Chapter 247
Noah is quiet for a long moment. His eyes staring at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. The silence stretches, until I start to wonder if he’s even still standing there. I sit down and keep folding clothes, keep my hands busy because if I stop, I might break.
Finally, he speaks.
“There’s nothing I can say to convince you to stay?” His voice is low and careful.
I pause, then shake my head. “No p>
He exhales slowly, like he already knew the answer but needed to hear it anyway.
“This is for the best,” I add softly. “If I stay, we’ll keep tearing at each other’s hearts and I can’t have that p>
He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t snap. He just nods once, like something inside him finally settles.
The back-and-forth between us has been draining, and now I have my baby to think of. It feels selfish, but for the first time, I’m choosing myself. I’m choosing me over Noah and I think it’s about damn time.
He closes his eyes briefly. After a beat, he says, “I’ll talk to the twins while you finish packing. Then I’ll take you home p>
“That’s not necessary,” I say quickly. “I can order an Uber p>
“I insist.” There’s no anger in his tone, just finality.
He turns toward the door, opens it and stops because Nolan and Nova are standing right outside.
Noah sighs. “What did I tell you about eavesdropping p>
Nolan ignores him completelly, his gaze sliding past Noah and landing on me.
“Did you convince her to stay?” he asks, his voice tight with hope.
My chest caves in and I feel like I’ve just been hit by a fucking boulder. Why does it hurt this much?
“Come here,” I say gently.
The twins rush past their father and straight to me just as I zip the last of my suitcase closed. They slam into me, arms wrapping tightly around my waist like they’re afraid I’ll disappear if they let go.
I look up at Noah. “Can you give us a moment p>
He hesitates, then nods. “I’ll be back in a few p>
He leaves, closing the door behind him.
I sink down onto the bed, the twins still clinging to me like I’m their lifeline.
“Please don’t go,” Nolan whispers.
It’s the smallest voice I’ve ever heard come from him.
“Please don’t leave us p>
Nova is crying deep, broken sobs that shake her tiny body. I try to stay strong, but my own tears spill over, my vision blurring as a hiccup tears from my chest.
“I really have to go,” I whisper, my throat burning as I fight my emotions. “I’m so sorry p>
“You said you loved us, and now you want to leave!” Nova screams.
“Nova p>
“You lied to us!” she cries, pounding her tiny fists against my chest. Her sobs fill the room, drowning me in despair.
I let her hit me. Let her fists land over my heart as I hold her tighter, until eventually her strength gives out and her hands fall limp at her sides.
“You lied to us,” she whispers, still crying.
“I never lied to you, baby,” I say softly. “I love you. I love both of you and that will never change, but I can’t stay here. This… this isn’t my home p>
“But it could be,” Nolan says desperately. “If you wanted it to, it could be p>
I shake my head. “This is your home with your dad. I need to go to mine p>
Nova looks up at me through tears. “I want it to be your home. I want you to stay with us p>
My heart shatters as I meet her red, swollen eyes.
“I know, my love,” I whisper. “But it can’t p>
She cries harder, soaking my shirt with her tears and this time, Nolan does too.
Their pain is written all over their faces, and I hate myself for being the cause of it, but I know this has to be done. I know staying would only hurt them more in the long run. I love them, heaven knows I do, but this… this is what’s best for all of us.
We talk for a while or maybe they talk, and I listen. They beg. I try to comfort them, but they refuse to hear it because comfort would mean accepting that I’m leaving.
“I’m not going away forever,” I say eventually. “You can visit me anytime p>