Chapter 19: Chapter 19

hapter 0190 Chapter 0190 Hannah I hesitated for a moment before sinking into the chair across from Noah. His eyes followed me the entire way, his jaw clenched tight. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest.

“So,” Noah began, his voice low and surprisingly controlled, “do you want to explain to me why you thought it was okay to trick Zoe like that?”

I swallowed hard, my fingers fidgeting in my lap. “Noah, I-”

“A job opportunity, Hannah? Really?” he blurted out before I could finish. He leaned forward, his green eyes blazing with a fiery intensity that made me shrink back ever so slightly. “Do you have any idea how hurt she is?”

I bit my lip, guilt churning in my stomach despite myself. “Look, I know it wasn’t right, but-”

“But what?” Noah snapped, cutting me off. “What could possibly justify this? Zoe has never said or done anything to hurt you.”

My mouth hung open. For a moment, I wanted to say what was on my mind: that she had. Just by trying to steal my husband away-

But no. I stopped myself in the middle of that thought, knowing that it wasn’t the full truth. Maybe she was trying to steal my husband away, but Noah was just as much to blame.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to come clean about the real reason behind why I had done what I had done. There was no point in hiding it now. “I promised Drake I would help him get a date with Zoe in exchange for his training,” I said. “He wants her back.”

Noah’s eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed dangerously. “You did what?” he hissed, his voice barely more than a whisper. “So not only did you trick Zoe, but you’re also scheming with Drake behind my back?”

“It’s not like that,” I protested, feeling my own anger rising. “Drake has been a good friend, and he wants to get back with Zoe. In exchange for training-and everything else he has done for me-I promised to set up a date.”

“And you thought that would justify the way you manipulated Zoe?” Noah stood up abruptly, pacing the room. His footsteps echoed in the tense silence, each step causing me to flinch. “I can’t believe this. I’m furious with both of you, but I’m more furious with you. I can’t believe you would trick Zoe into going on a date with someone.”

Those words gave me pause, and as I watched him pace, a thought struck me then. His reaction seemed... excessive. Almost personal. The pieces started to fall into place in my mind, taking root like a seed.

“Noah,” I said slowly, carefully choosing my words, “why are you really so upset about this? Is it because you’re worried about Zoe, or...” I paused, steeling myself for his reaction. “Or is it because you don’t want her to date someone else?”

Noah whirled around instantly, his face flushed. “That’s ridiculous, Hannah. You’re being absurd. And 1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0190 vindictive.”

“Am I?” I stood up and pressed my hands into my hips, meeting his gaze. “Because it seems like you’re awfully invested in Zoe’s love life.”

Noah’s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek. He stared at me incredulously for a moment before shaking his head and muttering, “I’m leaving. This conversation is over. Throwing around baseless accusations like that...”

But as he tried to brush past me, I stepped in front of him and blocked his path. My heart was pounding beneath his towering form, but I stood my ground and curled my upper lip back ever so slightly. “My accusations aren’t baseless, Noah,” I said, my voice barely more than a growl. “I know what you two have been up to.”

Noah’s eyebrows raised, a challenge in his eyes. “Oh yeah? And what would that be?”

Her Rebirth 189 Her Rebirth 191