Chapter 155
Sierra
I wake up feeling disoriented, like I’ve been dropped into someone else’s dream. The sheets smell different and it takes a few seconds before memory clicks back into place. I’m in Noah’s house.
For a moment, I just lie there, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind wandering back to yesterday and everything that happened.
Of course I didn’t expect anything, but to hear Noah say that I shouldn’t expect him to give me anything else but his protection stung.
I kept my cool even as the words sliced through me. When he told me not to expect him to care for our child, it left me feeling hollow. I knew deep down, but there was always a part of that had hoped… but what he said? Just left this feeling like somehow my baby is lesser than the twins simply because Chloe isn’t the one carrying him.
I won’t lie and say it didn’t fucking hurt. It gutted me from the inside out, but what did I expect from Noah? He’s always hated me, so why would he love my baby?
I sigh. I no longer want to think about it, so I sit up and swing my legs off the bed and stretch, then head toward the bathroom, but a sudden knock on the door stops me mid–step.
I open it to find the same housekeeper from yesterday standing there, with eyes that give away nothing.
“Good morning, Miss Sierra,” she says. Her tone is polite, but there’s a certain restraint there, like she’s measuring every word. “Mr. Wood asked me to let you know when breakfast is ready. He also requested that I give you a tour of the house later since he wasn’t able to do it yesterday p>
Her mention of Noah’s name sends that familiar ache through my heart. I quickly push it away.
“Thank you,” I say. “Would it be alright if I took a shower first p>
“Of course.” She inclines her head slightly. “I’ll be waiting downstairs p>
I wanted to ask about the twins, but I knew they’re at school. There is no way they’d be home on a weekday.
When the door closes, I lean back against it and exhale. She’s not rude, exactly. Just distant. Like Noah. Maybe she also thinks I shouldn’t be here. Maybe she also believes no one can take Chloe’s place. Not that I want to. The last thing I want is to play second fiddle to a ghost.
Again, pushing those thoughts away, I head for the bathroom. The shower feels good. The water hot enough to ease the tension from my muscles. I stay there longer than I should, letting the steam wrap around me, letting myself forget, just for a minute, everything that’s happened. The accident. The hospital. Noah’s cold eyes last night when he said he’d never love the baby. 1
By the time I get out, I feel lighter, even if only on the surface. I towel my hair dry and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My sling makes me look fragile and I hate it.
When I check my small bag, I realize I barely have any clothes. Just one change that Lilly packed for me before I was discharged
I’m about to grab my phone and send a quick text to her when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I grab it, and my heart softens at the name flashing on the screen.
I swipe to answer. “Hey, Mom p>
“Sierra, sweetheart!” Her voice instantly fills the quiet room, warm and frantic all at once. “How are you doing, baby? You didn’t call me back last night. I was worried p>
“I’m okay, Mom,” I lie gently. “Just tired p>
“Well, I’m coming over today. I made your favorite stew. The one with the peas and potatoes p>
Bless her heart. For a moment I lit up, until I remembered that I’m not home.
Panic flares in my chest. “Wait, Mom, you can’t p>
“What do you mean, I can’t? Sierra, I’m your mother. Of course I can p>
I pace the room, gripping the phone tighter. “It’s just that someone broke into my house last night,” I say quickly, the lie tumbling out smoother than I expect. “I’m not staying there right now p>
Fuck! I hate lying to her, but absolutely no one can know that I’m staying with Noah. By his reaction yesterday, nothing has changed
There’s a sharp intake of breath. “What? Oh, my God. Are you alright? Why didn’t you call me? Who was it? Did you call the police p>
“Yes, I’m fine,” I say, forcing calm into my voice. “The police are handling it. It’s nothing serious. But I can’t stay there for now p>
“Then come stay with me,” she insists. “You shouldn’t be alone p>
“I’m not,” I say before I can stop myself.
There’s a beat of silence. “Then where are you p>
“At a friend’s,” I answer.
“Which friend p>
I hesitate. “You don’t know her,” I say quickly. “And I can’t tell you where I am, Mom. The police said with a target on my back, it’s safer if nobody knows where I am or you’ll all be targets too p>
“Mom, how can you say that? I would never put you in danger.” 2
“You’re my daughter,” she says quietly, the tremor in her voice cutting straight through me. “You come first, Si. Always. So what if I’m in danger? You think that would ever stop me from being near you p>