Page 60 of Stolen Sun

I glare at her.

“Noel, men like him don’t play by the rules. You think he’s ever had to chase a woman? I don’t think he’s even considered dating one other than you. Your house was broken into, and you’ve got all this shit going on with your in-laws and dad. He’s probably actually keeping tabs on you to keep you safe.”

She’s right. He probably knows where she lives by now and has Chance following me again.

Stay in the shadows as long as you'd like. I'm going to find a flashlight.

He responds immediately.

Tick Tock

A shiver runs through me at his threat.

Chapter sixteen

Noel

Day two of no contact with Declan. I fluctuate between wanting to call him and reminding myself that he has my number and knows exactly what I need to hear from him.

My morning at work blurs past, thankfully. Before I realize the time, a knock on the door takes my attention from my laptop to see Mom stepping into my office.

“Hey, Mom,” I say, realizing the time.

“Hey, Elle, did you forget I was taking you to lunch?” She asks with a smile.

I haven’t heard from my father since Saturday night, but I have no doubt he put her up to this. What I don’t know is how much he’s told her, so I have to play along with how she behaves.

She hugs me, and we stop by to see Uncle Joe in his office before leaving. My mother is my opposite in so many ways. She’s 5’7” to my 5’2” and blonde to my brunette. She is outgoing like Kate, but I’m more reserved. I’ve always suspected that she needs me to be this way. Mom likes things to go her way, and I learned early on not to fight her on most of them.

She chats about random topics in the car. I mostly add in a comment randomly to keep her talking. So far, she seems oblivious to the whole fiasco with Jaclyn and Declan this weekend.

We’re seated immediately at her favorite lunch spot. She finally decides to show her cards now that we’re in public, surrounded by people on all sides.

“Well, sweetheart, I’m not going to beat around the bush here. Joe came over last week just raving to your father about your new client.”

My alarm bells immediately start ringing. The only new client I have is Declan, so is this how Dad found out about him coming back into my life? He certainly wasn’t surprised to see him with me when he barged in on my meeting with Jaclyn.

“I know you fancied yourself in love with him as a kid, but I thought you understood your responsibilities to this family now.”

My entire body is burning with rage. I can’t even speak.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that. We didn’t want to bother you with minor details since you had Nate, but it’s time you know. Daddy needs a legitimate heir with whom to leave the estate, and that Adams boy is not good enough to father our grandchildren. We actually have someone else in mind. It’s time we discuss Isaiah Canton as an option.”

“What the fuck, Mom?” I shriek loudly.

“Noel Elise Williams! This is exactly why you can’t be trusted to make these choices for yourself. You get back in touch, and he’s already poisoning you with his subpar manners.” She chastises me in whispers across the table.

“I know that my marriage to Nate was arranged. Have you done the same with Isaiah?” I ask, unable to hide the anger vibrating in my voice.

“The ‘how’ and ‘why’ doesn’t matter, Noel. You will marry the Canton boy and get yourself pregnant within the year,” she says coldly.

Suddenly, a sense of clarity washes over me. Standing from the table, I stare her down. The waitress rushes over asking if everything is alright. My mother turns her best smile on to placate the girl as though nothing is happening whenshe just confirmed that my entire life I’ve just been a puppet on a string for them.

“Noel, please sit,” she says calmly with the same condescending smile she gave the waitress.

Without a word, I turn and walk away. Walking through the restaurant, I notice all the happy couples having lunch together, blissful in their ability to choose their partners.

They’ve misjudged me. There’s not a damn thing they can do to trick or force me into marrying someone of their choosing again. I have no doubt they will try, but it’s much harder to pull off the same trick a second time.

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