Chapter 437
Lilly has been pacing back and forth across the living room for almost ten minutes now, her arms folded tightly across her chest while she continues lecturing me like I’m a reckless teenager instead of a grown woman.
She’s been at it since Noah dropped me two hours ago and then called and asked her to come and talk some sense into me so that I don’t do something foolish again.
“What you did this morning was insane, Sierra,” she says for what feels like the hundredth time. “Do you know how easily that could have gone wrong p>
I barely react from where I’m sitting on the couch because, honestly, only half my attention is on her.
My mind is still stuck on everything that happened at the house. The man said that he had been trailing me since I came back from abroad and he had been waiting for the perfect time. He also said that the shooting at my house was his doing.
I get all of that, but something about the whole thing doesn’t make any sense.
If Noah’s rival really is behind all this and wants Noah to cooperate, then why would they suddenly try to kill me? Wouldn’t I be more useful alive? Wouldn’t keeping me alive give them even more leverage over him?
Unless… Unless Brook is the one behind this.
That explanation makes more sense than anything else right now. As long as Noah’s rival still has Val, he still holds all the power he needs over Noah. He doesn’t really need me anymore, which means Brook is free to finally get rid of me.
I think about it more, but even that doesn’t feel fully right. Something about this entire situation keeps bothering me. I feel like I’m missing something important, like there’s a piece of the puzzle sitting right in front of me and I just can’t see it no matter how hard I try.
“Sierra.” Lilly suddenly appears directly in front of me and snaps her fingers near my face. “Are you even listening to me p>
I sigh honestly. “Not really p>
Her mouth falls open in outrage. “Seriously? And you even have the audacity to tell me that p>
I nod shamelessly, because there really isn’t any need to lie. I’m too wound tight and I have too many thoughts running in my head to even pretend that I’m paying attention.
Lilly throws her hands up dramatically. “Wow. Just Wow… Here I am trying to impart knowledge and your mind is busy somewhere else p>
Before I can explain what I’ve been thinking about, my phone suddenly rings, with Rose’s name flashing across the screen.
“Hey, Rose.” I answer immediately.
“Hi,” she says warmly before letting out a small laugh. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything p>
I glance at Lilly, who narrows her eyes suspiciously at my sudden smile.
“No, not at all p>
Rose is quiet for a second before speaking again. “I’ve been thinking a lot about your offer p>
“And?” I ask carefully, my heart beating so fast I can feel it against my chest.
“And I’m in p>
For a second, I genuinely freeze before her words finally register and then excitement crashes through me.
“Really?” I jump to my feet.
Rose laughs softly at my reaction. “Really p>
“Oh my God,” I breathe, suddenly grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. “Rose, you have no idea how happy that makes me p>
“I have a feeling I do. I can hear it in your voice” she says laughing, but I can also hear her excitement.
Relief and excitement flood through me all at once because this is finally happening. This thing that’s only existed inside my head is slowly starting to become real.
“You won’t regret this. I promise you that,” I tell her immediately.
“I know,” she replies confidently before adding, “Also, Calvin and Benji agreed too p>
My eyes widen even more, “Seriously p>
To be honest, I was worried, because I knew I was asking them to take a risk with me. Why would they do that when they already had a stable job that paid them well?
Rose laughs again. “They’ll probably call you themselves later, but yeah, they’re joining too p>
I press my hand against my chest, completely overwhelmed now. I’ll have my team with me. The people I trust. The people I’ve worked beside… That is more than I could ask for.
The thought of building something with them makes excitement bloom inside me so powerfully that for the first time in months, something other than grief takes center stage in my chest.
“I’m submitting my resignation today, and in a month, I’ll be free,” Rose continues.
I immediately nod even though she can’t see me. “Then I’ll start preparing contracts p>
We talk a little longer before we finally hang up. The second the call ends, I practically throw myself at Lilly. She catches me with a startled laugh as I hug her tightly.
“They all agreed to be part of my team,” I tell her excitedly.
Lilly immediately hugs me back just as tightly. “I’m so happy for you p>