Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

0049

Chapter

But no amount of fussing could disguise the truth. I knew deep down this wasn't a question of an ill-fitting dress-it was my own body that was the problem, soft and ugly and- "Hannah? You okay?"

"Fine!" I squeaked out, my head spinning as I hastily unzipped the dress and tore it off over my head.

By the time I emerged from the dressing room, clutching the crumpled ***d of green fabric to my chest and dressed in my jeans and sweater again, Viona was regarding me with open concern. "You don't like it?" she ventured carefully.

I swallowed hard, my throat working against the lump of anxiety that had lodged itself there. "I just... maybe we should try something else? Something a little looser, you know?" Understanding flickered in Viona's eyes then as she held out a hand to stop me. "Hannah... This isn't one of your relapse moments, is it?"

Of course she could see right through me-she always could. I opened my mouth to protest, to wave her off, but one look at her severe expression had the excuse dying on my lips.

"Look," Viona said in a low, gentle tone. "I know tonight is going to be hard for you, seeing Zoe and all. But you've been making such amazing progress with your recovery. Don't let any of these **** derail all of that hard work, okay?"

A flush crept up my cheeks as I averted my gaze, abruptly feeling very small and childish. "I know, I know... It's just..."

With a sigh, Viona reached out and squeezed my arm, her eyes warm and steady. "Look. If you're really struggling, just say the word, and you and I can skip out on the group meeting tomorrow night. But I really think that going, even just once, would be amazing for you." I worried my lip between my teeth, thinking back on our upcoming Saturday night plans: the local eating disorder support group. I had promised Viona that I would go, so long as she went with me. And I really didn't want to break that promise. "Don't worry," I said after a long moment. "I'll still go."

Viona beamed at me as I turned to hang the green dress back up. We ended up picking out a more flowy option in a sage green color instead, which sported the same long sleeves and square neckline but a slightly more flowy fit.

It was perfect, I figured-exactly the sort of armor I would need to get through tonight.

A few hours later, I found myself smoothing my hands over the soft material of the dress as Noah's car idled in front of the restaurant where we were to meet Drake and Zoe. I could feel Noah's eyes boring into me from the driver's seat, heavy and Inscrutable I couldn't quite meet his stare. Instead, I surreptitiously tugged the fabric a bit lower over my abdomen, anxiety gnawing at me in spite of Viona's reassurances Chapter 0049.

When Noah didn't move to open my door for me, I simply sighed and let myself out, my purse clutched protectively over my midsection as I made my way toward the imposing front entrance of the restaurant. Noah followed a few paces behind, his footsteps clipped and

tense.

Inside, Drake was already waiting for us, looking handsome but not too formal in a crisp blazer and slacks. His face lit up when he caught sight of me, although his smile dimmed slightly as Noah materialized at my side.

"Hannah, you look beautiful, as always," Drake purred, taking my hand to brush a kiss across my knuckles. Beside me, I could feel Noah tense up, but I ignored him.

Suddenly, the sound of heels clicking made us all turn, and there was Zoe-beautiful as always in a satin black shift dress, dark pantihose, and tall boots. She looked like something out of a fashion magazine with her leather jacket draped over her shoulders and her hair perfectly curled down her back. She had emphasized her eyes with dark winged eyeliner and sultry eyeshadow, and....

She was everything I could never be.

I quickly averted my gaze, my heart already pounding. Home was already calling to me.

Home, and diet pills. It was a good thing I had flushed them, at least.

"Darling Zoe," Drake murmured, his arm extending as he took a step toward her. "It's so good to see-"Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Zoe sidestepped his gesture, her red lips pressed into a thin, unamused line. Turning her back on Drake entirely, she faced Noah and me instead, that familiar fire dancing in her eyes. "Well. Shall we, then?"

Over Zoe's shoulder, I noticed Drake deflate, his outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air. Oh yes. this was going to be worse than I could have ever imagined.

As the four of us were led to our private table, I exchanged a loaded glance with Noah. It seemed, despite our differences, that we would agree on at least one thing. Tonight was going to be a long