The days passed. The last gardenias dropped their petals, and my body fully recovered. I returned to the Center and resumed my work as a voiceprint analyst.
Noah remained as unhurried as ever. Each morning, he brought me a hot coffee on his way to work. If we finished at the same time, he drove me back to the house outside the city.
Sometimes he invited me to dinner. When I accepted, he never looked overly excited. When I declined, he never seemed disappointed.
He simply stayed beside me, steady and patient, slowly warming the fracture in my heart until it no longer felt so sharp.
One evening, our department had dinner together. Afterward, someone suggested karaoke.
I didn't like noisy places, so I told everyone I was leaving early.
The moment I stepped out of the restaurant, I saw N
