When Love Is a Lie

Damian said, “In a few weeks, take her fer acherlap to see if it's a boy or a girl. If it’s a girl, terminate the

pregnancy. As for her, you deal with it,”

Billy passed, visibly taken aback. “You're not planning in keep Rachel amund?

“She’s becoming more of a nuisance. Keeping her around will only cause trouble,” Damian replied, leaning she’s

just an orphan. That makes her easier to deal with.”

back in his chair with casual indifference. “Thankfully,

Outside the office, Rachel froze. Her eyes widened in shock, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. She

clamped a hand over her mouth, her entire body trembling as she struggled to process what Damian had just

sid.

His gentle tone carried words so cruel they pierced straight through her, leaving her heart shattered and her

spirit in despair, Rachel couldn't bear to listen any lenger Panic-stricken, she turned and led down the hallway,

her mind a whit of disbelief and devastation.

Whitney was in her bedroom, practicing walling. Sheset hercane aside, attempting to balance without any

sopporr, testing if she could stand on her own.

suddenly, aloud thad echoed through the mom. Whitney was startled, spinning around on one leg as she tried to

face the snare of the sound, but the quick motion thorw bet oft balance, and she tumbled forward.

Before she hit the floor, a tall figure strade in and caught her family in his army.

Het cheek pressed against a solid chest, and the familiar scent of cedarwood surrounded her

“You've only been at this for a few days, and you're already trying to ditch the cane? Don’t you worry about not

healing properly and ending up limping for the res of your lite?” Noel's low, steady voice cfrom above.

Whitney looked up to see Noel's dark eyes glinting like polished obsidian. She frowned. “Are you cursingnow.

She gripped his arm to steady herself, but before she could fully stand, Noé&l scooped her up effortlessly and

placed her on the bed

He banded her a glass of water. “Cursing you doesn’t benefitin the slightest.”

“You could__” Whitney began instinctively, but stopped short when she realized the word “bully me” were about

to slip out. They sounded far too suggestive.

She swallowed them back

Noel raised a brow, clearly intrigued. “I could what?”

Whitney clamped her mouth shut, refusing to answer Avoiding his gaze, she glanced toward the terrace.

With a hint of annoyance, she spoke up, “Why do you keep sneaking into my room through the terrace?”

The figured he had already made it a habit by now,

and I'm used to it.”

Noel stuffed his hands into his pockets, his posture lazy and unbothered. “It's convenient, and

Whiney was speechless

Noel extended a hand toward her, and she lowered her gaze Resting in his palm were two candies wrapped in

shiny green foil.

Whitney's eyes widened in surprise. “Key lime-flavored candy? How did you know this was my favorite? This is

the old packaging fro

nur in stores anyibore. Where did you get them?”

from years ago! | can’t even find

| can’t ever

Whitory had loved key lcandy ever since she was a child. But as the years went by, the candy’s taste

changed, becoming nothing like the ones she used to enjoy. Eventually, she stopped rating them altogether.

| watching her intently, his head slightly tilted as it trying to read something in her

When she didn’t hear a response for a while, Whitney looked up. She found Noel wa

Whitney touched hunt face. “is their something on my face?=

Noel eyes flickered with a line of disappointment as he raised his hand, signaling for her to take the candies.

“spotted these at a cornerstore Their weir only two left, so | just grabbed them. ”

Wistory bed out to take them, her fingertips Bousing gladly against his palm. Shar mumbled to herself, “A

convenience store? How cI've ever seen these

“Have you visited every single convenienze e store in Seabourke?” Norl said.

sarports in his four, Whitney looked up. He seemed upset She didn’t understand why he was suddenly angry.

“What bongs you leerir, diyway? Whitney asked, feeling confused. Then she ormembered him climbing through

the balcony and asked about his intentions.

port looked at bet for a few seconds. “You shouldn't just focus on healing your leg. You should also get your brain

checked: “

samething sorrucial, something he had always couidered the most precious, was right in front of her, and she

still hadn't figured it out.

What did | do to upset your they asked, clearly displeased

They badet renaturged per than a couple of words, yet he was suddenly angry for go prasoil.

Noel shook his lead in fruttation and tuned toward the door. “rigure it out younseli ”

As she spoke, Nivel opened the door Whitney bees him, walang asuddenly by the door.

Then, the wice of Fiijalizfrom the hallway, “Why are you coming out of Whitney's room so late?

Chapter 117 Wh

Whitney's heart leaped into her throat..

Noel's response was calmn, unduried. “Whitney needed something from me.”

The hallway outside had been cleared as Elijah stepped in, followed by Isaac.

“Whitney, what did you need from Noel?”

Sitting stiffly on her bed, Whitney's infnd raced. She hadn’t needed him for anything. He

e had barged in through the terrace without invitation.

She glanced at the one responsible.

Noel remained calm, his expression unchanged, as he leisurely met her gaze.