Bet drove Yvonne back to Cherry Bay.


    With the passenger seat reclined, Yvonney back, letting out a soft yawn.


    Bet''s driving was so smooth that she soon drifted off to sleep.


    While the car was stopped at a red light, Bet gently draped his jacket over her.


    The small space was filled with a quiet, warm intimacy.


    Meanwhile, Noah and Cynthia had also left the Thompson estate.


    But inside their car, the silence was so heavy it felt like the air had frozen.


    At the Thompson home, Cynthia had been wless-poised, gracious, and getting along wonderfully with everyone.


    But in reality, she and Noah had been giving each other the cold shoulder for some time.


    Their wedding had been marred by some unpleasantness, and Cynthia had slept in a separate room on their wedding night.


    Noah, knowing he was in the wrong, had done his best to make it up to her, making her breakfast by hand every day and showering her with flowers and thoughtful gifts.


    Cynthia wasn''t one to hold a grudge, and they soon made up.


    During this time, Karina had been relentless, calling Noah every few days to say that Nic was crying for her daddy, but Noah had steeled himself and ignored her.


    As newlyweds, Cynthia and Noah were nning their honeymoon.


    Cynthia spent a long time creating a detailed travel itinerary, but just as they were about to board their flight, Karina called Noah, iming Nic was sick with a 104- degree fever.


    After the call, Noah abandoned Cynthia and rushed away.


    He spent several days at the hospital with Nic. When he finally returned home, he found the house empty. Cynthia wasn''t there.


    He called and messaged her, but got no response. He had to have someone track her down, only to find that she had gone on their honeymoon by herself.


    Noah immediately booked a flight to find her. He had practically memorized the itinerary Cynthia had made and knew exactly where she would be at any given time, so finding her was easy.


    He joined Cynthia on their honeymoon abroad and spent a long time coaxing her back into a good mood.


    But once they returned home, the trouble with the White family started up again.


    Noah ditching his new bride to care for his sick daughter had shown the Whites his weakness: as long as Nic was sick, they had a firm grip on him.


    And so, Nic began to get "sick" every few days, and Noah, worried about his young daughter, feltpelled to go see her every time.


    After their marriage, Noah ended up spending more time with his ex-wife and daughter than with his own new wife.


    It even got to the point where, whenever Cynthia and Noah tried to be intimate, Karina would call at the most opportune moment, iming Nic was ill.


    At first, Cynthia was understanding and encouraged Noah to go see his child.


    But then, one night, they were in the middle of making love when Noah''s phone rang It was Karina sobbing that Nic was voming and had"


    passed out.  ?wnovels


    Noah scrambled to pull on his clothes, ready to leave, but Cynthia finally snapped. “Noah, does your daughter always pick the most convenient times to get sick?!"


    Noah, too worried about his daughter to think clearly, argued back. As he left, he threw onest barb at Cynthia, "It''s not her fault she''s sick! Do you think she wants to be sick? Cynthia, you''ve changed don''t even recognize you anymore."