The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 263

“Noelle isn’t dumb. She knows a man has needs,” Gwen suggested. “Poor Brian. If Noelle can’t treat you right, let me take care of you.”

That was the first time for Brian. Gwen showed him what he had been missing all those years.

As for Noelle, she didn’t want to get pregnant while still studying. They both had dreams they wanted to achieve, so they tried to hold back.

That one night with Gwen led to another, and another.

They met in secret, sometimes even in school. Gwen had a way of making things exciting for both of them. He was beyond satisfied and couldn’t let it go.

Brian began to see Gwen for her amazing qualities. She was confident and relentless—a go-getter who never hesitated to take what she wanted.

At the university, Gwen had befriended a teaching assistant. That was how she got advance information for exams.

One time, she took over a group project and declared, “If you want something done right, you do it yourself.”

Her teammates received lower grades than she did, but Brian assumed that was just how things worked sometimes.

Gwen called it being resourceful when she found ways around the rules, and decisive when she cut people off who slowed her down. To her, the end always justified the means.

And somehow, Brian found himself admiring that.

Brian did feel guilty for Noelle, which was why he tried to end things with her. But when she later tried to make things difficult for Gwen, he convinced himself he was finally seeing her true colors.

One time, Noelle invited Gwen to talk at a café near the university. Then, Noelle threw a newly brewed coffee at Gwen.

Gwen’s hands had to be treated for mild burns, but Noelle claimed Gwen did it to herself.

The second time was when Brian took Gwen to a special dinner. His parents suddenly burst in, ruining their evening. Brian assumed Noelle had reported this to his parents. At that time, Noelle said, “I didn’t even know you were going out! How could I have told your parents? Maybe it was Gwen! She’s a schemer after all!”

It was one incident after another.

Brian never believed Noelle.

Now, looking back at everything, a bitter realization settled in. What if he had been wrong about Noelle all along? Considering what he now knew Gwen was capable of, it was becoming harder to deny that Noelle might have been telling the truth from the very beginning.

“I’m already living in the shadows as your mistress when I’m supposed to be your wife. This is one way you can make it up to me. Besides, no one will know.”

“I’m not just doing this for myself, but for you as well. Can you really raise a child that belongs to a scumbag?”

“If we swap the kids, you can see our son every day, and Noelle can take care of him.”

Brian was lost in thought for a long time, looking back.

His vision blurred until he finally wiped the tears from his eyes. He returned himself to the present, regret washed all over him.

“I don’t have any excuse… except maybe because I was stupid," Brian looked up to Noelle. "I was blinded by the lies and by what I felt about Gwen."

“You are right. You were my best friend, and I ruined everything.” He looked down. “I’ll sign the transfer of shares. My lawyers will contact you soon. I won't bother you anymore...”

"I just have one request," he begged. "Please, check on Ben now and then. I hope one way or another... You can still guide him."