She chanced another glance. He was adjusting his jacket, looking at his phone, glancing around—behaviors that seemed innocent on the surface but now filled Noah with dread. Every little gesture felt like an accusation, like he was piecing together her betrayal right in front of her. The flight attendants announced that the plane was preparing for takeoff, but Noah barely heard them. She was too busy spiraling, her mind consumed by what might happen if Mr. Green found her here. How could she explain herself?
A sudden, miraculous recovery? Nothing sounded remotely plausible. The flight dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Noah barely touched her in-flight meal, too afraid to lift her head, fearing she’d meet Mr. Green’s gaze. The entire time, she was convinced he was watching her, tracking her every move. Finally, the plane began its descent, and for the first time in hours, Noah felt a flicker of relief. Soon, she would be off the plane, and maybe—just maybe—she could slip away without being noticed.