Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth (Hannah and Noah) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 0161
Hannah
Everyone blinked at me, waiting patiently for my announcement. I felt my face turn the brightest shade of red beneath their gazes, only just now realizing that I had gotten so caught up in my daydreams that I had completely forgotten to even write down my vote.
“Oh… Just one moment,” I said hastily, grabbing my pen and a ballot card.
The announcer grinned into her microphone. “Daydreaming, Luna Hannah?” she teased.
Another ripple of laughter worked its way across the crowd, making my heart pound faster. But, somehow, I managed a smile and a quip in response: “Yes. I’m afraid I got a little lost there for a moment. I was looking at my handsome husband. My apologies.
“Aww…”
The crowd practically swooned at that, and beside me, I could see Noah squirming uncomfortably in his seat. Good, I thought to myself. At least I didn’t have to be the only one squirming
Behind him, Zoe’s face remained a stoic mask of indifference and Drake grinned at me from over Noah’s shoulder.
“He’s quite the looker, isn’t he?” Drake said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Now that I had filled out my ballot, I stood and held it out for the announcer to take. “Sorry for that,” I said with a pleasant laugh and a wave of my hand. “I promise I was paying attention to all of our lovely contestants’ speeches.”
“No need to apologize, Luna Hannah,” the announcer said as she shuffled the ballot cards. “It’s sweet to see our beloved Luna and Alpha still so in love.”
I nearly snorted. Yeah, right; in love. But still, as I sat down, I threw a smile in Noah’s direction for the
cameras.
When he returned it, though, I felt my heart leap into my throat.
Thankfully, my attention was quickly ripped away by the sound of the announcer’s voice. “And the winner of the pageant is…” She paused, leaving room for a drumroll. “…Felicia Green!”
The crowd erupted into cheers, and I couldn’t help but smile too; the contestant named Felicia had been my favorite, the girl with red espadrilles. The curtain slowly rose, and there she was: petite and curvy, wearing a simple skirt and sweater with her red hair pulled back into a neat bun. She wore glasses, had freckles dotted across her aquiline nose, and round cheeks.
Thank you so much,” she said, her hands trembling as she took the microphone from the announcer. “I’ve
I’ve never received an award like this. Truly, it’s an honor.”
There was a pause as I rose from my chair and crossed over to the center of the stage where Felicia stood. An attendant gave me a flower crown, which I carefully lowered onto the winner’s head.
“Well, you deserve it,” I said gently, pulling Felicia in for a hug as the crowd cheered. “You did wonderfully.”
“Thank you, Luna Hannah… Thank you…”
Chapter 0161
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“Luna Hannah? May I speak with you for a moment?”
I
lifted my gaze from the cup of iced tea in my hand to see that familiar pair of glasses and head of red hair standing in front of me. Felicia beamed at me, still wearing her flower crown, now clutching a drink. and a cupcake in her hands.
Offering her a smile and a nod, I gestured to the spot on the bench next to me. “Of course, Felicia. Please, sit down.”
As the winner of the pageant nervously settled next to me, I allowed my gaze to sweep over the small luncheon-all of the contestants, the contestants’ friends and families, and those who had worked on the show were here to celebrate a successful afternoon.
All except for Noah. He had slipped away at some point without a word, and I hadn’t seen hide nor hair from him since then. Perhaps he left; after all, he had already done his part by appearing on stage.
Which led me to wonder… Did he really care about this whole thing like I hoped or, was it all an act?
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