Chapter 2

The car came to a slow stop.

For a moment—

Noah didn’t move.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag as she stared out the window.

This was it.

London.

Not just a city.

A decision she never really made for herself.

She stepped out of the car—

And the moment her feet touched the ground, her breath caught.

The Sinclair residence stood before her like something unreal.

Not just big.

Not just luxurious.

Perfect.

Tall iron gates framed the entrance. White stone walls stretched endlessly, untouched by time. Massive glass windows reflected the fading evening sky like mirrors.

It didn’t feel like a house.

It felt like power.

Like a place where everything was controlled.

Including the people inside it.

Noah swallowed slightly.

This is where you live now.

The thought didn’t settle.

Not even a little.

“Miss?” the driver’s voice pulled her back.

She nodded faintly and stepped forward—

And that’s when she saw her.

A woman was walking toward her.

Graceful. Composed. Effortless.

Like she belonged here in a way Noah never could.

But her eyes—

They softened the moment they met Noah’s.

“Noah?” the woman asked gently.

Noah nodded.

Before she could say anything—

the woman pulled her into a hug.

Warm.

Unexpectedly warm.

“I’m so glad to see you, dear,” she said softly.

For a second, Noah didn’t react.

Then slowly—

she hugged her back.

And something inside her eased.

Just a little.

“I’m Jennifer,” she added as she pulled away. “But you can call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Noah is fine,” Noah replied softly.

“Come inside,” Jennifer said gently. “You must be tired.”

The moment Noah stepped in—

everything shifted.

Cool air.

Quiet halls.

A silence that felt… deliberate.

The interior was just as overwhelming.

High ceilings stretched above her. Crystal chandeliers reflected soft light across polished marble floors. Everything was minimal—yet expensive in a way that didn’t need to prove anything.

Noah suddenly became aware of herself.

Her steps.

Her clothes.

Her presence.

Like she didn’t belong in this picture.

“This way,” Jennifer said softly.

Noah followed.

They entered a drawing room that looked straight out of a magazine.

Large windows. Neutral tones. Perfect symmetry.

“Sit, dear,” Jennifer said.

Noah sat carefully, placing her bag beside her.

Jennifer took the seat across from her, her expression soft but thoughtful.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Jennifer said gently.

Noah’s gaze dropped to her hands.

“It must be really difficult for you… leaving everything behind like that.”

Her voice wasn’t filled with pity.

It was calm. Understanding.

“I can’t say I know your pain,” she continued, “but I want you to know I’m here for you.”

A small pause.

“And I’m grateful your mother trusted me.”

Noah’s fingers tightened slightly.

“I hope… we get along well,” Jennifer added.

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then—

“You resemble her so much.”

Noah looked up.

Jennifer’s eyes were slightly glossy now.

“Judy,” she whispered. “You look so much like her.”

Something shifted inside Noah.

A warmth.

A connection.

Like her mother wasn’t completely gone.

“Especially your eyes,” Jennifer added softly. “They’re exactly like hers.”

Noah swallowed.

“I don’t know why my mother trusted you,” she said quietly.

A pause.

“But if she did… I believe it’s what’s best for me.”

Relief flickered across Jennifer’s face.

“Thank you,” she said gently.

Before anything more could be said—

her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

“I’m so sorry, I have to take this,” Jennifer said, standing. “We’ll talk later. You can rest… or explore the house if you’d like. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Noah nodded.

And just like that—

she was alone again.

The silence returned.

But this time—

it felt heavier.

Noah stood slowly and began to walk.

Through long corridors.

Past paintings that looked far too expensive to even look at.

Until she found her room.

The door opened—

and she froze.

It was perfect.

Too perfect.

But what caught her attention was the balcony.

She stepped out.

Cool air brushed against her skin.

And then—

she saw the pool below.

People were there. Laughing. Talking. Living like this place wasn’t intimidating at all.

Her gaze moved—

And then stopped.

He stepped out of the water.

Slow. Effortless.

Water traced down the sharp line of his jaw, disappearing into the open collar of his shirt. His shirt hung loose, unbuttoned, exposing just enough to make it impossible not to notice.

His hair was damp. Slightly messy.

Effortless.

But it was his eyes—

dark, steady, unreadable—

that made her pause.

There was something about him.

Something that didn’t feel safe.

And yet—

she couldn’t look away.

As if sensing it—

he looked up.

Their eyes met.

For a second.

That was enough.

Noah stepped back immediately.

Like she had been caught.

Her phone rang.

Jane.

“Finally!” Jane’s voice came through.

Noah let out a breath. “Hey.”

“So? How is it? Rich people? Mansion life?”

“It’s… overwhelming,” Noah said honestly.

She walked absentmindedly, still talking, until she reached the kitchen.

“I met Jennifer. She’s nice.”

“Just nice?” Jane teased.

Noah opened the fridge, scanning for something to eat.

Nothing felt familiar.

She closed it—

And froze.

He was standing right there.

Too close.

For a second—

Noah forgot how to breathe.

Up close…

he wasn’t just attractive.

He was intimidatingly beautiful.

Water still traced down his jaw. His shirt hung open. His presence—heavy.

Her phone slipped from her hand.

Clattering to the floor.

“Shit—” Noah muttered.

He didn’t react.

Instead, he casually opened the fridge beside her and took out a water bottle.

“So… this is how you greet people?” Cole said, twisting the cap open.

“I didn’t see you,” Noah replied quickly.

He stepped forward.

She stepped back.

The distance between them stayed the same.

“So you’re the unwanted guest we have in the house,” Cole said calmly.

The words hit.

“I didn’t choose to be here,” Noah replied firmly.

He stepped closer again.

She stepped back—

until her back hit the counter.

“I didn’t think so,” Cole said quietly,

“not when you were giving yourself a full tour.”

A voice cut in—

“Cole, what’s taking you so long?”

Another guy walked into the kitchen casually.

“I’m dying here. Pass me the water.”

Cole.

The name settled in her mind.

“I was just saying hi,” Cole said, glancing at Noah,

“to our new friend.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“Your name?”

“…Noah.”

“Noah…” he repeated softly.

Then louder—

“Our new friend, Noah.”

Something about it annoyed her.

Cole grabbed the water bottle and turned to leave—

but just before walking out—

he glanced back.

A faint, mocking smirk on his lips.

“Enjoy your meatloaf, Noah.”

That did it.

“Dick,” Noah snapped.

Cole paused for a second.

Then turned his head slightly—

just enough to look at her again.

His eyes met hers.

Sharp. Calm.

Unbothered.

Then he walked away.

Noah bent to pick her phone—

And froze.

A low growl filled the room.

She looked up slowly.

And her breath stopped.

A massive dog stood in front of her.

Huge. Terrifying.

It stepped closer.

She stepped back.

Until she hit someone.

Warm. Bare.

“He hates people who hate me,” Cole’s voice came from behind her.

“Please… could you just get this thing away from me?” Noah said quickly.

“I don’t do things for free,” he replied calmly.

“What do you want?”

“Say please.”

Noah clenched her jaw.

“…Please.”

A pause.

“Back, Monster.”

The dog immediately stepped away.

Noah exhaled shakily.

“…Monster?” she murmured.

“Yeah… fits,” she added under her breath.

She turned—

And froze again.

Cole was right there.

Too close.

Again.

“It’s better we stay out of each other’s way,” Cole said calmly.

“Works for me,” Noah replied.

And she walked away.

Upstairs, Noah closed her door behind her.

Her heart still hadn’t settled.

Her mind replayed everything—

his voice

his eyes

the way he stood too close

And she hated it.

Hated that it affected her at all.

Downstairs—

Cole stood still for a moment.

Watching the empty space she had left behind.

Something about her reaction lingered.

Not fear.

Not weakness.

Something else.

Something… interesting.

And just like that—

Noah’s first day in London

had already begun to change everything.

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