respond.
But as Juliet left, closing the door gently behind her, Noah walked over to the dresser. A dusty box in the back of the drawer caught his attention.
He pulled it out.
Inside was a photograph.
Anna, in his arms. Her smile wide, her hand resting on his chest—wearing an engagement ring.
His heart lurched.
He staggered back, memories flickering like broken film. Her voice. Her laughter. That night under the stars.
It was all starting to come back.
Downstairs, Juliet met Isabella at the bottom of the stairs.
“He’s remembering,” Juliet whispered.
Isabella’s face paled. “That wasn’t the plan.”
Juliet’s eyes turned steely. “Then we change the plan.”
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