Chapter 122

OLIVIA Coco and Mochi came downstairs, as if both of them had sensed the tension lingering between Noah and me. Coco stopped a short distance away, simply staring at us, his tail wagging in small, uneasy motions. Mochi, on the other hand, ran straight to my side and barked at Noah, placing himself firmly in front of me—his small body stiff, his stance protective, as though he believed he could shield me from anything. Noah’s jaw tightened. He looked tense with anger, holding it in as if any release would only make things worse—only make the situation spiral further out of control. In the end, he didn’t say another word. He turned around and left. I watched as he walked toward his car, his steps quick and heavy. He got inside without looking back. I stood by the door for a moment, slightly stunned, watching as his car pulled away and disappeared down the street. Only then did I close the door. I went upstairs with the dogs. I bent down and touched Mochi’s head, my fingers lingering ther