Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 126: Dinner at Noah’s III

Gianna couldn’t believe herself; couldn’t believe that Areso had actually been right on the money to warn her not to show her claws.

Because she wanted to. She wanted to claw out the skin from Esme’s bland face. She wanted to hear the latter scream in pain...

Come on. You can do this.

Gianna inhaled deeply, gracefully, quelling the immediate urge that rose again to frown in distaste at Esme, who was watching her and Noah with barely veiled disdain lingering in her eyes, arms crossed tightly against her chest like a shield.

Gianna took in another breath, this one deliberate, meant to suppress the far more violent urge to cross the space between them and land five sharp slaps on each of Esme’s cheeks, drag her hair, and bash that infuriating head against the wall beside her.

She exhaled slowly through almost-closed lips. So subtle was she in masking her urges, her inclinations, the riot of her temper, that an outsider would never know she was locked in a silent battle of wills.

"Esme."

The name finally dropped from her lips, calm and measured, like an answer to a question.

"Gianna."

Esme echoed the same sentiment, barely containing her fury at having this woman under her family’s roof—more so because both she and Sabrina’s plans had done absolutely nothing to dim the light in Gianna’s eyes, nor stall the rise of her career.

"Esme, is that how you welcome our highly esteemed guest—my fiancée?"

Noah’s voice was a far cry from the romantic velvet that had moments ago pulled Gianna into a web of private, wicked fantasies.

This tone was annoyance clad in detachment—a dangerous combination, and to Gianna’s ears, pure music. She loved that he could stand for her, even against his own family.

Her brows knitted briefly as her mind dipped, unbidden, to the memory of another man who had once stood up for her against his father.

She bit her lower lip hard.

Get thee behind me, Satan.

"Sorry, Noah," Esme said tightly. "I just had a rough day. And besides, I didn’t know she was your fiancée. When did the engagement happen?"

Noah ignored his sister completely, refusing to be dragged into such baseless discourse now that his plans had finally come full circle.

Nothing was going to taint the rejoicing humming in his chest, the quiet satisfaction settling deep within his soul—not his sister, and definitely not Mason, who was pretending they were on friendly terms.

Having played this game more than once, Noah knew his cousin still had eyes for Gianna, and was even harboring hopes of taking her away from him.

The thought made Noah smile faintly as he led Gianna into the house, past his sister, whose jaw had tightened in fury at being dismissed like an irrelevant issue.

He had never lost to Mason. He wasn’t about to start now.

Flashy.

That was the word Gianna settled on as she took in the interior of the Beckett mansion’s living room.

Or perhaps she was being too critical, having grown accustomed to the warmth and lived-in elegance of the Thornes’ mansion.

The space was vast—designed not for comfort, but for awe. A grand chandelier cascaded from the ceiling, layered in crystals that caught the light and scattered it like prisms across marble floors polished to a mirror shine.

Gold accents were everywhere—on the frames of towering mirrors, the edges of side tables, the armrests of furniture that looked more ceremonial than inviting.

The chairs were sculpted, high-backed, upholstered in rich fabrics—cream, champagne, muted gold—arranged with mathematical precision. Even the couches seemed curated for display rather than rest, their cushions pristine, untouched. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Everything screamed wealth, status, legacy. This was a living room meant to impress, to overwhelm, to loudly declare that its inhabitants lacked nothing and expected the world to know it.

"I think it’s too much too..." Noah’s whisper brushed her ear.

Gianna smiled, the expression not fading even when she saw Mason walk into the living room from the hallway.

For a brief moment, he simply stared at her, frozen, while she stood tucked into his cousin’s arm, smiling warmly at him.

"Hey boss..."

Gianna found herself wondering about the tension she could feel thickening the air, despite her smiling attempt to reassure her boss that they were still friends.

To her relief, Mason smiled seconds later and closed the distance between them.

"Gia! Pleased to have you in our home. Heard you’ll be joining the family soon..."

He winked as he spoke, making Gianna chuckle as she smoothly stepped away from Noah to accept the hug she knew was coming.

A brotherly hug, she told herself.

But Mason’s hands drifted to her waist—and lingered a second longer than necessary.

Refusing to overthink it, she kept the smile in place after he disengaged, and asked how the company had been without her presence.

"Oh, well, we miss you. And your office is up to par now—even better than before. I also had the little man moved to your floor. Ease of communication and whatnot."

Gianna’s smile then could have lit up a dark house.

She hugged Mason again before she could stop herself, faltering slightly when ice crept down her spine.

Noah.

She stepped back quickly but maintained her steeze.

"Thank you so much, Mason. That would mean a lot to him—because it does to me. I appreciate that."

Mason nodded like the perfect boss, tapped Gianna lightly on the arm, and gestured toward the dining room.

"Are you ready for them?"

Gianna shrugged, retracing her steps back to Noah’s arm, missing the brief glint of resentment that flickered through Mason’s eyes at the move.

"I think so. I’m sure Noah will make it easier."

"Of course," Mason said, his smile somehow managing to reach his eyes as he turned to his cousin. "Well then, cousin—let’s have dinner."

A/N — Steeze

Steeze is a slang that combines style and ease. It refers to carrying yourself with effortless confidence, composure, and swagger—looking put-together and unbothered, even when you’re anything but.