Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 110: Something Special

Diane’s POV

"What’s going on?" I asked Joan as we approached the door.

Through the window, I could see our security detail talking to two people—a man in a delivery uniform holding a large paper bag, and a woman carrying what appeared to be a massage table.

"Delivery for Ms. Diane Ashton," the security guard was saying as we opened the door.

The delivery man stepped forward, extending the bag toward me. "From Noah Hemsworth," he said with a professional smile.

My heart fluttered as I accepted the package, feeling something soft and luxurious inside. Attached to the bag was a note in Noah’s handwriting:

"Please wear this and look all sexy for me—we are going on a date this evening at 7. Love, Noah"

I felt heat rise in my cheeks as Joan peered over my shoulder to read the note.

"Oh my," she said with a grin. "Someone’s being very romantic."

The woman with the massage table stepped forward. "I’m Sarah, your massage therapist. Mr. Hemsworth arranged for a prenatal massage to help you relax before this evening."

I stared at her, then at the bag in my hands, then back at her. "He arranged a massage?"

"A gentle Swedish massage focusing on your feet, neck, and back," Sarah confirmed. "He was very specific about keeping it comfortable for someone in your condition."

Just then, my phone rang. Noah’s name appeared on the screen, and I answered it with trembling fingers.

"How was your day, beautiful?" his warm voice filled my ear.

"Noah, did you really send me a dress and a masseuse?" I asked, still trying to process his thoughtfulness.

He chuckled, and the sound sent warmth coursing through me. "I wanted to make sure you were completely relaxed and pampered before our dinner tonight. You’ve been through so much stress lately—I thought you could use some special care."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "I... thank you," I whispered. "This is incredibly sweet."

"You deserve to be treated like a queen, Diane," he said softly. Please wear the dress I sent, and prepare to be thoroughly spoiled."

After I hung up, I stood in Joan’s foyer holding the bag and feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

"It’s as if everything is finally getting better," I said to Joan, my voice thick with emotion. "No more chaos, no more heartbreak. Just... happiness."

Joan smiled knowingly. "Sweet nothings from your boyfriend already, I see."

I blushed, but I couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through my chest. "I’ve always known Noah to be a good person," Joan continued, "and I’m so happy you two are finally together. You both deserve this happiness."

An hour later, I was lying on Joan’s couch while Sarah worked magic on my aching muscles. The pregnancy had taken more of a toll on my body than I’d realized—my back constantly ached, my feet were perpetually sore, and tension had built up in my neck and shoulders from months of stress.

"Oh my God," I murmured as Sarah worked on a particularly tight knot in my shoulder blade. "I never knew I needed this so badly."

"Stress manifests physically," Sarah explained, her hands working with practiced expertise. "Especially during pregnancy. Your body has been carrying emotional tension along with your babies."

As she worked on my feet, targeting pressure points that seemed to release tension throughout my entire body, I felt myself melting into the couch cushions.

"This is so thoughtful of Noah," I murmured, feeling more like myself than I had in months. "I feel amazing."

When the massage was over, I practically floated upstairs to get ready.

In my room, I carefully removed the dress from the bag Noah had sent, running my hands over the soft fabric. It was a flowing red dress, elegant and sophisticated, with a cut that would accommodate my pregnancy beautifully while still making me feel feminine and attractive.

As I held the dress up to myself in the mirror, tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. Standing there alone, I found myself talking to my reflection.

"Are you taking things too fast?" I asked myself quietly. "Are you doing the right thing? What if your trust issues get in the way of something beautiful with Noah?"

I studied my reflection—the woman looking back at me was stronger than the one who had discovered her husband’s betrayal months ago. She had survived heartbreak, fought for her rights, reconnected with family, and found the courage to open her heart again.

"This is my moment," I said firmly to my reflection. "I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world."

I slipped into the dress, and it fit perfectly, as if Noah had somehow known my exact measurements. The fabric draped beautifully over my pregnant curves, and the color brought out the warmth in my skin and the brightness in my eyes. Combined with the lingering effects of the massage, I felt radiant.

When I emerged from my room, Joan let out a low whistle.

"Oh damn, girl, you’re hot!" she exclaimed, making me blush and laugh.

"Do I look okay?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"You look absolutely stunning," Joan assured me. "Noah’s going to lose his mind when he sees you."

—---

At seven o’clock precisely, I made my way outside to the car my father had given me for my birthday. The customized license plate gleamed in the evening light, and I felt a rush of gratitude for all the love that had entered my life so suddenly.

As I approached the passenger side, expecting one of the security guards to help me into the car, I raised my hand toward the figure standing by the door. When he straightened and turned toward me, my breath caught in my throat.

Noah.

He was wearing a perfectly tailored dark suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame. His hair was styled impeccably, and his eyes were bright with anticipation and something deeper—something that made my heart race.

"Surprise," he said softly, his voice warm with affection.

"You... you are here already?" I stammered, still processing the sight of him.

"I told your security detail to take the evening off," he explained, moving to help me into the car with careful attention to my pregnancy. "I wanted to take care of you myself tonight."

As he settled into the driver’s seat beside me, I felt overwhelmed by the romance of the gesture. Liam had never, in all our years together, made such an effort to make me feel special and cherished.

"Noah, this is..." I trailed off, not having adequate words.

"You deserve to be treated like the incredible woman you are," he said simply, starting the car. "Tonight is all about you, Diane."

The Chandelier Hotel lived up to its name—every surface seemed to sparkle with crystal and light. But instead of leading me to the main dining room, Noah guided me toward the private elevator.

"Where are we going?" I asked, curious.

"You’ll see," he said with a mysterious smile.

The elevator carried us up, up, up, until we reached the rooftop. When the doors opened, I gasped in delight.

The entire rooftop had been transformed into a private dining room for two. A single table sat in the center, draped in white linen and set with gleaming china and crystal. Soft candlelight flickered from every surface, and strings of fairy lights created a canopy of stars overhead. A violinist stood discretely to one side, her bow poised over her instrument.

"Noah," I breathed, my eyes filling with tears at the beauty of it all.

"Do you like it?" he asked, his voice slightly uncertain, as if my approval mattered more than anything in the world.

"Like it?" I turned to face him fully. "This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me."

His smile was radiant as he led me to my chair, pulling it out for me with old-fashioned courtesy. As I settled into my seat, the violinist began to play a soft, romantic melody that seemed to make the fairy lights dance.

A waiter appeared as if by magic, dressed impeccably and moving with the discretion of someone trained in high-end service.

"Good evening," he said with a warm smile. "We have prepared a special three-course menu designed specifically for you this evening, Miss Diane."

As each course was presented, I realized that Noah had paid attention to every detail of my preferences. The appetizer was a delicate soup that wouldn’t upset my pregnant stomach.

The main course was my favorite creamy pasta, prepared by what the waiter informed me was the hotel’s head chef. Even the dessert was chosen with my pregnancy in mind—fresh fruit tart with natural sweeteners that would satisfy my cravings without being overly rich.

Between courses, we talked easily, the conversation flowing as naturally as it always had between us.

"Noah," I said as we shared the dessert, "I need to apologize to you."

He looked up from his fork, eyebrows raised. "For what?"

"For using you as a tool for my revenge against Liam," I said, the words coming out in a rush. "When I asked you to help me with the CEO Position, when I let you fight my battles—I wasn’t thinking about your feelings. I was so focused on winning that I didn’t consider how it might affect you."

Noah set down his fork and reached across the table to take my hand. "Diane, you didn’t use me. I chose to help you because I cared about you. Everything I did, I did willingly."

"But still—"

"No buts," he interrupted gently. "You were in an impossible situation, fighting for your future and your children’s security. I was honored that you trusted me enough to let me help."

I squeezed his hand gratefully, then took a deep breath. "I have so much to tell you about what had been happening with me. About my father, about the contract—"

"Gurrero and Joan filled me in on most of it," Noah said with a smile. "Your father being the owner of Elite Group was quite a surprise, though I had suspected something was unusual about how quickly that contract came through."

"I wanted you to be the first person I tell, but you weren’t—"

"It’s okay Diane. You were processing a lot of information. Finding out the father whom you thought was dead all these while is still very much alive, would be overwhelming for anyone."

I felt another wave of gratitude for his understanding nature. "There’s something else," I said. "I filed a motion today to compel Liam to sign the divorce papers. I’m also seeking sole custody of the twins."

Noah’s expression grew soft. "Just take it one step at a time and do not stress yourself much."

"And speaking of Liam," he continued carefully, there’s something I need to tell you too.

"What about him?"

Noah took a deep breath. "He knows about us now. There was a confrontation at his house."

"What kind of confrontation?

Noah’s jaw tightened slightly. "He saw the text you had sent me some days ago. I was at his house to pick up some important file, he started making threats and accusations as we got into a fight. I may have made it clear that his intimidation tactics wouldn’t work on me."

A chill of fear ran through me. "Noah, I don’t want you getting hurt because of me—"

"Hey," he said firmly, bringing my hand to his lips to press a gentle kiss to my knuckles. "I’m not going anywhere, Diane. Liam can make all the threats he wants, but I’m solidly behind you. We’re in this together now."

The certainty in his voice, the unwavering support in his eyes—it was everything I had never known I needed.

As we finished dinner, the violinist played one final, achingly beautiful piece. The city lights twinkled below us, and the fairy lights above us created our own private constellation.

"Thank you," I said as Noah helped me to my feet. "For all of this. For making me feel so special and loved."

"This is just the beginning," he said softly, his arms coming around me in a gentle embrace that was mindful of my pregnancy. "I want to spend every day for the rest of my life making you feel loved and valued."

As he drove me home through the quiet evening streets, I reflected on how dramatically my life had changed in just a few short months. From the devastating discovery of Liam’s betrayal to the overwhelming love I now felt surrounded by...my reunited family, my loyal and best friend Joan, and most surprisingly, Noah’s patient, genuine affection.

"I love you," I said quietly as we pulled into Joan’s driveway.

Noah turned to look at me, his eyes bright with emotion. "I love you too, Diane. More than I ever thought possible."

As he walked me to the door, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, I wouldn’t be facing them alone.