Chapter 4
Bernadette just stood there, frozen for a long time, before she finally drifted out of the store like she was sleepwalking.
The snow had stopped, but the wind still cut right through her.
She walked home for over half an hour in that freezing wind. When she got back, Nolan was already asleep.
Moonlight fell on his face, casting sharp and cold shadows over his eyes and brows.
Bernadette stood by the bed and stared at him for a long time. It hit her how much he had changed in ten years. That young guy in a school uniform she had fallen for was long gone.
It felt like a hole ripped open in her chest, letting all the cold wind rush in and shake her to the bone. She called out in a shaky voice, “Nolan…”
After she said that, nothing else came.
Ten years ago, she would have thrown a tantrum, dragged him the bed, and asked him if he still loved her.
Now, she could not do it.
Because she was scared the answer would be no.
up
from
She did not sleep at all that night. The next morning, she went to the studio early.
“Bernadette, the Crowley Group-” Nesta stopped mid–sentence when she
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saw how worn out Bernadette looked. “Bernadette, what happened to you? You look terrible.”
Bernadette just shook her head. There was no way to explain her messed- up love life, and she did not want to be someone’s joke.
So she just asked, “What about the Crowley Group?”
Nesta snapped out of it and said, “The Crowley Group’s general manager is here to see you. He’s in the reception room.”
‘General manager?
“That was Nolan’s half–brother–Declan Colfield.”
Bernadette walked into the reception room curiously and saw Declan standing there, casually checking out the studio’s trophy wall.
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He was handsome too, with eyes a lot like Nolan’s, but with a bit more playfulness in his smile.
She got straight to the point. “Mr. Colfield, what do you want to talk about? The Crowley Group’s deal with the Svola Studio is over.”
She had been married to Nolan for three years and had barely seen this guy a handful of times.
Declan raised an eyebrow. “That’s Nolan and the Svola Studio. I’m here for myself.
“I don’t think you know, but this whole bid is actually for Mallins Group’s new project. Nolan and I each run one project team…”
He stopped, locked eyes with Bernadette, and said, “So you should know just how important those design drafts are for this bid.”
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Bernadette froze. The Mallins Group’s projects were huge as they were some of the biggest commissions in the whole real estate scene. Whether Nolan or Declan came out on top could depend on this one project.
She stayed quiet for a second, then asked, “If it’s that important, why
come to me?”
“I’ve seen your design draft. It’s good, and it really fits Mallins Group’s vibe.”
Declan paused on purpose, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “And I heard there’s something going on between Nolan and Mr. Mallins‘ daughter. How could this show go on without you in the mix?”
He said it so casually, like her mess with Nolan was just some soap opera for him to watch.
Bernadette frowned, ready to tell him to get lost.
However, Declan held out his hand and waved it slowly in front of her. “Eight hundred thousand.”
All her anger caught in her throat. As she looked at his hand, she swallowed what she wanted to say initially and said, “Deal.”
Who could say no to that kind of money? And deep down, she did not want Nolan and Jessica to get what they wanted so easily.
Word that the Svola Studio was working with Declan spread like wildfire.
When Bernadette got home, she found Nolan sitting on the sofa. His face was dark and his eyes were cold.
“When did you meet Declan?”
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Bernadette shut the door like nothing was wrong. “He came to me this
morning.”
Nolan’s tone left no room for debate. “End it.”
Bernadette paused. “Why?”
Nolan suddenly stood up, his cold eyes flashing with anger. “Don’t you know how many women he’s got out there?”
She was stunned for a second, and then his words sank in like a knife in
her chest.
She spat the words back, tasting blood.
“Do you think everyone’s like you, Nolan?”
She did not get how he could stand there, acting righteous, when he had been sneaking around with Jessica for two years.
“You…”
Nolan’s face changed on the spot.
Bernadette just laughed out loud.
“The pink drink. The Starlight bracelet. The sticker. How many sweet little secrets do you and Jessica have that I’m not supposed to see? Did you really think I love you so much I’d never notice? Or did you think I’m just too stupid to see you flaunting it in my face?”
Seeing her broken, twisted smile, something in Nolan’s chest tightened. Immediately, he reached for her wrist.
“Calm down.”
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Bernadette yanked her arm away.
Some things you can swallow down, hide deep inside, and keep the happy mask on–but she could not do it anymore.
“Do you remember what you promised me when we got married?” Bernadette asked.
She did not wait for him to answer. “You promised that if you ever stopped loving me, you’d tell me.
It’s just a divorce, Nolan. Did you think I wouldn’t say yes?”
The word divorce made Nolan panic. He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please, don’t be mad.”
Bernadette’s lashes trembled and hot tears spilled before she could stop
them.
***
That night, Nolan held her tight. “I’ll break up with her.”
His hug was so warm–warmer than anything she had felt from him in
years.
However, her heart just felt cold. She shut her eyes, too tired to say a word.
For the next few days, Nolan really seemed to cut things off with Jessica. He did not work late anymore and would come home early.
Then, on the seventh day, Jessica showed up at the Svola Studio.
Her eyes were red. The first thing out of her mouth was, “Please… Please give Nolan back to me.”
