Chapter 149
“No” I snap “What you’re doing It’s disrespectful. It’s tarnishing her memory p>
Sierra takes a step forward, her voice cool. “Is this really about Chloe, Brook? Or something else p>
My stomach drops. I remember the conversation we had in the parking lot. How she easily figured out my secret.
I school my features quickly. “What are you talking about p>
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she says softly, eyes locked on mine. “This isn’t about Chloe. It’s about you and your selfish desires p>
Heat floods my face. “You think you know everything, don’t you? You’ve always had to be the saint, the perfect friend, the innocent victim. But you’re not, Sierra. You’re manipulative p>
“Seriously? You should look in the mirror, Brook. You’ll find the person you just described.” she glares at me, but it doesn’t faze me.
She has never stood a chance against me and Chloe and I’ll be damned if that changes now.
“You know exactly what you’re doing… showing up here, playing helpless so Noah feels sorry for you.” I spit at her.
“I didn’t ask for pity,” she fires back. “Hell, I didn’t even want to come here p>
“Please, who the fuck are you trying to convince,” I hiss. “I know what you’re doing. Your innocent act won’t work and I won’t let you to trap him p>
“Enough,” Noah cuts in sharply.
Both of us fall silent.
He looks at me, his expression unreadable. “Sierra’s staying. End of discussion p>
I blink, stunned. “Noah, you can’t mean that.” My voice trembles as I step closer, letting tears fill my eyes. “It’s bad enough that she’s carrying your child, but to let her live here? Chloe must be turning in her grave p>
For a moment, I see it. The war in his eyes. The internal struggle. The old Noah would’ve softened. He would’ve listened. Given in at the sight of my tears. He would have kicked her out at the mention of Chloe… But something is different. Instead, something shifts. His gaze goes cold, and he glares at me.
My breath catches, as it hits me like a sledge hammer.
“You’re actually letting her stay,” I whisper.
His eyes slice into me, “Yes… If you don’t like it, you can stay at one of my penthouses”
I stare at him dumbfounded unable to believe that he’d actually choose Sierra over Chloe. Over me.
The fury bubbling under my skin finally breaks free. I push past her, shoulder slamming into her arm hard enough to make her stumble.
“Watch it,” I mutter, and stomp out of the house before anyone can say a word.
I walk aimlessly, my mind a storm of rage, humiliation, and something darker threading through it all.
Noah used to listen. But now? Now he looks at me like I’m a stranger. He looks at me with suspicion. Like he’s trying to see past the perfectly crafted image I’ve worn all these years. I want to scream and shout, but I fucking can’t. I can’t give Sierra the satisfaction of seeing me unravel.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
I hesitate, before answering the unknown number. “Hello p>
A voice I don’t recognize. “Hello, Brook p>
My pulse jumps. “Who is this p>
“It doesn’t matter who I am, but I believe we have a common enemy”
I straighten, my curiosity piques, “Who p>
“Sierra,” the voice replies.
The world stills around me.
“What do you want?” I ask carefully.
“To join forces,” the person says. “I believe if we work together, it’ll be easier to get rid of p>
A slow smile spreads across my face.
Finally. Someone who understands.
“Tell me what you have in mind,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the thrill of it.
And as I end the call, I swear to myself; this time I’ll take care of Sierra once and for all.