Chapter 76

NOAH I had just finished my evening rounds, but I didn’t feel like going home yet. My stomach grumbled faintly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten anything proper all day. I decided to look for a place to eat, though I had no idea what I actually wanted. I drove around aimlessly for almost an hour, letting the streets blur past my windshield, until I realized—almost unconsciously—that I had ended up in front of the same diner where Olivia and I had eaten together before. I parked the car in the parking lot and went inside. Some of the staff recognized me right away. One of them greeted me politely, led me to a table, and took my order without much small talk. The familiar routine felt oddly comforting. As I ate, my gaze drifted to the glass window. Outside, the road stretched toward Olivia’s neighborhood. The realization settled quietly in my chest, uninvited, lingering longer than I expected. I was nearly done with my meal and had no intention of ordering dessert when the bell above the