Chapter 0355 Chapter 0355 It was in that moment, as I took in his features, that something hit me.
Suddenly, I turned and strode out of the bathroom. The cool air of the bedroom chilled my damp skin as I padded to the closet.
There, I retrieved the box I had kept hidden for so long.
Noah was standing in the bathroom doorway, brow furrowed. I held the box up. âTake a seat.
Curiosity evident on his face, he obeyed and perched on the edge of the bed. I set the box down beside him, opened it, and pulled out a stack of yellowed envelopes. âWhatâs this?â he asked, cocking his head.
âThese are the letters you wrote me all those years ago.â I explained, handing them to him. âThe ones you said you donât remember.â
His brow furrowed as he began to read, his eyes scanning the pages. I watched his face intently, looking for any sign of recognition, but saw only confusion and a hint of frustration.
âHannah,â he said finally, looking up at me. âAre you sure I wrote these?â
I nodded, biting back the little sting that that question left in my throat. âPositive.â
He frowned as he flipped to the next page. âThese are incredibly heartfelt. And itâs my handwriting. But ... I donât remember writing any of them.â
âYou really donât remember?â
He shook his head. âNot in the slightest. Itâs like thereâs a blank space where these memories should be.â
My heart sank a little, but I tried not to show it. âDo you think something traumatic might have happened âduring that time? Maybe you have some kind of... I donât know, selective amnesia?â Heâd mentioned that those were dark times before. Maybe they were even darker than either of us knew.
Noah ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. âI donât know. Itâs possible, I suppose.â
âHave you ever considered therapy? It might help unlock those memories, if there are any.â
He was quiet for a moment, his eyes distant as he considered my words. Then he nodded slowly. âIâll think about it,â he said. âFor now, though, I want to focus on the present. On us.â
He rose, towel still draped loosely around his narrow hips, and pinched my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger. He tilted my face up to meet his gaze. âWe should finally throw you an official baby shower. I want to treat you like the princess you are, Hannah. You deserve it after everything youâve been through.â
I felt my cheeks heat up again, a warmth spreading through my chest at his words. âI... I think Iâd like that.â
With that, he nodded and made his way into the closet, returning a few moments later with a shirt and a pair of pantsâand a sundress for me. He laid everything on the bed, and I quirked an eyebrow at how casual his own attire looked for a work day.
âWhatâs this?â I asked.
He shrugged as he toweled himself off and began to dress. âWeâve got a day of party planning ahead of us. I hope youâre ready for it.â
1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0355 I cocked my head, âNo meetings? On a Tuesday?â
Noah smirked. âI canceled everything while you were still asleep earlier.â
I wanted to smack his arm and call him a lovestruck fool, but I contained myself. Instead, smiling, I dressed alongside him. He glanced over at me as I did, taking in the plush appearance of my thighs, my rounded belly.
âYou look great lately, by the way. Itâs nice to see you recovering.â
I blushed, and he added, âYou know, when you were so thin... I was terrified. I thought I might lose you.â
I swallowed hard, those words striking deeper than he realized. For a moment, I considered telling him that I had died. That everything weâd been through lately was a second chance.
But as I opened my mouth to tell him, I couldnât. The words felt stuck in my throat.
âHannah?â He noticed my hesitation. âWhat is it? You look like you want to say something.â
I shook my head, forcing a smile and pushing down the guilt of keeping this secret. âNothing,â I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
âI was just thinking that Iâd like a chocolate cake for the party.â
Noah chuckled and shook his head at me.
âChocolate cake it is, then.â