Chapter 17
600 Words
Juliet Carter stood in the kitchen of Noah’s penthouse, her arms crossed as she watched her son stare blankly out the large window overlooking the city skyline. It had been three days since his conversation with Anna, and she could tell something in him had shifted.
She didn’t like it.
"You’ve been awfully quiet lately," she said, her voice cutting through the silence. "Still chasing after that woman?"
Noah turned slowly, his face unreadable. "Her name is Anna. And she was my wife."
Juliet scoffed. "Was. Past tense. And you’re forgetting how she treated you,how cold and distant she was. You were miserable."
"No," Noah replied. "I was confused. And I hurt her. You helped me forget that."
Before Juliet could respond, the doorbell rang. She moved to answer it, only to find Isabella on the other side, dressed flawlessly in designer clothes, her lips curled in a pleasant smile.
"Juliet," Isabella said sweetly. "Thanks for inviting me over."
"Of course, dear. Come in," Juliet said, stepping aside.
Noah’s expression darkened the moment he saw her. "Why is she here?"
Juliet placed a hand on Isabella’s back. "She’s your friend, Noah. Your best friend. I thought it would be nice for her to visit."
"You should’ve asked me first," Noah said, his tone sharp.
Isabella stepped forward. "I just wanted to check in on you, Noah. I heard you’ve been… distant."
He ignored her, turning his attention back to Juliet. "Why doesn’t Anna like her?"
Juliet blinked. "What?"
"She doesn’t trust her. Even before the accident, I can tell. And I need to know why."
Isabella forced a laugh. "Maybe because she’s insecure. She never liked me being close to you."
"Or maybe," Noah said, voice low and dangerous, "there’s something she saw in you that I didn’t. Yet."
Juliet glared at him. "You need to stop digging into the past. You’re better now. You’re finally getting your life back together."
Noah stared at them both. Something was off. Their faces, their carefully chosen words.It all felt rehearsed.
He took a step back. "I need some air."
And without another word, he walked out.
At the hospital, Anna sat in the garden courtyard, the soft hum of the fountain calming her nerves. She was supposed to meet Daniel today to talk. But her thoughts were elsewhere.
Noah’s face lingered in her mind.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
Daniel: "I’m here. Are you free to talk?"
She stared at the message, her fingers hovering over the screen.
Before she could respond, Daniel appeared around the corner, a bouquet of white lilies in his hand.
"Hey," he said, walking over.
"Hey," she replied softly.
He handed her the flowers. "These used to be your favorite. Thought they might cheer you up."
She took them, forcing a small smile. "Thank you. They’re beautiful."
Daniel sat beside her, his eyes gentle. "I miss you. I know this whole Noah situation is confusing, but… I’m here, Anna. I’ve always been here."
Anna looked down. "I know. And I’m sorry I haven’t been answering."
He shook his head. "Don’t apologize. Just tell me,where do we stand?"
She bit her lip, struggling to find the right words. "I don’t know. I care about you. You’ve been kind, patient. But with Noah back… everything’s twisted."
Daniel’s face fell, but he nodded. "Then I’ll wait. Just promise me something."
She looked up.
"Don’t let him hurt you again."
Her eyes misted. "I won’t. I can’t."
In the distance, Noah watched them from the parking lot, his hands clenched at his sides. Not with anger but with something far deeper.
Regret.
- Writer
