Chapter 16
Hector got into his sports car and put the pedal to the metal. The veins on his hands protruded as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind filled with thoughts of Noelle and lan.
“Noelle, I’ll make sure to love you properly this time,” he murmured.
When he arrived at their residential area, his sports car attracted everyone’s attention. He ignored them all and slammed the door shut before running upstairs. He burst into the apartment and shouted, “Noelle! Ian!”
However, none of them appeared as he expected. There was no one to welcome him. The rundown apartment was silent, save for the echo of his shouts.
“Ian? Ian, I’m home to see you!” Hector opened each door like a psycho, but neither Noelle nor lan was in sight.
“Is she still mad at me?” He pulled out his phone and checked his conversation with Noelle to find that the last time they’d texted each other was two weeks ago.
Guilt surged in him. He’d originally intended on coming home early–he would’ve continued being with her if she’d just given in and apologized to him. Yet they hadn’t spoken to each other for two whole weeks.
It didn’t matter. He was now willing to let go of his past; he would slowly accept her and Ian. He swore to give them everything he had, including his love.
“Noelle, are you still mad at me?” he typed. He was confident she would cave once she saw the message. However, he realized that only one check mark appeared after he sent it.
“Has she blocked me?” He felt an intense bout of unease.
“No, this can’t be!” He tried calling her. Then, he panicked when he heard a busy dial tone. She really had blocked him!
It was only then that Hector realized he only had Noelle’s phone number. He knew nothing else about her–he couldn’t even find her!
He scurried around the apartment as he tried to find anything that would lead him to her, but all he discovered was that anything that had to do with him was gone. Even Noelle’s and Ian’s things were missing.
“What the heli is going on?” He looked around, suddenly realizing that the place was so clean and neat that it didn’t seem lived in at all.
Just then, his phone rang. He hurriedly answered it, only to realize that it was Jane on the line. She asked, “Have you moved out of the apartment yet, Hector? I’ll be dropping by to check the place tomorrow.”
“Jane, do you know where Noelle and Ian have moved to?” he asked urgently.
Jane was surprised. “Noelle didn’t tell me. Aren’t you two divorced? Why are you asking?”
“Divorced?” Hector’s hand trembled as he gripped the phone tightly. “We’re not!”
“That’s what Noelle told me, I thought you were the one who wanted it.”
Hector looked incredulous. Before Jane could say anything more, he flung his phone aside like a madman and roared, “That’s impossible! There’s no way we’re divorced! She and Ian love me so much–they wouldn’t leave me!”
He felt like a fist had clamped around his heart and squeezed it tightly. “This can’t be!”
How could Noelle have abandoned him at this time? He’d already made up his mind to give her all his love!
Finally, he noticed the divorce certificate on the table. It had already been there for several days. His hands trembled as he picked it up, and the official stamp on it made him sway on his feet.
It was true. Noelle didn’t want him anymore!
Tears streamed down Hector’s face. What did he expect? He’d done so many cruel things–even he hated himself, let alone Noelle.
“She still loves me. I know she does!” He picked up his phone. “Ian can’t grow up without a father, and she can’t live without me!”
He dialed a number. “Find out where Noelle and lan have gone, and do it right now! I want to know where they’re staying and what they’ve been After hanging up, he smiled. “Wait for me, Noelle. I’ll give you everything I have, even if it’s my heart you want. I’ll do anything as long as you and Ian forgive me!”
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