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CHAPTER 265
~Zara's POV~
"Ella!" I repeated, panic lacing my voice as the silence stretched on.
Finally, she let out a shaky breath from the other end of the line. "Zara, I don't know what to do."
My heart squeezed at the vulnerability in her voice. "Start from the beginning," I urged, gripping the phone tightly. "You said his name isn't Styles. What does that mean?"
Ella hesitated, her voice trembling as she spoke. "It means... he lied. Styles isn't his real name, among other things, I guess," she rushed out.
"What is it, then?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
There was a pause before she whispered, "He said his name is Noel. Noel Slaton."
The relief that coursed through me was immediate and overwhelming. I sagged back against the pillows, exhaling sharply. "Noel Slaton?"