Chapter 2

Susanna's POV

Lost in thought, two short honks interrupted me.

Startled, I looked up to see a black Maybach stopped by the curb.

The passenger window rolled down, revealing Carson's expressionless profile. His gaze faced forward-he wasn't looking at me.

Noelle leaned over from the driver's seat, waving enthusiastically with a bright voice.

"Is that you, Suzy? What a coincidence! Hard to get a cab in this rain, right? Get in, we'll drive you home!"

I instinctively wanted to shake my head and refuse. My lips had barely moved when Carson's cold, hard voice cut me off.

"Get in. Don't waste time-Noelle has reservations at that French restaurant soon."

His tone carried impatient urgency.

I froze at this sudden scolding.

Noelle beside him shrugged and waved at me, gesturing for me to get in.

I pressed my lips together, glanced at my aching leg, and finally pulled open the door and slid into the back seat.

The car's interior was spacious, the heater turned up high, instantly dispelling the damp cold outside.

I huddled in the window seat with my bouquet of lilies, head down, looking at the pure white petals.

Glancing up unconsciously, I caught Carson's eyes in the rearview mirror.

I flinched and looked away, staring straight ahead.

After that brief moment of eye contact, Carson also looked away, focusing on the traffic ahead.

The car merged smoothly into traffic.

Carson drove in silence. Aside from the occasional turn signal, the only sound in the car was Noelle's cheerful voice.

She seemed in high spirits, jumping from topic to topic-how amazing the desserts would be at the restaurant, to an art exhibition next week, to suddenly wanting new car decorations.

I only dared to nod slightly when she paused and her gaze seemed to sweep toward me, as acknowledgment.

My reactions were always half a beat slow. Noelle's rapid-fire topic changes often left me unsure how to respond.

Usually at times like this, Noelle would naturally turn to Carson instead, or just start humming to herself.

But today, Noelle's voice suddenly stopped.

That brief silence felt oddly abrupt in the warm car.

I was staring absently out the window when I heard Noelle's voice turn toward me.

"Suzy, are you still mad at me?"

Called out by name, I snapped back to attention and instinctively looked up.

I met Noelle's hurt gaze as she half-turned from the passenger seat.

She lowered her head, long lashes drooping, eyes quickly reddening, voice breaking into tears.

"Suzy, I know... I know you must hate me."

"Even though you were the one who introduced us back then. Of course, I'm grateful for that now."

"But, but you can't help who you fall for."

"Carson likes me now, and I don't want to lose you as a friend. Can't you stop being angry and just let us be together?"

I opened my mouth, the words "I'm not upset" still lodged in my throat, when Carson suddenly braked and pulled to the curb.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and wiped Noelle's tears with his fingertips, impossibly gentle.

The tenderness in his eyes nearly spilled over.

"Don't cry, Noelle."

Something lightly struck my chest, leaving a dull ache.

In five years of marriage, Carson had never looked at me that way. I was always the understanding wife who didn't need comforting.

The bitterness in my heart flashed and passed. I turned to look at Noelle, tears streaming down her face.

Her sudden accusation left me stunned, my mind struggling to catch up.

"I... I'm not upset..."

The words barely left my mouth when a sharp click echoed through the car.

The doors unlocked.

Carson held Noelle close, cast me a cold look, his voice ice-cold.

"Get out."

Noelle sobbed, leaning against Carson's side while saying to me.

"Suzy, I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well right now. Can you just go home by yourself?"

Noelle was still Noelle-the princess who needed the whole world to revolve around her moods.

I didn't say another word. I reached for the door handle, grabbed my slightly crushed bouquet of lilies, and got out.

The cold wind immediately wrapped around me, dispersing the car's abundant warmth.

I didn't look back at the black car stopped behind me.