Chapter 48
FORTY-EIGHT
Despite our clear dismissal, Amanda sits on the other side of Noah, leaning into her hand, her long red nails curled into her palm. Her makeup is perfectly done, as is her hair, and despite being a terrible person, she looks incredible in her dress.
Noah spares her a tired glance before focusing on me. She doesn’t like that, her eyes narrowing. “I didn’t know you were invited, Mackie. You don’t exactly run in these circles.”
“I invited him,” Noah’s father snaps, glaring at her. “He’s my guest of honor.”
“Of course, I meant no harm,” she offers sweetly, fluttering her eyelashes as she leans closer to Noah, who shifts away, looking uncomfortable. “I never asked, Mackie, but how old are you?”
“Why?” I ask as I lay my hand on Noah’s thigh. The pendant swings around my neck and catches her eye for a moment. “Does my age matter?”
“I was just curious. I know Noah and I are of a similar age,” she replies, acting confused. It’s a ploy.
“I’m twenty-four,” I respond, and she fake gasps, covering her mouth.
“Oh my gosh, you’re so young.” She looks at Noah. “He’s so much older than you.”
“What can I say? I like to volunteer to help the elderly,” I tease as I pick up my glass of Champagne and casually take a sip. “I know others who can help you if you wish, since you’re just as old as he is.”
Noah scoffs before turning it into a cough as her eyes narrow on me.
She dismisses me and turns to Noah. “I was talking to Timothy Fret earlier. You remember him, right? We were in the same class.” It’s obvious what she’s doing, and I roll my eyes.
Even Noah’s parents look uncomfortable but are too polite to do anything about it.
I’m not. I won’t cause a scene at this important event, but I won’t let her flirt with my man. She lost. In fact, she never even stood a chance. I stand, and every eye turns to me. Panic fills Noah’s gaze as I look at him. “Stand up.”
He does so automatically, making his parents laugh, and I point at my seat.
He sits, and I straddle him for a moment before taking his seat and blocking her view of him.
“Sorry, he has a bad back. Old age, you understand. That chair will be better for him.” I lower my tone. “I thought we made it clear, Amanda.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she replies loudly. “Why are you being rude? I am his fiancée.”
Covering her hand, I squeeze it until she looks at me.
“I will not cause a scene, nor will you, so stow the dramatics. This isn’t the time or place.
You would like to talk? Fine, we will later, but you will find your seat and behave or I will ensure you do.
Tonight is not about us or even your petty jealousy.
Now go. You won’t like my way of forcing you.
” I take a sip and wait as she gawks at me.
“You have five seconds,” I tell her. “Five, four—”
She stands with a harrumph, glaring at me before forcing a smile. “We’ll talk later, Noah.” She turns to his parents. “It was lovely to see you again.” With a flick of her hair, she bounces away as I roll my eyes and turn back.
Noah’s dad gives me a thumbs-up, making me grin, as someone in a suit stops at his side and whispers something, making him stand. “It’s speech time. Excuse me.”
The music stops as Royce takes the stage, and applause fills the air.
He waits for it to quiet down. “Thank you, everyone, for attending our fiftieth anniversary. As I look out at a sea of familiar faces, the time seems to have no span at all, apart from the wrinkles.” Everyone laughs.
“I won’t waste your time boring you with a long speech.
Tonight, we celebrate, but there are a few people I’d like to thank, like my wife, for being my rock and always believing in me, the board for taking a chance on a nobody, and my friends and business partners.
I could not be here without you.” He takes a deep breath and smiles.
“And lastly, I’d like to thank my son, Noah. Come here, please.”
Noah’s eyes widen, but I push him up, and to his chagrin, he heads to the stage, standing next to his mother and father as I clap and smile proudly.
“And there is one other person tonight who is new in our lives whom I would like to thank. Mackie.” All eyes turn to me as I freeze, my jaw dropping as Noah smiles.
“He’s someone very important to us all, and not only did he help with this event, but he has also brought me and my family closer than ever.
I’m so excited for him to be part of our family.
” He’s making his stance clear, and I gape. “Mackie, my son, come here please.”
I try to wave it off, but Noah jumps from the edge of the stage and strides my way, ignoring the laughter as he drags me up from my chair, holding my hand as he pulls me along.
He helps me up the stairs and pushes me next to his parents, his other hand finding my waist as I stare out at the huge crowd.
“My family would like to say one last thank you to everyone who has supported us. Now, let’s have an amazing night.
The bar is free, so let’s drink the town dry!
” The crowd laughs, and I awkwardly take it all in with a tight smile.
Noah anchors me, even when I want to shrink away.
Everyone is seated and looking this way, except for one person.
My eyes find the figure moving through the crowd, storming out of the ballroom.
Amanda.
Once we leave the stage, I excuse myself, saying I need to use the bathroom, and follow her, ready to end this once and for all.
I see the train of her dress disappearing at the end of the hall, so I quicken my steps then walk through sliding doors and onto a rooftop patio.
There’s a pool with lights on the right, and tables clearly meant for later, but Amanda is standing there, looking out at the glittering night sky. Sighing, I walk her way.
“You don’t even want him, Amanda, not really. Why are you doing this?”
She turns to look at me, and I see tears glistening in her eyes as one slowly rolls down her cheek.
Either she’s a very good actress or she’s actually crying, and that makes me uncomfortable.
“I do. I always did. I was the one who gave my parents the idea of an arranged marriage. I knew he would never look at me any other way. Did you know we even went to school together, but he didn’t remember?
I’ve loved him since I was a teenager. He’s all I’ve ever wanted.
” She swallows hard, her voice thick as she dashes her tears away.
Sighing, I step closer. I don’t want to be cruel, it isn’t my style, but this conversation needs to happen.
“You can’t love him,” I murmur softly, and she jerks like I slapped her.
“You don’t even know him, not really. How can you love someone you don’t know?
You can care for him, and if you do, you wouldn’t hurt him the way you are.
I think you just don’t like to lose, and you have, so why don’t you lose with some dignity?
Don’t do this. Don’t make it harder for him.
He respected you until you did all this.
” I wave my hand to encompass all that she has done in our lives.
“And honestly, I respected you too. I looked up to you. I wanted to hate you, but I couldn’t.
You’re smart, competent, and beautiful.”
“It isn’t enough, not without a man’s name,” she scoffs, her tears drying up as her lip curls in anger.
I can’t pretend to understand. I’m not a woman, nor am I in her circle despite Noah including me tonight.
I have no idea what it has been like for her, but I do understand wanting something and needing to fight for it.
“Then make it enough, but he will never be yours. I’m sorry, Amanda.
I can’t help that I love him, and he can’t help that he loves me.
We don’t choose who we fall for. If you truly care for him, let him go, let him be happy.
Go back in there and hold your head high and fight for what you truly want, because I know it isn’t him. ”
When she just stares, I turn away, heading toward the door, but then I hear the rush of heels. Turning, I see her grab something from a table and run toward me, lifting it in the air. “He’s mine! This life is mine!”
My eyes widen as I stare at the Champagne bottle in her hand heading for my head. An arm slides in front of me, spinning me, and I stare up at Noah’s determined face as he offers his back to the descending bottle.
I hear it smash and feel him jerk, and I stare into his eyes as we stumble and then fall. I catch him as he stumbles forward, a trail of blood leaking down his forehead, but his hands cup my cheeks. “Are you okay, baby?”
I stare, frozen in shock, before I snap out of it. “Noah.” I catch him as he falls, crumpling to his knees, yet his hands linger, and his eyes hold mine, even as blood drips steadily now from his head. I touch the back of his, and my fingers come away stained with red.
“Noah, your head,” I croak.
“I’m okay.” He blinks sluggishly. “Baby, are you okay?” His words slur, and he keeps blinking.
More blood pours down his head, and panic fills me.
“Help! Please, someone help!” I scream, but nobody is around.
Amanda holds the top of the broken bottle in her hand as she gapes.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay.” Standing, I try to lift him, but he’s too big. I keep trying as he slurs and reaches for me. I manage to get him up under my shoulder, and I drag him to the door, unwilling to leave him. He leans into me, growing heavier as we get inside.
“Help! Please, someone help!” I bellow as I stumble under his weight, and we hit the floor.
“Noah?” I cup his cheeks, which are pale, his eyes closed as he sprawls over me.
“Noah, my love, open your eyes. Please, hang on, I’m getting help.
” Tears slide down my cheeks. “Someone, help me!” I scream louder than I ever have, and I hear running footsteps, followed by gasps of horror and screams as someone calls for an ambulance.
Gripping Noah’s face, I bend over him, blocking their view and protecting him.
“Help is coming, my love. Just hold on, okay? I’m right here.
It’s going to be okay. Just stay with me.
You need to tell me off for something. Come on, Noah, just open your eyes and look at me.
Don’t . . . Please don’t leave me.” I press my head to his, my tears falling on his face, mixing with his blood.
“Please, please, I can’t lose anyone else. ”
“Noah! Oh my god!” his mother shouts as hands tug at us, but I don’t budge as more sobs and screams fill the air.
“Please,” I whisper, my entire world narrowing down to him. “Please don’t leave me. I need you.” Pressing my lips to his, I choke on my tears. “I love you. I love you so much.”
He doesn’t respond.
He’s silent and limp in my arms as I hear sirens, just like the night I found out about my parents.