Chapter 0328

A traitorous part of me wanted to savor that sensation as long as possible before we parted ways. As we pulled away from my childhood home, I watched it disappear in the side mirror. Part of me questioned my decision, but I pushed the doubt aside. This was for the baby, I reminded myself. Nothing more.

The drive was mostly silent, with Noah occasionally asking if I needed anything or wanted to stop. By the time we reached the hotel where we’d stayed on our way to Silvermoon, I was exhausted. We went up to the room, and I immediately flopped onto the bed, kicking off my shoes.

“Tired?” Noah asked.

“Exhausted,” I mumbled into the pillow. Noah didn’t stop me as I slumped onto the bed, even though it wasn’t even dinnertime yet. Soon, I drifted off into a much-needed nap. My dreams, however, were a confusing mix of memories and fantasies. Noah’s face floated through my mind, disrupting each dream. It wasn’t restful at all.

I woke up disoriented some time later to find the room dark except for the soft glow of Noah’s reading light.

“What time is it?” I asked, my voice groggy.

“Just past midnight.”

I groaned and sat up, running a hand through my hair. “I missed dinner.”

Noah gestured to a covered tray in the center of the room. “I ordered you room service. If you don’t like it, you can order something else.”

It was hard to hide the small smile that tugged at my lips as I rose and walked to the rolling cart. I lifted the silver cover to reveal a thick burger and glistening fries, still warm from the cover and heating pad beneath.

The room was silent as I ate, savoring the rich taste of the meat and greasy potatoes. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of eating even a bite; but now, I ate the whole thing. Every last crumb.

When I finished, I wiped my mouth with my napkin and looked up to find Noah smirking at me from the bed.

“What?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just…good to see you eating.”

I blushed slightly, glancing at the mirror. My belly had finally begun to swell—both from gaining weight and the pregnancy. I ran my hand across it, already dreaming of the day I would truly look pregnant.

“I guess it’s a good thing my dad announced it last night,” I said quietly. “Before I start showing too much.”

Noah nodded, setting his book aside. “It’s better than the tabloids finding pictures of you in public and publishing those damn ‘baby bump’ articles.”

I scoffed and rose from my chair. Noah’s eyes were fixed on my belly, his face softer than I’d ever seen it. Sighing, I walked over to him and gestured to my tiny bump. “Do you want to…?”

Noah’s eyes widened slightly as he looked up at me. He jerked upright, his movements somehow both slow and quick. Tentatively, he reached out and placed both hands over my belly.

The touch sent a jolt through me, but I stayed still, even when he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against my belly. Tears pricked my eyes. To think that we would be divorced once this was over, that our little one would never experience their parents together…

When he pulled away, he said quietly, “Hannah, about this morning—”

“Can we not talk about it?” I interrupted, quickly blinking away my tears. “Please?”

He nodded, but a glint in his eye made me nervous. “Sure. We don’t have to talk.”

Before I could react, Noah’s hand lowered, coming to rest on my thigh. “But maybe you need another release? To help you sleep better?”

Gasping, I went to slap his hand away, but Noah was quicker. He caught my wrist mid-air, his eyes blazing in the dim light.