ARAMINTA’s POV

We boarded Noah’s jet late at night, and it replaced how horrible the first flight was for me. Throughout the flight, we played games, had a conversation, flirted, and slept off. 

“Stop pouting now,” Noah said to me inside the car. We were on our way to the palace. “We will go back soon.” 

My eyes lightened up. “Are you sure? He nodded and rubbed my cheeks affectionately. I was sure that I was not exaggerating because there had been a change in Noah’s mood since he got that call and I hoped secretly that it wasn't something so huge. 

“Ara” he called out, his hands holding mine tightly as he gazed deeply into my eyes. I smiled “Is there something bothering you? 

His movement hitched a bit like he wasn't expecting me to notice “No, I-” 

I glared at him, “Stop lying now.” 

He flashed me a beautiful smile, but it was all a facade, and it was glaring. “Trust me”, he replied, and kissed my hands. I took a sharp breath dejectedly, there was no way Noah would tell me whatever that was going on. 

“Noah, can you tell me about your family?” I asked him suddenly. I didn't know what brought out the question, but I wanted to know if he was aware of their little games. He raised his eyebrows at me “What do you want to know?” 

I avoided his gaze, “I mean—what do you think of them?” I didn't know if anything was funny because he laughed and stared at me, 

“Baby, did they do anything to you? 

I shook my head and fiddled with my fingers, “They don't like me.” 

His eyes suddenly turned serious, and I almost regretted bringing up the topic, 

“Be specific, baby” 

I pressed my lips into a thin line. I wouldn't know what to do if Noah took it up. 

“Maya and Shirley are finding it difficult to accept me” I finally said to him, and it was quiet in the car for a while before he bumped his head slightly against mine. 

“Maya is my cousin and I raised her. She is quite unreasonable, but she doesn't have any ill intentions towards you” he explained calmly, and I nodded, “What about Shirley and Father Kim—” 

“You’ve met Father Kim?” His grip on mine suddenly turned tight as he stared at me darkly. I wondered what got him worked up. 

His forehead was furrowed together as he asked again, “Did he say anything to you? 

I shook my head and squinted my eyes at him, “is he supposed to say something to me? 

“No. Babe, listen, stay away from every one of them. I'm enough for you, okay?” He warned, his voice deep and dark, and I suspected it had to do with Father Kim. I can not remember the weird energy I got from him the first time I laid my eyes on him. 

He pulled me closer to him and I hugged his body, “Fine, I'm not a troublemaker.” 

He cleared his throat in a teasing manner, “Are you sure about that? 

I smacked his chest, causing him to wince in pain, and I quickly regretted my actions.

“Sorry, still hurts, right? I asked him as I stared at the bandage underneath his clothes. He kissed the back of my palms and shook his head. 

“Noah—” I called out, as I could not help but feel like he was acting weird. His smiles were not reaching the ounce of his eyes as usual, and he was a bit distant. Noah interrupted me and placed a finger on my lips, he carried me closer to his lap and tightened his grab on my waist. 

He swallowed hard, and I could see the flash of nervousness and fear in his eyes which I refused to believe. 

“Ara—” 

I was getting so anxious, and my heart was racing at the moment, 

“Say something” 

He held my hands and gazed at me softly “I'm sorry—have it in mind that I will never leave you come what may” 

My heart pounded so hard against my chest that I could hear it in my ears. My forehead squeezed together with fear and confusion, he was acting too serious for my liking. I watched as his lips parted again, and he was about to talk when the driver knocked on the partition and announced our arrival at the palace. 

“Let's talk later,” he said to me gently, and I nodded. We got out of the car with his hand tightly grabbing my waist. The grab was so tight that I felt my bones clenching. I looked up at his face and I saw his eyes darkened and cold, 

“Noah—” 

I got interrupted by a loud girlish voice. It was so loud that I hurt my ears. I watched as Noah’s tight grip on my waist slowly loosened as she jumped on him. I felt a wave of pain hit my chest. I could not understand what was going on. Noah’s arms went to her waist as he consoled her from shedding tears and I needed no one to tell me that it was Isabella. 

My jaw clenched, and I could hear my heart pounding as I got neglected and watched both of them hug and console each other. It was so painful to watch, tears pricked in my eyes, and I felt betrayed. Was this the reason he changed? I could not help but think about his sudden mood of change. 

“Is this your wife? Her tiny voice sounded and jotted me from my thoughts. Noah nodded and smiled at her, his eyes soft and tendered and I scoffed silently. She looked at me with her smokey eyes and gave a tiny fake smile. I could instantly tell that she was up to no good. Who jumps on someone else's husband that way? 

“Nice to meet you,” She said and extended her hands for a shake, which I reciprocated. My eyes glistered with unshed tears as she hooked her arm with Noah’s, and he seemed comfortable with it. I could not believe it was the same person in Italy. 

“I'm sure you must know me by now” She spoke again, and she wasn't wrong because everyone was always talking about her one way or the other. I gave her a tiny smile and stared at Noah, who was quiet with an unreadable expression. 

She touched Noah’s cheeks and spoke rudely, “Noah can't believe you got married to Miss Ara, she doesn't look like your usual type of lady.” 

I scoffed and responded to her immediately, “Not you being his type and he didn't marry you still” I rolled my eyes dramatically at her annoyed gaze before I continued, 

“I will go in now, make you comfortable,” I said quite harshly and angrily, because I could burst at any minute because of Noah. I hated that he stood there and allowed his ex to rudely speak to me and allowed her to roam her hands around his body. I was about to walk in when she spoke again, 

“This is my home also. I will be comfortable.” 

My heart twisted with pain, but I tried to keep my composure, 

“Fine then, see you around” 

I moved a bit away from Noah when I felt his shaky hands on mine, but I removed them instantly and walked out on them without sparing another glance. I felt like a part of me had been removed as I got into my room. I stood behind the door and tears streamed down my eyes. I felt stupid for allowing this to happen to me, because if Noah could not move on from his ex, why did I ever think of moving on? 

I sat on the floor and covered my face with my trembling hands. I was ashamed of myself and I deserved to be crucified. 

“I thought we had something—going on” I muttered to myself as I sobbed. It was painful seeing him choose his ex over me, but what was I thinking? How could I think of letting go of the past? Noah was my enemy, and he should remain like that. He was just a cheating motherfucker that didn't deserve a hint of my kindness. 

I felt my head bang with pain as the image of his hands on her waist flashed across my head. 

“I'm sorry, Kai……thank you for being patient with me.” I knew within me that I didn't even deserve Kai’s forgiveness because I had sinned against him greatly. I was willing to forgive his killer and it backfired now.