40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Annie
The moment we step through the doors of the mansion, reality crashes down on me like a tidal wave.
Vacation was one thing. The island had been a bubble—warm, secluded, separate from the real world.
But here? Here, everything feels too sharp, too real. The air is cooler, crisper, carrying the familiar scent of polished wood and flowers in the vases along the entryway. The high ceilings stretch above us, the grand staircase curling up toward the second floor, and the house feels heavier than it did before we left.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous.
It’s not like anything has changed. Not outwardly.
And yet, everything has.
Knowing I was pregnant while we were on vacation was terrifying. But stepping back into real life, back into the place where responsibilities exist, where the outside world exists, where there’s no beach or storm or island to shelter me—it makes it all feel so much more real.
And even more terrifying.
Robbie, on the other hand, seems completely unaffected. Of course, he doesn’t know anything. Regardless, the second we step inside, he bounces on his feet, taking in the familiar surroundings like he’s been gone for months instead of a week.
“We’re home!” he announces to no one in particular, spinning in a quick circle before turning to Cole. “Can we go swimming later?”
Cole ruffles his hair, smirking. “You just spent a week on a private island surrounded by water, and you’re already thinking about swimming?”
Robbie grins. “Yeah, but this is my pool.”
I smile despite the anxious knot forming in my stomach.
“Welcome back, Mr. Wagner.”
I turn just in time to see Ellis stepping forward, his posture as perfect as always, his expression composed. The man is impossible to ruffle, no matter the situation. He’s dressed in his usual crisp suit, not a single wrinkle in sight. Had he dressed like this the whole time we were gone? Or did he have a pair of sweats?
“Ellis,” Cole greets, nodding.
Ellis’ gaze shifts to me, his eyes scanning me with his usual sharp attentiveness before he offers a polite nod. “Miss Fox. I trust your trip was pleasant?”
I clear my throat. “Yes, it was… great.”
It sounds unconvincing even to my own ears, but if Ellis notices, he doesn’t comment on it.
“Evelyn is in the kitchen,” he continues, turning his attention back to Robbie. “She has prepared a special treat for you, Master Robbie.”
Robbie’s eyes light up instantly. “For me?”
Ellis gives the barest hint of a smile. “Indeed.”
That’s all Robbie needs to hear. Without hesitation, he bolts toward the kitchen, his little feet thudding against the polished floors as he disappears around the corner.
Ellis turns back to Cole and me. “I’ll have your bags taken up to your rooms and unpacked.
And just like that, he strides away, leaving me and Cole standing alone in the entryway.
The silence that follows is thick, and I don’t know how to break it.
Cole does.
“Do you want to talk?” His voice is calm, careful. “About everything? Maybe get some dinner?”
I exhale slowly, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. “I can’t.”
His brow furrows slightly. “Why not? ”
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, already dreading the conversation that’s about to follow. “Because I have dinner plans.”
His frown deepens. “Dinner?”
I nod. “With Noah.”
A beat of silence. Then, “Noah?”
I sigh. “Yes, Noah. I told you about Noah, right?”
Cole’s expression doesn’t change, but something in his posture stiffens. His shoulders go just a little straighter, his jaw tightening the slightest bit.
“Yes, I remember.” He looks at me with those intense green eyes, pinning me to the spot. “You just got back.”
“I know.”
“You’re clearly exhausted.”
I roll my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”
His lips press together. “That’s not what I meant.”
I shake my head, setting my bag down at my feet. “Look, I promised him before we left that I’d grab dinner with him when I got back. He texted me earlier to ask if we landed on time, and I couldn’t just ignore him.”
“So tell him you’re tired,” Cole says simply. “That you’ll see him tomorrow.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You think it’s that easy? ”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s not.” I fold my arms over my chest, meeting his stare. “If I cancel now, he’ll know something’s wrong.”
Cole exhales through his nose, like he’s trying to keep his patience in check. “Annie, I get that you don’t want to raise suspicion, but you’re pregnant and just traveled a long distance.”
I flinch.
Not because I don’t know that. Not because I haven’t thought about it every second since I took those damn tests. But because hearing him say it out loud like that—so direct, so certain—within earshot of people in this house—makes my stomach twist.
“I know that,” I say quietly.
His expression softens for a brief moment.
“Then maybe—just maybe—you should be taking it easy.”
I huff out a breath, rubbing a hand over my forehead. “I will. After tonight. It’s just dinner.”
Cole shakes his head, his gaze still locked on mine. “I don’t like this.”
I let out a dry laugh. “I didn’t think you would.”
He exhales again, dragging a hand down his face. “Annie—”
“Cole, I’ve known him most of my life. He’ll know something’s wrong,” I say, my voice softer now. “I’m not ready to tell anyone yet. Even my best friend. I just need to get through one dinner without setting off any alarm bells That’s all.”
He doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he studies me for a long moment, like he’s trying to decide if pushing this any further is worth it.
Finally, he lets out a slow breath. “Fine.”
Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived. Because then he adds, “But you need to get some rest after this.”
I nod. “I will.”
Cole doesn’t look convinced, but he also doesn’t argue.
I glance toward the staircase, suddenly feeling the weight of the long day pressing down on me. “He’s picking me up, so I’m gonna go up and shower before he gets here.”
Cole watches me for another second, then finally gives a small nod. “Okay.”
I don’t wait for him to say anything else. I just turn on my heel, and head upstairs.
Because if I stay here any longer, I might start second-guessing everything.
***
I take one last look at myself in the mirror, pressing my hands against the cool marble of the bathroom counter. My reflection stares back at me—calm, composed, put together. At least, on the surface.
Inside, I feel like a mess.
My damp hair is pulled into a loose ponytail, and I’ve thrown on a simple pair of jeans and a blouse—casual but not too casual. Like I haven’t spent the past day having my entire world turned upside down. Like I haven’t been carrying the weight of a secret I’m still struggling to process.
I take a deep breath.
It’s just dinner.
I can do this.
My phone vibrates on the counter.
Noah: Just pulled up.
Crap.
I snatch my phone and hurry toward the bedroom door, shoving it into my bag as I go. I don’t want him coming inside. Not because I’m hiding anything—okay, maybe I am—but because I don’t want to deal with introductions.
I don’t want to deal with Cole and Noah meeting.
Not tonight.
Not when I still feel raw from our conversation earlier.
I practically jog down the hall, heading toward the stairs, my heart pounding faster than it should. Maybe if I move quickly, I can get out before—
Too late.
By the time I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear the front door open.
I freeze for half a second before forcing myself to move, rounding the corner just in time to see Ellis stepping aside, letting Noah walk in.
Shit.
“Noah.” I say his name like I wasn’t just speed-walking to the door to keep this exact thing from happening.
His head swivels toward me, and he grins, his blue eyes lighting up. “There you are.”
I barely take in his usual easy confidence, the way he’s dressed in dark jeans and a button-up, or the way he shoves his hands into his pockets like he has all the time in the world.
Because right behind him—walking in from the living room—are Cole and Robbie.
Double shit.
I barely have a second to prepare before Robbie’s face lights up. “Annie!” He rushes forward, wrapping his arms around my waist in a quick hug before stepping back and looking between me and Noah. He lowers his voice. “Who’s this? ”
Noah glances down at him, eyebrows raised, then back at me. “Uh—”
“I’m Robbie,” Robbie announces before I can speak, his chest puffing out slightly like he’s proud to introduce himself first. “Who are you?”
Noah chuckles and directs his attention to Robbie. “I’m Noah. I’m Annie’s friend. Nice to meet you, kid.”
I let out a breath, already feeling the beginnings of a headache.
Noah tilts his head, giving me a pointed look at my reaction, but he doesn’t comment on it.
“You too,” Robbie says, then glances back at Cole. “Dad, do you know him?”
And just like that, the air shifts.
I don’t turn toward Cole, but I feel his gaze on me. He’s been silent this whole time, but I know he’s watching. Studying.
Noah notices, too.
Cole steps forward, his presence obvious even though he hasn’t said a word yet. He puts his hand out to Noah. “Cole.”
Cole’s eyes are steady on Noah, like he’s taking in every detail and trying to figure out what kind of threat this man poses.
Noah, of course, picks up on it immediately. He always does.
A slow, amused grin spreads across his face as he shifts his weight slightly and leans forward to take Cole’s hand, like he’s completely at ease despite the sudden tension filling the room.
It was a special trait of Noah’s.
“Noah,” he says simply.
“Well, now that everyone’s met—” I grab Noah’s arm and steer him toward the door, desperate to escape.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Noah continues.
God, kill me now.
I send him a warning look while turned away from Cole. Noah resists sending me a smirk.
“That so?” Cole responds in a steady, even voice.
One I recognize very well from the man used to sitting behind a desk and the head of long tables in conference rooms. A man used to commanding any room he was in.
Noah tilts his head. “Yeah. You’re kind of a hard guy to miss.”
My pulse spikes. “Okay,” I say quickly, stepping in before this turns into some weird pissing contest. “Noah, we should go. Now, please.”
Noah doesn’t move right away. He just watches Cole for another beat before his gaze flicks back to me. There’s something knowing in his eyes, something that says he’s piecing things together.
Great. Exactly what I didn’t want.
Noah’s lips twitch, like he’s amused. “Lead the way.”
I don’t hesitate. I grab his arm and steer him toward the door, my heart still pounding. “I’ll be back later,” I say over my shoulder, not stopping for a second.
“Great meeting you all,” Noah says as I drag him.
I can also feel Cole’s eyes burning into my back as I pull Noah outside and shut the door behind us.
The moment it closes behind us, I take a deep breath, the air cooler and thinner out here.
As we step outside, the air feels cooler, easier to breathe.
“You didn’t tell me dinner came with a side of jealousy,” Noah says, smirking as he walks beside me down the front steps toward his car.
I huff out a breath. “You’re misinterpreting things.”
He lets out a low chuckle. “Oh, no, I’m not. Not a damn chance.”
He pulls open the passenger-side door for me, leaning against it as he lifts an eyebrow. “That man looked ready to beat the hell out of me.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. “Don’t.”
“What?” he asks innocently. “I just think it’s interesting that he didn’t look all that thrilled to see me.”
He closes the door and rounds the car before getting in .
I look straight ahead. “You’re imagining things. It wasn’t that bad.”
He lets out a loud “Ha! It was absolutely that bad. If looks could kill, I’d be in the ground already. And I don’t mean from you.”
“Shut up.”
He grins. “Not a chance.”
I groan.
I should’ve listened to Cole and canceled. Though I’ll be damned if I ever admit it.