Chapter 0110 Hannah


    I smoothed my hands over the front of my dress one final time, allowing the stylist to fuss with a stray lock of hair and apply onest dusting of powder to my face. Across the foyer, Noah was being subjected to a simr flurry ofst-minute primping-his necktie straightened, a bit of pomade worked through his dark hair to hold that sleek look in ce. We didn''t dare make eye contact. Not yet. The tension still cr***d between us, heavy and suffocating. and I couldn''t wait until all of this was over so we could go back to our usual routine of pretending the other didn''t exist. Still, I couldn''t stop thinking aboutst night: about our couples'' spa treatment.


    Being in such intimate proximity to Noah for so long, feeling the heated weight of his gaze raking over my nude body, had awakened something primal and ravenous inside of me. Something I had fought tooth and nail to keep tightly leashed as ofte. Desire. Raw, untempered yearning for the sort of physical intimacy we had never shared easily, Goddess, I just wanted something hot and passionate, and no matter how much I tried to shove it away, I wanted it from him. But it would I never happen. Now, Finally, the


    I carefully avoided Noah''s gaze as our attendants worked, even as I felt the heated **le of it against the side of my face.


    the stylists drew back, allowing Noah and I a moment to breathe before our esteemed guest arrived. A heavy, weighted silence fell over therge foyer, so thick that I could hardly even breathe. Then, Noah shifted ever so slightly. My head turned of its own ord, my gaze immediately meeting his. He was already looking at me.


    Fire burned through my veins. Noah''s eyes were dark, his pupils practically taking up his entire iris so that only a small ring of green was left. His jaw clenched a little tighter when I looked up at him, that handsome chin of his straining beneath the tension. We stared at each other for a moment, each of us seeming to grapple with some sort of unspoken thought. But before I could manage to speak, the doors flung open to reveal two guards nking a woman in the doorway. "Announcing Luna. nna, the Luna Queen," a steward announced, his voice ringing through the foyer. Noah and I were quickly ripped out of our reverie as the Luna Queen, dressed in a sleek ck pantsuit with her gray hair swept back into a perfect updo, stepped through the doors. Noah swept into a perfect bow beside me, and I curtsied, taking care to keep my movements s utterly wless. M-my Queen," I managed to stammer out, my voice timid despite my best efforts. "We are honored to wee you into our home." T Chapter 0110


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    up straight," the Luna Queen barked without preamble, her voice thin and severe. "And speak clearly, girl. I won''t tolerate sniveling."


    I flushed hotly, feeling the tips of my ears burn a bright shade of red as I hurried to obey. Smoothing my skirts, I rose to my full height, squaring my shoulders as I resolutely lifted my chin. "Please ept my sincerest apologies," I said carefully, willing my tone to remain crisp and clear this time. "It will not happen again."


    The Luna Queen regarded me with beady, hawk-like eyes for several moments, her bony arms folded across her chest as she took me in. Finally, she gave a curt nod, seeming satisfied before turning to Noah. "Now then," she remarked crisply, already pivoting on her heel to brush past us. "Let us begin the tour. I haven''t got all day." Noah a


    and I exchanged a brief, pained look over the Luna Queen''s petite but imposing figure as she marched ahead. This tour was going to be merciless, I could already tell-the old bat would surely find a way to nitpick and criticize everyst square inch of the estate. way nerves were it would be a miracle if I made it through the ordeal without into a fit of rage or even tears As expected, over the next two hours the Luna Queen stalked from room to room, corner to corner, with Noah and I trailing dutifully in her wake, Her bony finger jabbed and gestured at every little w and Imperfection, drawing my attention to microscopic specks of dust on the mantle or slightly askew paintings 1-or anyone else, for that matter-never would have noticed otherwise.


    And


    "Tsk, tsk... you call this a properly maintained residence?" she would chide, pursing her lips into a thin line. "Shameful. Absolutely shameful."


    I gritted my teeth against the urge to bite out a retort, instead ncing over at Noah to see his reaction. He was making a valiant effort at not reacting at all, which I had to admit I admired. I, on the other hand, felt a bit like a live grenade ready to explode. But I med it on the pregnancy hormones and schooled my face into an impassive smile. "Thank you


    I


    k you for pointing that out, Luna nna," I would say with a polite dip of my head before pping to the nearest s***ts. "See that this space is cleaned over again, please." But at one point, as the Luna Queenined over a microscopic scuff on an ornate bannister, I let my gaze slide towards Noah once again. Almost of its own volition, the corner of my mouth twitched upwards in a rueful half-smirk, silently pleading for him to share in my frustration. To my surprise, Noah''s mask slipped the tiniest bit, the line of his jaw softening as he c***d his head mildly in my direction. A hint of wry amusement flickered in the depths of his green eyes, and for the first time in forever, I thought I saw what almost looked like a hint of camaraderie. And suddenly, it was as if no time had passed at all. As though we were simply... Hannah and Noah, back when we had first met. The two teenagers who bonded over shared experiences and maybe, just maybe, loved each other. My heart stuttered in my chest at the thought. No. It wasn''t like that anymore, hadn''t been like that in a long time, maybe had never even been. I quickly tore my gaze away and continued with my measured responses to nna''sints. Finally, the Luna Queen seemed to have run out of steam. "Very well," she said. Chapter 0110


    25 BONUS


    25.


    With one


    final, dismissive wave of her hand, she swept towards the front door without so much as a goodbye.


    Noah and I followed her to the door, watching in silent shock as she wordlessly climbed into her expensive car and pulled away.


    "The hell?" Noah blurted out, running a hand through his hair. "She didn''t even say if she was appeased, or well, anything."


    I snorted and turned on my heel. "I think it''s impossible to appease the old b***h," I huffed with a wave of my hand.


    Behind me, Noah made a rough sound at the back of his throat-one that, after a startled beat, made me whip around to stare at him in surprise.


    He was... smiling. No, not just smiling, butughing. Just a snort, really, but a sound of amusement nheless-and at something I had said, no less. And now, his taut jaw was stark against his neck, his white teeth revealed in the first expression of humor I had seen in... well, forever. Goddess, he looked handsome when he was smiling.