Chapter 251
SIERRA.
The drive to my mom’s place is quiet. I’m in an Uber since the insurance company is still processing my claim, which, by the way, makes no sense. Why are they painfully slow when it comes to payouts but lightning-fast when it’s time to remind you to renew your insurance?
I lean my head against the window, watching buildings blur past, and for the first time in a long while, I feel exposed.
There are No security gates. No driver who already knows where I’m going. No one opening doors, carrying bags, or checking in to make sure I’m comfortable.
There is no being tended to. No life where everything is handled before I even think to ask. There is no luxury wrapped so tightly around daily life that it became invisible.
I didn’t realize how used I’d become to Noah’s world until it was gone. Now I’m back in the real world. Uber rides. Waiting. Doing things myself. It shouldn’t feel strange but it does.
My bed last night felt wrong. Too firm in some places, too soft in others. I tossed and turned for hours, unable to find the comfort I’d somehow grown used to. I hadn’t slept in my own bed for weeks, and the absence of familiar sounds; the twins laughing down the hall, small footsteps padding toward my room, made the silence unbearable.
They always came to say goodbye before school and always stopped by my room first when they got home.
Last night, there was nothing. Just me and Blackie.
I rub my belly slowly, my palm warm against the curve beneath my baggy T-shirt.
“It’s just you and me now,” I whisper. “And we’ll be fine p>
“Did you say something, miss?” the Uber driver asks.
I shake my head. “No p>
He nods, and I sink back into my thoughts.
Unless I get married, it’ll always be just the two of us, and that has to be enough.
My phone vibrates, and when I check it, it’s an unknown number.
I frown, then answer. “Hello p>
“Sierra p>
The sound hits me like a punch to the chest. Fuck. It’s only been a day, and I already missed their voices.
I laugh, breathless. “Oh my God. Hey, my loves p>
“Hey, Sierra!” they say at the same time.
“Not that I mind,” I say, smiling despite myself, “but how are you calling me p>
“Daddy bought us a phone!” Nova shouts excitedly. “So we can call you whenever we want p>
Nolan’s voice follows, calmer, but just as eager. “We have to share it, though. Dad didn’t want us to have phones yet p>
“But we’re okay with that,” Nova adds quickly, “as long as we can talk to you p>
Tears sting my eyes. It’s only been one day, but it feels like a lifetime since I talked to them.
“I’m so glad you called,” I say, my voice thick. “I missed you both so much p>
“We missed you more,” Nova declares.
“How are you?” I ask. “Did you just come from school p>
“Yes,” Nolan answers. “We wanted to hear your voice p>
My chest aches in the best and worst way. “I’m really glad you did p>
Just hearing them settles something inside me. Something that has felt missing since I left yesterday.
There’s a pause, then Nova blurts, “When can we visit you p>
I smile softly. “If it’s okay with your dad, maybe this weekend p>
Nova screeches so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear or else I’ll get permanent damage.
“We thought we had to wait forever!” Nolan says.
I laugh through my tears. “No. Not forever p>
Nova goes quiet, then, softly, “I’m sorry p>
“For what, sweetheart p>
“For hitting and shouting at you yesterday,” she says, her voice small. “I was angry. I thought you didn’t love us anymore p>
My breath catches.
“Oh, Nova,” I say gently. “That’s not true. I love you both so much. I just couldn’t stay there anymore. It wasn’t my home p>
A beat.
“If it were your home,” Nolan says slowly, “would you stay p>
I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “It isn’t p>