Noelle closed her eyes, fighting the tight knot in her chest, the way her vision blurred even before the tears fell. "I didn't want to doubt you," she whispered, voice trembling, "but… it's so hard not to. You make it so hard."
Her shoulders shook slightly and a tear escaped down her cheek, quickly followed by another. She pressed her palms against her face, as if to hold herself together but the weight of fear, jealousy and longing pressed too heavily.
Ren leaned forward, his voice low and rough, soaked with remorse. "You're the only one I ever want, Noelle. Even when things get messy, even when I screw up... you're it for me. Always."
She swallowed hard, her lips trembling. "I… I just… I don't want to feel like I'm not enough. That… someone else could even…" Her words broke off, replaced by a small sob.
Ren reached out gently, cupping her face, letting her rest her forehead against his chest. "Shh… no one could ever replace you. You don't have to worry about that, ever."
The tears flowed more freely now, hot and unrelenting, as she let herself crumble in his arms. She pressed into him, needing the safety of his warmth, the quiet promise in his heartbeat, the unshakable certainty in his arms. Slowly, with his gentle reassurances and firm hold, she began to breathe again, each inhale and exhale grounding her, letting her realise that love, even when tested, could still be enough.
Ren watched her in silence, resisting the urge to reach out again. For the first time, he realised that love wasn't always about saying the right things. It was about earning back the quiet trust he'd let slip away.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the air conditioner, a faint, steady rhythm against the storm quietly brewing between them.
Noelle sat back against the couch, arms folded loosely, her eyes distant. She wasn't angry anymore. not really. The sharpness had dulled into something deeper, quieter. A kind of ache that words couldn't quite reach.
Ren shifted beside her, careful not to crowd her. He could feel her walls up, could see it in the way her shoulders stayed stiff even when her fingers trembled ever so slightly. He wanted to pull her close, to make her feel safe again, but he knew she wasn't ready.
"I don't expect you to forgive me right away," he said softly, his voice steady but low. "But I need you to know that I never let her in. Never did, never will. She tried. I saw it. I just… didn't want to make things worse by reacting."
Noelle looked up at him, eyes glassy. "You didn't have to react. You just had to walk away."
He nodded, the guilt plain in his expression. "I know. And that's on me."
He pulled her close until she was tucked against his chest. He held her tightly, not to possess her, but as if afraid she might slip away if he let go.
"You have nothing to worry about," he said softly, his hand moving in slow, comforting strokes through her hair. "I love you so much it hurts. I won't do anything to hurt you, babe."
Noelle felt her heart swell, her earlier doubts dissolving under the weight of his words. She nestled closer, her arms looping around his waist, breathing him in, all of his warmth and steadfastness.
Something in his tone cracked the silence between them. She exhaled shakily, rubbing her arms as if trying to steady herself. Her next words came out quieter, less certain. "You make it really hard to stay mad at you, you know that?"
That small admission undid him more than any tear could. Ren reached out slowly, giving her a chance to pull away but she didn't. His hand found her shoulder first, then her jaw, tilting her face up gently. Their eyes met and for a heartbeat, neither looked away.
When he finally leaned in, his kiss wasn't demanding. It was slow, careful like a plea for forgiveness. Noelle hesitated, her breath catching, before she gave in and kissed him back, soft at first, then deeper. All the confusion, hurt, and love tangled in that single, wordless exchange.
When they finally broke apart, Ren rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed. "I don't deserve you," he murmured.
Noelle traced the edge of his jaw with her fingertips, voice trembling with quiet affection. "Then be someone who does."
Noelle clung to him, her face pressed against his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing through the fabric of his shirt. The warmth of his body pressed against hers, the strength in his arms holding her close.
Ren's hands traced lightly along her back, careful, gentle, but purposeful, as if memorising the shape of her, grounding both of them. She tilted her head, just slightly, so her lips brushed the edge of his collarbone, a teasing touch that made his chest tighten.
"You feel… so right," Ren murmured, barely audible, voice low, as if saying it out loud made it real. "It has always been only you. I really don't know what else to say."
Noelle pressed herself closer, letting the heat of his body ground her, every brush of his hand along her back sending a thrill through her. She tilted her head, lips just grazing his collarbone and he shivered.
Ren caught her gaze, voice low and steady despite the pull she had on him. "I know… all of this makes it hard for you to believe me but I've asked to be transferred to the restaurants next week. Once that happens, this won't keep happening." His hands held her a little tighter, thumb brushing over her spine.
"I promise I'll do better," he murmured, voice rough with sincerity. "I won't let anyone come between us, not now, not ever."
Noelle let out a shaky breath, heart still hammering. She could feel the truth in his words, the weight of his conviction grounding her even as every nerve in her body was alight with the closeness they shared.
"You are back on probation until you do." Noelle said quietly.