The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

It’s subtle, barely noticeable to anyone else, but I feel it. The quiet inhale he takes. The way his arm pauses in midair for half a second longer than it should. Almost like the jolt hit him too.

My heart stumbles painfully in my chest, and suddenly the kitchen feels too small, too warm, and too charged.

Noah moves away first. He slowly pulls his arm back before setting Nova’s plate down with a heavy exhale. He grabs a third plate, stacks pancakes on it, and then moves toward me again.

He holds the plate out.

“I’m okay,” I say quickly, lifting my hands. “I’ll eat after my walk.”

He frowns. “You should eat something.”

“I will,” I insist. “Just not right now.”

Nolan looks between us. “Why don’t you want pancakes? Dad makes the best pancakes.”

“I just want to eat after my walk,” I repeat gently.

Nova leans into me. “Can you stay with us until we finish?”

I hesitate. My eyes instinctively flick to Noah. He’s watching me, his eyes glued to me, but he doesn’t say

anything. Just watches me in that intrusive way.

“Please,” Nolan adds.

I don’t want to stay. I don’t want this awkward, tight, strange atmosphere. And I sure as hell don’t want to sit here pretending everything is normal.

But I also can’t say no to Nova’s hopeful eyes.

“Okay,” I say softly. “I can stay for a bit.”

Nova beams. Nolan grins and I sit between them while they eat.

Noah leans against the counter, one ankle crossed over the other, sipping his coffee in silence. He doesn’t join in the conversation, but he responds when the kids try to pull him in.

His voice is low and he looks detached and maybe disinterested but every time I glance at him, without meaning to, I find his eyes already on me… And each time, I look away first. I hate the way it makes something in my

stomach twist.

The kids finish breakfast and jump down from their chairs. Nolan grabs his bag and Nova gives me a tight hug, nearly squeezing the air out of me.

“See you later!”

“Have a great day, you two,” I murmur.

Noah rounds the counter and gives them each a hug. I stand awkwardly behind, unsure whether I should slip out now or wait. The twins call out goodbye again, and then they dash out of the kitchen.

He stands there for a while and doesn’t move, his back facing me.

I turn, desperate for air but as I’m about to leave, he moves slightly.

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Chapter 181

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“Sierra-”

I stop and slowly face him.

He looks like he wants to say something but the moment our eyes meet, he freezes. His jaw clenches and his hand twitches at his side.

“…Never mind.”

Something deflates in his eyes, and he looks away before taking a slow sip of coffee.

I swallow before whispering. “Okay,”

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