Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Healing

Epilogue

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Alexei took a steady breath as he reached the final lines of his story his voice carrying through the silence of the classroom.

“He didn’t promise to erase my past. He simply held my hand and walked me toward a future where it no longer defined me.

And so, Noelle spent her days with the man who truly loved her. He gave her a family, and she… became his.”

The words lingered in the air like the last note of a symphony as he slowly closed the stack of papers in his hands.

Alexei lifted his gaze while his fingers remained resting lightly on the worn edges of his draft. He had spent nights writing this, pouring his heart into each word, hoping he could deliver the truth behind this story.

Tears glistened in more than a few eyes. Some students sat motionless, blinking as if trying to process the emotions overwhelming them. Others had their heads slightly bowed, discreetly wiping at their cheeks. A few simply stared, mouths parted, visibly moved.

And then, there was his professor. A woman known for her firm, collected nature, who rarely allowed emotion to breach her professional walls. Yet now, she sat still with her fingers pressed lightly against her lips as if holding back a reaction. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Alexei swallowed, his throat tight. He hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t expected the room to feel this full—not with noise, but with

emotions.

He glanced down at his hands, where the words he had written still lingered in his mind, then back up. For a long moment, no

one spoke.

A small sniffle broke through.

A girl in the front row wiped at her face hastily, sniffling again as she let out a shaky breath. Another student, sitting near the windows, ran a hand through his hair, exhaling as if he had been holding his own sobs in.

The room stayed silent for a moment. No one spoke. No one moved.

Then, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor broke the stillness,

Their professor stood up.

She looked at Alexei. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. Then, slowly, she started clapping.

At first, it was just her. But one by one, his classmates joined in. The applause grew louder and began filling the room.

Some students wiped at their eyes as they clapped. Others exchanged glances, as if silently agreeing that they had just heard something unforgettable.

Alexei stood there, holding his papers tightly. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, he wasn’t sure what to do.

Then, his professor gave him a small nod. “That,” she said softly, was beautiful.”

As the applause continued, Alexei let out a slow breath, realizing that his story had truly touched them. But before anyone could say more, the school bell rang, breaking the moment.

He instantly snapped out of his daze and quickly gathered his papers and stuffed them into his bag. “Uh, thank you, everyone,” he said, bowing slightly before slinging his bag over his shoulder. Without waiting for any lingering conversations, he rushed out of the classroom, weaving through the crowded hallway and headed straight for the university gates.

The moment he stepped outside, his eyes darted around in search of something familiar. And there it was–a black car parked by the sidewalk just beyond the school gates. A grin spread across his face.

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it and yanked open the backseat door. The instant he slid inside, a small blur of excitement launched at him.

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A giggle rang through the cat as a six–year–old girl with light hair and striking silver–grey eyes tackled him with all her ting might

Alexei let out a playful grunt as he caught her, laughing. “Hey, Sasha Alexa Mikhaela McGrath Vasiliev!” he teased, emphasizing every syllable of her full name.

The little girl pouted instantly, crossing her arms. “TO CAиNIKOMUнно, з00ите менg pocтo Cam!” (That’s too long, just call me Sam!]

Alexei chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Haha! Alright, alright. Sam it is”

“How was school?” A deep voice joined in from the driver’s seat.

Alexei turned to see Valerian glancing at him through the rearview mirror, his silver–grey eyes calm yet watchful.

He let out an exaggerated groan. “Come on, uncle. Stop asking me that. I’m not a kid anymore.”

His response earned a sigh that came from the front passenger seat, and Alexei barely had time to react before Noelle turned around to give him the look. “Alexei, manners?”

He chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “Sorry, sorry,” he said quickly, raising his hands in surrender.

Noelle narrowed her eyes playfully before turning back around, and Alexei couldn’t help but grin until it slowly softened into a hesitant smile as he shifted in his seat, rubbing his palms against his jeans.

“May I… see the baby?” he asked.

Noelle turned in her seat again with a warm expression on her face. She then revealed a small bundle rested in her arms and the sight of it made Alexei pause for a second.

His heart did this weird, unexpected flip as he leaned forward, peering into the tiny cocoon of blankets. A little face peeked out, soft and delicate, with the tiniest nose and the faintest wisp of dark hair. The baby’s eyes were closed, her tiny fingers curled into fists near her cheeks. She was so small. So unbelievably small.

Alexei swallowed. “Whoa.”

Noelle chuckled. “Meet Lilia.”

His chest tightened. He didn’t know why. Maybe it was because he had waited for this moment for months. Or maybe it was because he was looking at someone who would now be a new part of him.

He exhaled slowly, then carefully reached out a single finger, hesitating just above the baby’s blanket. Noelle gave him a small nod, and with that silent permission, he lightly brushed his finger against Lilia’s tiny hand.

And then-

His breath hitched.

Because just like that, her tiny fingers twitched, then wrapped around his pinky.

It was barely anything, just the softest little grasp, but it knocked the air straight out of his lungs.

Alexei sat frozen, staring at the fragile hold Lilia had on him. His heart pounded. His throat tightened.

“She’s holding my finger,” he whispered, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.

Valerian hummed in amusement from the driver’s seat. “Babies tend to do that.”

He cleared his throat and sniffed, blinking rapidly. “Cool,” he muttered, trying to act nonchalant.

But Noelle saw right through him. She smiled knowingly and reached over, brushing a hand over his hair like she always had. ”

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Chapter 73 Healing

You’re going to be an amazing big brother to her, just like you are Sasha.”

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Alexei scoffed, pretending to roll his eyes. “Obviously.” But his voice was softer while his gaze still locked onto the tiny hand gripping his finger.

Sasha, who had been quiet for far too long, suddenly wiggled close and pouted, “Hey! I’m also a big sister! Me too!”

Alexei smirked, finally snapping out of his daze. “Oh, yeah?” He pulled her into a playful headlock, ruffling her hair. “Then you better keep up, Sam, ‘cause I’m gonna be the best big bro this kid’s ever seen.”

Sasha squealed, laughing as she tried to wriggle away. “No fair! You’re bigger than me!”

Valerian let out an exaggerated sigh. “No fighting near the baby. And fix your shirt Alexei. Your mother’s gonna smack the hell out of me if she sees you disheveled.”

The playful bickering melted into laughter, filling the car with warmth and love. As they drove forward, Noelle leaned back into her seat with a soft smile gracing her lips.

Because in the end…

Through all the pain, the loss, the doubts, and the suffering….

She had finally found her healing.

-The End-