“Let me get this straight–you came all the way to my house just to tell me to stay away <b>from </b><b>Noah</b><b>?</b><b>” </b><b>I </b><b>ask </b>incredulous.


    For a second, I almostugh. I thought she was here because of the baby. I know Noah probably already told her, but to show up on my doorstep, spitting threats like some watchdog? It’s ridiculous. <b>Noah </b>is <b>a </b>grown man. Do I have him chained in my basement?


    Does she have nothing better to do? And does Noah even know his sister–inw is here threatening me<b>? </b>


    “Yes,” she says, arrogance dripping from her tone, as if I owe her obedience.


    I raise a brow. “You do realize he’s an adult, right?”


    “It doesn’t matter. I know you, Sierra. You want to move in now that my sister is gone. <b>You </b>think I can’t smell it from miles away? You think it’ll be that easy to rece Chloe?”


    My hands fly up in frustration. “Oh my God, not this again! Why do both you and Noah think I’m out to rece Chloe? It’s been two years since she died. If I wanted something with him, don’t you think I’d have tried a long time ago?”


    <b>“</b>You were just biding your time.”


    “For what?” I snap. “Whether it’s one month or ten years, it won’t change the fact that Noah doesn’t like me. So why would I force myself into his life?”


    I’m so sick and tired of this narrative. I don’t want to be Chloe’s recement. I don’t want to be Noah’s wife. That night was a mistake, one I regret more than they’ll ever know (with the exception of the baby). Why is that so impossible to ept?


    Why can’t they just ept that I don’t want to take Chloe’s ce? I’m not out to tie him down. I don’t want anything to fucking do with him. Why is it so hard for them to get that through their thick skulls?


    Who would even want to be in the shadow of another woman? It’s ridiculous how firm they are in their belief that I want to be Chloe’s recement.


    Brook ignores mepletely, her voice sharp as ss. “You were waiting for the perfect opportunity. And now that you’re pregnant, you think you’ve seeded in trapping him.”


    I close my eyes, dragging in a shaky breath before I lose it entirely. Do they share the same brain<b>? </b>


    Because somehow, they’re the only two people alive convinced I plotted this.


    <b>“</b>You’re both delusional,” I mutter, staring at her in disbelief.


    “No, I’m not. Ava calling you was the chance you were waiting for. You knew <b>if </b>you could just get him in bed and pregnant, you’d trap him. It’s the oldest trick in the book<b>.</b>”


    <b>My </b>temper snaps. “First of all, show some respect. Don’t you dare call Aunt Ava by her <b>first </b><b>name </b>like she’s nothing.”


    She opens her mouth, but <b>I </b>cut her <b>off</b>.


    “And second, I didn’t n this. I don’t care what you believe but this wasn’t some grand scheme <b>to </b><b>trap </b><b>Noah</b>.”


    She scoffs, eyes zing. “You think I’m going to buy that? You’ve always thirsted after him. I know <b>you </b>nned this. You’ve probably been nning this for years.”


    “Of course you’d think that,” I shoot back. “Because it’s the kind of thing you or Chloe would do. But I am not like either of <b>you</b>, and I won’t waste my breath exining myself to someone who’s already made up their mind about me.”


    My chest is heaving. Why can’t I catch a fucking break? First Noah, now his viper of a sister–inw. Maybe I really should move. All this toxicity can’t be good for the baby.


    Brook steps closer, voice low and cold. “I don’t care what you say. You’ll get rid of that baby and stay the hell away from Noah.”


    “And if I don’t?” my fists clench at my sides “What are you going to do, Brook?<b>” </b>


    Her lips curl in a snarl. “Don’t test me, Sierra.”


    Seriously, what’s with the threats? I haven’t asked Noah to be in the baby’s life. I haven’t asked for anything except to be left alone. So why the hell are theying at me? Why are they so hellbent on getting rid of my baby?


    I already told Noah that I don’t n on our families knowing he sired a baby with me. I already exined everything. So why insist? He can go about his life without having to worry. <b>I </b>just don’t get it.


    I quietly stare at her, my mind racing. I am sick of the threats, but more importantly, why does Brook want my baby gone? I get Noah’s reasons, as twisted as they are, but what are Brooks reasons?


    Noah is her brother–inw. Her sister’s been gone for two years. Any normal person would be urging him to move on. He’s not even thirty, his whole life is still stretched out ahead of him. <i>So </i>why is Brook standing in my house, warning me away from him? Is it about guarding Chloe’s ce in his heart forever? Or is it fear? Fear that if I’m anywhere near Noah, I might expose them and she’ll lose herfortable life?


    “I’ll tell you what I told Noah,” I say, my voice steady now. “I am not aborting my baby. Get that through your skull.”


    The fire in her eyes res hotter. “You’ll do what I say<b>, </b>or else.”


    “Or else what, Brook?” I step forward, matching her re. “Who do you think you are,ing into my


    house <b>and </b>threatening me? You don’t get a say in my life.”


    “I swear, if you don’t stay away from Noah and get rid of that pest in your belly, Il-~


    She doesn’t finish. My hand moves before I can think, the crack of palm against cheek ringing <b>in </b>the


    room.


    Her eyes widen in shock. “You hit me! How dare-”


    I hit the other cheek. “I dare. And if you don’t shut your filthy mouth, I’ll throat–punch you next.”


    “This is assault!” she shrieks.


    I grab her arm, squeezing harder than necessary. Her wince sends a dark satisfaction through me I don’t want to examine too closely. I haul her toward the door, shove her out, and m it in her stunned face


    At this point my neighbors will start thinking there is something wrong with me, with the way I keep mming my door in people’s faces.


    Leaning against the door, I breathe hard. God. I’ve never hit anyone before, and yet in the past few weeks, it feels like violence has wed its way out of me more than once. Maybe I do have anger issues. Or maybe Noah and Brook just bring out the worst parts of me.


    From outside, her voice screeches, venomous. “You’ll regret this, Sierra! I’ll make you pay!”


    I press a hand protectively against my belly.


    Do your worst, Brook.


    Your sister tormented me for years. I won’t let you do the same.