Chapter 220
Sierra.
I stare at Noah’s back as he leaves, still in shock that he actually kicked Brook out. I never thought he would. Never thought I’d live to see the day. I honestly believed he’d remain blind forever.
I hate speaking ill of the dead, but Chloe must be turning in her grave right now.
“You okay?” Lilly asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“I think so,” I reply. “My head hurts a little from the headbutt, but aside from that, I’m okay p>
I still can’t believe I did that, but damn, it felt good, even though the pain was a bitch.
I move to sit down, half smiling, but Lilly grabs my hand and starts dragging me toward the door.
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to stop her, but it’s useless.
She shoots me a look. “I’m taking you out. The twins aren’t home, and let’s be honest, after what that woman just pulled, this place is a little depressing p>
I want to argue, but I don’t. Truth is, after everything that just happened, the last thing I want is to sit around this house with Noah. I need space from him, from this place, and from the chaos swirling in my head.
We reach the car, and thankfully, Brook is already gone. As good as it felt to finally put her in her place, I have zero desire for another confrontation.
Lilly opens the door and we climb in. She peels out of the estate, and the moment we’re past the gates, my shoulders finally start to relax.
“So,” she begins casually, “what happened yesterday? Mom called me asking if you and Noah finally got together p>
I groan inwardly. Damn it, I’d completely forgotten about that whole fiasco with Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan.
“You know nothing is happening between us,” I say. “They just showed up unexpectedly p>
“What happened p>
I tell her everything from the day out with the twins and Noah to coming back to the house and walking straight into his parents.
By the time I finish, my chest feels lighter but the knot in my stomach is still there because no matter how much I try to pretend everything is okay, I still feel like I’m walking on thin ice and this secret is going to blow up in my face one day.
“You know you have to be careful, right?” Lilly says, eyes fixed on the road. “You might’ve fooled Uncle Rowan, but not Aunt Ava. She probably already suspects something p>
I sigh. “You don’t need to tell me twice p>
Aunt Ava is sharp like an eagle’s eye. I’m sure she’s already set things in motion, quietly investigating, piecing things together.
The thought alone makes my heart constrict with panic and guilt. I hate that I have to lie to her. Hate it more than I can put into words but what choice do I have? Tell her the truth? Tell them the truth? And then what?
“What are you thinking about?” Lilly asks, cutting through my spiraling thoughts.
“How disappointed Aunt Ava would be if she ever found out,” I whisper. “Hell, my mom would be devastated if she knew I kept such a huge secret p>
Just imagining it makes my chest ache.
“Have you ever thought of telling them the truth?” Lilly asks. “To hell with what Noah thinks p>
I stay silent, turning the words over in my head, weighing them, feeling their weight settle somewhere deep in my chest.
“Not really p>
“And why is that?” she presses gently. “Why have you never even considered it p>
I stare down at my hands and for some strange reason, they’re shaking.
She’s right. I could’ve said fuck it and told everyone the truth. Noah was against it, but what would he have really done? Sure, he would’ve been furious but that’s all.
I stood my ground about not getting an abortion. I went toe-to-toe with him. Told him to go fuck himself. So why didn’t I do the same with this?
“I don’t know,” I whisper, lifting my gaze from my clenched hands.
I force my fingers to relax, resting them against my thighs.
“I think you do,” Lilly says softly. “You’re just afraid of facing the truth p>
I swallow, my breath catching in my throat, when I start to feel like the space inside the car is closing in on me
She continues, her voice calm but unrelenting. “You went along with what he wanted because you were protecting him p>
“Stop,” I whisper, barely audible.
She doesn’t.
“Unconsciously, you were still putting him first. Still compromising. You didn’t want everyone blaming him. You didn’t want him angry with you and you knew telling the truth would do exactly that.” She glances at me briefly before returning her eyes to the road. “Subconsciously, you’re still that girl who always defended Noah. Still protecting him. Still trying to please him. Still trying to stay on his good side p>