chapter[40]
chapter[40]
CHAPTER 40
Noah.
The entire atmosphere shifted dramatically with the abrupt appearance of that woman. Everything I had been meticulously planning, all the carefully orchestrated moments I envisioned for Selena and me, felt like they were crumbling around me, like a house of cards swept away by a sudden gust of wind. She was right; I could easily kill her right then and there, and the thought crossed my mind like a fleeting shadow. But my hands were tied—figuratively and literally—because I couldn’t act in front of Selena. I couldn’t expose her to the darker side of my world, not now, not when everything was supposed to be perfect for us.
However, I hadn’t anticipated what Selena would say in response to that woman’s provocations. The relief that washed over me was immense, a tidal wave of gratitude mixed with disbelief, as I couldn’t help but feel thankful for having such a supportive and strong woman in my life. She stood there, unwavering, ready to defend what we had built together, her spirit radiating a fierce loyalty that made my heart swell with pride. But life was never that simple. I had allowed that woman to escape for the moment, but I had instructed my men to follow her discreetly, to ensure she was brought to my torture room. I needed answers, and I needed them fast. Who was she trying to push away from me? She wasn’t acting alone; I was sure of it. Someone had to be pulling her strings, urging her to take this reckless step. The woman was no leader in this twisted game; she was merely a pawn. But I wouldn’t let her get away with threatening my family, my wife, my children. I had to extract the truth from her, to protect what was mine.
As I stood there, my mind racing with thoughts of vengeance and protection, Selena placed her delicate hands over my lips, silencing me. I could feel the tension in the air, the weight of what had just transpired, and I was afraid of what was coming next. I knew this was the calm before the storm. “Listen to me, Noah,” she began, her voice steady yet fierce, echoing with determination. “I didn’t say anything to her because I want to preserve your dignity. But I need to warn you—any involvement in illegal activities, and I will leave you forever. And trust me, this time, you won’t be able to stop me.” Her gaze pierced through me, filled with resolve and conviction. “I’m not some weak woman, Noah. I stayed with you not because I was forced, but because I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you.”
She paused, allowing her words to sink in, and I narrowed my eyes, trying to decipher the meaning behind her declarations. “What do you mean by ‘yes’?” I asked, confusion creeping into my voice.
She smirked, a playful glint lighting up her eyes. “I mean yes, idiot. I would love to be with you for the rest of my life!” she declared, her voice ringing out loud enough for everyone around us to hear, and they stared in confusion, caught off guard by her boldness. But no one dared to say a word; most of them worked for me or had business dealings with me, so they understood the gravity of the situation. Except for Selena, of course, who was blissfully unaware of the weight she carried with her words.
I glared at her, astonished by her confidence and the declaration she had just made. She repeated her proclamation, her voice steady and strong, as if she wanted the entire world to hear her commitment. I felt a rush of warmth and love wash over me, my heart racing uncontrollably at the realization of how deeply she cared for me. Ahmet’s voice broke through my thoughts, startling me back to reality. “Move, idiot! Hug her now!”
Without a second thought, I rushed toward Selena, lifting her from her waist and kissing her deeply, tasting the sweetness of her lips. She laughed softly and pulled back, breaking the kiss with a teasing smile. “We can’t do this here, you know that, right? Everyone is looking at us.”
I groaned, momentarily forgetting the audience around us. “Okay, I hate them. Can we go back now?” I frowned, wanting nothing more than to be alone with her, away from prying eyes and judgment.
“To where?” she asked, tilting her head with curiosity, her expression inviting yet playful.
“To our house, your palace, my queen,” I said, emphasizing my affection with every syllable.
She chuckled, a light sound that filled me with joy and made my heart flutter. “I’m hungry. Can we eat something first?” she pouted, her pink lips drawing me in as if they were made of the sweetest candy.
I slapped my forehead in frustration at my own oversight. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry! I completely forgot you hadn’t eaten in over a day.” How could I be so careless? I cursed myself mentally, feeling the weight of my negligence.
She grabbed my hand, dragging me toward the table without another word. I pulled out a chair for her, and she quickly sat down, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. I gestured to the waitress, instructing her to fill the table with food, my heart racing at the thought of making it up to her. Within minutes, the table was overflowing with plates of various dishes, a feast fit for royalty.
Selena looked momentarily shocked at the spread before her, but her hunger quickly took over, and she began to eat with delight, soft moans escaping her lips as she savored each bite. Watching her, I found it incredibly difficult to maintain my composure. I knew I would suffer immensely trying to hold back my desire for her in the coming months, but I was determined to prioritize her safety and well-being above all else.
As music played softly in the background, I motioned to Ahmet and Steven, inviting them to join us. I wanted to express my gratitude for their unwavering support through everything we had faced. But when Ahmet suddenly asked to speak to me privately, a wave of unease washed over me. It was unusual for him to request such a thing, especially in a moment like this. I followed him, excusing myself from Selena, who seemed completely engrossed in her singing, her spirit unbroken and carefree, trusting Ahmet as if he were her own blood.
“Yeah, Ahmet, what’s wrong?” I asked, my concern evident as I studied his tense expression. He froze momentarily, his face a mask of worry and uncertainty. “What’s wrong, Ahmet? Don’t be afraid of me,” I urged, trying to calm him down, to ease the tension that hung between us.
“Swear to me that Selena and Steven won’t know anything about this,” he whispered, his voice shaky, betraying the inner turmoil he seemed to be battling.
I stepped closer, my heart pounding as I realized the gravity of his request. “Yes, I promise. Just tell me what’s going on. I’m already worried enough as it is,” I urged, desperation creeping into my tone.
He huffed, struggling to find the right words, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I have this instinct, a bad feeling that’s leading me to one conclusion. I think Steven was the one who sent you the threatening text. I believe he’s just playing dirty and using me as a cover for whatever’s going on in his mind.”
His words sent a chill down my spine. I connected the dots quickly but needed more details to understand the full picture. “If that’s what you believe, then why do you and he look like lovebirds?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
Ahmet dropped his jaw in shock. “Are you kidding? Selena is my everything. I would gladly lay down my life for her. I won’t let anything happen to her, even if it means confronting you. She’s my sister, my mother, my daughter all rolled into one. I’m pretending and faking everything to expose him for who he really is.”
I understood his feelings completely, the fierce protectiveness he had for Selena mirroring my own. I glanced back at the table, noticing how Steven’s eyes were glued to Selena, his gaze predatory and filled with an unsettling desire. She was blissfully unaware, lost in her song, while the guy was clearly infatuated with her. Ahmet was right—Steven had been obsessed with her from the start.
“So, what made you think that? Maybe he genuinely likes you,” I probed, trying to make sense of the situation.
Ahmet frowned, his expression serious. “Because of what he did to get close to Selena. He pushed away all her friends, lied to her about not knowing her pen name, and he’s been planning this entire scheme for a long time. Just promise me you’ll protect her, Noah.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Selena. “Ahmet, let it go. Don’t put yourself in the line of fire. Selena won’t forgive me if something happens to you. Just break up with him. I’ll handle everything. You can’t stay with someone you don’t truly like just to protect her.”
He crossed his arms defiantly, his resolve unwavering. “I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP HER ALIVE!” he shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around us, including Selena, who turned wide-eyed at the commotion.
I muttered under my breath, “That guy is so fucking crazy.”
But in a strange way, I was relieved he refused to heed my advice. Just then, my right-hand man, Jacob, sent a text that sent my heart racing: Take care. The woman is being blackmailed by Steven to threaten you and Selena. She's with me now in the torture room, waiting for you.
A wave of anger surged through me, mixing with a sense of urgency. I would make sure the truth came out, and I would protect what was mine at all costs. No one would threaten my family and get away with it. I felt the fire of determination ignite within me, ready to confront whatever darkness lay ahead.