Chapter 92

Hannah

The comb had just barely managed to slide beneath the couch, hidden from view, when Noah walked into the room with Zoe holding his arm. They both paused in the doorway, Zoe’s mouth hanging open in shock as her eyes roamed her once-filthy living room.

“Oh my…” Her hand fluttered to her mouth as she took in the clean space. Even the air smelled sweetly of vanilla, a candle having been lit on the mantle.

“What do you think?” Noah asked, gesturing around. “Much better, right?”

“Much better?” Zoe turned to face him, her pale face splitting into a smile. “That would be putting it lightly; this is amazing. Thank you so much, Noah.” She threw her arms around him.

I felt myself bristle at the sight of them. My jaw clenched so hard that I thought I might break my teeth, and I had to look away from the sickening display.

Of course they would hug in front of me like two lovers. And of course Noah would take all of the credit for the cleaning, which was—

“It was actually Hannah’s idea,” Noah said suddenly as he pulled away from Zoe’s hug. “She’s the one who offered to clean.”

Zoe’s mouth hung open again, and even my own eyes widened in shock. Maybe I had been too quick to assume that Noah wouldn’t give me any of the credit for cleaning. Not that it made that little comb discovery any better.

“Hannah…” Zoe took a step forward, still holding Noah’s arm for support—she did look shaky and a bit out of it, I would give her that much. “You didn’t have to…”

Despite myself, I waved my hand dismissively and shot her a stiff smile. “Of course I did. And there’s a casserole heating up in the oven as we speak.”

“A casserole?” Zoe’s eyes widened into saucers. “Oh, I’m starving. They didn’t even let me eat jell-o at the hospital.”

Nodding, I plumped a few pillows on the couch and gestured to it. Noah helped Zoe to sit down, and she let out an audible sigh of relief as she sank down into the cushions.

“I really can’t thank you two enough,” she called out over her shoulder as I made my way into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry it was such a mess. It’s just that with Adam and everything…”

“You don’t need to explain yourself.” I shrugged even though I knew she wasn’t looking at me as I busied myself with scooping steaming mounds of the casserole and a side of bread rolls onto three plates. “I’m sure it’s difficult being a single mother.”

Zoe let out a scoff. “You can say that again. Adam and I are still settling into a routine, and… Well, if I’m being honest, he’s been extra rambunctious lately. I think he’s acting out a little bit because of the divorce. Refusing to put away his toys, not wanting to go to bed, that sort of thing.”

“It’s normal,” Noah said. “He’ll settle in eventually.”

I frowned with my back turned, gritting my teeth. Noah had no place to speak on the subject. If he had been staying here with her, why wasn’t he at least helping out? Pig.

“Where is Adam, by the way?” I asked, pasting that damned smile on my face as I set the plates out on the table.

Zoe waved her hand and struggled to her feet, making her way over to the dining table with Noah’s help. “He’s staying with my parents for a couple of weeks. I figured it would be better this way so I don’t have to worry about popping a stitch running around with him.”

The three of us settled into our places—I had taken care to seat Noah and Zoe right next to each other so I could watch their mannerisms.

As they ate, I barely picked at my food. I couldn’t stop thinking about the hair and the pillows, my eyes darting occasionally over to the couch where the comb was still hidden underneath. How many nights had Noah spent sleeping here with her? When was the last time he had stayed? Last night? The night before?

“This casserole is delicious,” Zoe said around a mouthful of pasta, waving her fork around. “You made this, Hannah?”

I nodded, although I hadn’t done much more than poke at my own food. “I did.”

“Ah. Well, you’re a good cook.”

Noah snorted. “It still shocks—” he began, but suddenly stopped, noticing my withering glare, and busied himself with shoving another forkful of pasta into his mouth. I narrowed my eyes and looked away.

Seeing Zoe eating so heartily made me lose what little appetite I had left. This whole ordeal with Noah being with her in the hospital had destroyed my appetite, but now it was even worse. Soon, I gave up trying to eat entirely, pushing my plate away. In order to avoid scrutiny, I rose from my chair and busied myself with making tea in the kitchen.

Although, I doubted that Noah or Zoe noticed. Noah had shot me a strange look when I got up but was ultimately too fixated on her, asking if she needed anything every five seconds like a doting husband, to ask why I wasn’t eating.

Of course he hadn’t asked me the same questions when I had hit my head. My skull still throbbed and ached from my fall, a scab forming beneath my hair, but he didn’t ask about it even once.

Maybe he even forgot already.

Finally, Zoe pushed her empty plate away and leaned back in her chair. “I feel so much better,” she said, resting her hand on her stomach. “Although, I think all this moving around is making me sore…”

“Here.” I was already crossing to her with her pain meds and a glass of water in hand. “You should stay ahead of the pain.”

“Thank you.” Zoe took two pills and downed them with half of the glass of water. When she was finished, she stood slowly, gripping the edge of the table to keep herself steady. “I should probably lie down.”

“I’ll take you to bed,” Noah said quickly, grabbing her elbow. He didn’t notice how I quickly turned away to hide my grimace.

“Actually,” Zoe said, “I wanted to ask… would you two mind staying tonight? I’m afraid of falling and hurting myself if I need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.”

Before Noah could answer, I was biting out, “Of course.” But all the while, I was thinking, Noah will likely be more comfortable here. Since he’s so used to sleeping here.

I didn’t say that, of course.

“You two can stay in my guest room,” Zoe said as Noah led her away. “There are towels in the linen closet…”

As they disappeared, their voices fading, I knew there was no way I would sleep next to Noah. Sighing, I glanced at my phone to check the time—even considering calling myself an Uber. It wasn’t as if both of us needed to be here.

But, ultimately, my feet were too tired to move. As soon as I sank down onto the couch, I felt like I might not be able to get back up.

And in fact, with Zoe and Noah gone, my eyes fluttered closed. The scent of the vanilla candle began to lull me to sleep, and I began to think that maybe I could just sleep comfortably on the couch tonight…

But just before I was able to drift off, I was abruptly awoken by a hand on my shoulder. I snapped my eyes open and jerked my head up to see a fresh plate of casserole hovering in front of me. Noah’s green eyes started sternly down at me as he thrust the plate a little closer.

“Eat.”