Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

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The cashier swiped the card for the remaining balance and handed it back to Grayson, her cheeks faintly pink.

This is the boss’s friend, visiting for the first time. He’s so handsome. She barely dared to look Grayson in the eye, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.

Grayson took the card back without comment and glanced at Rhys. “I’m leaving.”

“Don’t go yet,” Rhys protested. “Colton’s on his way. Let’s grab lunch together.”

Grayson offered no reply, instead walking toward the exit.

Rhys turned to the staff member who had handled the sale. “Give me that girl’s ID.”

The employee quickly found Eloise’s identification card and passed it to him.

Rhys took it, studying the small photo. “Eloise Caldwell.” He was bit lost in thought. ‘So that’s her name.

He and his friends all knew Grayson had dated someone seriously about five years ago and had gotten dumped. But Grayson had never shared the woman’s name. Rhys had no idea that this Eloise was that girl.

“What are you looking at?” Colton’s voice sounded as he walked in.

Rhys’s face lit up with gossipy excitement. He passed the ID over “Check this out. Pretty, right?”

The photo on Eloise’s ID was from five years ago, showing a younger, slightly more innocent face.

“She’s even better looking in person,” Rhys added.

Colton looked at the photo. “Not bad. A hundred times better than your usual type.”

Rhys snatched the ID back, grinning. “She’s not for me, dumbass Grayson’s the one who’s interested.”

“What?” Colton was stunned.

Rhys quickly filled him in on the whole bizarre car–buying subsily.

Colton fell silent for a moment, piecing it together. “No wonder he’s been so distracted lately. So he’s got his eye on this girl.”

“Exactly.” Rhys nodded vigorously. “And it looks like he hasn’t we her over yet. If he had, he’d just buy her the car outright. No need for this whole ‘secret price drop‘ charade.”

“A girl buying a used car… probably means her family’s circumstances are modest,” Colton observed.

“Yeah, Rhys agreed. “Definitely different from the women usually in our circle. Seems very down–to–earth

A sudden thought struck Colton. “Hey, you don’t think Grayson pulling the poor guy act with her again, do you?”

Rhys could only shrug, a complicated expression on his face.

**

Eloise had originally planned a cozy dinner at home with Juliet She was on her way home when her phone rang.

“Eloise, something just came up,” Juliette’s voice came through,unding genuinely apologetic. “I can’t make it for dinner tonight.”

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Chapter 11

“That’s okay.” Eloise said. “Come over tomorrow instead. I’ll cook

“Sounds perfect. I love your cooking,” Juliette chirped before hanging up.

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Eloise drove the new SUV back to her apartment complex and found a temporary parking spot. She’d need to get the official license plate sorted before she could rent a permanent space.

Back in the apartment, she whipped up a simple lunch for two.

At the dining table, Eloise glanced at Noah, who had been unusually quiet since they returned.

About Grayson, Eloise thought she owed Noah an explanation. Noah had seen pictures. He knew that man was his father.

After lunch, Eloise washed the dishes, gathering her courage. She sat down next to Noah on the sofa. “Noah, I told a lie today. Are you upset with me?”

Noah looked up, his eyes clear and understanding. “No.”

A wave of bittersweet emotion washed over Eloise. ‘My boy is far too mature for his age.

She said softly, “Noah, that man… he really is your daddy.”

“I know,” Noah said simply. “He looks just like the person in the pictures on your phone.”

Eloise said, “Noah, I’m sorry. I promised I’d find your daddy so we could be a family together, and now I’m breaking that promise.”

When she first learned of Grayson’s true identity, a part of her had still wanted to try. But his words had extinguished that hope.

She supposed if she told him now that Noah was their son, he’d only see it as a calculated move, using their child as a stepping stone.

Two likely outcomes played in her mind. One, Grayson might reluctantly be with her because of Noah, but he’d always resent her.

They’d never be happy, and Noah would grow up in that tense environment. That was worse than it just being the two of them.

Two, Grayson could try to take Noah away from her. The very thought made her blood run cold. Noah was hers, and that was her very belief.

Eloise had never had a father’s love. As for a mother’s love, she’d once hoped for it. Romantic love felt uncertain at best. But her son was her anchor.

She had thought about going back to Ucrevine with Noah. But hiding a good job there wouldn’t be easy, let alone one as stable as her current position. She wanted to provide Noah with secure life.

Ekloland was a massive city, she believed her path wouldn’t cross with Grayson’s often.

Eloise wondered, ‘He hasn’t looked for me in five years. To him, ur past is probably just a minor footnote. He will marry someday and have other children. He’ll never suspect Noah is h right?

Until I have a better plan, this is how it has to be. Right now, survival and stability matter more than unresolved feelings. The only person I’m truly failing is Noah

As if sensing her deep sadness, Noah leaned into her, wrapping as small arms around her waist. “It’s okay. Mommy. I have you. That’s enough.”

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Chapter II

A sob caught in Eloise’s throat. “Don’t you want to know why, Noh?”

“I know you have your reasons,” he said, his voice muffled against her shirt. “It’s okay. I don’t need a daddy.”

That broke Eloise completely. ‘How could he not need a father?‘

She knew, better than anyone, how much he had wanted to find Grayson. “Noah…”

“Don’t cry, Mommy. You still have me,” Noah said.

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