Chapter 439
By the next evening, I’m standing in front of the bathroom mirror trying to do my makeup while my mind spirals in a hundred different directions at once.
The brush moves mechanically across my face, but honestly, I barely even see my reflection. My thoughts keep drifting back to the text I received yesterday, replaying the words over and over again until my head hurts.
I still haven’t told anyone about it, partly because I don’t know what to make of it and partly because I know what they all say, that I shouldn’t trust the person, that it’s probably a trap, but I can’t help but feel that this person is genuinely trying to help me.
I don’t even know who I’m supposed to suspect. I’ve spent almost the entire day mentally going through every single person in my life, trying to figure out who could possibly betray me, but every time I think about it, I end up ruling them all out.
Lilly would never betray me and neither would Mom, Aunt Harper, Aunt Ava, Noah, Gunner, Adrian and the rest of my aunts and uncles, and yet, if the person texting me is telling the truth, then someone close to me is involved somehow.
Maybe it’s a spy, an informant or something. At this point it could be anything and just thinking about it, trying to figure it out sends a wave of frustration through me.
Then there’s the other question eating at me. If it is a spy, then who exactly are the spying for? Brook or Noah’s rival or both?
I exhale sharply before throwing the makeup brush onto the counter in frustration. Trying to untangle this whole mess is driving me insane. All I want is my daughter back so I can finally move on with my life, but instead every answer only seems to lead to more questions.
I move to the bedroom and drop on the bed. One thing I can’t stop thinking about is Elena. Isn’t it strange how the text arrived right after I met with her? Could the person be warning me about her? But then again, I barely know Elena so what beef could she possibly have with me?
My minds then moves to Noah’s rival. I mean, what if Elena is somehow connected to him? I’ve never really seen her husband, but from the cars alone, you can tell the man is seriously loaded… But, but p>
“Ugh!” I scream then jump to my feet.
Nothing makes any sense so why should I give myself a headache? I force myself to stop thinking, at least for the night. Tonight I just want to breathe. I want to go enjoy myself and just forget everything for a couple of hours.
With that in mind, I finish getting dressed, slip on my shoes, and leave my room, heading for the elevator when I find Lilly leaning against the kitchen counter scrolling through her phone.
The second she looks up at me, and immediately her brows pull together, “And where exactly are you going dressed like that p>
I roll my eyes immediately. “I’m meeting a friend, Mom p>
She gasps in mock offense. “Who are you meeting p>
“Juliette.” I answer while grabbing my purse.
Lilly narrows her eyes instantly. “Why was I not invited p>
“Because,” I reply sweetly, “I actually want to enjoy my evening instead of spending the whole night stopping you two from fighting p>
“That’s fucking mean,” She places a hand dramatically over her chest.
“Oh please, we both know you two can’t get along to save your lives p>
“I can’t believe you replaced me as your best friend p>
I snort. “Seriously? Stop being so dramatic p>
“No, seriously,” she continues while following behind me. “Is it because you got tired of me? Or is it because Juliette has money p>
I stop and stare at her. “You’re acting like I’m cheating on you… I’m only meeting her for dinner and a couple of drinks p>
“Because you are cheating on me… I’m your best friend, yet nother woman took you car shopping and now you’re going out for drinks too p>
I burst out laughing. “You’re being ridiculous p>
“No! I’m fighting for us,” she says solemnly.
“You’re acting like a child, Lilly p>
“Well maybe I wouldn’t have to if my best friend stopped abandoning me p>
I sigh. “Seriously Lilly, if you want to come, all you had to do was say so p>
Lilly instantly straightens. “Fine! I do want to come p>
I click, though a smirk spreads across my face. “I knew it… Now go change quickly p>
She narrows her eyes suspiciously at my smug expression before huffing and stomping to her room. Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up outside one of the city’s most upscale Bar and Restaurants.
The second Juliette sees Lilly walking beside in me, she bursts out laughing.
“I knew you’d come,” she says smugly.
Lilly immediately points at her. “Why you p>
Before she can launch herself across the table, I quickly grab her arm and glare at them, “If the two of you don’t behave, I’m leaving both of you here and going home for some much-needed sleep p>
They both stare at me like I’ve completely lost my mind, then slowly, they glance at each other before nodding reluctantly.
“We’ll behave,” Juliette says while Lilly nods in agreement.
Once we’re seated, Juliette calls over a waitress to take our orders. Lilly orders champagne immediately while I ask for a mocktail instead. The second the waitress walks away; Juliette turns toward me curiously.
“Why are you getting a mocktail? Get something stronger p>
“Nope…I still want to breastfeed when Val comes back, so no alcohol for me,” I simply reply.
Juliette blinks before her gaze slowly drops to my chest.
“How do you still have milk? Shouldn’t it be dried up by now?” she asks in complete disbelief.
Lilly immediately snorts loudly beside me. “Oh heavens, you should’ve seen her boobs leaking the other day p>
My eyes widen instantly. “Lilly p>
“It was the weirdest thing,” she continues completely unbothered. “We were literally talking and suddenly, boom, two wet patches on her t-shirt p>
Juliette stares at her in horror, before she turns back to slowly, “Wait… leaked? Like the way a tap leaks p>
“Yes!” Lilly says dramatically. “And don’t even get me started on how huge they got. Sierra used to have tiny boobs before pregnancy and now p>
“Can both of you stop talking about my boobs?” I interject in embarrassment.
Juliette looks completely serious as she shakes her head. “No. This is actually a very fascinating conversation p>
I groan while covering my face. Juliette then suddenly cups her own chest thoughtfully.
“You know,” she says, “I’ve actually been considering a boob job because mine are small too, but surgeries scare me, plus I heard they take months to fully heal p>
Lilly nearly chokes on her drink.
Juliette continues thoughtfully, “Maybe getting pregnant is easier p>
Lilly stares at her in disbelief. “HELLO, have you forgotten the whole pushing-a-baby-out-of-your-vagina part p>
That makes Juliette pause a little before shrugging. “Hm…I could always get a C-section p>
Before either of us can respond, a man in a suit suddenly approaches our suite and I recognize him immediately as the restaurant manager.
“Miss Juliette,” he says politely before turning toward me. “The police are here and are requesting to speak to Miss Sierra p>