Chapter 244
I nod. “Yes p>
She studies my face, clearly expecting intimidation, but she doesn’t get it. After being around people like women like Chloe and Brook, I doubt there is a woman on this earth who can intimidate me.
After a beat, she asks, “Do you mind p>
“Please,” I gesture to the chair opposite me.
She sits.
“You don’t look like what I expected,” she says finally.
I tilt my head. “Is that a compliment p>
Her lips curve slightly. “An observation p>
I meet her gaze calmly. “If you need something, you can say it p>
“You don’t seem afraid or threatened by me,” she says.
“Why would I be p>
“Because we both know that I want Noah, and so do you p>
At that, I can’t help but laugh. “Look, I did want Noah, but that was ages ago. I’m not interested in him and my advice? You shouldn’t be too p>
“Is this your strategy?” she asks, her eyes narrowing. “Are you trying to get me to give up on him p>
“I couldn’t care less about what you think or what you want, Juliett,” I say calmly. “But I like to think I’m a girl’s girl, so I’ll give you this one for free p>
Her eyes narrow slightly.
“Leave him alone. That man,” I gesture subtly toward Noah, “is still in love with his dead wife. Do you really want to spend your life competing with a ghost p>
I don’t soften the truth
She stays quiet, and instead of stopping there, for some reason I continue.
“You’re beautiful and successful, and I truly believe you’re a good person,” I say steadily. “You can have any man you want. I’m sure you already have men falling over themselves for you. Men who are ready to love you the way you deserve p>
I hold her gaze, my voice soft but certain.
“As a woman who once loved a man who didn’t love me back, I’ll tell you this for free: choose yourself. Choose the man who loves you wholeheartedly… because Noah Wood will never be that man p>
Adrian’s face immediately flashes in my head.
As the words settle between us, they also settle deep inside my heart. The truth of them sinks to the very depth of my soul and weirdly, I feel like I’m not just talking to her but to myself.
“You’re not like I thought,” she says slowly. “I thought you’d be like Chloe. Using underhanded tactics to seem pitiful when we all know she was a damn viper p>
I laugh, “God forbid… may she rest in peace, but saying I’m like Chloe, is insulting me p>
There is a pause, then she says, “May I have your phone p>
I blink. “My… phone p>
“Yes p>
Confused, I pull it from my clutch and hand it to her.
She turns the screen toward me. The phone unlocks instantly with Face ID.
She types quickly, then hands it back.
“Now you have my number,” she says, standing. “If you ever need anything p>
Before I can ask what the hell just happened, she’s already walking away.
I stare at my phone, my pulse quickening, wondering what happened. I expected a confrontation, but not this, and now I have Juliett Ashthorne’s number in my phone and I don’t know what to think or say.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur.
Dinner is served. Speeches are made. Noah is introduced and applause fills the room as he steps onto the stage, composed and commanding.
By the time it’s over, I’m exhausted, and all I want to do is sleep. Who knew socializing could be so tiring, or maybe it’s just because I’m pregnant.
Lilly finds me and loops her arm through mine. “Ready to go p>
“Desperately p>
Back at the suite, I kick off my heels and groan in pure ecstasy. The feeling is almost similar to when you take off your bra after a long day.
“I’m never wearing heels again,” I mutter.
Lilly laughs and heads for the door when there’s a knock. She opens it, then looks back at me.
“Si. This is for you p>
I approach the door to find an attendant holding a velvet box.
“I’m here to present this to you, Miss p>
“There must be a mistake,” I say. “I didn’t purchase anything p>
“You’re Ms. Sierra Meyers, right p>
I nod, still staring at the box he’s holding in confusion.
He smiles politely. “Then there have been no mistakes. This is for you p>
Before I can protest or ask him to take it back, he hands me the box and leaves.
Slowly, my hands shaking, I open it. The moment I do, my breath catches.
It’s the necklace. The same one I’d admired earlier.
Lilly gasps softly. “I knew it p>
I look at her. “Knew what p>
She smiles knowingly. “I saw Noah purchasing it before the auction even started p>
My stomach twists. Why would he do that? A million-dollar necklace. Is he insane?
“He must have seen you admiring it and bought it,” Lilly adds. “I was to buy it for you for your birthday, but he beat me to it p>
I stare at the necklace, emotions colliding inside me. I still don’t understand why he would buy it for me and that bothers me so fucking much.
I don’t want it. I don’t want anything from Noah, and now I have no idea what to do with this necklace.