hapter 0383
Noah
Noah stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the gardeners working diligently outside. The meticulously manicured lawn stretched out in front of him, a sea of green punctuated by vibrant flower beds. But his mind was elsewhere, replaying the moment he had seen his daughter for the first time.
Those eyes. Forest green, just like his own.
The image of that baby’s tiny face was burned into his memory, her delicate features a perfect blend of him and Hannah. His wolf had recognized her instantly that primal part of him knowing without a doubt that this was his kin, his flesh and blood.
Melody. What a lovely name. Her soft coos and gurgles were like a song.
Noah couldn’t help but wonder, in that moment, why he had ever doubted that that baby was his.
Hannah… She wouldn’t cheat on him.
“No,” his wolf growled, “she wouldn’t. Why did we think she would?”
For the first time in weeks, Noah felt a strange clarity settling over him in those moments. It was as if… As if a fog was lifting from his mind, allowing him to see things more clearly. He frowned, trying to make sense of the jumbled memories and emotions swirling inside of him.
He remembered feeling so happy just days before the divorce. So at peace. But he couldn’t recall why.
When Hannah had left, something had taken hold of him and he had run out the door and called after her. Scott had found him running down the road in his wolf form, dazed and confused, and had brought him home.
“She cheated on you, man,” Scott had told him as he brought him a cup of jasmine tea later to soothe his nerves. “You’ve known this for months. Why try and get her back now?”
Noah had felt so confused, but the tea had helped clear his head. Right… Hannah had cheated on him. He’d known this for months now.
But he couldn’t help the pang of longing that shot through him now. It was so intense it almost took his breath away. He missed her. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
Noah turned abruptly, his eyes landing on his car keys resting on a nearby table. He could go to her. Go to his baby. Hannah wouldn’t-
Just as he was about to grab the keys and go, he heard a soft clinking behind him. A moment later, a pair of arms snaked around his waist from behind. The familiar scent of jasmine enveloped him as Zoe pressed herself against his back.
“What’s wrong, baby?” she asked. “You look troubled.”
Noah hesitated, his hand still twitching toward the keys. “I… I can’t stop thinking about Melody,” he admitted. “She looks just like me, Zoe. Those eyes… They’re exactly like mine.”
Zoe stiffened against him, her arms tightening almost imperceptibly. “Noah,” she said, her tone carefully controlled, “we’ve talked about this. I told you already that–”
Chapter 0383
+25 BONUS
“I know,” Noah interrupted, turning to face her. “You said Hannah was cheating on me with Drake for years. And I believe you. But Zoe, you should have seen her. The baby has my eyes.”
Zoe’s expression softened, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips. “Oh, Noah,” she sighed, turning to pour a cup of that jasmine tea on the nearby table. “Babies all kind of look the same at that age. And don’t you know that Drake’s father had green eyes? It must be a recessive gene. Skipped Drake and went to the baby.”
Noah furrowed his brow, trying to remember. “I… I’m not sure. I never met Drake’s father.”
“Trust me,” Zoe insisted, gently pressing the cup of tea into his hands. “That baby is not yours, Noah. You don’t need to worry about it. Drink. You’re just frazzled.”
Noah felt his resolve wavering under Zoe’s intense gaze. She always had a way of making him see reason, of calming the storm inside him. Nodding, he took a sip of tea, and the warmth spread through him like wildfire.
