Page 80 of Return To You

This house is our dream….

I’m trying to move past everything, I am, and it helps that Noah’s refusing to tour when I have to be onsite, but I just…. So much hurt and pain is between us, the crap Gina pulled with Piper, and then there’s Vanessa, who’s now blaming me for her marriage failing.

Al kicked her out. Everything, the house, the cars, the bank accounts, is all in his name. She contributed nothing to their marriage, and she also signed a prenup where they must be married for two years before she can get alimony.

After our meeting, he asked her mom, who was extremely disappointed in her daughter, to pick her up. Ever since, she’s been crying about how it was all my fault and, according to Noah, she’s pushing my brother further away.

Al’s willing to do marriage counseling, but she needs to open her eyes and shut her mouth first. I texted her last night, saying exactly that. She texted back, “Thank you, I’m sorry,” but I don’t believe her words.

She’s become a possession-obsessed housewife, losing who she really is. Honestly, I don’t know if they’ll make it, but no matter what has happened, no sister wants to see their brother unhappy.

My eyes go to the pictures on the mantel as they normally do when I come into this room, noticing it’s more crowded.

Noah’s added to them.

I scrunch my brows and walk closer. I notice the one of Noah leaning against the bike. It’s the one I had near the TV at home, as well as the one of the tree we dubbed ours.

“Wait, are they the ones from my…” I mutter but stop when someone knocks on the door.

I narrow my eyes at the photos and head to the door, knowing security wouldn’t let someone pass unless they knew Noah personally.

With a promise to look at the photos more closely, I open the front door but freeze as I lock my eyes to light brown ones.

“Well, it didn’t take you long to convince my brother that brat is his son, and get him to move you into his home!” Gina sneers, placing her hands on her hips.

I blink, then blink again.

Would it be wrong to hit Diego’s aunt?

Gina looks me up and down from my slipper-covered feet and leggings to Noah’s black button-down shirt.

“Does my brother know you wear his expensive clothes, huh, Rose?” she snaps.

And I blink again and state, “Actually, this shirt is from prom. I took it and never gave it back.”

She looks over my top again, narrowing her eyes before her eyes widen slightly, confusion etching her features as she murmurs, “Piper said he gave that top to her….”

I tilt my head at her and ask, “Gina, what are you doing here? If it was to wake up my son, then I’m going to politely ask you to leave.”

She scoffs and pushes past me, and I sigh, shutting the door.

“Lord, give me strength,” I whisper before following her.

I stop behind the couch as my eyes look around the room before noticing her near the fireplace, holding a picture of Noah and Diego in a frame I recognize….

“I’m sure that frame was at my apartment,” I mutter, getting Gina’s attention, but I ignore her and walk over to the mantel, looking at the photos. I notice all the ones that I had near my bed and TV, and I curse, “That little….”

Growling, I grab my phone from my pocket and bring up the text thread between me and Noah….

Me: Seriously, you stole all of my photos?!

I press send without a kiss emoji, and Gina snorts when she sees his contacts name. “My Musician, really?”

I roll my eyes. “That was your brother.” She smirks, and I ask, “What are you doing here, Gina?”

She clears her throat, puts the photo back, and whispers, “He looks so much like Noah.”

I nod and admit, “I know. If he didn’t have my red hair, he’d be his double.”

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