Chapter 84
By the time I pull into the driveway, my mind is still no clearer than it was when I left Sierra’s place. I’ve been running in circles all day, trying to understand what the hell came over me. To understand why I drove there, why I needed to see her with my own eyes. None of it adds up. Every excuse I tell myself falls flat.
I shouldn’t care and I don’t care. So why did I do what I did?
I’ve asked myself that question a thousand times, but each time I come up empty.
Sighing for what feels like the millionth time, I cut the engine and get into my house, drained as fuck.
The moment I step into the house, I’m met with the sound of pencils scratching against paper and the low humn of voices. The twins are spread across the living room floor, books and crayons scattered around them like treasure,
“Daddy!” they both yell when they see me.
In an instant, I’ve got two small bodies launching at me. They hit me hard enough that I have to steady myself, and despite the weight in my chest, I find myself smiling. Their joy is a eases the storm inside my chest.
“You’re home!” Nova says, clinging to my leg.
“We have so much to tell you!” Nolan adds, tugging on my sleeve.
They fire questions at me before I can even take off my shoes–about dinner, about Sierra, about when they can see her again.
“Can we see her, please?” Nova asks, her eyes shining. “She was so nice p>
Nolan nods furiously. “Yeah, she was so cool. We’ve agreed with Nova that we’d like to see her p>
Unlike his sister, Nolan isn’t asking for permission. No. He’s informing me how things were going to go.
It’s uncanny how similar he is to my dad. So many people say he’s a mini–me, but in all honesty, I see a lot of my dad in him. 1
I clear my throat. “That dinner was a one–time thing. You won’t be seeing Sierra again p>
And not just because I don’t like her. I don’t want them tangled up with her. She already has my family wrapped around her little finger. I’ll be damned if she does the same with my kids.
They both frown, identical stubbornness settling over their faces.
“That’s not fair,” Nova protests. “We like her p>
“And she’s family,” Nolan adds. “She’s Aunt Sierra p>
The words punch something in me I don’t want to acknowledge. I shake my head, hard. “It’s complicated p>
“So what?” Nova crosses her arms. “It doesn’t matter. We want to see her again and bring her gifts for the baby p>
Before I can argue further, the sharp click of heels cuts through the moment. Brook steps into the living room, arms folded tight across her chest. Her face is a mask of irritation, lips pressed thin as she glares at the twins.
“What’s this I’m hearing?” she demands. “You two want to see Sierra p>
“You know Aunt Sierra?” Nolan asks, surprised. “Then why haven’t you ever taken us to her p>
Brook stiffens. “Because… it’s complicated p>
Nova huffs in irritation. “You and dad keep saying that, but it’s not complicated at all p>
“Exactly!” Nolan joins his sister. “We want to see Aunt Sterra, and one of you is going to make it happen p>
Just like Dad. The stubborn tilt of his jaw that tells me he isn’t going to budge, and the authority in his voice. He’s going to make a great CEO one day.
Brook’s jaw tightens. “Absolutely not p>
The twins ask in unison. “Why not p>
“Because,” Brook snaps, her voice rising, “she’s not good for you p>
The twins falter for a second, then double down.
“She is, and we like her, and that’s all that matters,” Nova mutters, chin jutting out. 1
Brook grits her teeth. “As long as I’m here, you’re not seeing her again p>
The kids bristle.
“We will see about that!” Nolan fires back. “We want Aunt Sierra and we will see her. We always get what we want, Aunt Brook.” 2
Fire blazes in Brook’s eyes. She goes to say something, but I step in before it turns into a full–blown screaming match.
“Enough,” I say firmly. I crouch down to their level, softening my voice. “First of all, you will respect your aunt, am I clear p>
“Yes,” they mumble, reluctantly.
“What about Aunt Sierra? We still want to see her,” Nolan presses.
I sigh, “I’ll think about it, okay? But right now, you’ve got homework to finish p>
It’s not a yes, and it’s not a no either, but it’s good enough for them. They exchange glances, then race off toward their rooms, leaving me alone with Brook.
The silence stretches for a beat before she turns on me. “Why are you letting them think they’ll see her again?” she hisses.
“What was I supposed to do?” I shoot back. “Tell them no and watch them scream the house down p>
“You never should’ve let them get attached in the first place!” she snaps. “Why did you let them meet her p>
My blood starts to boil. “Don’t you dare put this on me. You’re the one who lied, Brook. You’re the reason that dinner happened in the first place p>
Her nostrils flare. “I was trying to p>
“To what? Manipulate me?” I laugh, bitter and sharp. “This happened because of your fucking schemes. If you hadn’t meddled, I wouldn’t have reacted the way I did. My parents wouldn’t have demanded that apology dinner. This? All of it? It’s on you p>
Her face twists, frustration giving way to venom. “Chloe wouldn’t want the twins near her p>
I freeze.
Chloe again. Always Chloe. Why does it feel like every time Brook doesn’t get her way, she drags Chloe’s name into it like a free pass? +
“You know she wouldn’t want Sierra near the kids, so why are you letting her, Noah?” Brook’s voice is sharp, disappointment etched into every line of her face.
She doesn’t wait for my answer. She just spins on her heel and storms down the hall, her heels clacking against the floor like gunshots.
I freeze, the words hitting me square in the chest, knocking the air out of me. But beneath the sting, something nags at me. Something doesn’t add up.
When Chloe was alive, she told me more than once that she wanted Sierra to be part of the twins‘ lives. She wanted them to know their aunt. Sierra was the one who pulled away, not Chloe.
So why would Brook say this? Why claim Chloe didn’t want Sierra around the kids when I know damn well she did?
I stay rooted in place long after she’s gone. Brook’s words collide with Sierra’s, clashing in my head until doubt twists like a knife in my chest.
Sierra swore Chloe cut her off. That she wasn’t allowed near the twins because of me. I’d dismissed it as another one of her lies. But if Chloe did want Sierra involved, then why does Brook insist otherwise?
My hand drags over my face as I sink onto the couch, heart pounding.
Could Sierra have been telling the truth? And if she was… then what else have I been wrong about?
Evelyn M.M
Author
Hi Loves, just wanted to say thank you for all the birthday wishes, it honestly warms my heart. Thank you so much for the love. It means a lot to me… I’ve also read about your concerns, and I promise I’ll try to address them. You are my readers, and I do value you and your opinions… Thank you once again, and see you in the next chapter. Stay safe and take ca