The Husband Who Stole My Designs

Chapter 7 Her Own Body Breaking

The next day, they walked toward the private plane tarmac.

"Seren can't handle being away from me," Oscar announced. "I need to sit with her—make sure she's okay."

Before Noelle could respond, he took Seren's hand and guided her onto the plane.

Back when he bought this jet, he'd told Noelle it was for them—for the trips they'd take around the world together.

Now her mouth still tasted like bitter mud. But she was past tears.

As they landed, snow began to fall. The estate looked like something out of a fairy tale, blanketed in white.

For any other couple, walking through a snowstorm together might've felt like growing old side by side.

But Noelle could only watch as her husband hovered over another woman.

She turned toward the estate, hoping for a moment of quiet.

Before she could take two steps, Seren called out, "Noelle, the estate looks so beautiful! Let's go take pictures!"

Without waiting for an answer, Seren grabbed her arm and pulled her along.

The farther they walked, the more isolated the path became. Noelle's unease grew with every step.

They were deep in the woods when several men in ragged clothes stepped out from behind the trees.

"Well, well..." One of them grinned. "What do we have here?"

His teeth were yellow, rotting. Saliva nearly dripped from his lips.

Noelle's skin crawled. She stepped back instinctively, but Seren blocked her retreat.

"We're just passing through," Noelle said, trying to keep her voice steady. It shook anyway. "We'll be on our way."

"On your way?" The man with the yellow teeth laughed. "Stick around. Have some fun with us."

He reached for Noelle's chest. His fingernails were caked with dirt.

Noelle flinched, scrambling backward—then felt a hand shove her hard from behind.

She stumbled forward with a gasp, nearly crashing into him. The stench made her stomach turn.

"Seren! What are you doing?" she shouted.

Seren's face went cold. "Look at these poor guys," she said. "Freezing out here, no one to keep them warm. You're Mrs. Pearson, right? Why not be a little generous? Maybe Oscar will be proud of you for stepping up."

She took a step back and let the men swarm Noelle.

"Seren!" Noelle's scream was swallowed by their laughter.

She fought, kicked, tried to break free. But it only made them rougher. They tore at her jacket.

Panic gave her strength. She kicked the man with the yellow teeth hard between the legs and lunged toward Seren.

Two screams—then both of them went over the edge.

Branches scraped their skin. Blood bloomed against the snow.

"Help! Someone help!" Their cries echoed through the valley.

Footsteps pounded toward them. Oscar's face appeared at the cliff's edge, frantic. "Seren! Seren, I'm here! I'll do anything—I'll risk my life—just hold on!"

In that moment, Noelle's heart went cold.

He was only looking at Seren.

"Sorry, Noelle," he added, finally glancing her way. "She was the first one I saw."

It wasn't about who he saw first. He had long since chosen sides, and it wasn't hers.

He started asking Noelle what happened. But before she could answer, Seren let out a sharp cry, her face twisted in pain.

Oscar forgot Noelle instantly. "Seren, where does it hurt? Are you injured?"

Whatever hope Noelle had left flickered and died. She closed her eyes.

Then Zara and an assistant arrived, out of breath. "Mr. Pearson, we brought ropes."

"Then what are you waiting for? Move!" Oscar's eyes stayed locked on Seren. He didn't even glance at Noelle.

Noelle hung there in silence. She no longer expected anything.

"Mr. Pearson," Zara said carefully, "rescue teams won't get here for at least an hour. And we only have one rope."

Oscar's face went pale. His gaze darted between the two women.

Before he could speak, Seren let out a gut-wrenching scream. "Oscar! Save me! Noelle pushed me! She tried to kill me!"

Noelle's mind went blank.

She opened her mouth to explain, but Oscar was faster. His eyes, when they found hers, were venomous. "Noelle, what did Seren ever do to you? Why do you keep hurting her?"

His voice cut deep. "Give the rope to Seren. You wait for rescue. And if it doesn't come in time... maybe that's what you deserve."

A branch cracked beneath Noelle. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she tried to speak over the sound.

Zara begged, "Mr. Pearson, please, Mrs. Pearson's branch is already splitting. She won't last until help arrives. Ms. Knox's branch is sturdier. It might hold longer. Also, we detained a few men nearby. This might not have been..."

"Shut up." Oscar's voice was final. "I'm giving you an order. Throw the rope. I want Seren safe."

The words hit Noelle like a verdict. She watched the rope arc through the air, straight toward Seren.

Her heart turned to ash—so much for leaving in three days.

The branch snapped. Noelle fell. Rocks rushed up to meet her.

The last thing she heard was the sound of her own body breaking.