It was already late at night when Noah arrived.
As the assistant who had helped him build his business from the ground up, Calista handled everything for him, from trivial day-to-day matters to important work documents.
They were practically inseparable. For the sake of convenience, Calista had even moved into his apartment.
At the moment, Calista was sitting on the couch, browsing wedding dress styles on her tablet for her wedding in seven days. While doing so, she was talking on the phone to coordinate the details.
Noah had just returned from his business dinner. Upon seeing Calista sitting on the couch and talking on the phone instead of getting up to greet him or take his coat, he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Still, he vaguely caught words like "wedding dress" and "wedding".
Standing by the entryway, Noah rubbed his temples slightly. "What are you doing? Didn't you see me?" he asked, seemingly impatient.
Calista put down her phone and glanced up at Noah. "Nothing, and yes, I saw you."
His expression darkened at her response. As if it were natural, he took off his coat and handed it to Calista.
He had grown used to Calista's care. In the past, whenever he came home, Calista would take his clothes and wash them without being asked.
But now, she looked indifferent as she refused plainly, "The washing machine's right there. If you want it washed, you can do it yourself."
Calista had always listened to him, never refusing any of his requests. Hence, her sudden refusal made Noah narrow his eyes, studying her closely. He couldn't put his finger on what was wrong, but something definitely felt different.
Yet, Calista's expression was calm, showing no sign of emotion.
Noah clicked his tongue in frustration. "This one's custom-made. It has to be hand-washed."
"Then send it to the dry cleaner."
Noah scoffed. "She won't. I've covered everything up. And even if she does, so what? She's so into me. All I have to do is snap my fingers and she'll come crawling back. There's no way she'll make a scene."
"Well, don't let it slip…"
Calista didn't want to hear the rest as she walked away from the door, feeling as though her heart had been ripped apart.
So, in Noah's eyes, she was a mere maid, someone he could summon at the snap of his fingers.
She only had herself to blame for not realizing it sooner. She chased after him for 12 years, even though she knew deep down he would never marry her.
Over those years, she had repeatedly confessed her love to him. Every time, he'd given her an excuse to turn her down. She should've known that he didn't love her and never would.
Fortunately, she had wised up. In seven days, she would leave him for good and marry someone else.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Trapped in the Mist of Longing