Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Passionately

Chapter 71: Passionately

Healing wasn’t a straight path. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t quick. And Valerian never expected it to be.

It took days, weeks, months, before Noelle could truly breathe without the heaviness of the past pressing on her chest. Months before her laughter wasn’t something forced, before she could look at herself in the mirror and not see the remnants of the woman Adrian had broken.”

And through it all, Valerian was there.

He never rushed her and never demanded anything from her. He never once forced his feelings on her, even though it was obvious to anyone who looked at him that he had already given his heart away.

Instead, he let her rebuild herself piece by piece.

Noelle had returned to her flower shop, immersing herself in the familiar comfort of arranging bouquets and tending to delicate petals. It was a peaceful life she had always longed for.

Alexei remained a constant presence that often came running through the shop and ‘helping‘ in his own chaotic way, much to Noelle’s amusement. The little boy had somehow made it his mission to always keep her smiling, and she adored him for it.

Valerian, despite his wealth and influence, became a regular at the shop. He would stop by unannounced, leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in hand, watching her work with a small smile. Sometimes, he brought lunch. Other times, he would simply sit in the corner and read while she arranged flowers, letting the comfortable silence between them speak louder than words ever could.

Noelle never asked why he always came back.

She knew the answer.

And maybe…she had also been waiting for the day she could finally give him one in return.

Noelle let out a sigh as she adjusted the floral arrangement in front of her and carefully began fluffing the petals to perfection. But the sudden soft chime of the bell above the door made her glance up, her heart skipping for just a second at the sight of a tall figure stepping inside.

For a fleeting moment, she thought it was him.

But as the man stepped closer, fumbling in his pocket, the resemblance faded, and a small frown tugged at her lips which she quickly masked it with a polite smile.

“Good morning,” she greeted lightly.

The man returned the smile warmly. “Good morning. Can I get a bouquet of red roses, please? They’re for my wife.”

Noelle gave a nod as she reached for the freshest red roses from the display. “Of course. Just a moment.”

As she worked, carefully trimming the stems and arranging the flowers just right, her mind wandered.

It was silly. She shouldn’t have been disappointed. Valerian didn’t come to the shop every day–though he might as well have, considering how often he stopped by. But today was different.

Today, she wanted to see him.

She tied the bouquet with a silk ribbon, smoothing it gently before handing it over. “Here you go.”

The man took it with a grateful smile, pulling out his wallet. “My wife will love this. She’s been feeling a little down lately, so I thought this might brighten her day.”

Noelle’s heart softened.

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Chapter 71 Pansioncitely

+25 BONUS

Flowers had a way of doing that, bringing light to even the heaviest of hearts.

“That’s very sweet of you,” she said, ringing up his purchase.

The man chuckded. “Well, when you love someone, you do little things to make them smile, right?”

Noelle paused.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

Yes. You do.

As the man left with bouquet in hand, Noelle let out a breath, wiping her hands on her apron.

And just as she looked up, the bell above the door chimed once again.

And there he was.

Valerian walking inside with his silver–grey eyes immediately finding hers and a familiar cup of coffee in one hand.

Noelle felt her heart stumble. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“You look disappointed.”

Noelle blinked as heat rushed to her face. “I–no, I just—”

Valerian smirked, stepping closer. “Were you expecting me?”

She huffed and looked away in response. “You usually come earlier.” She mumbled to herself but he heard it.

“Ah,” he mused, leaning against the counter. “So you do wait for me.”

Noelle opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out.

Valerian hummed in satisfaction, clearly amused by her silence.

“I’ve been busy,” he said casually, watching her reaction. “Had a long day meeting with models auditioning to endorse the company.”

Noelle blinked, her brows twitching.

“…Models?”

Valerian nodded. “Mhm. Beautiful ones. Smart. Sophisticated.” He tilted his head, feigning deep thought. “A few were rather charming too. It’s hard to pick one.”

Noelle felt an unexpected pang in her chest but quickly masked it with a scoff. “Good for you, then.”

Valerian chuckled at her tone, clearly entertained. “Mm, it was exhausting, though.” He stretched a little, rolling his shoulders as if the weight of being surrounded by beautiful women was just too much to bear. “All those women, yet none of them were quite what I was looking for.”

She frowned slightly, narrowing her eyes. “Oh? And what exactly are you looking for?”

Valerian leaned in slightly, his silver–grey eyes glinting with mischief. “Someone who challenges me. Who doesn’t trip over herself trying to impress me. Someone who’s stubborn, a little reckless, and-” He reached forward, tucking a loose strand of Hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her cheek. “–someone who looks beautiful even with dirt on her hands from arranging flowers all day.”

Noelle stiffened as heat crept up her neck. “T–that’s oddly specific

Valerian hummed, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. “Mm. Just a coincidence, I suppose.”

Noelle rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. “You’re ridiculous.‘

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Chapter 71: Passionately

Valerian smirked. “And yet, you’re still blushing.”

“I am not ”

+25 BONUS

“You are,” he teased, taking a step closer, forcing her to fill her head up slightly. His voice dropped lower, smoother, filled with warmth and playfulness. “Do you know how adorable you are wher you try to fight it?”

Noelle stepped back, but Valerian followed effortlessly, closing the space between them.

“W–well, if you’re so exhausted from dealing with all those models, maybe you should go home and rest,” she stuttered trying to look away from his gaze.

But Valerian simply grinned. “Mm, I think I’d rather stay right here.”

Noelle scoffed. “Why?”

His smirk softened as he lifted a small flower from the counter, twirling it between his fingers before slipping it behind her ear.

“Весausе, Лнобимaя,” [darling] he murmured in a voice like velvet, “no matter where I go, I always find myself wanting to come back to you.

Noelle could already feel the heat creeping up her face, and she hated how easily he could fluster her. Valerian smiled slightly but instead of pushing further, he surprised her by stepping away, giving her space.

“Alright, alright,” he mused, lifting his hands in surrender. “I won’t tease you-

“1

But before he could take another step away, her fingers suddenly curled around the hem of his coat, stopping him in his tracks.

Valerian blinked.

Noelle wasn’t even looking at him, her grip tight but hesitant, as if she herself couldn’t believe what she had just done.

“W–where are you going?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The shy way she said it, the way she shyly refused to keep him there, was so unlike her usual self that it genuinely caught him off guard. His usual teasing remark died on his lips as he stared at her trying to decipher what exactly is happening.

Noelle bit her lip, cursing herself inwardly. She had no idea why she stopped him. She only knew that for some reason… she didn’t want him to go.

Valerian’s usual teasing smirk was absent. Instead, he took a step back to her and watched her with confused but considerate

eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he reached out, gently lifting her chin.

But the look in her eyes made his breath hitch.

Noelle was on the verge of tears.

Her dark eyes shimmered, not just with unshed emotions but with pleading. And more than that, there was longing. A quiet, desperate longing that told him everything she couldn’t put into words.

Valerian didn’t need her to say anything.

He understood.

And he wasn’t going to make her wait any longer.

His fingers moved to the back of her neck, threading through her hair as he pulled her forward, closing the last inch of space between them.

Then, with passion and desire, he kissed her.

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Chapter 22 Antles