ANMELDENI don’t know why I never noticed it before. Maybe I didn’t want to notice.They give Brook the respect she’s owed as Chloe’s sister, but that’s it. Nothing more. I’ve never seen them play with her, or talk to her the way they talk to my sisters, or laugh the way they do with Sierra.And the more I t
I close Sierra’s door behind me, but the truth of her words sticks to me like smoke.I don’t want to be involved with the baby, but she shouldn’t be worrying about any of this. She should be resting, healing, and focusing on staying healthy, not drowning in stress because of my mess, my inability to
I swallow hard, trying to force down the chaos twisting in my chest.“Just stay,” I murmur, the words rougher than I intend. “Okay?”She lets out a hollow, humorless laugh that slices straight through me. “Why should I, Noah?” Her voice shakes, but not from fear—from being done. “None of this is hea
I’m still vibrating with anger when I reach the hallway. Anger at Brook’s lies, at myself, at Chloe for dying, and at the whole fucking situation. I’m so angry it almost feels suffocating.That first time, I thought that maybe it was a one-time thing. I thought that maybe it was the shock of finding
Her mouth opens, but no words come. Shock floods her face and for once, she doesn’t know what to say.“Noah,” she breathes, voice trembling. “You’re actually defending her?”“I’m telling you to stop,” I say, my tone low but steady. “I will not tolerate any more lies, Brook. And I won’t let you disre
The space falls silent after Sierra leaves. Her words still echo in my head, her defiance lingering in the air long after her footsteps fade down the hall.The way she looked at me. She wasn’t asking for protection. She wasn’t pleading. She was asserting her power, finally forcing me to accept that







