LOGINâWhy wouldnât they want you back?â Lilly scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. âTheyâd be idiots to let your talent go and besides, with that million-dollar compensation, youâre set for a while. You donât have to rush back to work.ââYouâre right.â I smile faintly. âEspecially now with the baby so close
SIERRA.I run my fingers gently through Nolanâs soft hair as he sleeps across my lap. Heâs completely knocked out after Aunt Ava gave him some medicine for a stomach ache.He refused to sleep anywhere else and insisted heâd be most comfortable on my lap even after I told him my bump would get in the
The pain is consuming watching her now while knowing Iâm the reason she once looked hollow⌠itâs unbearable.âFuck,â I mutter under my breath, gripping the glass so tightly it digs into my palm.I used to think it was her loss... That hurting me and losing me was her punishment... And I clung to tha
When I pulled back, I scanned the bleachers smug and proud and thatâs when I saw Sierra sitting there, frozen.Lillyâs hand wrapped tightly around hers as tears slid down her cheeks silently as she watched me celebrate with someone else.I remember that look. The look of someone who had been broken,
NOAH.I stand at the far end of the backyard, a glass hanging loosely from my fingers as my eyes lock onto Sierra.The garden is strung with warm lights, laughter floating through the air as family and close friends mingle.This is a little celebration her mother arranged to celebrate Sierra winning
Jocelynâs attorney stands. âObjection. There is no proof that this dinner had anything to do with proprietary information.âKerry turns slightly toward him. âYouâre correct, counsel. A dinner alone proves nothing.âShe clicks again and the screen changes.âWhich is why we obtained the corresponding
âI donât need him, and the baby doesnât either,â I say, the words building strength. âI could ask for a transfer. Start fresh. You can come visit⌠but Noah doesnât need to be in our lives.âLilly stares at me like Iâve lost my mind, and maybe to some extent I have, but this seems like the best cours
My phone buzzes against the dresser as Iâm fastening the small clasp on my bracelet.âAre you at the hospital yet?â Momâs voice is bright, brimming with that warm excitement that always gives her away.âNot yet,â I say, slipping my bag over my shoulder. âIâm just getting ready to leave.âI can almos
Pregnant.That damn word keeps replaying in my head like a bad orchestra at the start of a horror film.Why? Why now?I thought I was finally done with Noah. That Iâd never have to deal with or see him. That what happened a month ago was a one-time mistake Iâd never have to face again. So, what the
Itâs even worse for him because no one saw it coming. No one predicted it. One minute she was okay and the next she was gone. He never had time to prepare. To process her illness or her death. I doubt he ever accepted death.âYou havenât told me why you are here,â he says as he pushes away from me,







