Chapter 4

I stood up and told Cristina to leave, without a shred of politeness.

"You should go. Get out of my house."

Cristina's face changed, and she spoke like the wounded party.

"Bella, how can you be like this? I came straight to see you the moment I got back."

"And I have good news to share. My job's been transferred back to L.A. I wanted us to celebrate together."

Noel gave me a displeased look, then turned to comfort Cristina.

"It's fine, she's just having one of her fits today. Don't pay her any attention. I'll celebrate with you instead, it's the same thing."

"Let's go. Leave her here to lose her mind on her own."

I looked at the two of them coldly.

For the longest time I'd wanted Noel to take me to a new restaurant that had opened.

But he always brushed it off with one excuse or another. He simply wouldn't go with me.

In all the time we'd been together, he never once celebrated anything with me.

So it turned out he just didn't want to be with me. That was all.

The thought pushed the question out of me.

"You have a new job? Which company?"

Cristina paused, then answered, thoroughly pleased with herself.

"It's Vantage Ventures. They invited me on as a director."

My stomach dropped.

Not long ago, I'd been laid off from my company.

I'd gone to my boss to ask why.

All he asked was what my relationship with Noel was.

So I went to Noel.

He explained it to me lightly, like it was nothing.

"Bella, you're too caught up in work. You've been sick several times now. You need rest. In this whole world, nothing matters more to me than you being healthy. I care about you."

"And most of your attention, most of your time, goes into your job every single day. Honestly, I get jealous."

I was angry at the time, but I also believed he only cared about me, that it was all for my own good.

I let out a cold little laugh.

"How exactly did you get that company's offer?"

Before Cristina could open her mouth, Noel jumped in first.

"I went to Mr. Kim and suggested it. You'd already resigned anyway, so this opening was perfect for Cristina. She'd always wanted to work at your company."

I looked at him.

My heart felt like it had been pricked with a needle.

So he'd pushed me to quit not because he cared about me, but to hand Cristina a better job.

I stood where I was, and I finally couldn't take another second of it.

"Noel, since you like her this much, since you think of her every step, and clear the path for her at every turn, why don't you just marry her instead."

Noel's face darkened at once.

"Bella, what are you talking about?"

"Stop acting like some shrew throwing a fit, judging other people through that filthy mind of yours. There's nothing between me and Cristina. Believe it or not."

Seeing the air between us turn razor-sharp, Cristina rushed to speak.

"Noel, I'll just celebrate on my own, it's fine. I'm leaving. Stay home and keep Bella company. I won't intrude on the two of you. Please don't fight."

She played it so understanding that Noel loathed me all the more.

He said to Cristina,

"It's fine. She's just crazy. Don't mind her. Let's go."

His voice was cold and full of disgust as he took Cristina by the hand and turned to leave.

The door slammed hard behind them.

I stood there, cold all the way through.

This was the man who, when he proposed, had promised he'd always be good to me and never make me angry.

I sat alone on the couch for a long time.

Until a delivery driver knocked at the door outside.

Noel had sent me a message.

【Ordered the food you like and that congee place you love. Remember to eat.】

I didn't reply.

I just contacted the agent.

I'd bought this place only so Noel and I could get married.

Now that there was no marriage, of course the house had to go too.

Once everything was settled, I packed my things and went to stay at a hotel.

Several days passed before Noel finally called me.

"Have you calmed down yet? Once you've come to your senses, you'll apologize to me and Cristina."

"And you're going to promise me that after we're married, you'll never pull anything like this again."

I looked at the message the agent had just sent me.

And answered calmly.

"I've already told everyone the engagement is off. And I sold the house."

"What did you say?"

Noel's voice shot up.

"Bella, is this some kind of joke?"