Chapter 157 - Hesitation

Noah

I clutched the phone to my ear, my knuckles white, as I paced across the penthouse floor. “Don’t lie to me, Raymond. I know Clara was with you,” I demanded. My voice was tight with frustration and lingering betrayal.

“Noah, no… Clara’s visit was unsolicited. I immediately sent her away,” Raymond’s voice came through, calm but tinged with desperation. He sounded sincere. But how many times had I trusted his words only to be hurt again?

I hesitated. My anger wavered as a soft, uncertain “Oh…” slipped from my lips. I wanted to believe him. But the image of Clara in our home gnawed at me.

“I hope you’re telling me the truth, Raymond,” I said, my voice softening despite myself.

“I promise you I am, Noah,” Raymond insisted, his tone even more earnest. “She was only here for two minutes. Ask Neil if you want to fact-check.”

I let out a slow breath, some of the tension draining from my shoulders. “Okay… Sorry for freaking out, Raymond.” My words were quiet, almost a whisper.

It felt str