Chapter 105

The ride back to the mansion was silent, the low rumble of the engine and tires on the pavement the only sounds. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past far too slowly. I didn't dare look at Noah. How could he forget something so basic as our age or when we met?

I remembered every detail of that night, as if it were yesterday. The color of his tie—a deep forest green, almost matching his eyes—the way he nervously adjusted his sleeves. I could probably recreate our conversation word-for-word. That moment was seared into my memory, replayed countless times over the bitter years. But he’d confused me with Zoe, his perfect girl, his high school sweetheart. I was an afterthought, our relationship insignificant. Tonight, I'd foolishly believed he cared, instead of simply using me.

What agenda? I glanced at his profile, my teeth clenching. Were the soft words, gentlemanly gestures, the dress, the event… real? Or just another calculated move in his game?

The uncertainty was unbearable. "Alright," I said abruptly. "Now that the event's over, what do you actually want?"

Noah's gaze flickered towards me, then away, but not before I saw something like guilt. "I don't want anything from you," he said, his voice even and controlled. "I wanted a nice evening, to celebrate our first meeting. Is that so hard to believe?"

I scoffed. "Yes, considering you confused me with Zoe."

He turned. "I told you, this has nothing to do with Zoe."

"But you mixed up our meeting date and ages."

"It was an accident," he insisted, looking out the window. "I met Zoe in the spring, not winter. We were both kids."

"Oh, you remember that easily, but not meeting your own wife?" I shook my head. "You've always cared more about her. I don't know why I'm even upset."

That struck a nerve. His jaw clenched. Finally, his voice strained, he growled, "Is that what this is about? Dates?"

"You tell me. You're the one who wanted to celebrate our anniversary."

Silence hung heavy. Then, slowly, through gritted teeth, he said, "Fine. There have been… rumors. About us. About an impending separation."

Of course there were rumors; neither of us had exactly acted madly in love… well, ever. But that wasn't what hurt.