Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Noelle
"Tara, more stuff for you," Shahruk called from outside the shop.
I pushed open the door and picked up the blue gift box with the Tiffany logo, irritation surging through me.
"Did you tick someone off?"
"Just some stalker I can't shake."
"Want me to call Chief Chadon?"
"No." I hefted the heavy box in my hands. "He's just a nutcase. Let him waste his time."
I opened the box. A diamond necklace sparkled in the sunlight.
"Jesus..." Shahruk sucked in a breath. "How much is that thing worth..."
"Doesn't matter how expensive it is. It's still garbage." Without hesitation, I tossed the box into the trash can by the door.
Clang.
A few locals walking by stopped dead in their tracks, staring at me in disbelief.
"Outsiders are so weird..."
"But those were diamonds..."
I ignored the murmurs and headed back into the shop, Shahruk following close behind. "Even if you don't want it, you could sell it."
"I don't need the money. You want it? Everything that comes after this is yours."
"I wouldn't dare touch anything that shady." He waved his hands frantically. "What if that psycho comes after me..."
This was the fifth day since I'd been discharged from the hospital. The expensive gifts had been arriving nonstop since I came back. Did Kholod Morozov think he could buy forgiveness with this junk?
Dream on.
As I said this, my eyes drifted toward the window. That shadowy figure lurking behind the wooden sculpture was still there, watching.
He was watching.
Perfect. I wanted him to understand that his money meant absolutely nothing to me.
That afternoon, another box arrived—half my height. I had someone carry it straight to the garbage pile out back.
"Don't you want to see what's inside?" the delivery guy asked.
"No point."
These annoying gifts kept coming, only making me despise him more.
I went out to collect some tapestries. When I returned, there was another box waiting.
I opened it. Baby clothes, toys, and various high-end baby supplies scattered everywhere. Every piece was from a top brand, every piece worth a fortune.
I gritted my teeth, crouched down, and started picking everything up piece by piece, shoving it all back into the box.
Just as I stuffed the last piece of clothing back in, a voice came from behind me.
"Tara, did he send more stuff?"
It was Lorenzo. He walked over, glanced at the box contents, and his face immediately darkened.
"Damn it." He picked up the box, headed upstairs, pushed open the window, and hurled the entire thing onto the street without hesitation.
The box tumbled through the air and crashed down hard—Kholod should have seen every bit of it.
"Like a bloody ghost." Lorenzo turned back to me. "Maybe you should consider moving?"
"Where could I go?" I laughed bitterly. "He found me all the way out here."
Lorenzo fell silent, too.
"Don't worry, you still have me." He took my hand. "I'll always take care of you and Leo."
Looking at him, warmth filled my chest. Thank God I still had Lorenzo by my side.
That evening, Lorenzo came to help me give Leo a bath.
"How's the water temperature? Too hot?"
"Just right." I lowered Leo into the baby tub. "Bath time, sweetheart."
"Gah gah!" Leo happily splashed the water, sending droplets flying everywhere.
"Whoa!" Lorenzo got splashed in the face. "You little rascal!"
I couldn't help laughing. "Leo, stop playing with the water."
"Gah!" Leo completely ignored me, his little hands continuing to splash.
"Watch this." Lorenzo held up a rubber duck to catch Leo's attention. "When you're bigger, I'll teach you how to swim."
"He's still too young."
"He'll grow up fast." He gently wiped the baby's arm. "Tara, when Leo's older, we can take him traveling."
Just then, Leo splashed again, this time soaking my face.
Lorenzo couldn't help but laugh. "Nice shot, little guy!"
"Don't encourage him!" I pretended to be annoyed and splashed water back at him.
The impromptu water fight filled the bathroom with laughter, Leo giggling delightedly in his tub.
"Truce! Truce!" I laughed, surrendering.
"You started it." Lorenzo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Giving up?"
"I surrender!"
After wrapping Leo in a towel, I nudged the soaked Lorenzo toward the door. "Go change your clothes before you catch a cold."
"See you tomorrow." He left reluctantly.
After seeing Lorenzo off, I carried Leo back to the bedroom.
I changed him into clean pajamas and placed him in his crib.
"Sleep tight, okay?" I kissed his forehead.
"Gah gah..." He yawned, his little eyes slowly closing.
I sat beside the bed, watching him sleep. This kind of peaceful, warm routine—this was what real life should be.
The next day at noon, Leo babbled and pointed at the window. I followed his gaze—the figure behind the wooden sculpture was still there.
"Don't look that way, baby." I turned to block his view. "There's a bad man over there."
Leo blinked, seeming to half-understand.
The shop bell chimed. Lorenzo walked in carrying lunch. "Brought your favorite seafood chowder."
"Thank you for always being so thoughtful."
He reached out to take Leo, and the baby immediately threw himself into Lorenzo's arms with delight.
Watching their closeness, I suddenly thought of that voyeur. Since Kholod insisted on watching, I'd give him something worth seeing.
I walked over to Lorenzo and deliberately slipped my arm through his.
"Lorenzo." I looked up at him.
"Yeah?" He seemed surprised—this was the first time I'd been so forward.
"I've made up my mind," I said. "About what you asked me before."
"Really?" His eyes lit up. "You mean..."
"I'm willing to try." I deliberately raised my voice. "To give Leo a complete family."
Lorenzo was speechless with joy.
"Tara..." He held Leo with one arm, wanting to embrace me with the other. "You... you really mean it?"
I didn't answer with words. Instead, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Lorenzo's face turned crimson instantly. "Tara, you..."
"What, I can't do that?" I asked teasingly.
"No! Of course you can!" He pulled me close excitedly. "I... I'm so happy! Tara, I'll be good to you, I'll take care of you and Leo, I swear—"
"I know." I cut him off. "I trust you."
We stood there in the shop, sunlight streaming through the window. The scene probably looked heartwarming, like genuine lovers.
But only I knew how frantically my heart was beating, how cold my palms were.
Though I wasn't completely ready, I really didn't want to face Kholod anymore.
"The weather's lovely today. Want to take Leo to the beach?" Lorenzo suggested the next morning while helping me hang tapestries.
We strolled slowly along the boardwalk. Lorenzo pushed the stroller while seagulls circled overhead, crying out.
"Tara," he suddenly stopped walking. "Do you really want to be with me?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I want to give Leo a stable home."
"Just for the baby?" He studied my face. "Do you have feelings for me?"
I was quiet for several seconds. How should I answer? Say yes? That would be lying to him. Say no? That would be too cruel.
"I'll try my best." I finally said. "Lorenzo, I'll try to love you. At least right now, being with you makes me feel safe."
"That's enough for me." He smiled. "I just want you to be happy."
He gently took my hand. I didn't pull away, allowing that warmth to flow between us. Leo slept peacefully in his stroller. This moment of tranquility made me think that maybe life could continue like this forever.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a figure standing on the distant rocks. Kholod stood there, the sea breeze lifting his coat, his silhouette isolated and forlorn.
I deliberately moved closer to Lorenzo.
"Getting cold?" he asked with concern.
"Let's walk a bit more. It's such beautiful weather."
When we passed in front of Kholod, Lorenzo naturally put his arm around my shoulders. "Watch out for the rocks."
I could feel that burning gaze following us until his figure gradually blurred in the distance.
That evening, I was feeding Leo when the doorbell rang.
"Who is it?" I called out.
"It's me."
Kholod's voice made my hand tremble slightly, and I nearly dropped the bottle.
"I don't want to see you," I said. "Go away."
"Noelle, I want to talk to you."
"We have nothing to talk about."
"Just five minutes." His voice sounded almost pleading from outside the door.
I bit my lip, then finally stood up, carrying Leo to the door.
After a moment's hesitation, I opened it while still holding Leo.
Kholod stood outside, his face still bearing bruises from his altercation with Lorenzo.
"Five minutes only." I stepped aside to let him in.
He walked in, his gaze immediately falling on Leo in my arms.
"He..."
"Has nothing to do with you." I cut him off. "Kholod, say what you came to say."
He held out a first aid kit in his hands. "I noticed your inhaler is nearly empty. This is a new one."
"I don't need it."
"Noelle, this is about your safety." He insisted. "You can hate me, you can refuse to forgive me, but please don't gamble with your own life."
I bit my lip, then finally accepted the first aid kit.
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes." He took a deep breath. "Noelle, give me a chance to make amends."
"No."
"Please." His voice was almost humble. "Let me do something for you."
Looking at this man who had once been so arrogant now humbling himself before me, complex emotions churned in my chest. I should have refused outright, but instead I heard myself saying:
"You really want to make amends?"
"Yes."
"Fine." I lifted my chin with a cold smile. "Do one thing for me. If you succeed, I'll give you that chance."