The Husband Who Stole My Designs

Chapter 5 She Could Barely Speak

When Noelle woke up again, her mouth tasted like blood. She opened her eyes and found Oscar staring down at her, his face dark.

She turned away. She didn't want to look at him.

Before she could tell him to leave, he snapped at her, "I looked into it. You started it with Seren. When did you become so cruel, Noelle? She's just a designer. Do you have to destroy her?"

Noelle wiped the blood from her lips and let out a quiet laugh. "Mr. Pearson, if Seren told you s**t was gold, you'd believe her. But if I so much as breathe, I'm wrong?"

The hurt in her face got to him.

For a second, he almost explained himself.

But then a servant pushed the door open. "Mr. Pearson, Ms. Knox is awake. She's crying and asking for you."

Whatever he was about to say died in his throat. He closed his eyes. "Look, you were wrong here. At the charity gala this weekend, you'll apologize to Seren publicly."

Noelle turned her head away, tears burning in her eyes.

She looked at an old photo on her phone—the two of them together, back when he looked at her like she mattered more than anything.

If the Oscar who used to love her more than his own life could see what he was doing to her now, would it break his heart?

*****

The night of the charity gala, the crystal chandeliers blazed bright, but their light couldn't reach Noelle's deadened heart.

She watched Oscar walk by, his fingers laced with Seren's. She slipped away from the crowd and pulled out her phone in a corner.

A message popped up: Ms. Mason, the fake death props are on their way. Just confirming—you want a scene Mr. Pearson will "never forget," right?

On their wedding day, Oscar's voice had cracked when he promised to stay with Noelle till her last breath, to never let go.

But now, she was the one letting go.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She typed: Yes.

"Who are you texting?" Oscar's voice came out of nowhere.

"The spa. Reminding me about my appointment." Her voice stayed flat.

Something felt off to Oscar, but he pushed it aside.

He led her to the center of the ballroom. Pointing at a fenced-off patch of mud, he smiled. "See? Ten raw potatoes are buried in there. Simple rules—ten minutes, left hand only, and your teeth. Dig them all out. Do that, and Seren will forgive you. Happy?"

Noelle looked down at her useless right hand. Her voice was hollow. "I'm not doing it. And I don't need her forgiveness."

Oscar's smile disappeared. His face went cold.

"I'm not asking, Noelle. If you don't dig..." He leaned in, his voice a whisper in her ear. "Do you want to lose the other hand, too?"

Noelle couldn't breathe. Her eyes went wide. 'Is he threatening me with my one good hand?'

"Oscar..." Her lips trembled so hard she could barely speak. "How could you do this to me for her? Don't you remember what happened to my right hand? Seren was scared you'd get powerful and come after her, so she rigged the chandelier..."

She grabbed his sleeve, clinging to it like a lifeline. "When it came crashing down, it was me who pushed you out of the way. My right hand was destroyed. You said you'd be my right hand forever... That was just three years ago. And you've already forgotten?"