He Loves Me Right, Finally Novel – “I’ll marry you.” Standing outside the closed doors of the City Hall, Wynette Jewell stared at the empty entrance and pulled out her phone. Today was the day she and Noah Shepherd were supposed to get their marriage license. She waited from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Noah never showed up. He was the one who suggested getting the license. Yet he was also the one who stood her up. This was the third time. Wynette finally gave up and immediately called Noah’s biggest rival, Adriel Gallagher. She still remembered the first time she’d been left hanging at City Hall.
That was when Adriel asked her to marry him. She turned him down. The second time ended the same way. Then this morning, Adriel texted her again. He asked her to marry him. This time, she said yes. Just minutes ago, she saw a new post on Instagram. From Noah’s first love. In the photo, Noah sat upright at a table, carefully slicing an apple. The caption read, “Whenever I need him, he shows up. That’s what being chosen feels like.
That’s my peace of mind.” Wynette let out a quiet, mocking laugh. She tapped Like and commented, [Locked in for life. Wishing you two forever.] To her surprise, she felt nothing. In the past, she would’ve screenshotted it and stormed over to Noah, demanding an explanation. It would’ve turned into a vicious fight. It always ended with him slamming the door on his way out. But now, she didn’t even have the energy to be angry. She really didn’t want him anymore. A voice on the other end of the call pulled her back. “I’m on a business trip. I’ll be back in a week.
If you still want this, 9 a.m., I’ll wait for you at City Hall.” Adriel’s words echoed in her ear. Only then did she realize why the man who once waited outside City Hall asking her to marry him had sent only a text today. A week. She wasn’t stupid. He was giving her time—to deal with Noah and to back out if she changed her mind. “I’ll wait for you,” Wynette said softly. She hung up and drove home. She lived in a vintage condominium in the heart of downtown. When Noah found out, he bought the unit next door and knocked down the wall to combine the two into one.
Even though they lived under the same roof, they each had their own space. When Noah bought the condominium, he put it under Wynette’s name. She looked around the massive place. Every corner carried traces of their relationship—photos, matching couple items, and even the layout was designed to his taste. What once felt like happiness now felt like a joke. It took her only a few hours to gather everything related to her and Noah. She dumped it all in the storage room, planning to throw it out tomorrow.
Staring at the now half-empty condominium, she called a realtor and told them to list it. If she were letting him go, there would be no reason to keep anything tied to him. “Yes. I don’t care about the price. I just want it sold fast,” she said firmly when the agent hesitated. “Sell what?” A familiar voice came from behind her. Wynette stiffened. She hung up and turned to see Noah—gone the entire day—standing there. “My friend’s selling a house. She asked me to help,” she replied casually. Then she noticed Lorelei Barlow standing behind him.
Her expression darkened. Noah ignored Wynette’s answer and said flatly, “Lorelei’s depression relapsed. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone, so she’ll stay here for a few days. Clean up the guest room.” As he spoke, Lorelei nervously clung to his arm, glancing at Wynette with timid eyes. “Noah, if it’s inconvenient, forget it. Wynette doesn’t seem very happy about it.” One sentence, and the blame was already aimed at Wynette—who hadn’t even said a word. Noah’s face instantly turned cold. “Wynette, there’s a limit to your tantrums. You know Lorelei isn’t doing well, yet you left a comment like that under her post. “And now you won’t even let her stay? When did you become so unreasonable? I don’t like petty women.” He didn’t give her room to argue. “Don’t forget, this is my home too.
I have the right to let whoever I want stay here. I’m informing you, not asking for permission.” Wynette hadn’t said a single thing, yet she was already the villain. She almost laughed. “Do whatever you want.” He must’ve forgotten; the condominium was in her name. But if he wanted Lorelei to stay, she had no interest in fighting over it. She turned and walked upstairs. With Lorelei around, Noah’s attention would never land on her. Just like now—he didn’t even explain why he missed the appointment. All he cared about was settling Lorelei in. He probably forgot they were supposed to get their marriage license today. Wynette no longer expected anything. After showering, she heard voices from the next room.
Noah had given up the main bedroom to Lorelei. She felt nothing. Even if the two of them slept together, she wouldn’t be surprised. She could accept it calmly. Once she let him go, the things she once couldn’t tolerate no longer mattered.