No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 989

Noelle stared at the ointment, feeling as though it were some kind of Pandora's box.

A sudden fear gripped her, and she didn't dare touch it.

"Noelle, what's wrong? Your hands are shaking." Mia took her hand in hers. She glanced at Grace. "Throw the ointment away."

"Alright." Grace nodded.

Even though it felt like a bit of a waste, she still tucked the bottle back into the pouch, planning to toss it later. Still, seeing how much Noelle disliked it, throwing it out seemed like the right thing to do.

"Wait." Noelle stared at Grace with a pale face. "Don't throw it out yet."

Grace paused. "Is there something about this stuff? You seemed to really hate it."

"I'm just not a fan of it." Noelle turned to Mia. "Didn't you get a big scar on your leg after that surgery? If you use this, most of it will fade. Then you can wear skirts or shorts again."

Mia froze, then shook her head. "Forget it. I wouldn't dress like that even without the scar."

"Why not? I'll make you some custom shoes. No one will even notice anything off about your leg." Noelle held her hand. "Don't avoid using it just because of me. I don't dislike the ointment because of how it works or how it smells. It's something else."

"Then, what is it? Don't tell me they made you help develop it or something?" Grace asked.

Noelle hesitated. "It's not something I can explain easily. My brother, Carl, gave me the ointment. But he's been acting strange ever since he came back."

"How?" Grace scoffed. "Didn't all your brothers used to blindly trust Xenia? This brother probably wasn't any better."

Noelle shook her head. "I thought so, too. But it's the opposite. He's been really kind to me and barely even reacts to Xenia."

Mia hesitated. "Noelle, don't get too caught up in what-ifs. Just look at what's happening now. Don't worry about what hasn't happened."

Noelle's heart skipped at this. Should she just look at the present and not worry about whatever hadn't happened?

She took a sip of water, then said quietly, "I get it. Thank you. Thanks for being here with me."

Last night, her mind was a mess. She had been caught between her past and this life.

Grace linked arms with her. "Don't overthink it. The Liddell family isn't worth it. Even if one of them treats you well now, that's just how it should be after everything they put you through.

"And you even helped find the truth behind your parents' death. Don't waver. Just live the life you want."