The Mistress Is Reborn As The Fiancée
Chapter 44: Where Have You Been?

Chapter 44: Where Have You Been?

Ma-ri’s lips pursed in delight as she heard Noelle’s denial, the words echoing through the conference room like a death knell. She watched as Flynn’s eyes met Noelle’s, a flicker of hurt and disbelief flashing across his face before he turned abruptly and walked away. The sight of his wounded expression sent a jolt of pleasure through her, a man with a wounded ego was an easy prey.

She discreetly followed him, weaving through the dispersing crowd of reporters, her eyes fixed on his retreating figure. She watched as he left the building, his shoulders slumped, his steps heavy.

She slipped into her car, her eyes glued to Flynn as he walked down the street, his pace aimless, his expression lost. She followed him at a distance, maintaining a discreet buffer, until he reached a secluded pond, a small oasis of tranquility amidst the urban chaos. He stopped at the edge, his gaze fixed on the still water, and began to throw stones, the rhythmic splash of the pebbles breaking the silence.

Ma-ri bided her time, watching him from the shadows, her mind racing. She knew that this was the best time to approach him. She knew that he was hurting, betrayed by Noelle’s denial, she could take advantage of it.

After a few moments, she gathered her courage and walked towards him, her footsteps soft on the grassy bank. She sat beside him, her gaze fixed on the ripples spreading across the pond’s surface.

Flynn did not look up. "You shouldn’t follow people," he said, his voice low and flat. "They might think you have ulterior motives, and hurt you."

Ma-ri’s heart skipped a beat, a flicker of unease washing over her. She quickly dismissed it, attributing it to his somber mood. "I was worried about you," she said, her voice soft and sympathetic. "Are you okay?"

He didn’t answer, his gaze still fixed on the pond.

"Noelle... she has always been selfish," Ma-ri continued, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness. "She doesn’t care who she hurts, as long as she gets what she wants."

She paused, her eyes searching his face, her expression filled with concern. "I like you, Flynn," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I would treat you better than she does."

Flynn finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers, his expression unreadable. "Would you?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. "Would you take care of me the way you took care of Evan?"

Ma-ri’s smile faltered, a flicker of surprise and defensiveness crossing her face. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of indignation.

"You know what I’m talking about," Flynn said, his voice flat. "Isn’t it true that you were with him behind Noelle’s back."

Ma-ri’s face flushed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Don’t believe those lies," she said, her voice sharp and defensive. "Evan was always in love with me. But because Noelle was so enamored with him, I decided to step aside, out of the goodness of my heart."

Flynn raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Out of the goodness of your heart?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Is that the same generosity that led you to sleep with Evan while he was dating, and even engaged to Noelle?"

Ma-ri’s eyes widened, her face turning crimson. She stood up abruptly, her body trembling with rage. "How dare you!" she exclaimed, her voice shrill. "How dare you believe such lies and sprout them to me!"

"But they are not lies, are they?" Flynn said, his voice calm and even. "They are facts."

"I was only trying to help you!" Ma-ri yelled, her voice filled with fury. "I was trying to make you see the truth about Noelle!"

"The truth?" Flynn asked, his voice laced with amusement. "The truth is that you are a liar, Ma-ri. A manipulative, selfish liar."

Ma-ri’s face contorted with rage. She wanted to slap him, to scratch his eyes out, to make him pay for his insults. But she knew that she couldn’t. She couldn’t afford to lose her composure, to reveal her true nature.

"You are going to regret this," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You’ll regret trusting Noelle. You will regret not listening to me when I only wanted to help you."

She turned and stormed away, her heels clicking angrily on the pavement. She climbed into her car, slammed the door, and sped away, leaving Flynn standing alone by the pond, his gaze fixed on the still water.

He watched her go, his expression calm and composed. He was not surprised by her reaction, her outburst of anger and threats. He had expected it. He knew that she was desperate, that she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. He would have to watch his back.

He sighed, his gaze drifting back to the pond. He knew that he had made an enemy of Ma-ri, but he didn’t care. He had no patience for her lies, her manipulation, her betrayal. He had no room in his life for people who sought to exploit and deceive.

He picked up another stone and threw it into the pond, watching as the ripples spread across the surface. He thought of Noelle, her denial, her betrayal. He understood why she had lied, why she had tried to protect her image to her fans. But he couldn’t deny the hurt, the disappointment, the sense of betrayal that gnawed at him.

He knew that their marriage was a game, a carefully constructed illusion. But he had hoped that it could be more. He had hoped that they could build a connection, a bond of trust and affection. But Noelle’s denial had shattered that hope, leaving him feeling empty and alone.

He sighed, his gaze drifting to the sky. He knew that he had to move on, to pick up the pieces of his shattered expectations. He had to focus on his work, on his promise to protect Noelle, on his determination to uncover the truth behind her family’s secrets. He would not let Ma-ri’s treachery, nor Noelle’s behavior, deter him from his path. He would not give up. He would not surrender. He would find a way to make things right.

*

Noelle’s heart lurched as she remembered the look on Flynn’s face, how his eyes met hers just as she uttered the lie that sealed their fate. The hurt that flashed across his face was like a physical blow, a sharp, agonizing pain that threatened to shatter her carefully constructed composure. She almost faltered, almost retracted her denial, but the weight of the cameras, the relentless scrutiny of the reporters, held her captive. She stood firm, her face a mask of resolute denial, even as her soul cried out in protest.

She watched as he turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped, his steps heavy. Her gaze followed him while her will remained resolute. She had to do what she had to for her career’s sake, Flynn had no other choice than to understand. After, it was not like they were a love match.

Then, to her surprise, she noticed Ma-ri following him, her expression unreadable. A wave of unease washed over Noelle. What was Ma-ri doing? Why was she following Flynn?

The press conference continued, a blur of questions and accusations, but Noelle’s mind was elsewhere, her thoughts consumed by Flynn and Ma-ri. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that something was happening behind her back.

As soon as the press conference ended, she rushed to her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Flynn’s number. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. She tried again, and again, but each time, she was met with silence.

Frustration and worry gnawed at her. Where was he? Why wasn’t he answering his phone? And what was Ma-ri doing with him? The thought that Ma-Ri could seduce him like she had seduced Evan filled her with angst.

When she finally returned home, the mansion felt empty and cold. She searched for Flynn, but he wasn’t there. She checked Ma-ri’s wing, but it was also empty. They were both gone.

A wave of anger washed over her, hot and fierce. She felt betrayed, abandoned, alone. She had lied for him, for them, for their fake marriage, and he had simply walked away. And Ma-ri, that conniving snake, had followed him.

She paced the living room, her steps agitated, her mind churning with conflicting emotions. She was angry at Flynn for being upset, angry at Ma-ri for following him, and angry at herself for being angry and jealous over someone who meant nothing to her.

The sound of the front door opening startled her. She turned, her eyes narrowed, her expression fierce.

Flynn stepped into the living room, his expression calm, his posture relaxed. He looked tired, but there was a quiet resignation in his eyes that made Noelle’s heart skip a beat.

"Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory.