Apart from the twins, they’re the other reason I didn’t end things even when I felt like I couldn’t live a second longer. They would have been devastated, and I’ve never wanted to be the reason they’re hurting.


    “How have you been, big brother?” Iris asks, concern hidden in the depths of her blue eyes.


    “Busy,” I answer. “Both the twins andpany are keeping me busy.”


    “I know it’s not easy raising kids alone, but we are here,<i>” </i>she says softly. “Never forget that you have a support system. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”


    Fuck! I have the best sisters in the world and goddamn it, am I proud of them and the women they’re


    bing.


    My throat closes and before I can say anything, Mom’s voice carries from the kitchen. “Noah! Stop hogging your sisters ande here.”


    We look at each other and grin before following the sound.


    The moment I step into the kitchen, I walk straight into her arms.


    “What’s wrong?” she murmurs before even letting me go.


    “Nothing,” I reply, too quickly. “Just haven’t been sleeping well.”


    She gives me that knowing look only mothers have. Her eyes narrow.


    “A mother always knows when something is up, even when you don’t want to admit it…. and you’ve lost


    weight in thest week.”


    I deflect,pletely avoiding her eyes, afraid if she digs in too much, she’ll find the secrets I’m trying my


    damn hardest to keep hidden.


    <i>“</i>Where’s Dad?”


    <b>“</b>In his study,” she says, her gaze still searching mine. “He’ll be here soon.”


    The <b>twins </b>are already giggling with their aunts, filling the house with that contagious kind of joy that


    makes the walls feel warmer


    For some time, I thought about moving back with my family. Without Chloe, it no longer felt like a home.


    All the warmth vanished with her, and all that was left were echoes of the past and a coldness that was


    etched into the walls


    “Help me set the table,” Mom instructs


    I’m halfway throughying out the silverware when Dad walks in. His face lights up at the sight of the


    twins, and they run straight into his arms.


    He lifts them effortlessly, kissing each of them on the cheek.


    “Missed you, Grandpa!” they chorus.


    “Missed you two troublemakers,” he says.


    “What about me?” I tease dad. “Don’t I matter?”


    Iris snickers, while Emery and Olivia giggle.


    “No,” he teases with a smile. “Only my grandkids and my girls matter.”


    “Mom,” I whine, causing the twins tough at my childish behavior


    “Don’t worry<i>,</i>” she winks. “You’re still my baby boy.”


    I stick my tongue out at them, and they do the same.


    When everything’s ready, we all sit down–eight of us packed around the table, voices ovepping, jokes flying from one end to the other.


    I lean back in my chair, letting the chatter wash over me. Here, it is easy to forget the rest of the world. To forget my pain. To forget that I’m living with only half a heart.


    Everything was going perfectly until Mom sets her fork down and announces, “I have good news.”


    “What, you’re having another baby?” Iris teases, leaning forward with anticipation.


    Mom rolls her eyes. “No. But Sierra is.“<i>. </i>


    The words m into me like a blow to the chest. My fork slips in my hand. The room seems too narrow and every sound is distant except the pounding of my heartbeat. For a fucking moment it feels like I can’t breathe. Like my heart stopped beating.


    The table erupts in happiness with the girls squealing like their lives depend on it. Like I said, everyone loves Sierra, including my sisters. I’ve never been able to understand what they see in that fucking leech.


    Then the questions start.


    “How far along is she?” Emery asks.


    “Boy or girl?” Olivia adds.


    “Is she getting married?” Iris’s eyes sparkle with curiosity.


    And then Dad’s voice cuts through: “So… who’s the father<b>? </b>Is he a good man? Someone credible and


    reliable.”


    I choke on my food. Every head turns toward me and I find myself fighting to keep myposure. To act


    like his question didn’t rattle me. To act unbothered.


    “You okay, Noah?” Mom asks, her eyes narrowing.


    I swallow hard and force a nod. “Yeah. Food just went down the wrong pipe, that’s all.”


    Her gaze lingers on me, sharp and assessing, as if she’s slowly putting pieces of a puzzle together. She


    hums and turns back to the rest.


    The conversation returns to Sierra. Everyone is gushing, already making ns to spoil her child. Iris even


    announces she’ll be the official babysitter.


    I clench my jaw, keeping my expression neutral. But inside, my thoughts are already racing as panic


    seizes me.


    I need to talk to Sierra tonight. I need to know if she told my mom anything because if she so much as


    did, there will be hell to pay.