Chapter 0414

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Right… my date with Noah. In all the chaos, I had almost forgotten about it.

“I suppose I should,” I said. “It involves his daughter, after all. He deserves to know.”

It still felt strange, thinking of Noah as Melody’s father after everything that had happened. It would certainly take some getting used to—especially when it came to viewing him as an ally and not someone from whom I needed to hide everything.

But I couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement in my stomach at the thought of seeing him tonight.

Viona nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. “You know,” she said carefully, “there’s one more thing you might want to consider telling him…”

I cringed, immediately knowing what she was referring to. The rebirth—which, I now knew, had been almost entirely Alvin’s fault.

It had been exactly one year since it happened. A year of carrying this secret, of wondering if I should tell Noah, of fearing what might happen if I did. Maybe it had gone on long enough, but did I have the courage to tell him?

“I… I don’t know, Viona,” I said softly, shaking my head. “One bombshell at a time, maybe? I’m not sure if I can handle dropping both of these on him in one night.”

She squeezed my arm gently. “Just think about it, okay? He deserves to know the whole truth. And Hannah… you deserve to be free of this secret.”

Hours later, I found myself standing outside an expensive restaurant, butterflies dancing in my stomach. The street buzzed with evening traffic, the sound of car horns and distant laughter filling the air. The restaurant’s facade was elegant, with warm light spilling onto the sidewalk. Noah had stayed true to his word and picked a really nice place.

Noah had offered to pick me up, but I’d insisted on letting my own driver take me. Now, as I waited, smoothing down my sleek black dress for the hundredth time, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was actually going to show up.

Just as I was starting to worry, checking my phone yet again, I saw him round the corner at the end of the street.

My breath caught in my throat. He looked… incredible. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, his dark hair slightly tousled by the evening breeze, long legs taking quick strides to meet me. And in his hands, he held a dozen red roses.

“Hannah,” he breathed as he approached, his eyes roaming appreciatively over my silk black dress, leather jacket, and heeled boots. I’d opted for leaving my hair natural tonight, allowing it to fall down my shoulders in soft waves. “You look… beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks flush as I took the roses from him, their sweet scent filling my nose. “Thank you, these are lov—ouch…” I pulled my hand back, having pricked my finger on one of the thorns. A drop of blood welled up, bright red against my skin.

Before I could react, Noah gently took my hand in his. His touch sent a jolt through me, familiar and yet thrilling all at once. “Let me see,” he murmured, bringing my finger to his lips. My heart skipped a beat as he kissed away the drop of blood, his eyes never leaving mine.

The gesture was intimate, almost primal, and I was instantly reminded of that day in the forest when I had killed the deer—only now, the roles were reversed.

“All better,” he murmured, lifting his gaze to meet mine.

I nearly swooned at the look in those eyes. For the first time in years, Noah’s face was open and loving, no longer clouded by Zoe’s manipulations. He looked like the boy I had fallen in love with all those years ago, his green eyes sparkling with an emotion I dared not name. My gaze dropped to his neck, where the seashell necklace still hung prominently.

And, just like the bashful teenager I had been all those years ago, I was too shy to speak.

Noah finally released my hand and opened the restaurant door for me. “Shall we?”