Wife 16


    “How can you even suggest something like that about me and Winter? It’s not because….


    “Stop! Just stop. I can’t listen to another word, Xavier. You’re making me sick. Get out now before


    there’s nothing left of you in my heart.” Noelle shoved Zaver back, shooting him a look that could


    freezeva. “And don’t you daree back.”


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    With that, she fished her keys out of her bag, strode to the apartment door, flung it open, and


    disappeared inside. She felt like she would totally lose it if she spent one more second with


    Xavier


    Xavier watched Noelle’s back as she left,pletely lost. How had things between them gone so


    horribly wrong?


    Even if they could not be a couple, the bond they had once shared still lingered. He believed that if


    Noelle had even the slightest affection left for him, she would be mindful of his feelings. She should


    be cool about him and Winter being together, especially since Winter had once saved her life.


    He nned to make things right with her, hoping they could return to the way things once were.


    Noelle would remain the same big–hearted, empathetic girl he had always known.


    He was certain a shift had urred due to that guy she had been with in the car. Otherwise, Noelle


    would never have acted so coldly towards him. She would not have!


    Noelle waspletely drained. That talk with Xavier had her questioning everything about


    her life.


    Noelle spent the weekend trying to shake everything off before returning to work. She believed that


    no matter what, life went on and one could not just ditch work. However, she had given herself too


    much credit and underestimated the gossipmongers.


    Noelle was met with stares and whispers upon stepping into thepany lobby. “Look, that’s her!


    The girl who stooped so low as to snatch her sister’s fiance.”


    “Totally! I heard her sister even saved her life when they were little.”


    “Seriously, how can someone bite the hand that feeds them?”


    “Let’s be real, she’s never been Ms. Congeniality. Did you know she’s one of us? She’s the reason


    a bunch of women here got edged out.”


    Noelle stomped her foot, her piercing gazending on the group of gossiping women. Maybe It was


    themanding air she carried or her standing in thepany, but the women quickly scattered


    with their heads bowed. One of them could not resist a parting shot before leaving. “You think being


    the third woman in someone’s rtionship is something to brag


    about? We can’t even talk about it now, huh?”


    +15 BONUS


    Noelle’s breathing was erratic, her chest rising and falling as she fought to steady her roiling


    emotions.


    With a bitterugh, she watched the women’s retreating figures. She knew returning to thepany


    would stir up drama, but expecting it and facing it head–on were two different things.


    Shaking her head, she turned to walk away.


    “Ms. Shaw.” The receptionist, Alice, stopped her. Her eyes flickered to Noelle’s with a mix of


    concern and awkwardness. “Just so you know, pretty much everyone in thepany’s heard


    about… your situation. Brace yourself, okay?”


    “Thanks for the heads–up, Alice.” Noelle sighed. This was one storm she would have to weather.


    “You’re on my side, right?”


    “Ms. Shaw, I know you’re not that type of person, and…” Alice hesitated, her voice trailing off. She


    had seen Noelle and Xavier together before. They had been the real deal.


    “Thanks, Alice. I appreciate it. I’ve got to head up now, so you should get back to work.” She was


    genuinely thankful for the support, especially now.


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