Chapter 37
Thirty-Seven
Caroline
Richard should have known better.
He ignored the warnings—the investigator’s last text, the anonymous email that said, “Stay away from Massimo if you know what’s good for you.” He drove out anyway, gripping the wheel like it was a lifeline.
The estate was even more intimidating up close. The gates were tall, the drive lined with security cameras. Two men waited at the entrance, arms folded, unmoved by Richard’s demand to see his ex-wife.
He expected a scene. Maybe a standoff.
Instead, the gates swung open, and Noah himself walked out.
No suit this time, just jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked ordinary, except for the way everyone else melted back when he moved.
Richard steeled himself. “I want to see Caroline. She doesn’t know what you are.”
Noah shook his head. “She knows more than you think.”
“She’s scared, I can tell. You’re manipulating—”
Noah raised a hand, silencing him. “You lost her the day you brought a stranger into your bed. Don’t blame me for picking up the pieces.”
Richard flinched, but recovered. “You’re not good for her.”
Noah smiled, slow and sad. “Better than you ever were.”
The words landed like a fist. Richard felt his cheeks burn, his throat close up.
Noah stepped closer, voice low. “If you really want her happy, you’ll stop showing up. She deserves a life that isn’t defined by your mistakes.”
Richard tried to find some retort, some legal threat, but nothing came out.
Noah didn’t even look angry. He just stood there, waiting.
Richard’s bravado wilted.
He turned, got in his car, and drove off, the security team watching until he was gone.
Back at the house, Noah found me in the kitchen, icing a pan of lemon scones.
He told me what happened, not gloating, not even angry. Just factual.
“He won’t bother you again,” he said, pouring us coffee.
I leaned over, kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “You’re safe here.”
And I knew he meant it.
Richard was out of my life, for good this time.
I didn’t feel relief. I felt release.
Like I’d been carrying a burden so long, I forgot it was there—until it vanished.
I watched Noah across the kitchen, the way he moved, the way he made room for me at the counter.
And I thought, maybe, this was how love worked.
You let go of everything that hurt.
And what’s left is so pure, you’d fight anything to keep it safe.