NOAH
I left for another city for a few days.
There was work at the company — a new contract.
Before leaving, I repeated the same thing to Eva several times:
"Keep an eye on Elise. Don't let her go anywhere. And don't open my office."
I keep my childhood photos there.
"She'll be fine," Eva replied calmly.
i was at the company from morning till evening for several days.
Numbers. Meetings. Signatures… everything felt mechanical.
Days passed the same way.
Work. Meetings. Papers.
Nothing felt real.
One evening, Jake called me.
"We're going to a bar. I want you to meet someone."
"No," I answered shortly.
I know it's about a woman.
"Seriously? You?"
"I'm busy."
Truth was… I didn't even want to go.
I went back to the hotel, took a shower, and called Eva again.
I called her every evening. Just to make sure.
"Is everything okay?" I asked directly.
"Yes, dear. She's in her room."
Only then did I relax.
And I fell asleep almost instantly.
The next day, during a meeting, my phone rang.
Eva.
The moment I heard her voice… I knew something was wrong.
"Noah… Elise isn't home."
My blood ran cold.
"What do you mean 'isn't home'?"
"I checked the cameras… she left early in the morning. She hasn't come back yet."
I didn't say anything.
I just stood up.
"Postpone the meeting," I told my assistant and walked out.
I drove for two hours.
Every minute felt longer than the last.
Where did she go?
She has no money. Doesn't know the way.
…What if she ran away?
My grip tightened on the steering wheel.
I was furious.
When I find her… I'll lock her inside.
"You're not leaving…" I muttered.
When I got home, Eva was waiting by the door.
"She's not back yet," she said nervously.
"I told you to watch her!" I snapped.
"We went out for groceries. She was asleep… I didn't think—"
"Excuses won't fix this," I cut her off.
"Elise!" Eva suddenly called out. "Where were you? You scared me!"
I turned.
She was standing by the door. Pale.
Relief hit me first…
and then anger replaced it just as fast.
I walked up to her and grabbed her arm.
"Where were you? Who gave you permission to go out?"
"I just went for a walk. I didn't know I was under house arrest."
"A walk?" I repeated sarcastically. "For eight hours?"
"Let go, you're hurting me," she said, trying to pull away.
But I tightened my grip.
"Noah…" Eva's voice came from behind.
She already looked terrible… and then suddenly—
She went limp.
Collapsed right into my arms.
"Damn it!"
Eva rushed over.
"It's too hot."
I picked her up and carried her to her room.
Laid her on the bed.
Eva followed and gave her something to smell.
A few seconds later, Elise opened her eyes.
"Elise… are you okay?" Eva asked.
"I feel dizzy…"
"You've been walking in the sun and didn't eat, right?"
She nodded.
"You need water," Eva said, helping her sit up and giving her a glass.
"I'll make you some soup," she added before leaving the room.
"You can't be left alone for even a minute," I said sharply.
"Don't ever disappear like that again."
"I can't stay locked in here," she replied, frustrated.
"No one is forcing you to stay inside all day. You should've told someone."
"There was no one home…" she muttered.
"You don't even know what you're doing," I said calmly.
"I do!" she shot back immediately.
"Really?" I looked straight into her eyes.
"You went out alone. No money. No water. No address?"
She said nothing.
"If you chose to stay here… there's one thing you need to learn."
"This wasn't a choice," she whispered.
"Everyone has a choice," I replied calmly.
"Don't create problems for yourself. I won't allow it."
I placed my hand over hers.
"You're not my protector," she said quietly.
"Am I not?" I stepped closer.
"Then what am I?"
She looked at me for a moment…
then at our hands… and pulled away.
I let out a quiet laugh.
"I need a shower," she murmured.
"Lie down," I said firmly. "You just passed out."
"I'm fine," she said and walked into the bathroom.
Half an hour passed.
I knocked.
"Elise… if you don't come out, I'm opening the door."
"I don't have clothes…" she said quietly.
I paused for a moment.
Then went to the wardrobe, grabbed something, and handed it to her.
"Here."
"Thank you."
A few minutes later, she came out.
"I'm really hungry…" she murmured.
Jane brought food to the room.
Elise sat on the couch and started eating.
Like she hadn't eaten in days.
I smiled.
Just watched her.
Then I remembered—I hadn't eaten all day either.
So I joined her.
After eating, she gathered the dishes and took them downstairs.
I didn't stop her. I knew she would do it anyway.
I lay down on the bed and turned on the TV.
A few minutes later, she came back.
"It's late…" she said, clearly hoping I'd leave.
I laughed.
"I'm staying here tonight."
"What?" she looked at me, surprised.
"I can't leave you alone."
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "And I'm not going anywhere."
She's adorable when she tries to get rid of me.
I smiled again.
"I'll take a shower and come back," I said and left for my room.
And somehow…
I ended up back at her door.
It was locked.
I let out a quiet chuckle.
Went to my office, took the key.
Opened the door slowly.
She was asleep.
Peaceful.
I lay down beside her.
Didn't touch her.
Did nothing.
Just… watched.
A few seconds later, she turned toward me in her sleep.
Her hand rested on me.
I froze.
Then carefully pulled the blanket over her.
Closed my eyes.
And for the first time in a long time…
I slept peacefully.
Morning.
I woke up early.
Then I felt it.
Her hand was resting on my chest.
I didn't move.
She was breathing softly… peacefully.
As if nothing in this house could hurt her.
I looked down at her.
Her hair was falling over her face.
Her brows slightly furrowed.
"Damn…" I whispered.
Why can't I leave?
Why can't I just… walk away?
I carefully moved her hand.
But the moment I tried to get up—
She moved closer.
Instinctively.
Pressed against me.
My heart started racing.
"Elise…" I whispered softly.
She didn't wake up.
I closed my eyes for a second.
I shouldn't like this.
I really shouldn't…
But I do.
Too much.
I finally got up and left the room.
Closed the door quietly.
Eva was in the hallway.
"You were here?" she asked with a slight smile.
I rolled my eyes.
"I just made sure she was okay."
"Of course," she said, clearly not believing me.
"Eva…"
"I'm not saying anything," she cut me off.
"But I've never seen you like this before."
I looked at her.
Said nothing.
Because… she was right.
In the kitchen, Jane poured me coffee.
I didn't even taste it.
Only one thing was on my mind.
Yesterday.
I picked up my phone and called.
"Good morning," the lawyer answered.
"What about the orphanage documents?"
"Almost ready. The transfer will be completed in two days."
I closed my eyes.
"Speed it up."
"We're already working at maximum speed."
"Not enough."
My voice hardened.
"I want it done today."
I hung up.
I need to make sure…
she can't leave.
I heard footsteps on the stairs.
Looked up.
It was her.
She walked into the kitchen.
Messy hair. Simple clothes.
But still…
I couldn't look away.
She looked at me too.
For a few seconds, we just stared.
"Feeling better?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied shortly.
"Where were you yesterday?"
She frowned slightly.
"I just… want to find a job."
I didn't like that.
"A job?"
"Yes," she said calmly.
"I'm not planning to sit here forever."
I set my cup down a little harder than necessary.
"You don't need money."
"I don't want it from you."
Straight. Cold.
I stepped closer.
"You agreed to this."
"I know," she didn't back down.
"But that doesn't mean I'll accept everything."
Her eyes…
stubborn.
"I'm not your property."
"You've said that before."
"And you still don't get it."
I moved closer.
Very close.
A quiet laugh escaped me.
"Words don't change anything, Elise."
I lowered my voice.
"There's one thing you don't understand."
"What?"
I leaned closer.
"I'm not letting you go."
I paused.
"And you'll realize that soon."