The missing person notices about me vanished almost overnight.”
I was more than happy to embrace the quiet that followed.”
My teacher mentioned wanting to feature my paintings in her upcoming exhibition, and I had only just begun this series. After half a day of rest, Imogen had already arranged everything for our trip to South Africa.}
We were heading there to once again immerse ourselves in the untouched beauty of nature.}
The great migration, something I had once pleaded with Dexter countless times to see, was finally within reach.”
But Dexter always had excuses. Always turned me down.”
Turns out, the world felt so much wider, so much freer, without him in it.”
“Blythe’s missing person flyers, your handiwork, right? What now? Done playing rebel and ready to inherit the family business?“\
At the airport, Imogen pushed our luggage along while teasing Noah in a hushed voice.
“Shh! Don’t let Blythe hear that. She hates owing anyone anything. I used to think I was talented, but compared to her, I’ve already thrown in the towel!”
“Taking over the family business isn’t such a bad gig! Who knows. She might just become the next brilliant artist of our time!“” Noah stood behind me, and I could feel the weight of his gaze pressing into my back. I turned around, puzzled, eyes shifting between the two of them.”
“You plan to sign Blythe? After this exhibition, the teacher will probably retire. It shouldn’t be hard for you to bring her in.”
“But you’ve done so much for her already, could it be…? Would the Tanner family even accept a foreign woman as their matriarch?” Imogen asked, clearly testing Noah’s resolve.
“As long as I’m the one leading the Tanner family, she will always remain Blythe. Nothing less.”
“What a romantic confession. Why not tell her straight to her face?” Imogen teased with a hint of envy in her voice.”
“Shhh, keep it quiet! It’s a secret. Once we’re back from South Africa, I’ll be heading home. That was the deal my dad made with me in exchange for removing the posters. Her ex is a real nightmare!”
“Sigh, I don’t have much time either. But when the moment’s right, I’ll tell her everything.””
When I turned around, I caught Noah staring at me, a look of longing flickering in his eyes. That gaze stirred something deep inside me.”
But the second he noticed, he quickly masked it with his usual playful grin.}
Noah was hard to figure out. Something about him always made me feel he wasn’t as harmless as he pretended to be.
“What were you two talking about? Tell who? What timing?” I asked.”
“Obviously about you! Even if you’re amazing, I’m still the teacher’s favorite student!” Noah answered like a sulky child, always seeking attention.
It felt as if that look I’d seen was just my imagination.”
Once Imogen helped us get everything in order, she didn’t leave until she saw our teacher heading toward the gate first.}
Noah and I trailed behind, and that’s when I heard it. That voice I hadn’t heard in over a month.”
“Blythe? Blythe!”
I froze in place, my heart pounding.”
It was Dexter.
His footsteps were closing in fast. I didn’t dare turn around. Instead, I quickened my steps toward the gate.”
“Blythe, don’t go! Blythe, I was wrong, please don’t leave me…” Dexter cried out in pain and ran toward me.
Noah quickly shrugged off his coat and raised it to shield my face. “Go! I’ll handle him!“N
He spun around and stepped into Dexter’s path, giving me the chance to dash toward the boarding gate.
“What the hell are you doing? Where’s airport security? Are you yelling at my wife in public? You’ve got the wrong person!”
“Move!” Dexter swung his fist, but Noah dodged easily and twisted his arm, locking him in place.
“Trying to get yourself killed? Step aside! Blythe! Blythe, don’t leave me!”
“So you are calling my wife, huh? Who the hell is ‘Blythe‘? You’ve terrified her, you lunatic!“}
Noah shoved Dexter back into his assistant’s arms.”
“Maybe you’re just panicking and seeing things, President. She doesn’t even look like Miss Griggs. Miss Griggs has pale skin, can’t stand the sun.”
The assistant rushed to apologize, bowing to both security and Noah.!!
“Where’s that plane headed? Get me a ticket now! That was Blythe!” Dexter still tried to lunge forward, but Noah flashed a card at the airport staff.
His First Love Then Marts Me His Mistress
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5:40 AM
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the airport staff.
.
They straightened at once and bowed respectfully.”
“Young Master Tanner, our apologies for disturbing you and your wife. We’ll handle this immediately.”
The sight of the Tanner family crest left no room for doubt. If Noah claimed she was his wife, no one dared question it.” Hearing them call her “wife” again and again made Dexter falter. Had he really imagined it all?
But even if there was only the faintest hope, he refused to back down. He kept struggling, desperate to reach that flight.” The chaos was growing. His assistant gritted his teeth, using all his strength to hold him back, and then Dexter’s phone rang.”
Irritated, he glanced at the screen. His mother.
“Come home right now! Dexter, what the hell are you doing?! Heidi is pregnant!“}
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