Under His Billionaire Roof novel Chapter 28

28 /30

Leighton woke to sunlight streaming through Noah's window.

For a moment, she forgot. Let herself believe this was just another morning. That she wasn't leaving. That his arm around her waist meant something permanent.

Then reality crashed back.

Today. She was leaving today.

Noah's breathing was steady against her neck. Still asleep. She turned carefully, not wanting to wake him. Wanting to memorize his face in the morning light. The way his hair fell across his forehead. The slight scruff on his jaw. The peace in his expression that only came when he slept.

She'd never see this again. Never wake up next to him. Never feel this safe.

Her throat tightened. She blinked hard against the burning in her eyes.

His eyes opened. Dark and immediately aware. Like he'd known she was watching.

They stared at each other. Neither speaking. Both knowing these were their last moments alone.

"I should go," she whispered. "Before Chloe wakes up."

His arm tightened around her waist. "Not yet."

"Noah..."

"Five more minutes."

She nodded. Pressed her face into his chest. Breathed him in. That scent of expensive soap and something uniquely him. Tried to burn it into her memory.

His hand moved to her hair. Fingers combing through slowly. Gently. Like he was trying to memorize her too.

Neither said I love you. Neither said goodbye. They just held each other as the minutes ticked away.

A door slammed downstairs. Chloe's voice calling out. "Leigh? You up? I made coffee!"

Reality intruded.

Leighton pulled back. "I have to go."

"I know."

She climbed out of bed. Found her clothes scattered across his floor. Pulled them on with shaking hands. He watched from the bed, sheet pulled to his waist, expression unreadable.

At the door, she paused. Looked back.

"Noah..."

"Don't." His voice was rough. "Don't say goodbye. Just go."

She nodded. Left before she could change her mind.

In her room, she finished packing. The last few items shoved into boxes. Her whole life fit into her car. Everything she owned. Everything she was.

Except her heart. That was staying here.

Downstairs, Chloe had made breakfast. Pancakes. Bacon. Coffee. All of Leighton's favorites.

"Big day!" Chloe's smile was bright. Genuine. Oblivious. "I can't believe you're really leaving. It feels like you just got here."

"Yeah." Leighton forced a smile. Sat at the counter. "Time flies."

"You nervous about the new job?"

"A little."

"You're going to be amazing. I just know it." Chloe poured coffee into two mugs. "I'm going to miss you so much though. Promise you'll visit?"

"Of course."

"And call. Like, all the time. I want to hear everything."

Guilt twisted in Leighton's stomach. Everything. Except the one thing that mattered most.

Footsteps on the stairs. Noah appeared in the doorway. Fully dressed. Hair still damp from a shower. His eyes found Leighton's for a split second. Then away.

"Morning," Chloe said. "Want breakfast?"

"Can't. Meeting downtown." His voice was flat. Professional. Like he was talking to a stranger.

"On a Monday morning? What kind of meeting?"

"The important kind." He grabbed his keys from the counter. "I'll be gone most of the day."

Leighton's chest constricted. He was leaving. Before she did. So he wouldn't have to watch.

"Oh." Chloe's smile faded. "But Leigh's leaving this morning. Don't you want to say goodbye?"

His jaw tightened. He looked at Leighton. Really looked. And she saw everything in that look. The pain. The regret. The love he couldn't say.

"Good luck with the new job," he said. "I'm sure you'll do great."

That was it. That was all he could give her with Chloe standing there.

"Thanks," she managed.

He walked out. The front door closed. His car started. The sound of gravel crunching as he drove away.

Gone.

Leighton stared at her coffee. Tried to breathe through the ache in her chest.

"He's being so weird lately," Chloe said. "I don't know what's wrong with him."

"Maybe he's just stressed."

"Maybe." Chloe shook her head. "Anyway. Eat. You need fuel for the drive."

Leighton forced down pancakes that tasted like cardboard. Drank coffee that burned her throat. Smiled and nodded at Chloe's chatter about staying in touch and visiting and how excited she was for this new chapter.

An hour later, her car was packed. Boxes in the trunk. Suitcases in the back seat. Everything she'd arrived with, plus the pieces of herself she'd lost here.