Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0056

Me? She was envious of me? I didn’t believe it.

opened my mouth to protest, but Emma held up a hand, effectively silencing me.

“Please, let me finish,” she begged. “It wasn’t until recently that I realized how toxic and damaging that mindset was not just for my self–esteem, but for my overall wellbeing. I was so focused on measuring myself against other women that I completely lost sight of my own worth and value as an individual.”

“And,” she added, “I was cruel to you in turn. Don’t think for a second that I didn’t know what I was doing all those years when I was giving you backhanded compliments and making snide remarks.”

She reached across the table then, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “But you helped open my eyes to that, Hannah, whether you intended to or not–between your acceptance of Zoe, and the advice and hug you gave me at the charity ball. And for that, I’m truly grateful.”

I stared at her for a long moment, feeling an unexpected surge of emotion welling up in my chest. All these years, I had hated her guts–and she had hated mine. But now..

“Emma, I… I don’t know what to say, I finally managed, my voice little more than a rasp. Part of me wondered if she was toying with me, trying to give me a false sense of security, but I saw nothing but sincerity in her eyes.

She was telling the truth.

a soft smile as she patted my hand. “You don’t have to say anything, Hannah. Just know that if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who will listen without judgment or pretense, I’m here for you. Just

sprung to my eyes. “Thank you,” I murmured. “That means more

Her smile widened. “Friends?”

I replied, my cheeks

a comfortable silence for a few moments before I drew in a deep, steadying breath. “In the spirit of things… If I’m being honest… things between Noah and me have’t been great

Emma’s brow furrowed

but she didn’t press for details, simply giving my hand

she said softly. “But have to ask… are

my wedding ring with her

implications. I nodded. “A divorce is on the horizon,” I whispered. “But… I don’t think that my approval

brow. “Hannah, you do know that Nightcrest is just

“What do you-”

“the people of Nightcrest support you. Even

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