DEBT OF DESIRE

Chapter 12: After The Storm Of Yesterday

The sunlight touched my face before she even opened her eyes. Soft, warm, filtered through floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked half the damn city. Noah’s world of glass, money, and quiet dominance. I wasn’t used to waking up in a penthouse worth more than my family’s restaurant could ever dream of. But the sheets smelled like expensive cologne and something that felt safer than I wanted to admit.

My body registered the quiet first.

Then the faint sound of porcelain.

Then his presence.

I blinked awake to see Noah Thorne standing at the edge of the bed, sleeves rolled to his elbows, wristwatch catching the morning light, a watch that probably cost more than my father’s hospital bills put together. He held a tray: breakfast arranged with precision, not a single crumb out of place.

“Good morning,” he said, voice low and calm

I pushed herself up slowly. “You’re… awake early.”

“I always am,” he replied, setting the tray on my lap. “And after last night, I didn’t want you waking up alone.”

“So what's this” I asked pointing at the tray “ why did you bring me breakfast”

“It's not a crime for a man to feed his wife you know “

My heart did a strange twist.

“This is not you Noah, you probably want something from me” I said.

No way I'm buying this breakfast in bed thing, it's just a trap for something bigger.

“So that's it then, a Husband makes breakfast for his wife and he doesn't even get a thank you?”

I took the fork he handed her. “Thanks, even if I know you don't mean it” I murmured, cutting into the pancakes, lemon-blueberry with some delicate cream he probably had a private chef whip up.

He watched me take the first bite, his jaw ticking like he was waiting to see if I'd enjoy it.

“I’m not a glass tray Noah,” I finally said, raising my eyes to him.

His lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “You’re the only person in my life I’m allowed to care about without consequences. So forgive me if I’m… learning.”

I paused mid-bite.

Is that his version of being soft. And for some reason, it meant more than full paragraphs from any other man.

Noah moved to the foot of the bed and sat, loosening his tie even though he’d just put it on. “My father wants us at the office in two days. To finalize the merger terms.” His tone shifted, businesslike but not cold. “He wants to… formally introduce you to the board.”

Scarlett’s hand froze. “Formally? Like publicly?”

“Yes.” Noah leaned back, watching my reaction carefully. “It won’t be today. Not tomorrow. But soon. And I’ll control the rollout.”

I swallowed. “So that's why you made this breakfast. I don't even have a choice I'll go”

“Yeah, the breakfast is not about you coming, you must come. I just want you to put on your best behaviour”

That came fast

My chest warmed.

“I've been good since I stepped in here” I said feeling disappointed “I won't embarrass you buddy”

He continued quietly, “And even if you did, they’d survive.”

I laughed a little. “Your family doesn’t exactly strike me as ‘survival-under-pressure’ people.”

His expression sharpened with dark amusement. “You’d be surprised.”

He didn’t have to specify who he meant. The hint of tension from the dinner still lingered in the air like smoke.

Especially around Julian and Evelyn.

And the way both had looked at Noah with a history I wasn’t allowed to understand yet.

I set the fork down. “About last night…”

“No.” Noah straightened, jaw flexing. “We’re not doing that.”

Her spine stiffened. “Not doing what?”

He exhaled slowly,controlled, like a man forcing himself not to snap. “Julian and I… aren’t close. Haven’t been for a long time. And Evelyn.. ” His voice cut off.

I waited but he didn’t continue.

So I asked the obvious question. “What happened between you and them?”

His eyes showed something sharp and bitter

“No,” he said again. “Not today.”

I inhaled deeply, steadying her voice. “Noah, I’m your wife.”

“Yeah, by contract. It's not your concern so don't worry about it” he said softly, almost painfully. “When the time comes, you’ll know.”

His tone wasn’t cruel,it was protective.

So I nodded once, even though the curiosity burned inside me

He stood, reaching for his jacket. “I’ll be in my office for a few hours. You can stay here, sleep, restz anything you want. My staff is available if you need anything.”

My brows lifted. “Your staff?”

He gave a small shrug. “The penthouse staff. They mostly stay invisible unless called.”

I couldn’t stop the soft laugh. “Of course they do.”

This man lived in an entirely different universe.

As he slipped into his suit jacket, I asked, “Will you be okay?”

“ohh now you care or maybe you're pretending to care so you'll ask me for something else. And please stay in the office today, I don't need you supervising me cooking or making design plans like an eagle. Off you go” I snapped

He moved toward me and stood longer than necessary, lingering like he wasn’t ready to leave.

Then he straightened. “Don’t get out of bed until you finish eating.”

“Yes, sir,” she teased.

He rolled his eyes. “Scarlett.”

“Yes, Noah.”

The corner of his mouth lifted before he left the room, the quiet click of the door echoing behind him.

LATER THAT MORNING

It took a slow tour of the penthouse after breakfast. Everything gleamed. Marble floors polished to mirror shine. Sculptures she couldn’t name. A piano I know damn well that Noah didn't play but looked damn perfect sitting near the wall of glass that overlooked the entire skyline.

I found myself drawn to the view.

A city full of strangers and a life I didn’t plan.

A marriage I'd never expected.

But here I was —barefoot on the cold marble, standing in a world too wealthy, too sharp, too much for the girl who grew up wiping tables in her parents’ restaurant.

My thoughts drifted back to the dinner.

His father watching her with assessing eyes.

Julian whispering something to Evelyn that made her smirk.

Noah stepping closer to me every time someone spoke to me as if shielding her from invisible knives.

And then the moment Julian had said:

“We all used to be close once.”

I had looked at Noah then, searching for confirmation.

He hadn’t given any.

And now he refused to tell me why.

A soft buzz startled me

Noah’s phone left on the counter. The first time I had seen him forget something

The screen lit up it was a text from Julian but I didn't tap to display more information. I have no intention of reading his messages because I don't want to be caught in a drift between brothers.