Noah knew Anabelle had heard him clearly, but when she asked him again, he found himself unable to articulate the same sentiment.
He turned to walk away.
Anabelle quickly caught up to him, demanding clarity. "Did you really mean what you said about marrying me?"
Noah stopped, looking down at her face close to his shoulder.
Her eyes shone with a luminous intensity, yet he knew better than to take his earlier words seriously in this moment of clarity.
"No, I have no intention of marrying anyone, ever."
Anabelle's smile instantly vanished.
She took a step back, her face a picture of disbelief. "Why not?"
"There's no specific reason."
He then turned the question on her. "Why did you seem so happy?"
Caught off guard, Anabelle struggled to respond.
Her happiness stemmed from the belie
