Noel
I slammed the door behind me, the echo reverberating through the house as I rushed upstairs, ignoring the muffled voices calling my name. My chest felt heavy, my thoughts an endless spiral of disbelief and hurt. How could she be back? Bridget, of all people. My legs carried me on autopilot to my room, where I finally let the tears spill over, burying my face into the pillow as the memories and fears overwhelmed me. I didn’t want to see her again, not after everything she’d done, and the very thought of facing her sent a chill through me. I didn’t even hear the knock on the door—it was just there, a gentle knock followed by the sound of Rain’s voice, soft and full of concern.
“Noel, it’s me. Can I come in?”
I didn’t answer, just sniffled into the pillow, but he didn’t wait for my re
