Chapter 8
the sea to end, ear of our marriage, I told Noah that I hadn’t jumped into
During the first
the sea to end my life and that Faye wasn’t trying to save me.
But he didn’t believe me. He thought I was pretending to have PTSD.
In his eyes, I was fragile, unable to cope with losing my family, and had chosen to escape through suicide.
Deep down, Noah looked down on me.
He believed I didn’t value my life and wasn’t worth Faye putting herself in danger for.
During our arguments, things spiraled out of control. He grabbed my neck and shouted, “You don’t deserve to talk about my mom! You’re the reason she’s gone. You should’ve died instead! Why didn’t you?”
I didn’t die. I lived, but his abuse only worsened my condition.
When he finally realized what he’d done, Noah hit his forehead hard.
“Liora, I messed up. I should’ve trusted you. Please, let me fix things between us.
Fix things?
Whatever we had was already broken. I couldn’t even bring myself to respond
Still, Noah wouldn’t back down.
“Liora, I didn’t sign the divorce agreement you left. As long as I don’t, we’re still married.”
Chater &
I felt amused.
“Maybe you didn’t read it carefully. Even if one person refuses to sign, the divorce will become official after two years. It’s already been three years.”
Just then, Kingsley’s car pulled up, and I got inside.
Noah banged on the car window. “Liora, I’m serious-”
The engine started.
He ran after the car, calling my name until he fell.
I remembered doing the same once, chasing his car and begging him to believe me.
That was during the early days of our marriage, though some of it had become blurry.
A few days later, Noah came to find me again.
Billy had grown and now stood as tall as my waist. When he saw me, his face lit up.
“Mommy, I missed you! Can you come back with us?”
Billy tried to run into my arms, but I stopped him with just a look.
I’d stayed in contact with Isabel after I moved to Miami.
She told me that after I left, Margaret ended her pregnancy on purpose to show how much she cared.
Then, using Billy’s affection for her, she moved into the Rockwell’s villa. She spoiled him endlessly.
Billy had a sweet tooth, so Margaret kept buying him candies.
For five years, he ate junk and didn’t study much.
He kept needing dental work. Now, most of his teeth weren’t even real.
In truth, new teeth weren’t as good as natural teeth.
Today, Billy held his jaw and cried.
“Mommy, my tooth hurts. Can you come to the dentist with me?”
Back then, I didn’t allow him to eat candy, and he thought I was being
mean..
Now he finally understood my intentions, but it was too late.
I didn’t show mercy, and my voice stayed cold.
“I’m not your mother. If your tooth hurts, go to Mommy Margaret.”
Billy had never called me “Mommy” since he learned to talk.
Whenever the maids teased me, he’d laugh and clap like he was enjoying the show.
Sometimes, I even questioned whether he was truly my child.
But maybe that was better.
If Billy loved me, I probably wouldn’t have the heart to leave, and I’d stay stuck in that miserable marriage.
He seemed to sense that I had changed. He didn’t dare come near and gave Noah a desperate look.
“Liora, I know you’re used to life in Miami and don’t want to return to Los Angeles. I can move here for work. If you’re not feeling well, I’ll take care of you
If he hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve forgotten the Rockwell Group had a branch here as well.
“Noah, take Billy with you. I don’t need you anymore. I already have someone who’s looking after me.”
I smiled when I mentioned Kingsley.
Noah looked hurt.
Liora, do you even know who he is? I bet he hasn’t told you. He’s hiding his real background. He’s not being honest.”
Kingsley’s real background?
froze for a second, then replied, “Whatever his background is, it doesn’t change how we feel about each other.”
told them both to leave.
Noah didn’t look pleased as he walked out.
Liora, I’m not giving up. I’ll make you fall for me again!”
But I didn’t want to give him another shot.
To make sure hai Kingsley right away.
go for good, I skipped the engagement and married
Still, I had underestimated just how far Noah would
