Chapter 90
“A cat!” Nova gasps, dropping to her knees. “Nolan, look! He’s so fluffy!” T
Nolan crouches down too, though more cautiously. “What’s his name p>
“Blackie, and it’s a her.” I answer, my voice still unsteady, as I try to quickly clear the letters on the floor.
I shove them into one of the boxes before pushing it aside with the other things I was planning to get rid of.
“Hi, Blackie!” Nova coos, scratching behind his ears like she’s known him forever. Blackie, surprisingly, melts instantly under her touch.
For a moment I watch, totally shocked. Like I said, Blackie doesn’t usually take well to strangers.
Nolan watches, then finally reaches forward to pat Blackie’s head. “She’s cool,” he says, giving me a small smile.
Nova is already wandering around the room, her curious eyes scanning everything. She points at the mess on the floor. “What’s all this p>
My throat tightens. I crouch quickly, scooping them into the nearest box. “Just… old things. I was cleaning p>
Nolan climbs onto the couch and leans back, swinging his feet. “Your house is cozy,” he declares matter–of- factly. “Not big like ours, but I like it p>
Something warm flutters in my chest despite myself. “Thank you p>
Nova scrambles onto the couch beside her brother, curling her legs under her. Blackie hops up too, wedging herself between them like he’s already claimed them. Nova giggles, hugging her tightly.
“You like cats, huh?” I ask softly, watching her stroke Blackie’s fur.
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes, and dogs… But daddy doesn’t want to get us one. He says we have to be responsible first p>
My chest aches. I can’t stop staring at them—the curve of their smiles, the tilt of their noses, their eyes so heartbreakingly familiar. Noah is everywhere in them, and yet, I see pieces of Chloe too. It’s like the universe is taunting me.
“And you realize lying to your aunt is the opposite of responsible, right p>
“Yes,” Nolan says, folding his arms with all the seriousness of a little man. “But we wanted to see you. You’re nice and we like you very much p>
I swallow a lump. “You barely know me, sweety p>
Nova shakes her head stubbornly. “We know enough.” She leans back, her small body relaxing as if she’s already home.
My throat burns. They shouldn’t be here, yet everything about them being in this house feels right. Too right if you ask me… And that right there is dangerous.
I sit on the edge of the armchair across from them, twisting my fingers in my lap. “Does your father know you’re here p>
I already guess he doesn’t but I just want to confirm
They exchange a glance. Nolan shrugs. “Not yet. But he will. You’ll tell him p>
I exhale shakily, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course they’d assume that. Of course this would fall on me.
“Way to throw me under the bus, Nolan p>
He grins, looking completely unapologetic.
For a moment, silence settles–except for Nova humming softly as she tries to braid a piece of Blackie’s fur and Nolan watching me with eyes too old for his years.
I want to tell them no. That they can’t come here, that they shouldn’t want to. But the words lodge in my throat. Instead, I rise, forcing myself to move before my heart caves in.
“Stay here,” I say gently. “I need to make a call p>
I step into the kitchen, the phone heavy in my hand. My reflection stares back at me from the window above the sink–eyes red from crying, face pale. My thumb hovers over Noah’s contact.
My heart pounds. I unblock his number.
He’s going to be furious. But what choice do I have?
I press the button. The line rings once, twice, three times.
Finally, his deep voice cuts through, clipped and impatient. “Sierra p>
I draw in a breath, steadying my voice. “Noah… the twins are here. They’re in my house p>
Silence crackles on the other end and then a thunderous “What p>