Chapter 16
Noelle stood still, letting the soft warmth of the sun kiss her
skin. She closed her eyes for a moment, just letting herself
breathe in the fresh air. It had been years since she had a long
travel and seeing a new sight somehow lightened the burden.
The petals of the flower beneath her fingers. were delicate, and
the vibrant colors seemed to reflect a kind of peace she hadn’t
known she was craving. She had come here to find herself, or
maybe just a moment to escape. But now as she stood there, she
wasn’t sure it mattered. She was exactly where she needed to
be, even if she didn’t know what that meant yet.
As the breeze danced around her, she let out a soft sigh.
“Maybe I do deserve to be happy,” she whispered to the flower
in her hand, as if seeking confirmation.
For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to believe it. It was a
small victory, but for Noelle, it was everything. She smiled
softly, holding the flower to her chest as she turned her gaze
toward the horizon.
The setting sun painted the sky in the distance with shades of
orange and pink, and Noelle felt peace settle within her. There
Chapter 16
was no going back, but maybe there was a future that didn’t
involve the pain, the past, or Adrian.
She was here, she was free, and that was enough for her.
“Now, let’s look for a place to stay!”
Noelle’s gaze swept over the town once more, scanning for any
signs of an inn or guesthouse. It was quiet and peaceful. Exactly
the kind of place she could slip into without anyone noticing.
The streets were lined with quaint shops, some closed for the
afternoon while others were beginning to pull their shades
down, signaling the end of a workday. The soft hum of the town
around her felt calm and comforting.
She then passed by a small cafe with a flickering neon sign and
paused, glancing through the window at the warm, inviting
interior. The soft murmur of voices and clinking cups seemed
like the perfect sanctuary. But she wasn’t here for comfort.
Noelle was searching for something simpler. A place to rest, a
space where she could gather her thoughts, away from
everything and everyone.
She turned to a corner and spotted a modest sign that
readApartments for Renthanging above a small, rustic building. Her heart gave a subtle flutter of hope. The exterior looked
slightly worn but full of character. For Noelle, it was a place
Chapter 16.
where she could be alone without anyone asking questions.
And so Noelle approached as the soft crunch of gravel
underfoot accompanied her thoughts. With a push of the door,
she entered. The air smelled faintly of wood and something
sweet, like fresh linens or old books. A bell chimed softly above
her, and a friendly–looking woman behind the counter looked
up, greeting her with a smile.
“Hello there,” the woman said warmly. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for a place to stay.” Noelle replied kindly. She didn’t
want to reveal too much, didn’t want to seem like she was
running, though, in many ways, that’s exactly what she was
doing.
“Do you have anything available?”
The woman studied her for a moment, then nodded. “We’ve got
a small apartment upstairs. Nothing fancy, but it’s quiet and
private. Perfect for someone who’s looking for some peace.”
Noelle felt a small but welcome sigh of relief escape her lips. “I’ll
take it.”
“Great,” the woman said, handing over a key. “It’s just up those stairs. Feel free to make yourself at home. I’ll hand over a few documents I needed you to sign after you’re done moving in.”
Chapter 16
Noelle took the key from the woman with her fingers brushing
lightly against the cool metal. “Thank you,” she said, giving a
soft, polite smile before heading for the staircase.
The steps creaked under her weight as she made her way up to
the second floor. The hallway was dimly lit and the light from a
small window at the end casted long shadows. She found the
door to the room easily, marked with a simple brass plate. She
turned the handle and stepped inside with a small, relieved
breath.
The room was modest but welcoming. A queen–sized bed with a
soft floral duvet lay beneath the window, and a small wooden
dresser stood against one wall. There was a cozy armchair by
the window, and a few potted plants in the corner added a
touch of life to the otherwise simple decor. A soft lamp on the
nightstand illuminated the room with a warm glow, and for a
moment, it felt like the world outside had quieted down.
Noelle set her bag by the door and wandered around the bed
while running her hand over the cool linen. It wasn’t much, but
it was hers for the moment. A place she could breathe.
She briefly closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath to center
herself. She could already feel the tension in her shoulders
easing just from being here, in this quiet space. This was her
time to settle, to figure out what she was going to do next.
Chapter 16
After a moment, she stood and walked back downstairs, making
sure to lock the door behind her. She passed by the small
hallway mirror, catching her reflection for the first time that
day. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a faint
trace of exhaustion on her face, but she didn’t mind. She
looked… different in a good way. A small, almost imperceptible
smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she descended the last
few steps.
The woman behind the counter looked up, startled. “Oh! I was
about to bring you the documents. Here you go. Just a few
things to sign for the rental agreement,” she explained.
Noelle took the papers, scanning them quickly before sitting
down at the counter to sign them. The pen moved smoothly.
across the paper as each stroke felt like another small step away
from the life she’d left behind. When she finished, she handed
the documents back.
“All done,” she said with a small sense of satisfaction in her
voice.
The woman smiled and nodded. “You’re all set, then. If you need
anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Noelle gave a grateful nod and made her way back to her room,
her heart a little lighter now. The town outside felt like a new
Chapter 16
chapter, one she was ready to start even if she didn’t know
exactly where it would take her. For now,
+ was enough.
She locked the door behind her once more as the soft click
echoed in the room. After the long journey here, she was finally
alone just as she had wanted. She kicked off her shoes and sat
on the edge of the bed, letting the peacefulness envelop her.
It wasn’t a perfect life. It wasn’t even the life she had planned.
But for the first time in a long while, it felt like it could be
something of her own. And that, at least, was a good place to
start.
