Chapter 173
The space falls silent after Sierra leaves. Her words still echo in my head, her defiance lingering in the air long after her footsteps fade down the hall.
The way she looked at me. She wasn’t asking for protection. She wasn’t pleading. She was asserting her power, finally forcing me to accept that she wasn’t the girl who used to bow down to others and let them trample all over her. T
I glance down at the staircase, at Brook, who was now slowly pushing herself up. And I realize, with an almost frightening clarity, that nothing will be simple again.
Sierra’s door slams a moment later, and the silence that follows feels heavier than any argument.
I exhale sharply, running a hand down my face. My pulse is still racing, my mind still a tangled mess, and my anger? My anger is burning so fiercely it feels almost consuming.
When I finally turn to face Brook, it blows like a wave. “What the hell was that p>
She blinks, startled, as if she doesn’t understand what I’m asking. What is happening. “What do you mean p>
I stare at her, my gaze zeroing in on her. On her reactions. “Are you seriously going to fucking stand there and play stupid? What the fuck was that, Brook p>
Her expression morphs into wounded disbelief. “Didn’t you see? She pushed me p>
I stay silent, watching her even as I try to keep my anger from consuming me.
“She pushed me earlier, Noah! And right now, too. You saw it p>
Even now she’s lying. Have I been that fucking stupid that she believes she can get away with lying? 3
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to breathe before I say something I’ll regret.
“Brook…” My patience is hanging by a thread. “Do you think I’m stupid p>
Her face twists in confusion, then indignation. “What? Of course not p>
“Because that’s exactly how you’re treating me,” I cut in sharply. “You think I’ll just believe whatever you say p>
Funny how one fuck–up, one lie, changes everything. The last time I believed her, I blindly confronted Sierra and it led to a chain reaction that almost unraveled everything. This time I’m not going to make the same fucking mistake.
Her mouth opens, but no words come out. There’s a flicker of panic in her eyes. It’s subtle, almost like she’s trying to push it down, but it’s enough to make my jaw clench.
“Noah, this time I’m not lying,” she insists, her voice trembling. “She really did push me! You saw it p>
“I saw her react, Brook, after you accused her of something she didn’t even do. She looked fed up with your bullshit p>
“I swear p>
“Tell me, if I asked Mrs. Turner about your little story, would she back it up p>
Her eyes dart away, as if she’s afraid I’ll see the lies she’s trying to feed me.
“And if I checked the CCTV footage,” I continue, my voice tightening, “Will it show Sierra pushing you down the stairs p>
That does it. The hesitation is brief, but it’s there. Just enough for me to see the truth in her silence. My stomach knots with disappointment. I thought she’d at least have the decency to look guilty, but all I see is fear that she’s been caught.
“When did you become like this?” I ask quietly. “When did you turn into someone so manipulative? So willing to lie p>
I just can’t fucking understand it. I’ve always known her as sweet, but this version of her? This manipulative version makes me feel like I never really knew her at all.
Brook’s eyes fill with tears, but I can’t tell if they’re real anymore. “Noah, I p>
“Shut it, Brook,” I snap. “I don’t want to fucking hear it p>
She swallows hard, glancing toward the door Sierra left through. “Fine. Maybe I lied before, but this time you saw her do it p>
I snort, a bitter sound, watching as she holds on to straws. “Honestly? I don’t blame her p>
Her eyes widen. “What p>
“I would have done the same fucking thing if I was accused of something I didn’t do p>