The Cherished Wife

Wife 78

Noelle was truly taken aback by Xavier’s behavior. It was obviously him and Winter who wronged her, but somehow, she had been twisted into the one to blame.

Noelle shot Xavier a withering look. “I’m going to act like today never happened. I won’t tell a soul, but don’t pull this again, okay?” She tossed these words over her shoulder as she breezed past him and out

the door.

Xavier’s gaze lingered on Noelle’s fading silhouette. The sweet scent that lingered when he had held her earlier left him momentarily lost in thought. Noelle always smelled amazing. Back when things were good between them, he would hold her hand, and they would walk for hours on end together.

His hands balled into fists, his eyes reddening with intensity.

Noelle was his. She had to be his. Even if his feelings had changed, she was meant to be with him and only him!

Noelle rushed upstairs, feeling a wave of nausea at the memory of Xavier’s embrace. She dropped her bag and made a beeline for the bathroom, scrubbing her hands until they were raw and pale. Only after that did she let out a heavy sigh.

She had convinced herself she was over Xavier, but memories of their time together still had the power to wound her.

Xavier was her teenage dream. Even before they dated, she would always be running around with him. He was a few years older, and she would often see him as the boy in white, strolling past her

junior high building after class.

Back then, she did not even know what it meant to have a crush, but just seeing him was enough to fill her with joy.

Then, out of the blue, he saved her one day, and they struck up a friendship. That was before Winter came along and turned everything upside down, back when everything seemed perfect.

THE

Even though the Shaw family had given her the cold shoulder, Xavier was her beacon of warmth. On her eighteenth birthday, he was the one who stuck by her side and the first to celebrate with her.

Noelle felt a sting in her eyes as memories flashed by in a blur. She clung to the past, but the boy she remembered had transformed with time. Time, she realized, was the ultimate game–changer.

Stepping out of the restroom, Noelle caught snippets of a conversation. “Did you hear? Someone spotted Noelle rolling up to work in a high–end car in the parking lot today!”

“A high–end car? It’s just a Ferrari. You’re all making a mountain out of a molehill!” The first person’s voice dripped with envy. “You’re all hung up on Ferraris. Real tycoons wouldn’t even waste their time with those.”

“Really?” The second person chuckled. “Sounds like someone’s jealous! That Ferrari’s the newest model, you know, and word is that it’s tricked out. Who else but someone loaded would have that on hand?” The second person’s voice was tinged with admiration. “Ms. Shaw’s got some secrets, huh?”

“You think that’s Noelle’s? It could be some guy’s…”

“Shh!” A third person cut them off. “You’ve got some nerve, gossiping out in the open like this.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s not like she’s off–limits!”

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The chatter faded as the group dispersed. Noelle emerged from the stall, a wry smile tugging at her lips. She had not expected to stumble upon a gossip fest about herself first thing in the morning.

She tidied herself up and headed back to her office. The early birds had already clocked in, and the buzz of earlier conversations died down as she entered. “Ms. Shaw,” they greeted.

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