Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 204

Chapter 204

William’s arm landed on my shoulder with practiced warmth. “You’re a man now, son. A man who’s going places. I can’t have my star quarterback riding my daughter around on a small motorcycle.”

My pulse spiked. I forced a chuckle that didn’t sound human. That small motorcycle was my most priced possession. Aiden’s gift to me.

He smiled, broad and grand. “So I figured you’d need something more fitting. More secure. More… professional.”

The garage doors hummed open.

And there it was.

A brand-new car-sleek, dark metallic, probably more expensive than my childhood home. The leather interior gleamed under the chandelier lights of the estate, the kind of luxury that didn’t seem real.

For a long moment, I couldn’t speak. My throat went dry.

“1-1 can’t accept this, sir,” I managed. “It’s too much.”

“Nonsense.” William’s grin widened, camera flashes catching in his teeth. “You’ve earned it. And besides, you’ll need something suitable for when you’re representing Groveton-and the Harts.”

Lexie clapped her hands, thrilled. “It’s perfect, Daddy! Isn’t it, Noah?”

I looked at her-at her joy, her innocence-and felt the ground tilt beneath me. “It’s… unbelievable,” I said softly, taking the keys he pressed into my hand.

Dozens of pictures followed-me behind the wheel, Lexie in the passenger seat, her mother waving from the steps. I smiled until my face hurt, played the part until the camera flashes blurred into snowflakes.

The car smelled like leather and betrayal.

When the crowd began to drift back inside, Lexie leaned into me, her voice a melody of excitement. “Come on, take it for a spin!”

I forced a smile and kissed her cheek. “Soon,” I promised. “As soon as we’re done… I have one last gift for you back inside.”

Her eyes lit up. “Another one? Noah Blake, you’re going to spoil me.”

If only she knew.

I was still in a daze as we stepped back into the sitting room, when William caught my eye and gave a small nod. My stomach dropped.

Time.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the last box. The one I’d been ordered to give.

Lexie’s eyes lit up, confused but excited. The chatter around us dimmed, and then, as if on cue, the room transformed. The lights softened to amber. A violinist appeared near the fireplace, bow poised. Someone dimmed the chandelier.

Eleonora gasped. Cameras flashed. The family’s personal photographer stepped forward.

I wanted to disappear.

Lexie turned toward me, breathless. “Noah?”

I forced myself to smile. I could feel everyone watching-William’s pride, her mother’s tears, the gasps and murmurs of the perfect Christmas story unfolding

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6:14 pm P P

Chapter 204

before their eyes.

I dropped to one knee.

Her hands flew to her mouth. The music swelled, strings trembling like my heart.

The ring box snapped open in my shaking hand. Diamonds. Big enough to blind me.

“Lexie Hart,” I said, somehow steady though my throat was closing, “you’ve given me more kindness than I deserve. More light than I knew I could have.” My voice wavered; they’d think it was emotion. “Would you-” I had to stop, swallow. God, forgive me. “Would you marry me?”

Gasps. Tears.

William’s grin was a monument to triumph.

Lexie sobbed and nodded, throwing herself into my arms. Cameras flashed like lightning. Somewhere, someone cheered..

I held her tight, blinking hard as tears spilled down my face. They thought it was joy. Gratitude.

It wasn’t.

It was grief.

Because in that single moment-on my knees, with everyone clapping and cheering, with her arms around my neck-I felt my whole life break apart.

I’d saved Aiden. I’d saved his career, his name, his future.

But mine was gone.

And when she whispered “I love you” into my ear, I whispered it back, because lies were the only thing I had left to give.

6:14 pm

Crossing Lines