Chapter 342
“How could you?” Noah demands, his voice raw. “You knew I was regretting how I treated her. You knew I wanted a chance and you took her from me p>
A humorless laugh leaves me, and I shake my head. “Are you serious right now? I didn’t even know who she was… And I met her when you were still treating her like shit p>
Gunner looks between us, completely lost. “What the hell is going on?” he asks.
Noah lets out a harsh breath. “He’s dating Sierra p>
Gunner freezes. “…What p>
He looks at me, then at Noah, then back at me.
“How the hell is that even possible p>
I shrug, running a hand through my hair. “She came to my clinic for a prenatal checkup… I asked her out and she said yes p>
Gunner blinks. “And you had no idea who she was p>
“Yes,” I snap.
“Bullshit,” Noah cuts in immediately. “We’ve talked about her so many times. There’s no way you didn’t know who she was p>
“Did either of you ever show me her picture?” I shoot back. “Did you ever say her full name p>
They both shut their mouths, looking at each other.
I let out a sharp breath. “That’s what I thought p>
Gunner rubs the back of his neck.
“You only ever referred to her as Si.” I add, “And Noah never ever spoke her name p>
Noah clenches his jaw. “What about tabloids?” he argues. “She’s been in them before p>
Gunner snorts. “Adrian doesn’t read gossip p>
I nod my head. “So how exactly was I supposed to know that ‘Si’ and Sierra were the same person p>
No one answers.
Gunner then looks at me again. “Did she ever mention Noah? Or Lilly? Or the Wood family? Or me p>
I shake my head. “At first, she was guarded but then she started opening up slowly and even then, she never mentioned Noah. Just said her baby daddy hurt her and she didn’t like talking about him… she did mention Lilly but never her last name, so I didn’t think anything of it because there are a million Lillys out there p>
Gunner nods slowly. “That actually makes sense… Sierra’s always been like that. She doesn’t like people knowing about her connection to the Wood family because people try to get close to her for the wrong reasons p>
Silence falls again, then suddenly;
“Oh shit,” Gunner mutters, snapping his fingers. “That’s why your family lawyer was representing her p>
I nod. “Yeah p>
He exhales, shaking his head. “Does she know you’re one of the Whitmore heirs p>
“No p>
Noah laughs, the sound bitter.
I turn to him. “What the hell is so funny p>
He shakes his head. “The fact that you didn’t tell her who you are? What? Did you think she’s a gold digger or something p>
The words hit harder than any punch he threw earlier, but not because of what he was insinuating.
I go still because, fuck, I’m here doubting her and questioning everything about us when I didn’t tell her everything about me.
Gunner looks between us. “So what are you going to do p>
I run a hand over my face and tell him the truth, “I don’t know p>
Noah’s expression darkens. “What you’re going to do is, you’re going to stay away from her p>
My head snaps up. “And why the hell would I do that p>
“Because she’s using you,” he says coldly. “She chose you to get back at me p>
My jaw tightens because Noah is just feeding into the doubt that had started to settle inside me like lead.
“She told me once,” he adds, his voice low and deliberate, “that until I understood what it felt like to watch someone you love be with your friend, I’d never understand her pain… And now look at this. You really think that’s a coincidence? You really think she didn’t know what she was doing p>
The words steal the very air I breathe and l struggle to get myself out of the darkness that threatens to swallow me whole.
“Get the fuck out of my house!” I snap, shooting to my feet and grabbing him by the collar.
“Wait—hold up,” Gunner cuts in quickly. “Sierra is a lot of things, but she is not calculating or manipulative p>
“I’m just saying it how it is,” Noah replies, his tone lazy but his eyes? they’re sharp and calculating and worst of all, he actually believes what he’s saying.
Gunner frowns, shaking his head. “Don’t listen to him, Adrian… I’ve known Sierra since we were kids. She would never do something that despicable p>
I try. I really do. I try to hold on to Gunner’s words like a lifeline but the truth is the doubt has already sunk its claws deep into me.