Chapter 3
Three days later, Noah asked her to meet him at the apartment they had shared for almost two years.
She agreed.
Not because she wanted reconciliation.
Because she wanted clarity.
When she walked inside, she immediately noticed another pair of shoes by the entrance.
Women's shoes.
Her expression didn't change.
Noah appeared from the kitchen.
"I'm glad you came."
Before she could answer, another figure emerged from the guest bedroom.
Sophia Reed.
She looked pale and fragile, wearing an oversized sweater with sleeves covering most of her hands.
She lowered her eyes as if ashamed.
"I'm... sorry," Sophia whispered.
Olivia looked from one to the other.
Then back at Noah.
"You brought her here."
Noah rubbed the back of his neck.
"She can't be alone right now."
Olivia waited.
There had to be more.
"There isn't anyone else she trusts."
There it was.
The sentence she had heard dozens of times before.
He continued carefully.
"I've been thinking."
Her stomach tightened.
"I think we should postpone the wedding."
She stared at him.
"For three months."
Silence.
"So I can help Sophia stabilize emotionally."
Silence again.
"After she's better..."
Olivia raised one hand.
He stopped talking.
She looked at him with quiet disbelief.
"You left me at the altar."
He lowered his eyes.
"You brought another woman into our home."
He remained silent.
"And now you're asking me to wait while you take care of her."
He whispered, "Just three months."
Olivia looked around the apartment.
Their framed photographs still lined the shelves.
Vacation souvenirs.
Birthday gifts.
A future they had spent years building.
None of it meant anything anymore.
Because she finally understood.
The issue had never been whether Noah loved her.
It was that whenever Sophia needed him...
Olivia became optional.
She nodded once.
"So that's your decision."
"No," Noah said quickly. "It's temporary."
She smiled.
It was the saddest smile he had ever seen.
"No."
May you like
She picked up her handbag.
"This is permanent."
