Episode 3

Evening had fallen, and Arya was getting ready for Noam's party, but the lack of enthusiasm was clear on her face. The memory of what had happened in that hotel room was still fresh. After she had finished dressing, she looked at herself in the mirror. She truly looked stunning with her black hair styled in an intricate bun, her green eyes accentuated with beautiful makeup, and the expensive designer dress that draped perfectly over her curvaceous figure. Soon after, the Duncan family's chauffeured car arrived to take her to the party venue.

Upon her arrival, Noam was waiting for her at the entrance of the family's mansion. As soon as she stepped out of the car, he embraced her tightly and kissed her with passion, which she returned with equal fervor. Yet, in her mind, she kept wondering how all of this could have happened yesterday, before her emotions turned into the mess they were now, with her heart feeling shattered and an unbearable pain that seemed to suffocate her.

"I missed you so much, my love," Noam said as they broke away from the kiss.

"I've missed you too," she replied, feeling a lump form in her throat and tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'll quickly greet the guests and then spend the rest of the night with you," he said with a smile, holding her hand as they entered the grand hall.

"There's no need to rush; we'll have plenty of time," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice, wishing to be alone for a moment to catch her breath.

"You're right, and my parents wouldn't like it if I neglected their guests," he laughed.

As they entered the party, all eyes turned to the striking couple. Noam began greeting the guests, while Arya managed to slip away to a quieter corner and took a drink to settle her nerves.

"Look at Miss Lewis from the bankrupt family," a woman sneered as she approached Arya.

"How are you, Eleonor? I see you’re as venomous as ever," Arya retorted mockingly.

"I thought you'd have the decency to leave Noam so he could be happy with someone more suited to him," Eleonor provoked further.

"What can I do if he sees no qualities in women like you? Perhaps you should take it up with him," Arya said before leaving the infuriated woman behind.

Arya moved to another part of the hall to find peace but her efforts were in vain when she encountered Noam's mother.

"Arya, it's been so long," a familiar voice said.

"How have you been, Mrs. Duncan?" Arya responded politely.

"I just want you to know that you're with my son only because your grandfather was good friends with my father-in-law. Otherwise, I would have never let it get this far," the woman stated fiercely.

"I'm not forcing your son to stay with me, he's here by his own choice," Arya fired back, releasing all her pent-up anger at the woman.

"It's so good to see you two getting along," Noam said as he joined them.

"I was just telling Arya that we've missed her and that she can always count on me," Mrs. Duncan said with the most insincere smile.

"I can't bear this life and these people anymore. Maybe what happened was a sign to put an end to all this," Arya contemplated internally, witnessing her mother-in-law's charade.

"Love, come with me. I know we're getting married in three months, but I want to do something I should have done a long time ago," Noam stated, leading her to a small stage set up for the band.

Once on stage, he gestured for the musicians to halt and requested everyone's attention. When all eyes were on him, he knelt down, took a small box from his pocket, and opened it to reveal a stunning engagement ring.

"Arya, will you marry me?" he proposed, and she froze.

"I'm sorry, Noam, but I can't accept," she replied after a pause and hastily left the scene.

After catching a taxi home, Arya's mother was alarmed by her sudden return and inquired what had happened. Arya told her everything and apologized. Noam followed her in an attempt to reconcile and even proposed to postpone the wedding for a year, but Arya continued to reject him.

Two months had passed since the incident, Arya wasn't feeling well, and Noam hadn't given up on her; he continued to urge her to renew their engagement. He arrived at Arya's place, and during their conversation, she grew increasingly frustrated with him to the point of fainting. He rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent some tests and waited for the doctor.

"Congratulations, Miss Lewis, you are two months pregnant," the doctor announced, handing her the results and then exiting the room, leaving her with Noam and her mother.

"Is this why you don't want to get back with me?" he asked bitterly.

"If that's the case, I know a clinic where you can have a safe abortion, and we can proceed with our engagement without anyone knowing," he suggested.