The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

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Her voice is gentle, laced with concern. “How are you really, Sierra? How is the pregnancy coming along?”

I manage a smile. “I’m okay. Tired. Nausea’s been a nightmare, but… manageable.”

She studies me with warm eyes, then sighs. “I still feel I owe you an apology.”

I shake my head, exhaling softly. “We’ve been over this, Auntie. You have nothing to apologize for.”

The door creaks open, and Uncle Rowan steps in with Noah right behind him. The air shifts instantly, almost as if his very presence affects the air around us.

Before I can process it, Aunt Ava crosses the room and pinches Noah’s arm sharply.

He hisses, recoiling. “Really? You’re the one committing assault now.” His tone is flat and sarcastic.

Uncle Rowan gives him a sharp look, as does Aunt Ava. I laugh, but it comes out nervous and too high–pitched, so I quickly cover it with a cough.

Aunt Ava doesn’t let go. “Why were you at Sierra’s workplace, Noah? And don’t try to lie to me this time.”

The question hangs heavy in the air.

Noah’s jaw tightens, muscle ticking as he clenches it. He says nothing.

Then Aunt Ava’s eyes turn to me.

I freeze. My heart stutters painfully, and for a beat I forget how to breathe. I don’t know what Noah said to them and that worries me. He should have given me a heads–up; at least then I would know what to say so we don’t contradict each other.

My mouth goes dry as I try to think of something. If we both remain quiet, won’t they suspect we are hiding something? It’ll only make Aunt Ava want to dig deeper.

I clench my fist, frustration bubbling inside me. The need to curse Noah almost spills out of me, but I hold it back. Couldn’t he just come up with something? Anything? Instead, he kept his mouth shut and now I’m the one forced to come up with another lie.

“It’s nothing, really,” I finally say, keeping my voice careful. “He was there for work purposes. We ran into each other, and then… things just went south.”

“Work?” Ava echoes, her tone lined with doubt. “What kind of work?”

I shrug, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him that.”

If he thought he could throw me under the bus by staying silent, then fine, now let him deal with the fire.

Noah’s jaw tightens further, his eyes cutting briefly toward me before he finally speaks. “I was considering a partnership with Bio–Renew.”

At this point, with how hard and how much he’s clenching his jaw, he’s going to break his molars.

Uncle Rowan and Aunt Ava exchange a look, brows pinched and suspicion written in every line of their faces, before turning back to him.

“Really?” Ava presses. “Out of all the companies, you just happen to pick the one Sierra works for? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe.”

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Chapter 21

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His expression hardens “Bio–Renew is the best research company in the country. Of course I’d choose them. And besides, I didn’t even know Sierra worked there until I ran into her.”

Uncle Rowan frowns. “But our company doesn’t deal in research. Why would you want a collaboration with them?”

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Noah exhales through his nose, the sound sharp. Then his tone shifts. It’s less defensive and more weighted. This is my own project. After what happened with Chloe… I want to invest in research. I don’t want anyone else to lose the person they love to cancer.”

The words sink into me like a knife. He’s lying, but even his lies still orbit Chloe, still tie him to her.

And just like that, Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan’s expressions soften, their suspicion melting into sympathy. He has them right where he wants them… And I’m left standing here, torn between the ache in my chest… and the bitter taste in my mouth.