#Chapter 197: A Change of Heart

Hannah Noah’s warm hand rubbed gentle circles on my back as he held my hair, his voice soft and soothing. “I’m here for you, Hannah. Just let it out.” His tone was more tender than I had ever heard it, a contrast to the cold, calculated demeanor he usually wore. The touch of his hand, the reassurance in his voice—it wasn’t at all like the Noah I had come to know over the years. But it was exactly what I needed. When the wave of nausea finally passed, I slumped against the cool bathroom wall, feeling utterly drained. The chill of the tiles against my back was a welcome distraction from the lingering queasiness roiling around in my belly. Noah quickly wet a washcloth with cold water and gently wiped my face, crouching in front of me. “Here,” he said, offering me a glass of water and some saltine crackers to munch on. “Small sips, okay?” I nodded weakly, taking the water with hands that still trembled slightly. As I sipped, I couldn’t hel