Chapter 171

When he got home, however, she wasn't there. When she finally returned, she looked exhausted and in low spirits. He asked what had scared her, and she said it was nothing.

Then she asked him if he would be sad if she died. At the time, he thought she was trying to get something from him and had even mocked her.

He had no idea what kind of despair and fear she had experienced that afternoon. It must have been excruciating with her dislocated arm.

Thinking about it now, all the shock in Quentin's heart turned into guilt and heartache.

He suddenly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

"I'm sorry, Noelle. I didn't know you were on that bus."

Noelle, held tightly by him, felt her heart swell with a painful ache. Her eyes burned, and her throat tightened.

Her heartstrings trembled, but she gently pushed him away, and said, "Quentin, I need to use the restroom."

As she turned, her heart was in turmoil, and her tears began to fall like rain. If he had known at the time, would