Chapter 15 A Thoughtful Gift
Noelle’s POV
*During the debut, I want to show you off.” Vernon said quietly, tracing circles on my wrist with his thumb. “Not just as Alaric’s heiress… but as my wife.”
I blinked
His voice was soft, careful. He wasn’t demanding–just offering. Like he always. did. No pressure. No manipulation. Just Vernon.
Before I could reply, Alaric chuckled from the hospital bed. “Leave it to me. I’ll handle it. Just make sure you’re both there.”
I nodded slowly. “We’ll be there.”
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Alaric squeezed my hand. “Thank you for accepting, Noelle.”
I forced a smile, kissed his cheek, and let Vernon lead me out of the hospital.
The car ride home was quiet. I stared out the window, still reeling.
“This is all happening so fast,” I whispered.
Vernon reached for my hand. “Then take a breath. You’ll rise slowly, Noelle. And they’ll all pay. One by one.”
I nodded.
He turned the steering wheel sharply and veered off our usual route.
“Where are we going?”
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“Have a surprise.”
We drove for another ten minutes before he pulled into a gated private garden. The car came to a halt in front of a cobbled path. surrounded by roses and lilies.
I stepped out slowly, the scent of blooming flowers wrapping around me like a warm. scarf.
Vernon led me through the garden, silent, until we reached a clearing.
Two headstones stood side by side.
One read: Diana Nichols. Beloved Mother. Loyal to the end.
The other read: James Nichols. Gentle soul.
Forever in bloom.
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My knees gave out.
I sank to the ground, tears slipping down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Vernon crouched beside me. “I had your mother’s grave moved here… somewhere peaceful. And since Jocelyn destroyed
James’s ashes… I wanted to give him a place too.”
I choked on a sob and flung my arms around him.
He held me tightly, rubbing circles on my back.
“I didn’t know I needed this,” I whispered.
“You deserve more than this. But it’s a start.”
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I touched the cold marble. “I promise I’ll get justice for both of you!” Vernon knelt beside me in silence, giving me the space to grieve. We stayed like that until the sun dipped
behind the horizon. When we got home, one of Vernon’s assistants met us at the door. “The company you wanted us to fix up–it’s ready for use, sir.”
I turned to Vernon. “Already?”
He nodded. “I told you. Anything for you.”
“I want to merge it with my father’s company” I said. “No more hiding.”
Vernon smiled. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
The next morning, I woke up to a crisp white envelope on my dresser.
Inside was an invitation.
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You’re cordially invited to the debut of Mrs. Noelle Walters, Heiress of Alaric DeLuca.
Attached was a smaller note:
Spend the day with me? – Dad.
I smiled.
Alaric’s mansion was massive. White stone walls, fountains, towering pillars… It looked like something out of a dream.
“I feel like I’m walking into a movie,” I muttered.
He met me at the door himself, dressed casually in a white linen shirt and black slacks.
“Welcome, daughter.”
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It felt strange… but warm.
We started slow. He gave me a tour of the house–showed me his personal design room, where sketches hung on the walls like artwork.
“I used to stare at your campaigns,” I admitted, laughing. “Never thought I’d be here.”
I added, “I used to wonder where my spark came from. Now I know.”
He smiled.
We played cards, watched old runway shows, and shared stories. By evening, the silence between us was gone.
“Can I ask you something?” I said, sipping
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from my glass of juice.
“Anything.”
“Why didn’t you have more children? After everything?”
He looked down at his glass. “I did. Or so I thought. But when I found out my wife had been cheating… my children weren’t mine. None of them. It was already too late to start going into the love market again.”
I winced.
He sighed. “But you… you’re mine, Noelle. The only one I have now.”
I swallowed hard.
“I just wish I wasn’t dying,” he said, voice. cracking. “I wish I had more time with
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you. I wish I could hold my grandchildren someday.” I nearly choked. “What grandchildren?”
His grin was mischievous. “Don’t play dumb. I see the way Vernon looks at you.”
I laughed nervously. “He’s… persistent.”
“He’s in love with you,” Alaric said gently. “And you love him too. You just don’t want to admit it.”
I stared at the floor.
P
“I loved the wrong man,” I said softly. “It nearly killed me. It killed my mother.”
“And if you keep holding onto that pain, you’ll let it kill your future too.”
I looked up at him.
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“You think I’m still living in my past?”
“I know you are. Because the woman I see now is strong, talented, brilliant–and still terrified.”
I didn’t speak.
He reached for my hand. “Don’t let what Christopher did become your prison.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
I nodded.
“Okay, Dad.”
His whole face lit up. He looked ten years
younger.
“Say that again.”
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“Okay… Dad.”
He laughed, pulling me into a hug. “Best thing I’ve heard in years.”
that
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