The room falls silent as Dad storms out of the dining room, his footsteps heavy as they echo down the hallway.
Noah steps in front of me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Zach, walk with me. Let’s talk a bit.”
I glance back at Lainey, who’s surrounded by Whitney and Cora, their arms around her in a protective huddle. “Lainey, stay with my sisters,” I say softly.
“We’lltake care of her,” Whitney assures me.
Blair smirks, crossing her arms as she turns to Clarissa. “Clarissa, I think that’s your cue to leave.”
Clarissa straightens her spine, her chin lifting as she glares at me. “Zach, you’re going to regret this one day. And I won’t be here when you do.”
Blair waves after her. “He won’t. Goodbye, Clarissa. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
She storms out of the dining room, and moments later, the sound of the front door slamming reverberates through the house.
I shake my head, following Noah as he leads me down the hall to Dad’s office.
Once inside, Noah closes the door and pulls open a drawer in Dad’s massive oak desk. From it, he retrieves a small velvet box and hands it to me.
“What’s this?” I ask, staring at the box in confusion.
“It was Mom’s,” Noah says simply.
I open the box, revealing a delicate engagement ring with a simple but elegant diamond setting.
“Noah, I…” My voice catches in my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
“When I got married, Dad gave me both Mom’s engagement and wedding rings,” Noah explains, his tone softer than usual. “I’ll hang on to the wedding ring, but the engagement ring—it’s yours now.”
I nod, closing the box and holding it tightly in my hand. “Thanks, Noah.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “Don’t be like the rest of us, Zach. Don’t listen to Dad. Do what makes you happy.”
I chuckle lightly, but before I can respond, Noah hands me an envelope.
“What’s this?” I ask, opening it to reveal a check for $100,000.
“It’s for Lainey,” Noah says, grinning. “I heard she found the golden compass token in Mom’s garden. So, she gets the prize.”
I laugh, shaking my head. Of course, Blair told him. “Lainey’s going to flip when she sees this.”
Noah’s grin widens. “Take it easy, bro. And congratulations. Kids are awesome. I would know.”
“Thanks, Noah.” I pull him into a quick hug, clapping him on the back. “Alice is pretty amazing. She takes after me, after all.”
“You wish,” Noah says, smirking. “She just has your hair color. That’s it.”
We both laugh, the tension of the evening finally easing.
“This dinner was a bust, so we’re going to head out now,” I tell him.
Noah nods, walking me back to the dining room. When we arrive, I see Lainey laughing with Whitney, Cora, and Blair, the tension from earlier completely gone.
I smile, feeling warmth spread through my chest at the sight. “What are you ladies laughing about?” I ask, stepping into the room.
“We’re talking about you,” Blair says, smirking.
“Me?” I look at Lainey, raising an eyebrow. “Lainey, are you bad-mouthing me to my sisters?”
