<b>Chapter </b><b>224 </b>


    “I know yourst rtionship hurt you deeply. That’s why I’ve been holding back my own feelings all this time. But Noreen, I’m not Seth–I would never hurt you.”


    “You don’t have to give me an answer now, or feel any pressure about it. If being friends with me feels easier, then let’s just be friends–as long as you don’t take away my right to care about you.”


    He was even more sincere than she was.


    “When you’re ready to start something new, would you at least consider me first?”


    Genuine affection always finds a way to touch the heart.


    In that moment, Noreen saw in Carman a reflection of her former, wholehearted self.


    She couldn’t bear to hurt that version of herself.


    In the end, she nodded.


    Carman finally breathed out, relieved. “Then… could I have a hug?”


    Noreen wanted to embrace that old self too.


    But in the end, she simply patted Carman’s shoulder and said quietly, “Happy New Year.”


    After Carman and his sister left, Noreen lingered outside for a while, letting the chilly air clear her head before she went back in.


    Across the river, fireworks burst into the night, lighting up the whole sky.


    For once, Christmas had arrived without rain.


    Both riverbanks were dotted with people setting off fireworks, but the disy across the water was especially bright and beautiful.


    Noreen paused to watch for a while.


    Her phone rang–it was Dn.


    She picked up, and his voice came through, “Happy New Year, Noreen.”


    “Happy New Year,” she replied.


    “Are you watching the fireworks?” he asked.


    Noreen was a little puzzled. “How’d you know I was watching fireworks?”


    He chuckled. “Just a guess.”


    “Don’t tell me those fireworks across the river are your doing.”


    “Congrattions, you guessed it. Do I get a prize?”


    Noreen hesitated. “Seriously? That was you?”


    <b>13.00 </b>


    “Mhm.”


    The Gilmore family lived in a pretty secluded spot, and Dn’s ce was in the opposite direction entirely.


    Yet he’d gone all the way across town just to set off fireworks where she could see them.


    Fresh from Carman’s confession, Noreen frowned slightly.


    What’s with all this sudden attention? Was she just imagining things?


    Hopefully she was just overthinking it.


    At least Dn didn’t say anything else–unlike Carman. He just called to ask if she liked the fireworks, and after that, there was nothing more.


    When thest firework faded, they said their goodbyes and hung up. Noreen headed back home.


    By the time she got in, Rosalind was already asleep.


    Her routines were always so precise.


    Noreen didn’t disturb her. She quietly went to her room, turned on herptop, and got back to work.


    Elsewhere, Jude checked his phone. “Where’s Dn? He’s still not back?”


    Healy agreed, “Yeah, he’s been gone a long time. Maybe he’s crashing at home tonight?”


    “Or maybe he’s on a date,” Jude mused, thinking about how odd Dn had beentely. “Seriously, who could it be? He’s been so secretive–no one’s heard a thing.”


    Nearby, Bianca overheard them, her expression darkening. <fn7c25> Updates are released by FindN()vel</fn7c25>


    Dn had barelye to their get–togetherstely. Even tonight, when he finally showed up, he’d seemed distracted–and had stepped out for ages with some vague excuse.


    Way out of character.


    Maybe Jude was right–maybe something really had changed.


    But who could it be?


    “It’s gettingte. Let me give you a ride home,” Seth said as he grabbed his coat, turning to Bianca. Bianca actually wanted to stay a bit longer.


    But Seth added, “I promised I’d keep my dadpany for New Year’s Eve.”


    Bianca, ever the considerate one, just nodded obediently.


    Jude called after them with a teasing grin, “You two better actually be spending New Year’s with Mr. Harcourt.”