Chapter 157
The card is heavier than I expect when I pick it up, or maybe it’s just my overthinking brain.
My fingers are trembling from a tremor that roots itself in the base of my skull and spreads out like a warning.
I push the other cards aside with the heel of my palm as if I can shove the unease away. There are so many, but how did I not see this one before? It stands out, yet I didn’t notice it.
I remember two of the bodyguards were ordered to bring everything from the hospital, but after the conversation with Noah, I was too tired to focus on anything. I fell asleep immediately they closed the door behind them.
My thumb traces the gold script on the black card before I force myself to read it. The letters are neat, the kind of font someone uses when they want something to look both expensive and elegant.
ENJOY YOUR TIME WHILE YOU STILL CAN, SIERRA. NEXT TIME YOU WON’T BE SO LUCKY
The words blur as my eyes sting. For a second I can’t breathe properly; the room seems to tilt. My heart hammers so loud I can hear it in my ears, and a sweaty, animal fear slips under my skin. I flop on the futon; the card clutched like a splintered heart between my fingers.
Who sent this and how did it get here? I go through the list. I go through my memories of yesterday. The hospital, drive home, my house, Noah’s house, then back to the hospital again.
Was it left with the other cards at the ward? Did someone manage to sneak into my room at the hospital again? Or was it left at the nurse station to be delivered to my room?
Did someone manage to break into Noah’s house? But that seems impossible… Or, my stomach drops, the possibility I’ve been trying to dismiss all along: Brook.
It’s too perfect and too much of a coincidence. Brook’s bitterness, her venom and her reaction yesterday is a tell- tale sign. She’s the only one who wanted me gone so badly that she could make a prayer out of it.
She stormed out, furious, sure, but who else would have motive and access within these hours? My mind spins, but each thought ties itself tighter around Brook’s name.
I should call the police. I should show this to Noah… but I am completely paralyzed by fear. The note. That wasn’t just a threat. It was a warning. A promise that next time failure wasn’t an option.
My fingers close around the card so tightly, it crumbles. Before I can tear it into pieces, I ease my fingers. This is evidence, one that I can’t simply destroy
A sound at the door pulls me from thoughts of what I should do. The door slams open and Chloe storms in like a thunderclap: hair immaculate, blouse ironed, eyes burning with vicious hatred. 3
“You don’t belong here. You’re not welcomed here” she spits, every word a small, purposeful blow. “So do us all a fucking favor and leave p>
I stand, the card slipping to my feet unnoticed. My arm ache’s but adrenaline roars louder.
“Why would I leave?” I ask, my voice steadier than I feel. “This is Noah’s house, not yours Brook. He invited me, so you don’t get to call the shots”
Her laugh is a short, disgusted sound. “Invited? You think he invited you? He’s doing all this because you made him feel sorry for you But you don’t belong here. You don’t belong anywhere in his life p>
“Then make him kick me out,” I say. “I’ll leave when he asks me to p>
My chest tightens, but I can’t let her win. I will not let her use her sharp tongue to intimidate me like she has done several times in the past. Whenever she thought I was getting close to Noah, she and Chloe would use the same tricks. They’d feed on my insecurities and when that didn’t work, Brook would resort to threats.
She lashes, and I almost miss her hand as it arcs toward my face. I catch her wrist before it lands before pushing her back. She stumbles but manages to catch herself before she can trip on the ridiculously expensive heels she’s wearing.
“Why do you want me gone so badly?” I ask, watching her reaction. “Is it because you’re afraid Noah will fall for me? Is that it p>
For a bare heartbeat, confusion flashes across her features, like she hadn’t expected me to name the fear she’s started living.
She scoffs, her expression folds into an uglier thing. Something vicious, resentful and self–righteous.
“You think he’ll fall for you?” she spits. “You of all people? Noah would rather die than love you p>
I should be used to it. After all, I’ve heard those words said to me so many times. Even Noah himself has said them to me, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting. It still fucking hurts like a bitch to hear them.