No longer a pushover

Chapter 106

As Noelle reached for the seatbelt, it wouldn't budge, no matter how hard she tried.

Cedric watched for a moment before leaning over to help. At that moment, the two were unusually close. He could smell the faint scent of beer on her while she noticed the length of his eyelashes. Noelle held her breath, and in a moment of impulse, she hugged his arm. Cedric froze, turning to look at her. His throat tightened as he softly asked, "What are you doing?"

Noelle didn't answer. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him. As soon as she pulled back, Noelle felt a wave of nervousness.

Cedric remained still. The dim street lights outside illuminated his side profile, making his expression hard to read.

Noelle, feeling flustered, stammered, "Sir, if you don't have a girlfriend, what do you think of me?"

For a split second, Cedric's gaze deepened. It was as if an electric current shot through him. He quickly pulled away, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "You're drunk." Without another word, Cedric started the car and drove toward the apartment. The ride was silent. It took Cedric a long time to suppress the strange tugging in his chest. At a red light, he finally spoke. "You're still young. You don't understand what love really is."

he saw that she had already fallen asleep. He couldn't help but

entire drive overthinking, yet she had passed out without a second thought. He could only hope she wouldn't remember any of

hand away and turned to

sighing. In one smooth motion, he lifted her out of the car and

He stood by the bed, looking at

out for her mother, feeling as though he couldn't breathe. A moment later, he returned with a glass

she finished, she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around him. "Mom, I miss you. You're the only one who's ever been good

know how to respond. For the first time in a

soft glow of

through the window, casting shadows over

peaceful face, Cedric couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had

morning, Noelle woke up with a pounding headache. She