The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Sierra.

The screen glare feels like it’s burning holes into my eyes, but I can’t look away. My thumb keeps scrolling, each headline more ridiculous than the last.

“Did you see the way he grabbed her? That girl, poor girl.”

“Exactly what I was thinking; the cameramancaptured it so clearly, she must have been really hurt.”

“I wonder what she did, to make him so angry.”

“Does it matter? Even if she did something to piss him off, he shouldn’t have assaulted her.”

“IKR? I thought Noah was a gentleman, what if we were wrong about him this whole time?

My chest tightens, a mix of anger and disbelief at everything that’s happening. If only Noah had just left me alone, none of this would be happening. Instead, my face is plastered all over gossip blogs, strangers dissecting my life like it’s some twisted game of speculation.

He let Brook poison him, the same way he once let Chloe, and now look at the mess. His name is in the mud, his reputation hanging by a thread.

I saw this coming from a mile away. I knew if he didn’t stay away, the vultures would catch the scent of blood and circle in. The paparazzi live for this kind of kill, and now, thanks to his stubbornness, they’ve got exactly what they wanted.

Now the vultures are feasting, and he has no one to blame but himself. I can’t even take satisfaction in being right, because people are digging into why he was at my workplace.

Then I see one particular post, a thread so absurd it borders on comedy. Apparently, someone is convinced that I must have stolen company secrets and that’s why Noah was so pissed off and hurt me.

I fling my hands into the air, nearly smacking Blackie in the process. She yelps, hops back with wide gives me the most offended glare a dog has ever managed. 4

eyes,

and

“Sorry, sweet girl,” I sigh, leaning over to ruffle her fur. “Didn’t mean to almost take you out. It’s just… people are insane.”

Blackie snorts–an actual snort–and plops down beside me with the kind of dramatic flop that makes me wonder if she secretly understands everything.

Heavens, have you ever wished you could trade places with your pet? Their lives look so effortless. No stress, no worries, no endless noise to weigh them down. Just eat, sleep, play, and repeat. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what it would feel like to live with that kind of freedom.

I lean back with a sigh, telling myself I should just ignore the chatter and let it all roll off me. But of course, I can’t. My thumb hovers over the screen, ready to scroll again, when my phone buzzes.

The name flashing on the screen makes me pause.

Lilly.

I swipe to answer, pressing it to my ear. “Please tell me you’re calling to say this is all a nightmare.”

Her laugh is soft but strained. “I wish. How are you holding up?”

1/3

I force some lightness into my voice. “Oh, you know. Aside from the pitiful looks at work, the gossip columns, and the fact that the internet thinks I stole your company’s secrets… I’m doing fantastic.”

“Sierra,” she warns gently.

“I’m fine, Lilly. Really. Benji helped me sneak out after work, so no paparazzi chase scenes. That’s a win, right?”

“Still,” she murmurs, “I hate that you’re in the middle of this. He’s always been level–headed, so I don’t understand where this recklessness is coming from.”

I bite my lip. She’s not wrong. Ever since the pregnancy, he’s been fraying at the seams, like a thread pulled too far. It’s almost as if he’s slowly coming undone… And honestly, I can’t help but wonder–is this really about the baby? Or is it something deeper, something that’s been gnawing at him long before I told him about my pregnancy? Maybe it began the moment Chloe was diagnosed, when his world started cracking, piece by piece, and he’s been breaking ever since

“Anyway,” Lilly sighs, “I have to go. Dad’s dragging me into the mess Noah created; he’s pissed off on your behalf, btw.

I chuckle, “Send my love.”

“Will do. Just… promise me you’ll pick up if you need me, okay?”

“I promise.”

“Oh, and I made sure the paparazzi won’t bother you. They won’t come within an inch of you or your property.”

A small laugh slips out of me. Classic Lilly, just as ruthless as Noah, her dad, and our uncles. No one in their right mind would dare cross her. No wonder I haven’t seen a single camera lurking around.

“Thanks, you, Lilly.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

We hang up, and for a moment the silence is almost peaceful–well, that is until my phone lights up again.

Mom.

I hesitate, then answer. “Hi, Mom.”

Her voice is brisk with worry. “Sierra, are you alright? I saw the pictures.

“I’m okay mom” I answer her softly. “I’m at home, safe and sound.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am,” I tell her. “I left work the moment paparazzi started circling the company.”

I didn’t complain when my boss asked me to go home. Paparazzi were circling the company like vultures and that was interrupting the work flow.

When he told me to go home, I jumped at the idea. I was tired of watching my colleagues stare at me with pity, while Jocelyn looked at me with a sneer. Besides, I had not slept well the previous night so it was kind of hard to focus. 1

“Why was Noah at your workplace?” Mom asks.

2/3

My throat tightens. There’s no way I can tell her the truth. Not yet anyway. “It’s nothing, Mom. You know how sometimes we get on each other’s throats. Things just escalated; he didn’t mean to.

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