Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250

My hands trembled beneath the table, betraying the calm I tried to maintain. I stared down at them, unable to form the words that churned in my mind. Silence wrapped around me like a suffocating cloak.

“Noah.” His voice cut through the quiet, sharper than before—just enough to reveal the real William lurking beneath the polished exterior. “Look at me.”

I forced my gaze upward, meeting his eyes.

And in that instant, everything shattered. The weight of the truth pressed down on me, and I gave him the one burden I could bear to share. “He’s here.”

William’s brow lifted in a subtle but unmistakable sign of interest. “Who?”

“My father.” The words scraped from deep inside, raw and ragged. “He showed up last night. Wants money. Said he’ll come to the dinner tonight if I don’t give it to him.”

For a moment, William said nothing. Then, a flicker of relief crossed his face—relief that it was this problem, not something that would derail his plans. He reached across the table, placing his hand over mine. It wasn’t a gesture of comfort, but one of possession. “Ah. So that’s what this is about.”

I blinked, confusion swirling inside me. “You’re not… angry?”

“Angry? No.” His smile returned, smoother now, almost too reassuring, as if trying to convince both of us. “You did well to tell me. It’s good that you trust me, Noah. You’re family now. We handle family matters quietly.”

A knot twisted in my stomach. “He’ll cause a scene.”

“Let him.” William reached for his coffee, utterly unfazed. “He’ll learn what happens when he threatens those under my protection. I’ll be ready.”

That unwavering certainty chilled me more than any threat my father ever made. I swallowed hard, feeling the invisible chains tighten around me.

He exhaled slowly, shifting back into business mode. “Now. About the game on Friday…”

His words blurred into the background. I nodded numbly at the expected moments, my mind distant and hollow.

William’s smile deepened, pleased with my obedience. “Good. You’re doing well.”

And I was. For my mother. For my sister. For a man who didn’t love me—especially for him.

But not for myself. Because there was nothing left inside me worth fighting for anymore.

Not now.

—

The dining hall at the country club was bathed in a warm, golden glow. Soft amber lights draped the room in an inviting haze, while laughter floated through the air—laughter that felt foreign to me, like a melody I couldn’t join. The gleaming silverware, the fresh lilies arranged perfectly in crystal vases, the servers gliding across the floor with practiced grace—it all felt distant, as if I were watching a play through a thick pane of glass.

I wore a crisp white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up just so, the collar open enough to appear relaxed but still polished. My hair was neatly brushed, my skin clean, and my posture straight and deliberate. I looked the part—the fiancé, the rising star, the golden boy everyone expected me to be.

“We’re going to be a family,” she said softly. “It’ll be good. I promise.”

I nodded, unable to trust myself to speak.

Because if I opened my mouth, I would shatter.

The room buzzed with quiet conversations and the gentle clinking of silverware. A laugh echoed from three tables away. Near the terrace, a violinist played softly, the melody warm and slow.

For a brief moment, everything almost felt still.

—

Then it all changed.

A subtle shift rippled through the room—nothing dramatic, just two of William’s men crossing the floor with quiet purpose toward our table. They leaned in close, speaking in low tones. William’s expression tightened, the change almost imperceptible.

He turned to me.

“Noah,” he said quietly, his voice steady and cold. “Your father is here.”

And the ground vanished beneath my feet.