Chapter 159
The silence that follows after Brook leaves feels like a living thing. For a long moment, I just stand there, staring at the wood grain of the door as if I could still see her face on the other side. Her words linger, crawling under my skin like invisible ants, biting and burning. My chest feels too tight, like all the air has been sucked out of the room.
Then, suddenly, my knees give in. I collapse onto the bed, my palms trembling as I press them to my eyes. My body shakes, though I can’t tell if it’s from fear or fury, or maybe both. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it’s bruising my ribs.
Brook isn’t just cruel; she’s dangerous. And now, I’m almost certain of it. Certain that she’s the one who tried to kill me. Everything points to that. No matter what angle I look at it. It all points to Brook.
Chloe was good at manipulation, and she used to get what she wanted by lying her way, but with Brook, there was always something lurking behind her eyes. Something evil. I never paid much attention when we were younger, but now all those signs are simply hard to ignore.
The realization sits heavy in my chest, making it almost hard to breathe. The way she looked at me today, the venom in her words. She more than hates me, and she’ll do anything to make sure I’m not in her way.
I draw in a shaky breath and press a hand to my belly, to the still flat belly that reminds me I’m not just fighting for myself anymore.
“She won’t win,” I whisper to myself. “I can’t allow her to win p>
I already lost once to Chloe. Because I was too afraid to speak, too afraid to fight back. I watched her take everything from me. My peace, my pride, the man I loved and I let it happen because I believed in her words. I believed I was inferior. I lost to her because I was a coward… but not this time. 1
Brook can threaten me all she wants, but I won’t let her destroy me. I won’t let her hurt my baby.
I don’t know how long I sit there staring at nothing, lost somewhere between anger and dread, when the door suddenly opens again. My heart jumps to my throat. I twist around fast, expecting to see her again, but it’s not Brook. It’s Lilly.
She walks in with that familiar confident sway, her hair tied up messily, wearing a white tee and jeans. Behind her is one of the maids, carrying two suitcases, while Lilly carries another one and a small cage.
“Finally,” Lilly says breathlessly. “I thought I was going to die carrying all these up the stairs… How does this damn house have no elevator? Noah should seriously thinking about investing in one p>
I watch as she puts the cage holding Blackie down on the bed. The moment she sees me, she lets out a soft meow and somehow that eases all the tension in my body.
The maid sets the suitcases down neatly near the closet and gives me a polite nod.
“I’ll come back to help you unpack,” she says softly, though her eyes are distant.
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that p>
She gives me a strange look before nodding, then slips out, closing the door behind her.
Once she’s gone, I turn to Lilly, blinking at the luggage. “Uh… why the hell did you bring three suitcases p>
When she said she’s bringing my clothes over, I thought it will be a bag, or a small suitcase… Not three.
Lilly drops her handbag on the bed and grins. “Well, you’re staying here, aren’t you p>
I frown. “Yes, but for maybe a week, not forever. Why does it look like you packed for a relocation p>
“Because,” she says, dragging out the word dramatically, “you might end up staying longer. You never know p>
I stare at her. “Lilly, I’m not moving in with Noah p>
Her lips twitch into a teasing smile. “I mean… that could be a possibility, right p>
“In your wildest dreams, maybe… not reality,” I mutter, before opening the cage for Blackie.
She literally dashes out of the cage before jumping on me. She climbs on my chest, sniffing and meowing as if asking where I’ve been and if I’m alright. I kiss her silky soft fur before petting her head and then turn to my best friend.
Lilly perches on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs, watching me with that look that says she’s about to challenge everything I just said.
“What if something changes between you two? What if living with him is… I don’t know, a sign p>
I huff, looking away. “Seriously, Lilly, have you been reading too many novels or what? This isn’t some novel where forced proximity will magically make us fall for each other p>
Noah and I are not suitable for each other. We both have jagged scars that would make it so hard for us to be together. Besides, why would I want to be with a guy who is still hung up on his dead wife? 3