Chapter 14
A Father’s Last Wish
Noelle’s POV
“I need to leave.”
My voice was barely above a whisper, but the heaviness in my chest made it thunder in my
ears.
Alaric stood quietly for a moment before he nodded. “I understand. I just… Noelle, I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner.”
I gave a small bitter smile, turning toward the door, but his voice halted me.
“There’s one more thing you need to know before you go.”
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I
I turned slowly, wary. “More surprises?”
“Yes,” he said solemnly. “I’m dying.”
The words froze me mid–breath.
“What?”
“I’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Late–stage pancreatic cancer. They’ve given me a few months. Maybe less.” My hand clutched the doorframe.
Alaric swallowed hard. “I got married. I thought I’d finally found peace, but she…
she’s been slowly poisoning me. My doctors confirmed it.”
“Sweet Baby Jesus…”
“She wanted to inherit everything. And the worst part?” He gave a tired smile. “The kids
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I thought were mine… they’re not. DNA test confirmed it. She’s been cheating on me for years. So, I have no one left. Except you.”
I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t
come.
“I want you to take over my fashion company,‘ he said, stepping forward. “It’s yours now. My life’s work. I want to introduce you to the world before I die. As my daughter. As my heiress.”
“I need time,” I said, voice cracking. “I need to think.”
He nodded softly. “Take it. But please don’t take too long.”
I didn’t reply. I turned and walked out.
The car ride back was silent.
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Vernon didn’t speak, but I felt his eyes on me occasionally. I kept my gaze on the city lights.
When we pulled into the driveway, I opened the door before the car had fully stopped and headed straight for the bar in the living room. “Noelle…” Vernon’s voice was gentle behind
- me.
I poured myself a drink. Whiskey. Straight. I downed it.
“I married a man who planned to have me raped.”
Vernon didn’t say anything.
I poured another drink. “My mother married a man who drugged her on their wedding night and handed her over to be raped. She spent
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years living under that man. And so did I.”
Vernon walked to me and took the glass from my hand.
“But you escaped.”
“Did I?” My laugh came out bitter. “Did I really escape?”
“You’re here. You’re alive. And you’re stronger than all of them combined.”
I looked up at him. “How do I trust again, Vernon? After this? How do I let anyone in?”
“You don’t have to. Not right now.” He stepped closer. “But when you’re ready, I’ll still be here.”
My breath hitched as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
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“Even if I’m broken?”
“I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you, Noelle,” he whispered. “I don’t need you perfect. I just need you.”
My lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, I leaned forward, and he met me halfway. The kiss was slow, gentle… healing.
And when we stumbled into the bedroom, I let myself forget–just for a moment–that my world was falling apart.
****
I woke up to the smell of toast and scrambled eggs.
Vernon walked in shirtless, tray in his hand. “Morning, Mrs. Walters.”
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I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. “Don’t.”
He chuckled and placed the tray on the nightstand.
“I brought aspirin. Thought you’d need it.”
I peeked at him from under the covers, “How are you so cheerful this morning?”
“Because I got to sleep beside the woman I’ve loved for four years.”
I hid my face again, blushing.
“Stop.”
“I’m serious. You were drunk the first time too, remember?”
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I groaned louder. “Can we not?”
He handed me the aspirin. “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t regret anything. Do you?”
I shook my head, sipping the water.
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “If you’ll have me, Noelle, I’ll be happy. I don’t care what title I hold in your life. Just let me stay.”
Before I could answer, he pounced on the bed, and I squealed as he launched a pillow
at me.
We were in the middle of our third round of pillow war when my phone rang.
I paused and reached for it. The number was familiar.
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“Hello?”
“Mrs. Walters?” It was the doctor from yesterday.
“Yes?”
“It’s Alaric. He collapsed this morning. We’re doing everything we can, but… you need to come now.” My chest tightened.
“We might lose him.”
I jumped out of bed, tossing the phone on the mattress.
“Vernon, we need to go.”
When we arrived at the hospital, the receptionist ushered us straight in. No waiting. No delays.
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In the room, Alaric lay pale against the white sheets. Machines beeped softly around him. His breaths were shallow.
The doctor turned to me. “He’s very weak. We’re trying to stabilize him.”
Alaric’s eyes opened slightly as I stepped closer.
“Noelle…”
“I’m here,” I said, taking his hand. It felt cold.
“I don’t have much time.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I need you to take over. The board will listen to you. They know who you are now.”
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My throat was tight. “You haven’t even introduced me-”
“I will.” He tried to sit up, but I stopped him.
“I’ll tell my assistant to arrange the fashion. show. It’ll be the biggest event we’ve ever done. You’ll walk in wearing your own design.”
I shook my head. “It’s too much. I’m not ready.”
“You are.” He squeezed my hand weakly. “You’ve always been ready. They just never let you shine.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “My daughter. My heiress.”
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The doctor signaled the nurse to increase his
oxygen. Vernon placed a hand on my back and I leaned into him.
“You’re not alone anymore,” Vernon whispered. “Not ever again.”
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