Chapter 1
The day Noelle Jensen married the man she loves, he went bankrupt.
Throughout their five-year marriage, she worked 20 hours a day. Even their son helped to collect bottles to scrape together enough to pay off their debts.
On their son’s birthday, the two of them stood outside a hotel in heavy mascot costumes in the sweltering heat. They handed out flyers, drenched in sweat.
That was when a staff member walked by and sneered. “Hey, you two pathetic flyer pushers—looks like luck’s on your side today. Mr. Yarrow’s beloved is celebrating her son’s birthday here, and the kid loves the mascots you’re dressed as. Do a little dance, and he’ll give you ten thousand dollars.”
Tempted by what felt like a fortune, they stepped into the grand, lavish banquet hall.
But the moment Noelle looked up, she felt as if lightning had struck her on the spot. Sitting at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, was none other than Hector Yarrow, her husband!
He looked like he was back to being the man who was used to being in the spotlight. He held a flute of champagne as he lowered his head to listen to the woman beside him. His eyes were filled with a tenderness that Noelle had never seen.
She grabbed hold of the staff member who’d led her in and asked, “The man you mentioned—is he Hector Yarrow? Didn’t he go bankrupt?”
“Bankrupt? What the hell?” He looked at her like she was nuts. “Mr. Yarrow is the city’s richest man!”
A chill crept over Noelle.
Just then, the woman beside Hector, Lindsey Sutton, spoke with a smile. “Hector, look at this party you’ve thrown for my son. It’s your son’s birthday too, right? Do you want him to come over so we can celebrate together?”
Hector lovingly tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “That’s not necessary. I once said that you would be the only person I’d spend my money on. I’m a man of my word, Lindsey.”
The music started, and the staff member shoved Noelle hard. “Why are you still standing there? Dance!”
She bit her lip so hard that she drew blood. Then, she started moving robotically. Through the costume’s mesh eyepiece, she saw her son, Ian Yarrow, standing there stiffly. He was smart—he must’ve recognized Hector’s voice.
“Good job!” Lindsey’s son, Micah Brown, suddenly threw a bunch of notes at them. As the notes fluttered down around them, he burst into raucous laughter. “This is so fun!”
Lindsey and Hector exchanged a look and smiled, indulging in his behavior.
Noelle felt like she’d been struck by lightning. Hector had lied to her and Ian for five years—he’d pretended to be bankrupt just because of his dumb promise to Lindsey that he wouldn’t spend his money on anyone other than her.
Was he still hung up on Lindsey?
Memories flooded over Noelle, stabbing her like knives. She was the daughter of the Yarrow family’s butler, and she’d always known Hector was like a star she’d never reach. She was nothing but a shadow that watched him while hiding in a corner.
She’d never dared to ask for anything. All she’d done was watch as he doted on Lindsey, his childhood sweetheart.
When Lindsey turned 18, he’d reserved a cruise ship to celebrate her coming of age. Fireworks had lit up the sky throughout the night.
Lindsey had thrown herself into his arms while dressed in haute couture, saying daintily, “This is too much!”
He’d held her close with a tender smile. “You deserve the best, and I have plenty of money. From now on, you’re the only one I’ll spend my money on.”
Later, they’d gotten into a fight, and Lindsey had left the country in the heat of the moment. Hector had chased her to the airport like a madman, but it had only taken a simple sentence from her to utterly defeat him. She’d said, “Leave me alone. I’m getting married.”
That night, Hector had drunk the bar dry. Noelle had gone to care for him, but he’d dragged her into his bed.
“Do you like me?” He’d looked at her, his gaze unfocused. He’d gripped her so tightly that it had hurt.
Noelle parted her lips, but she’d been unable to make a sound. Hector had snorted at that. “Help me forget her, then. I’ll marry you.”
Silly as she was, she’d agreed with a racing heart. But the day after they’d gotten married, he’d gone “bankrupt”.
Noelle had never wanted Hector’s money, so she’d willingly suffered with him. They’d moved into a basement, and she’d eaten leftover food. She’d also worked three jobs in the harsh winter… She’d even given birth to Ian when things were at their worst.
Noelle thought that one day, Hector would see her and truly love her. But now, she knew that day would never come.
The party was soon over. Noelle returned to her senses after the crowd dispersed, and her hands trembled as she unzipped Ian’s costume.
His face was wet with tears, but he hadn’t dared to make a sound. His face was red from holding himself back.
“Mommy…” he choked out. “Daddy lied to us for five years, didn’t he? He’s not poor at all. He just doesn’t want to spend his money on us because he doesn’t love us. That’s why he kept all his money for that lady and her son…”
Noelle’s heart shattered. She was a horrible mother—she’d made Ian suffer with her for five years just so she could win Hector’s heart.
She wrapped her arms around Ian as tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I failed to make your father fall in love with me. That’s why you had to suffer with me…”
Hector had lied to them and kept his poor act going for five years!
While she and Ian had eaten leftovers, Hector had dined with Lindsey at expensive restaurants. While she and Ian had begged their debtors to give them a few more days to get more money, Hector had spent millions of dollars on Micah’s birthday party.
Noelle held Ian tightly and made up her mind. “I don’t want him anymore. Come with me, Ian, and I’ll find you a new daddy who loves you, alright?”
“Okay!” Ian sobbed. “Let’s go far, far away. We don’t want him anymore.”
…
Noelle took Ian with her to a law firm. She had a lawyer draw up a divorce agreement for her. Then, when they got home, she cooked Ian something, and they shared a tiny piece of cake.
Hector returned that night. He’d changed out of his expensive suit and into a cheap one. He frowned as he asked, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Instead of answering, Noelle handed him a document. “I was waiting for you to come back to sign this.”
“What’s that?” His phone rang as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
He answered it, and Lindsey’s voice came from the other end of the line. “Hector, did you take your coat? Micah is still waiting for you to catch a meteor shower with him. You’ll miss it if you don’t hurry up.”
Hector hummed gently. Then, he hurriedly signed the document and left.
Once the door swung shut behind him, Noelle answered his question softly. “It’s a divorce agreement, Hector.”
