Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth (Hannah and Noah) novel Chapter 101

Chapter 0101
Hannah
Noah’s breath fanned across my skin, raising trails of goosebumps in its wake.
“I’m…. I’m not pregnant, Noah,” I said slowly, willing my voice to remain steady beneath his glare. His eyes bored into mine, that piercing green gaze somehow making me feel utterly exposed despite the dim lighting of the restaurant.
“Don’t lie to me,” he growled again, his fingers flexing against my abdomen. “You haven’t had a drop of alcohol in weeks now. And you’ve been throwing up, I know you have… And your cravings…”
His voice trailed off, and I felt a flush of heat creep up the back of my neck. It was true-all of those things were true. I was pregnant. But I couldn’t tell him; not now, not when we only had two months left before our divorce.
Noah seemed to sense my hesitation, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly as he leaned in event closer. I could smell the tang of champagne on his breath, see the slight flush dusting his chiseled cheekbones as the alcohol began to kick in.
know what you’re like, better than you think I do,” he rumbled. “You used to drink all the time, maybe even a bit too much if we’re being honest. But now…”
He shook his head slowly, his eyes flickering down to my stomach once more. “Something’s different.”
I opened my mouth, struggling to find the words to reassure him even though I knew all of it would be a lie. Swallowing hard, I reached down and gripped his wrist, guiding his palm flat against my emaciated stomach.
“Do I even look pregnant to you?” I asked quietly, unable to keep the slight tremor from creeping into my voice. “I’m… I’m thinner than ever, Noah. Just look at me. I’m disgusting.”
Noah’s gaze dropped to where my body met his hand, where his fingers were splayed over the satin material of my new dress. I watched his throat work as he swallowed hard, the muscles in his jaw ticking almost imperceptibly.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of nothing but silence, Noah stepped back abruptly, releasing me from his intense scrutiny. I felt like I could breathe again as his solid warmth retreated away from me.
“You’re right-about one thing,” he said quietly. “You do seem thinner. But…”
He paused, swallowing hard again before he turned his head and continued. “You’re not disgusting. Hannah.”
Those last words struck me to my core, and they seemed to do the same for him. I watched as a muscle jumped in his chiseled jaw, conflict flickering behind those green eyes of his. Part of me wanted to reach out, to pull him back toward me. But the other part, the sicker part…
The other part of me felt relieved that he had finally noticed.
Maybe it was twisted. But I couldn’t deny the small flutter of satisfaction-that maybe, just maybe, he cared. Even if only a little.
“Thank you,” I said simply.
Chapter 0101
25 BONUS
He stared at me for a long moment, seemingly weighing my words. Then, almost of its own accord, his hand lifted, those long fingers skimming the soft flesh of my cheek before I had a chance to recoil.
“Just promise me,” he said gruffly, “that you won’t take those damn diet pills anymore. Or…or make yourself sick.” His expression twisted briefly, as though the very thought was distasteful to him.
I felt heat rushing to my face, a potent combination of shame and relief and guilt over the fact that I hadn’t told him what I had learned about the diet pills. For a moment, I almost did tell him; but not now. Not tonight. Another night.
Wordlessly, I extended my hand and stuck my pinky out.
1 pinky promise.”
Noah’s eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the corners as he stared at my small finger for a moment. Then, slowly, he lifted his own hand and curled his larger finger around mine.
“Like we used to,” I said softly, feeling an inexplicable sting behind my eyes at the memory of days long ago when we participated in silly, romantic little gestures like pinky promises and butterfly kisses. “Do you remember?”
Chapter 0102