Chapter 8321

Hannah

I felt the blood drain from my face as my father’s words echoed through the ballroom. He shouldn’t have announced it here, not without my permission. This was my news to share, on my terms, when I was ready.

But now everyone was looking at Noah and me, applauding and cheering, and I had to plaster a smile on my face. The room spun slightly, and I felt Noah’s arm tighten around my waist.

“It’s okay,” he murmured in my ear. “He’s just excited and wasn’t thinking.”

I nodded stiffly, knowing he was right; my father was simply happy about a second grandchild and meant no harm. Would he be making this announcement if he knew Noah and I planned to divorce, though? I thought it was over, but it wasn’t. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” the crowd chanted. Oh, Goddess. Here we go… Noah’s grip tightened. “We should probably give them what they want,” he said softly, turning to me. “Just a quick peck, to make them happy. Is that okay?”

I nodded, unable to speak. Noah leaned in, his lips brushing mine gently. The sensation was overwhelming—so familiar yet so foreign. I hadn’t kissed him since that night, a night that felt so long ago now… My knees buckled from the intensity of that small contact, and Noah practically had to hold me upright as the crowd erupted in applause.

“To Hannah and Noah’s baby!” my father’s voice boomed. “May the little one be blessed with health and happiness!”

Glasses clinked as the toast was made. Noah and I pulled apart, though his arm remained, steadying me. The room suddenly felt too hot, too crowded. I needed air.

“I need a minute,” I whispered, slipping from his grasp and heading for the balcony.

The cool night air was a relief. I gripped the railing, taking deep breaths to steady myself. The party sounds were distant, muffled by the glass doors. I felt better, if only a little.

I should have been happy, elated even. I should have been up there with my father, excitedly announcing my long-awaited pregnancy to the world. An heir to Nightcrest, finally, after all these years… The news would spread quickly. Dammit, I should have been the one screaming it from the rooftops.

But instead, all I could think about was how this would affect the divorce, how it would affect us.

“Here,” Noah’s voice came from beside me. I turned to see him holding out a glass of ginger ale. “Thought you might be feeling nauseous.”

I took the glass gratefully, sipping the bubbly liquid. “Thank you,” I murmured. I hadn’t realized I’d become nauseous during the ordeal, but I felt better now.

Chapter 0321

Noah leaned against the railing beside me, his eyes searching my face. “Are you okay? You seemed… weak after the kiss. Is my cologne too strong? I can stop using it if it’s making you nauseous.”

I shook my head. “No, the cologne is fine. It’s just…” I trailed off, unsure how to explain myself.

“Just what?” Noah prompted.

I sighed. “I don’t know how to act when we kiss anymore. It’s been so long since we’ve… you know. Especially in public.”

Noah was quiet. Then, “Do you… like kissing me?”

I couldn’t answer. How could I tell him his kisses still made my heart race, even after everything? How could I admit my knees went weak whenever he touched me, even if I couldn’t say I loved him anymore?

Instead, I said, “It’s always felt strange kissing you in public, even when it’s just for show, like tonight.” I paused, then added in a shaky whisper, “I always wonder if you picture Zoe when we kiss. She’s so much prettier than me, and she knows how to act better in public.”

I thought Noah might get upset; part of me almost hoped he would. Because fighting… that was easier. That was normal. Comfortable, even.

But to my surprise, Noah simply reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Hannah,” he said softly, “you are beautiful. I’ve always found you beautiful.”