11. Noah

CHAPTER 11

NOAH

S ophie had hardly spoken to him all week.

Not only had she dodged all his text messages, she had gone out of her way to avoid him at work. Every time he tried to get her alone, she told him that she was busy and would talk to him later. Noah didn't know what he'd done wrong. She'd seemed perfectly excited at the fertility clinic appointment until the car ride home. So what happened?

He returned to work on Thursday morning, a day earlier than expected. Sophie seemed disappointed to see him. He tried not to take it personally.

Though, Noah knew that he must have done something wrong because she seemed perfectly fine with everyone else at work.

In fact, she seemed happier than ever. Noah observed her from afar. He couldn't deny how good she looked lately. She was glowing. He tried not to think about the reasons making her so happy if it wasn't him. Was she seeing someone else?

What was he saying? It wasn't like they were truly seeing each other. However, they did not discuss having sex with other people in their agreement. Which to Noah, now sounded stupid. He couldn't expect her to stay celibate for however long their marriage lasted.

He tried not to assume the worst. It would be reasonable for them to agree not to sleep with anyone else until Sophie conceived his child. That way there would be no room for questioning their child's parentage. Noah would talk to her about it more tomorrow at the appointment.

At least she was still wearing the engagement ring that he had bought her. That had to count for something.

On Friday, Noah was stuck in meetings all morning and by the time he made his way over to the marketing department that afternoon, he was informed that Sophie had called in sick.

His stomach dropped. He thanked Olivia, feeling bile rise in his throat as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Hey Sophie, I just found out that you called in sick.

Are you okay? Are we still on for the doctor's appointment after work, or should I cancel?

He returned to his office, staring at his phone as he waited for a reply. After twenty minutes, he tried to call her. It went straight to voicemail.

The pit in his stomach grew.

Something was definitely wrong. His skin became slick with sweat under his navy suit.

He could take it anymore. Noah stormed out of his office, informing reception that he was taking the rest of the day off.

He exited the building and hopped into his sports car, peeling out of the parking lot. He headed for Sophie's apartment first, making it there in less than fifteen minutes. Which was impressive, given the city's afternoon traffic rush.

He tried to buzz her apartment six times before returning to the parking lot. He didn't see her car anywhere. Maybe she wasn't home.

Their appointment was in an hour. Maybe she left early? Hoping that her phone had died, Noah headed to the doctor's office and waited. He waited twenty minutes past their appointment time.

She never showed.

Noah didn't know what to do or who he could even call. He had never met any of her friends, let alone her parents.

Outside of work, he knew very little about Sophie. Fear clutched him. Where could she be? What did this mean?

He tried to recall their countless meetings and conversations over the years. Places she liked to go for coffee. Her favorite restaurant. Her favorite bookstore.

After an hour of driving around, hopelessness set in. For all he knew, Sophie could have disappeared, taken the ring he gave her, and started a new life. That ring alone could certainly pay for a fresh start.

It was anxiety, he told himself. Sophie would never do that.

Maybe he didn't even know the real Sophie. Maybe he only knew the version of her at work and the version of her that night at Polly's.

It sparked an idea. It was a long shot, but also, his only shot. He pulled out of the bookstore parking lot and headed back towards the city. He found parking quickly and rushed into Polly's. His heart pounded as he stepped into the old tavern.

He ignored the server that greeted him and headed for the booths where he and Sophie sat that night.

And there she was.

"Noah?" She looked horrified.

He'd expected to feel relief when he saw her but instead he got angry.

"Are you done?" he asked.

"What?"

"Are you done?" he repeated.

"Noah, what are you—"

"With me, with this? Are you done? Because I've been running around the city everywhere looking for you. I called you and texted you, and nothing. I waited for you at our appointment and you didn't show up. So I'm asking you… are you done?"

Bile rose in his throat again as he waited for her answer.

Sophie looked around the bar to see who was watching. "I'm sorry, Noah. I didn't mean to worry you. Can you just sit down?"

Noah obliged but remained silent, still waiting for her to answer his question. His heart was pounding.

She looked so worried, scared even. Maybe she just didn't know how to break this off. The thought of it wounded him more than he would have liked.

"No," she whispered, meeting his eyes again. Hers were now glassy with tears. "I'm not done."

He didn't know why he was so angry. He was worried about her and this whole time she was here safe and sound. Purposely ignoring him. Abandoning their plans. Abandoning him.

"Okay and I'm supposed to believe that?" he said. "After you avoided me all week at work? After you repeatedly dodged my calls and texts? After you called in sick and missed our appointment at the clinic? You still expect me to believe that I did nothing wrong? That this arrangement is still on?"

Why was she being like this? If she didn't want him, she should just tell him. He deserved that much.

"It is," her lip trembled. "It has to be."

Noah reached across the table, trying to take her hand, but she dodged him. He let out a frustrated sigh and pulled back his hand, running it through his dark hair. "Then why? Why did you miss our appointment today, Sophie?"

"Because…" Her voice rose with frustration.

"Because, why?!" Noah demanded.

"I didn't show up to our appointment today because I didn't have to!" she shouted. She looked around again then took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "Noah, I— I'm pregnant."