Chapter 4: The Sapphire and The Stand-In

Now, with the second lead’s issues in the story, I decided to check in on the main couple.

I needed a distraction, something to take my mind off the mess I’d made of my own life.

So when the heroine, Shelby Yu, invited me to a fancy restaurant, I agreed right away.

Her text had been bright and bubbly, promising good food and better company. I couldn’t say no.

When I arrived, I saw Chase was there too.

He stood by the window, hands in his pockets, smile easy and warm. Shelby waved me over, eyes shining.

And not just him—Noah, who I hadn’t seen in days, was sitting beside him.

My heart stuttered. He looked up as I walked in, posture stiffening, eyes locked on mine.

As I walked in, Noah, who’d been slouched in his chair, suddenly sat up straight.

He straightened in his seat, shoulders tense. I felt his gaze track me across the room.

Meanwhile, Shelby was holding a beautifully wrapped gift box, reaching out to hand it to Noah.

She smiled brightly, oblivious to the tension. “Here, Noah! I got this for you—open it!”

He didn’t take it. Instead, he stood up, putting distance between himself and Shelby.

He backed away, hands raised, as if the box might bite him. His eyes flicked to me, panicked.

There was a hint of panic in his expression as he hurried to clarify, “I just came to get something from her, that’s all, not—”

He gestured vaguely, voice cracking. Shelby just laughed, waving off his concern.

Shelby didn’t notice his oddness, just hugged me. “Autumn, you’re finally here! Come sit.”

She squeezed my hand, pulling me into the booth. I managed a weak smile.

I sat down beside her.

The seat was warm, the table set with sparkling glasses and silverware. I tried to relax, but Noah’s eyes never left me.

As soon as I did, Chase handed me a folder, but before I could take it, Noah snatched it away.

He moved fast, almost knocking over his water. I glared at him, but he just shrugged.

He was all bristling tension, eyes sharp as he glared at Chase. “What do you want?”

His voice was harsh, almost protective. Chase raised his hands in surrender, lips twitching like he was fighting a laugh.

Shelby blinked, speechless.

She glanced between us, eyebrows up, catching the weird energy.

Chase cleared his throat.

He cleared his throat, trying to play peacemaker.

Chase, a beat late, explained, “This is all the information on the Graves family’s rival company…”

He slid the folder across the table, keeping his tone neutral. I nodded, grateful.

Noah grunted. “Oh.”

He grunted, flipping the folder open, scanning the contents. His jaw clenched, but he didn’t say more.

He sat back down, watching from the sidelines. “Go ahead, keep talking.”

He folded his arms, eyes narrowed, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

Shelby whispered to me, “Autumn, what’s up with your guy today? Did he take the wrong meds?”

She leaned in, voice low, eyes wide. I barely stopped myself from laughing. “Yeah, he’s got issues. We’re getting divorced.”

The words tasted strange, foreign. Shelby’s mouth fell open.

Shelby’s eyes went wide. “Wait, what? My favorite couple is breaking up? If you two divorce, who am I supposed to root for? Did he do something wrong?”

She looked genuinely distressed, hands fluttering. I squeezed her hand, appreciating her loyalty. For a second, I just wanted to cry on her shoulder.

I couldn’t explain that Noah wasn’t himself, so I just brushed her off.

I shrugged, forcing a smile. “It’s complicated.”

After dinner, I said goodbye to Shelby and Chase and left.

The night air was cool, crisp. I wrapped my coat tighter, trying to steady my nerves.

Noah chased after me, calling my name.

His footsteps echoed behind me. I stopped, waiting, arms crossed.

I looked at him quietly.

His face was pale, eyes wide with something like fear. He hesitated, then stepped closer.

The air turned heavy. After a long silence, he finally spoke, voice hoarse. “I found the rings…”

He opened his hand, palm sweaty, revealing two plain bands.

The sight of them made my heart ache. I looked away, biting my lip.

Seeing I didn’t respond, he grew anxious, grabbing my hand and trying to slip the ring back on my finger.

His hands shook, desperation written in every line of his face. I pulled back, refusing to let him close the distance.

I pulled away, looking him in the eye, and asked calmly, “What exactly do you want?”

My voice was steady, but my heart pounded in my chest. I needed the truth.

His voice dropped, trembling almost imperceptibly. “I said the wrong things before. I shouldn’t have said any of that—it was stupid of me…”

He looked at the ground, shoulders hunched, voice barely above a whisper.

He pleaded softly, coaxing, “Will you put the ring back on? Please?”

His eyes were wide, vulnerable. I felt my resolve waver, just for a second.

“No.” I smiled at him. “The ring’s dirty now. I don’t want it.”

I let the words hang in the air, final. I wouldn’t let him hurt me again.

With that, I stepped around him to leave.

My heels clicked on the pavement, each step taking me farther away.

He hurriedly grabbed my wrist, pulled out the small, beautifully wrapped box Shelby had given him, and opened it in front of me.

His hands shook as he fumbled with the ribbon, eyes pleading.

Inside was a dazzling blue sapphire.

The gem sparkled in the streetlight, catching every color of the night.

I remembered—once, I’d casually mentioned how pretty it was.

It had been a throwaway comment, something I’d said in passing. I never thought he’d remember.

Noah must have heard and asked Shelby to help with the auction.

He’d gone out of his way, pulling strings, just to make me smile. My heart twisted.

Looking at the gem, I couldn’t help but wonder.

What was the Noah of the original story like?

I pictured the lonely boy, the one who’d never known kindness. My chest ached for him.

No one loved him.

He’d grown up alone, unloved, unseen. I wondered how much of that pain still lived inside him.

He was withdrawn, obsessive, called a jinx since childhood, abandoned by his parents, cast out by the world.

Every slight, every cruel word had shaped him into the man he became. I saw now how hard it was to break free from that legacy.

His so-called love for the heroine was just because she’d once given him food.

A single act of kindness, clung to like a lifeline. It was tragic, really.

He clung to that scrap of kindness and wouldn’t let go.

It became his whole world, his reason for everything. I wondered if I’d become that for him, too.

Later, when he finally went dark, the once-silent, lonely boy became the capricious, cynical villain of the whole story.

He’d turned his pain into armor, wielding it like a weapon. But underneath, he was still that lost child.

But now, this villain was holding out a sapphire, softly asking if I liked it.

His hands trembled, eyes wide with hope. I felt my resolve crack.

His eyes drooped, and when he was quiet, he looked gentle and harmless.

For a moment, I saw the boy I’d raised, the one who’d trusted me with his heart.

Looking into his eyes, I suddenly remembered—the Noah I’d raised since childhood would look just like this when he tried to cheer me up.

He’d always been so earnest, so eager to make me smile. My heart ached for him.

When he looked at me, his eyes were like a puppy’s.

Big, pleading, full of hope. I almost laughed, despite myself.

Noah noticed my distraction and grew restless.

He shifted his weight, biting his lip, anxiety written across his face.

He gripped my shoulders, as if trying to catch a fleeting ray of light, and couldn’t help but ask, “…You love me, don’t you?”

His voice was small, almost afraid. I hesitated, the words caught in my throat.

The pain in my shoulders snapped me back. I looked at Noah, mouth opening.

I met his gaze, searching for the right words. My heart pounded in my chest.

He seemed to realize something, and the moment he asked, he already regretted it, hurrying to cut me off. “Forget it, I don’t care. We—”

He shook his head, backing away, arms wrapped around himself like armor.

I said gently, “But you’re not him.”

The words slipped out, soft but firm. I saw the light go out in his eyes.

That single sentence left Noah completely frozen.

He stared at me, shock and grief warring on his face. I turned away, unable to bear it.

He lowered his head, lashes damp and trembling in panic.

His shoulders shook, breath coming in shallow gasps. I forced myself not to look back.

I didn’t look back, just turned and walked away.

My footsteps echoed in the night. I kept my chin high, even as tears blurred my vision.