Chapter 214
“Yes,” I mutter, staring past his shoulder at nothing, “But I think something is happening p>
Rowan raises a brow. “Nothing is happening. Everything seemed normal p>
“Seriously, Rowan,” I glare at him. “For a CEO, you’re sharp. But these other things? You fail big time p>
“Ouch,” he says dryly before he attacks my ribs without warning with tickles.
“Stop it,” I wheeze through laughter, writhing in his lap.
“Take it the fuck back,” he demands, grinning.
“Fine! Fine! I take it back p>
He stops, smug, hands sliding back to my waist. “Good. Now explain p>
I exhale shakily, the humor fading into the persistent weight sitting on my chest. “I don’t know if it’s all in my head, but my instincts are screaming and you know I don’t ignore them p>
Rowan nods, his expression sobering.
“The way they reacted,” I continue softly. “Especially Sierra. She looked too nervous… Don’t you remember how she tried sneaking out the minute she saw us p>
His brows draw together slightly.
“And the way she slapped her hand over Nova’s mouth?” I shake my head. “That wasn’t normal embarrassment. That was panic. Like she didn’t want Nova to reaveal something p>
Rowan’s fingers tighten around my hips. “Maybe she was just overwhelmed p>
“Maybe,” I echo, but doubt curls through me again. “Or maybe she and Noah are hiding something, because why did Sierra behave like a child caught doing something wrong p>
He studies me for a beat. “Did the private investigator get back to you p>
I nod slowly. “Yes. But he said he found nothing and in cases like this, that means one of two things: there is nothing to find or someone is covering the tracks so thoroughly he can’t find anything p>
“And you think it’s the second p>
A quiet breath escapes me. “Yes p>
I want to let it go, but I can’t because there is this part of me that believes someone is covering up something, and my best bet is my son being the culprit.
Rowan is silent, absorbing that.
“I just want him to have what we have,” I whisper, my hands sliding up his cheek, brushing lightly. “I know he thinks he was in love with Chloe, but he wasn’t. Not really. Not the way that counts. Not with his whole heart p>
He loved Chloe, I know he did, but not with the kind of love that consumes a man. Not with the kind of love that steals the breath from your lungs and rearranges your entire life.
There was a time I truly believed he’d end up with Sierra. The way he used to look at her when he thought no one was watching… It was the way Rowan looks at me. Like I hung the stars. Like I’m his entire world.
I never understood what happened between him and Sierra. How he swerved so violently away from her and somehow ended up with Chloe instead. But one thing has always been painfully clear: when he chose Chloe, when he married her? he settled. He just doesn’t see it.
“Let him be, my love,” Rowan murmurs, his voice low and warm. “He’ll figure things out when his heart is ready to admit the truth p>
I fall silent, staring over his shoulder at nothing. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m holding too tight to something that isn’t mine to shape. I can’t force destiny into the path I think it should follow. I can’t force two people together just because they’d fit like puzzle pieces. 1
I close my eyes, feeling Rowan’s fingers tracing lazy patterns along the bare skin of my back. It should calm me, and it does, but the unease refuses to fully loosen its grip. Part of me can’t let this go. Part of me needs to know what’s really happening.
I breathe in, then I breathe out, and that’s when the thought hits me so hard I almost fall backward.
Rowan’s hands tighten instinctively. “Ava? What is it?” His voice sharpens with concern.
My pulse spikes and my voice cracks. “I just had a thought, an insane thought… W–what if Sierra is carrying N- Noah’s baby p>
Rowan stares at me. His eyes widen until they’re comically round and then his lips twitch.
He loses it. He bursts into laughter so loud it shakes the damn walls, head thrown back, chest rumbling beneath my hands.
I glare. “What the hell is so funny p>
“You,” he manages between laughs. “Baby, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Noah? As Sierra’s baby’s father? Absolutely not. He is the last man on earth who could be p>
I want to argue because I can picture it, because the twins clearly adore her, because Sierra looked too damn comfortable in his home but he’s right. The world would have to split open for that to be true. Noah and Sierra? After everything? That’s Impossible.
I chuckle weakly. “Yeah… you’re right. It’s impossible p>
“I’m always right.” Rowan’s expression shifts, heat flickers in his eyes as his hands slide down my waist and his smirk turns wicked. “Now, it’s time for you to scream my name p>
I don’t argue. The moment his lips crash onto mine, I forget everything, including that nagging feeling deep down in my soul.