Chapter 195

The lead officer raised his hand, and instantly, no one dared to move a muscle. Rachel Collins slowed her pace, eyes sharp and alert as she stared ahead. “Was Noah just confessing his feelings to you?” She’d been hiding in the alley the whole time. The moment Grace left, she was about to make a move when she suddenly saw a familiar figure dash up to Maria. Though the guy’s side profile was all she caught, she recognized him instantly—Noah. She knew she’d already hurt Maria. Noah, like James, would probably try and protect her. Deep down, she still had feelings for Noah. She didn’t want things to get messier, didn’t want to hurt him—or worse, see him get hurt because of another girl. So she held off. Didn’t expect James to show up instead. She was standing a bit far away, so she didn’t catch Noah’s exact words. But with the way he acted, her gut told her it was a confession. “Yeah,” Maria answered honestly. “But I turned him down. I’ve only ever seen him as a friend—before and still now