Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

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Two minutes later, the heavy front door of the villa swung inward. Grayson stood framed in the doorway, his tall figure imposing even in simple loungewear.

A short set of steps led up to the entrance. He stood inside, looking down at Eloise for a prolonged moment, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Without a word, he turned and walked back into the house, leaving the door open.

Eloise, accustomed to his mercurial moods by now, stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her.

The grand living room was silent and still. “Mr. Pierce,” Eloise began, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious room. “Where is Noah?”

Grayson paused at the foot of the staircase, glancing back at her. He’s asleep.”

Eloise didn’t thought it mattered. “That’s alright. I’ll wake him. Which room is he in?”

Grayson turned fully, his gaze sharp. “Eloise,” he said, his tone flat. “What’s the point? He’s sleeping soundly. Why the rush to take him away? Is this your way of drawing another line in the sand?”

“I’ve already inconvenienced you for several days,” Eloise replied, keeping her voice polite but firm. “I’d like to take him home now. Mr. Pierce, please show me the way.”

She wondered, ‘As for drawing lines, isn’t that the unspoken agreement between us?‘

Seeing her resolve, Grayson didn’t argue further. He led her upstairs to a guest room. Noah was fast asleep, looking peaceful under the soft glow of a nightlight.

Eloise knelt by the bed and gently brushed his hair. “Noah? Sweetie, wake up. It’s me.”

Noah stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. Seeing Eloise, his face up with sleepy joy, and he immediately reached for her. “M–Aunt Eloise,” he corrected himself quickly, spotting Grayson in the doorway. “You’re back.”

Eloise smiled warmly, gathering him into a hug. She had missed her boy terribly these past few days. “Noah, come home with me, okay?”

Noah nodded against her shoulder. He had missed her too. Staying with Grayson had been interesting, but he belonged with Eloise.

As Eloise began packing Noah’s few things into his small suitcase Noah slipped out of bed and pulled on his jacket. Tm ready, Aunt Eloise,”

Eloise smiled. “Okay, sweetie.”

After a final check to ensure nothing was left behind, she turnedo find Grayson leaning against the doorframe, watching them with unreadable eyes. “Mr. Pierce, thank you again for you help these past few days. Goodbye.”

With that, she took Noah’s hand and headed for the stairs

Noah looked back over his shoulder at Grayson, a flicker of relunce in his eyes. “Goodbye, Mr. Pierce.”

Grayson managed a small, gentle smile. “Let me drive you back he said, his voice softer now. “It’s late. Taxis will be hard to

find.”

He was still angry with Eloise, but the thought of them traveling alone at night made him uneasy

Eloise wanted to refuse, but Grayson had already taken the small suitcase from her hand. “Eloise, consider it me sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. I just don’t like the idea of anything happening to you two at this hour.”

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Chapter 24

Pressing her lips together, Eloise looked down at Noah’s expectant face and swallowed her refusal.

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Grayson didn’t bother to change, driving them in his loungewea After placing Noah’s suitcase in the car, he walked to the front gate and retrieved the larger suitcase Eloise had left there, stowing it in the trunk without comment.

‘How did he even know it was there?‘ Eloise wondered, a mix of annoyance and something else she couldn’t name stirring in her chest. ‘This man is too observant.‘

Noah was buckled into his car seat. Eloise took the passenger sea

No one spoke. Grayson and Eloise were locked in a silent stalemate, and Noah wasn’t a chatterbox. The drive was suffocatingly quiet.

Eloise stole a glance at Grayson’s profile. He looked like he’d swallowed a lemon, his jaw clenched tight.

When they reached the entrance to the Maple Apartments, Eloise got out. Grayson, his face still a mask of displeasure, unbuckled Noah and lifted him out.

Seeing Eloise move to open the trunk, Grayson beat her to it, hauling both suitcases onto the sidewalk.

Eloise looked at him, a complex mix of gratitude and frustration in her eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Pierce.” Despite his temper, his ingrained manners always surfaced.

Grayson didn’t meet her gaze. Instead, he ruffled Noah’s hair. “Get inside now.”

“Thank you for the ride, Mr. Pierce,” Noah said, waving. “Come on, Aunt Eloise, let’s go.”

The mother and son, each pulling a suitcase, walked hand–in–hand through the complex gates, their figures gradually disappearing into the shadows.

Grayson sat in his car, watching until they were completely out of sight before finally driving away.

Back in their apartment, Eloise sent Noah straight to bed. The place was a bit dusty from her absence, but she was too exhausted to clean. A quick shower later, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next day was Sunday, a welcome reprieve from work. Eloise woke up and allowed herself the luxury of lounging in bed for a while. When she finally got up, she cleaned the apartment and made breakfast.

Noah emerged from his room to find the living spotless and the smell of bacon, eggs, and toast filling the air.

A wide grin spread across his face as he ran into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Eloise’s legs. “Mommy, I missed

you so much.”

A warm, tender feeling flooded Eloise’s heart. She set the carton of milk down on the counter and knelt to hug him properly. “I missed you too, my love.”

They had never been apart for so long, and both had felt the absuce acutely

She patted his back. “Alright, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

During breakfast, Eloise looked up from her plate, studying her on “Sweetheart,” she began carefully, “were you… were you happy staying at your dad’s house?”

Noah paused, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth, then gave a mall nod. But he quickly added, Tm happiest living with you, Mommy.”

It sounded like a pledge of loyalty. Eloise’s heart ached with a bittersweet pang.

In a way, Noah’s situation wasn’t so different from children of divorced parents, shuttling between homes.

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Chapter 24

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The fear of him being taken away still haunted her, but she couldn’t bring herself to cut off his connection to Grayson. That would be too cruel.

Failing to give Noah a complete family was already her greatest egret; this was a small compensation. What she never had, she wanted Noah to have, even if it was fragmented.

Eloise had grown up without a father. She understood that yearning.

As a little girl, watching other children being spoiled by their dads, she had longed for one too.

She remembered asking Lorelei once where her father was, only to be met with a harsh, frightening reaction. She never asked again.

Reaching across the table, Eloise took Noah’s small hand in hers Sweetie, if you like your dad, you can call him whenever you want.”

“Mommy…” Noah’s eyes widened, filled with surprise and hope. He had assumed she wouldn’t want him contacting Grayson.

Eloise gave him a soft, reassuring smile. “The truth is, I don’t hate your dad. It’s just that we can’t be together anymore.”

She chose her words with care. “What happened between us doesn’t change how you feel about him. And I will find a way to tell him that you’re his son.”

Noah immediately slid off his chair and threw himself into her arms. “Mommy.”

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