Chapter 209
I start reading. My voice is a little shaky at first, but it steadies as the story unfolds. It’s some fantasy adventure about a boy and a dragon. The kind of story that would have lit my imagination on fire as a kid.
At some point, I feel Noah’s gaze on me. It’s not heavy. Not intense. Just there. When I glance over, his eyes focusing on the twins
When I reach the end of the chapter, Nova sighs. “I like the dragon p>
“Of course you do,” Nolan says. “The dragon is cool p>
“What about the boy?” I ask. “He’s brave too p>
“He’s okay,” Nova decides. “But the dragon is my favorite p>
“I’ll read the next book,” Noah says, taking the book from my hands.
he looks away,
He doesn’t clear his throat or hesitate. He just starts reading where I left off… And I remember. I remember this voice.
The cadence that used to pull me through late–night study sessions because he’d read my notes out loud when I was too tired to focus. The tone that used to soften when he talked to me about nothing and everything.
He reads the lines with a faint, amused growl that makes the twins giggle. When he voices the girl, there’s something gentle there, something quietly encouraging.
No wonder his kids hang on every word. No wonder my heart feels like it’s folding in on itself. I watch him over the top of Nova’s head. The way his lips shape around the words. The faint line between his brows when the girl in the story is in danger. The tenderness in his eyes when he glances down to check if the twins are following.
He’s so natural like this. So meant for this, yet my baby will never get to experience this with him, and that fucking hurts. 1
He doesn’t look like the cold, distant CEO people see. He looks like the boy I once knew and the man I tried so hard to stop loving. 1
By the time he finishes the chapters, both kids‘ eyelids are heavy.
“Another one,” Nova mumbles.
“No,” he says gently. “You’ll be tired in the
“I’m not tired.” Her words slur.
Nolan rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. “I’m not either,” he says, blinking slowly.
Noah closes the book and sets it aside. “Time to sleep p>
Nova shifts closer to me, hooking her arm through mine. Nolan slides his hand onto Noah’s forearm. Then, as if he can’t help it, Nolan’s fingers drift, reaching across the small gap between us. They find my wrist. He curls his hand around it loosely and I look down, surprised.
He keeps his eyes shut, voice small. “Stay until we fall asleep p>
The words are a whisper.
“Please,” he adds, softer.
I glance up and Noah is watching me. His expression is… I don’t know. I can’t read it. There’s something there I’ve never seen before.
He doesn’t say no. He doesn’t say anything. He just nods once.
I swallow hard. “Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll stay p>
We fall into a quiet that feels more sacred than any silence I’ve ever sat in.
Nova’s breathing evens out first, her small body heavy against my side. Nolan holds my wrist a little tighter, like he’s making sure I won’t slip away while he sleeps.
On the other side of the bed, I see Noah’s hand resting on Nolan’s leg, thumb brushing back and forth in slow, soothing strokes he probably doesn’t realize he’s doing.
Minutes stretch. The twins‘ breaths slip into that deep, steady rhythm that only comes with real sleep.
I gaze at them and something uncoils inside me. A soft, terrifying, fragile feeling that feels like longing.
It feels like I’ve stepped into a life that could have been mine in another timeline. Like I’m playing a role I was born for but never allowed to claim… and it makes my heart swell and ache at the same time.
I finally look up. Noah is watching me again. We hold each other’s gaze for a few seconds before pulling my gaze away
“Thank you,” he says suddenly.
I blink. “For what p>
“For coming.” His gaze stays ahead on the twins. “They haven’t been this excited about anything in a long time. It’s great to see them this happy p>
I swallow. “I didn’t mind at all. They are amazing kids… I- They are easy to love p>
I stop myself just in time before I could say that I love them.
He glances at me then, “They care about you… more than I’ve seen them care for anyone p>
I don’t know what to say, but my heart warms at that. They love me and I love them just as much.
“Goodnight, Sierra.” Noah tells me after I stay quiet for too long.
“Goodnight, Noah p>
I watch him for a breath longer, then I slip out of the room.