Chapter 220

Hannah

Viona’s nimble fingers worked expertly through my hair, weaving intricate braids and curls as I sat in front of my vanity. The sweet scent of floral perfume filled the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of the styling products she was using.

I’d forgone my usual stylist tonight in favor of Viona, wanting a few hours alone with my friend. Amber and Emma would be at the party, but they both had their own things going on and wouldn’t be able to arrive until the party started.

From what I understood, Emma was finalizing the divorce with her husband today. And Amber… Well, she had apparently met someone new. And from the little tidbit of gossip that Viona had shared with me, I’d gathered that their third date went well enough last night that he had spent the night at Amber’s place and their date had bled into today.

Speaking of blossoming relationships…

“I still can’t believe how much has changed with Noah lately,” I mused, watching Viona’s reflection in the mirror. I toyed with my necklace, a delicate gold chain with a little crescent moon pendant.

She smiled, her eyes meeting mine. “I’m really so happy for you. I know you two have been through a lot, but I always kind of hoped you’d be able to work it out.”

“It’s like he’s a different person. Or maybe... maybe he’s finally becoming the person he was always meant to be.”

Viona’s hands stilled for a moment. “What do you think caused the change?”

I considered her question, my hand absently stroking my belly. “I think... maybe the prospect of the baby snapped him out of his icy haze. And perhaps whatever trauma he endured that gave him selective amnesia added to his iciness in the first place.”

“Selective amnesia?” Viona asked, resuming her work on my hair.

I sighed, explaining the letters and Noah’s complete inability to remember writing them. Not just them, but all of the events that led up to us becoming penpals—that summer we’d spent getting to know each other, even sneaking into his mother’s hospital room. He didn’t remember a shred of it.

“If he couldn’t remember our past together, then no wonder he was always cold toward me,” I mused. “To him, I was hardly more than an acquaintance. A random girl he was forced into an arranged marriage with.”

I paused, watching as Viona plucked a bobby pin from between her lips and slipped it into a curl.

“I think that having his fated mate bond severed with Zoe was what may have caused it,” I continued, dropping my voice a bit. “But I can’t bring it up to him. I think it would hurt him too much, and it’s probably best reserved for a therapist.”

“He never talks about it, does he?” Viona asked.

“No,” I said softly. “But I know it left its mark on him.”

I winced just at the thought of the pain he endured during that process. Severing your bond with a fated mate was not a pleasant experience in the slightest. Everyone who did it claimed that it felt like being stabbed in the heart with a knife, over and over and over again for days.

He’d never talked about it to me, not even once, but I knew.

We fell into a comfortable silence as Viona finished my hair and moved on to my makeup. She worked skillfully—lately, she’d been taking cosmetology classes at night, which she had begun when we weren’t talking during those weeks.

She’d explained that, with her parents still not speaking to her, she had decided to get certified so she could open her own salon. I’d always known that she had a knack for it, but taking classes made her skills even more polished.

“Vi,” I said suddenly, catching her hand as she reached for a brush, “I just want to say that I’m so glad we’re friends again. I missed you. And I’m sorry for fighting with you.”

Her eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand. “I missed you too, Han. Let’s promise never to fight like that again, okay?”

I nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Viona quickly dabbed them away, laughing. “Don’t you dare ruin my masterpiece!”

As she put the finishing touches on my makeup, her expression grew serious again. “Hannah, there’s something I need to ask you.”

“What is it?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Does Noah know about the rebirth yet?”

I felt a pang in my chest at her words. “No,” I admitted. “You’re still the only one who knows.”

Viona’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you think you should tell him by now if you’re staying together?”

I sighed, standing up to slip into my dress. The pink, gauzy material flowed over my curves and tied in a bow at my back that cinched in just beneath my bust, accentuating my little baby bump. The skirt fell to my ankles, swishing as I moved.

“I’m not sure if he’d believe me if I told him I died and came back to life,” I said with a wry chuckle as Viona tied my sash. “And with our relationship still in the recovery phase, I’m not sure if I’m ready to throw a wrench into things by dropping that on him.”

Viona huffed behind me. “I understand your hesitation, but I think you should tell him soon. Even if he doesn’t believe you at first, it would take a weight off your chest. Plus, the longer you wait, the harder it will be. If you wait too long, it might hurt Noah more because he’ll be angry that you kept it from him for so long.”

As much as I hated to admit it, I knew Viona was right. “I’ll tell him before the baby comes. He deserves to know.”

Viona nodded, satisfied. She stepped back, admiring her handiwork. “Oh, Hannah,” she breathed, “you look absolutely stunning.”

I turned to look in the full-length mirror and gasped. The woman staring back at me was radiant, glowing from inside. My strawberry blonde hair cascaded down my back in soft curls, and my makeup was flawless, enhancing my natural features.

As a finishing touch, Viona placed a circlet of flowers around my head. It was a bit over the top, but I wanted to feel like a princess tonight.

Viona laughed softly as she took a step back. “Now you look like an elven princess. It’s perfect.”

I turned and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Vi. For everything.”

She hugged me back, careful not to wrinkle my dress. “That’s what friends are for. Now, let’s get you downstairs. Your adoring public awaits!”

We made our way down the grand staircase, the sound of chatter and soft music drifting up from the party below. As we descended, I could see that the guests had already arrived. My eyes scanned the crowd, landing on familiar faces.

Drake was there, of course, looking handsome in a tailored suit. And next to him... my heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.

Zoe.

As if sensing my entrance, she turned. I watched as her face paled when she saw me, her eyes flickering to the way my pregnant belly was prominently on display in my gown.

For a moment, I felt my stomach bottom out. I hadn’t seen her in a while, not since the audio leak. Seeing her again brought up a whole host of emotions and memories I hated to think about.

But before I could dwell on it further, movement caught my eye. Noah was striding purposefully toward me, his green eyes locked on mine. In a crisp tuxedo, his dark hair coiffed neatly and his face freshly shaven, he looked every part the prince to my princess.

“Hannah, my love.”

No sooner had I reached the bottom of the stairs than his arms were suddenly encircling me, pulling me close. Without a word, he dipped his head and captured my lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

Right there, in front of everyone.