The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 294

ADRIAN.

I walk into the private whiskey lounge after dropping Sierra at home, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still riding that high, especially when I remember her beautiful smile.

This has been our favorite place for years. Inside, warm amber light washes over dark mahogany walls and deep leather armchairs are arranged in small clusters.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves display rare whiskeys in crystal decanters that catch the glow like liquid gold, while a faint trace of cigar smoke lingers in the air, blending with polished wood and aged leather.

Low jazz hums in the background, conversations stay measured and private, and waiters move with efficiency.

I immediately spot Noah and move easily towards him.

“I thought you quit," I tell him as I sit down.

Immediately, a waiter comes and takes my drink order.

"Yeah," he rasps after the waiter leaves, “But today I just need to take the fucking edge off.”

“What happened?”

Looking at him, he seems lost. Like someone whose world just came crashing down.

The last time I saw him like this was after Chloe’s death. For months, hell, for a whole fucking year, he lived like a lifeless zombie.

He stares at a spot on the table, his lips pressed into a thin line, a cigar dangling from between his fingers.

“Noah…” I call.

He lifts his head and there’s a barrage of emotions in his eyes I’ve never seen before with regret sitting at the top

Before he can answer, Gunner drops on the seat next to me.

“Who died?” he asks, staring between me and Noah.

“No one.”

He tips his head, gesturing at Noah, “Then why does he look like his world just collapsed?”

I shrug. “Just got here.”

Noah clenches his fists into tight balls, his jaw so tight I fear it might break.

Gunner doesn’t move; “Chloe was pulling strings. She knew exactly what to say. Exactly when to cry. Exactly how to make you choose her over and over again.”

Noah’s breathing turns uneven, almost like the truth was crashing him from inside.

He turns to me. “Do you also think the same?”

I take a sip of my drink and stare at him for a while before answering.

“I’m not gonna lie Noah, but I tolerated Chloe for your sake... I never did like her.”

The words land heavy.

Noah and I met when the twins were about two years old, and we’ve been friends since then. I was there for birthdays, barbecues and Sunday dinners, but I didn’t interact with Chloe much. I kept my distance while watching Noah orbit her like she was the damn sun.

“She never liked you much either,” Noah mutters.

I shrug. “Didn’t need her to.”