Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Bastard That He Is The wedding was eventually canceled and the guests, though initially worried, left satisfied with their luxurious peace offerings. None of them dared to ask questions or let rumors slip. Why would they? To them, Adrian Blackwood’s bride was a nobody. She was merely an ordinary woman who didn’t belong in their circle. They moved on as though the cancellation was nothing more than a minor inconvenience, another non-event in their busy, glamorous lives. But for Grace, it wasn’t so simple. She stood alone in front of the now-empty venue where the once-beautiful decorations were now stripped away that left behind an eerie, hollow space. Her heels clicked faintly against the marble floor as she walked to the center of the grand hall. The silence was deafening. Grace let out a deep, exasperated sigh. She placed her hands on her hips as she surveyed the emptiness. Everything had gone smoothly. The guests were informed, the staff had been paid, and Adrian has no idea. “What now, Noelle?” Grace muttered to herself, her voice echoing faintly in the vast room. She closed her eyes, hoping for a moment of clarity, for some sort of divine answer that would guide her. Instead, all she could see was Noelle’s tear-streaked face and the anguish in her voice over and over again. When Grace opened her eyes again, the room was still empty, and Noelle wasn’t there beside her. Yet, deep down, Grace wished and hoped with every fiber of her being that this was all just a bad dream. That she’d wake up to find Noelle and Adrian standing together, laughing, happy, and ready to start their life together. But it wasn’t a dream. It was their reality now. And Grace had no idea how to fix it. She stood there for another moment, letting herself remove all the negativities in her head. Then, with a sharp inhale, she snapped herself out of it. “Ah, f**k it,” Grace muttered under her breath, her frustration boiling over. “I’m going on a vacation. Adrian better not start calling me when he realizes, cause I’m freaking changing my number.” With a dramatic groan, she turned on her heel and stomped her way toward the exit, her heels clicking loudly against the empty hall. She threw one last look over her shoulder at the abandoned venue. “Good luck, Adrian,” she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. “You’re on your own now.” ~ Meanwhile, the news of the canceled wedding had reached Carol Blackwood almost instantly, and she could barely contain her delight. A wide smile stretched across her face as she paced the room while her silk robe flowed behind her like a queen surveying her kingdom. “So, what happened to her now?” Carol Blackwood demanded, her voice sharp with curiosity and excitement. She turned to her butler, Santiago, who stood stoically by the door. “Did she leave? Did she run away? Tell me, Santiago!” Santiago, ever composed, inclined his head. “Yes, madame. She left the city late last night. Additionally, she has sold her flower shop and severed all local ties.” Carol clapped her hands together as her eyes alight with triumph. “Perfect! That girl finally got the message. I knew she wasn’t worthy of Adrian. No class, no status, no real beauty. It was only a matter of time before she realized she didn’t belong here.” Santiago remained silent, his expression unreadable, though his gaze flickered briefly as if considering whether to respond. Carol continued, “And to think Adrian almost ruined himself by marrying her. It’s laughable, really. He was blinded by… what? Her simplicity? Her charm?” She scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “A phase. That’s all it was. He’ll thank me someday for saving him from such an embarrassing match.” The old butler only gave a nod and walked out of the grand sitting room. The heavy oak door closed behind him with a muted click, and for a moment, the old butler paused in the hallway, letting out a soft, weary sigh. His role demanded loyalty, discretion, and silence, but that didn’t mean he was blind. Deep down, Santiago knew Noelle McGrath wasn’t the embarrassment Mrs. Blackwood painted her to be. Quite the opposite, in fact. Noelle was kind, which was a rare quality in the world of wealth and power he served so diligently. She carried herself with humble grace, never seeking to prove herself to anyone. She had loved Adrian not for his fame or fortune but for the man beneath all that. And for that, she had suffered. Santiago had seen the way Noelle had smiled even when it seemed forced, the way she had humbly accepted the cold treatment from Mrs. Blackwood without ever uttering a word in her defense. It wasn’t weakness—it was dignity, a quality that far outweighed the shallow beauty and polished charm Mrs. Blackwood valued so much. And now, she was gone. Santiago’s chest tightened as his thoughts wandered to his own family. He pictured his granddaughter, who was a bright and spirited young woman, just stepping into adulthood. If such a thing happened to her, if she were dismissed and ridiculed, and her heart trampled for daring to love someone out of her league, Santiago knew he would be devastated. The thought alone made his hands clench at his sides. But he had no right to take Noelle’s side, no right to interfere. His loyalty was bound to the Blackwoods, no matter how much his heart disagreed. So, he swallowed the pity that threatened to rise and straightened his posture. Yet after the chaos surrounding the canceled wedding, one person remained utterly oblivious. Adrian Blackwood who was engrossed in preparations for the upcoming Stars Gala, had completely forgotten the significance of today. It wasn’t his wedding day anymore—at least, not in his mind. It was just another day, another event on his packed calendar. Later that afternoon, Adrian stood in the luxurious dressing room, buttoning up a crisp black shirt as stylists buzzed around him, perfecting every detail of his appearance for the upcoming Gala. He adjusted his cuffs, glancing at his reflection in the mirror, when a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Looking sharp as always,” Bianca Monroe purred from behind him. Adrian turned, his lips curling into a warm smile at the sight of her. Bianca stood poised in the doorway, her crimson gown hugging her figure perfectly as the rich color emphasized her golden hair that fell in soft waves around her shoulders. For a moment, Adrian felt a flicker of nostalgia. “You clean up pretty well yourself,” Adrian said, his tone light yet tinged with genuine admiration. Bianca stepped closer as her heels clicked softly against the floor. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the lapels of his blazer. “You know,” she said, her voice soft and teasing, “this feels just like old times, doesn’t it? You and me, side by side. We always did make a striking pair.” Adrian chuckled, the sound low and warm. “It’s for the gala, Bianca,” he said in a teasing manner. “Let’s not get carried away.” Bianca tilted her head as a coy smile played on her lips. “Oh, darling, who says I’m getting carried away?” Her fingers lingered on his blazer which was a subtle intimacy that didn’t go unnoticed. “In two days, we’ll be the talk of the town. Or should I say the whole world? Especially after I show off your little surprise.” Adrian frowned slightly, intrigued. “What surprise?” Bianca stepped back with a laugh, her movements fluid and elegant. “You silly,” she teased, giving him a look that was equal parts playful and knowing. “You’ll remember when you see it.” she said, stepping back with a graceful twirl. Her gown caught the light as she moved, the shimmering fabric making her look almost ethereal. “Bianca,” Adrian said, his voice dipping slightly with curiosity and playful warning. “What are you planning?” She glanced over her shoulder with a coy expression plastered on her face. “Nothing you won’t approve of, darling.” She paused, changing her mind as she turned back again and walked back to him. “It’s going to be perfect, just like us. If only you’d break up with that florist already,” Bianca added as her voice dripped with disdain. Her eyes locked on Adrian’s with a smug smile playing on her lips. “I am your desire, Adrian. Don’t I deserve all your time and affection? If you leave her, I might even consider forgiving you for replacing me with someone I don’t even feel a slight bit of competition with.” She chuckled mockingly before finally turning on her heel and walking away. Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. ‘Noelle… right,’ he thought as the name flickered in his mind like a distant memory. ‘I haven’t had a proper talk with her recently. I’ll make sure to break up with her quietly before she realizes what I’ve been doing.’ The thought rolled around in his head, oddly lacking the guilt it should have carried. For all the time he’d been with her, Noelle had never been one to cause drama or stir up unnecessary trouble. That was one of the reasons he’d chosen her in the first place. She was simple, quiet, and unassuming. She was completely different from Bianca. Noelle never demanded attention or competed for the spotlight, which suited Adrian just fine. She had been easy to keep around. She was someone who didn’t rock the boat or make him feel pressured. But now, with Bianca back in his life and the undeniable spark they shared reigniting, Noelle felt more like an afterthought, a placeholder. Adrian frowned at the faint tug of unease in his chest. ‘No. She’ll understand,’ he told himself. ‘Noelle’s not the kind to make a scene. I’ll explain everything, and she’ll let it go quietly. She always does.’