Page 65 of The Hotel Room

“I’m going to Emily’s for dinner.”

Kate straightened, voice tight. “Noah—wait. Will Emily be coming here for dinner sometime this week? I’d love to have her over again.”

Noah shot her a glare, face twisted in frustration.

“Why? So you caninterrogateher again? God, Mom, not everything has to be about you.”

The words hit like a punch to the chest.

Kate felt the sting rise behind her eyes, but before she could speak—

“Noah.”

James’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

He stood in the doorway, his face tight, jaw set in a way Kate recognized instantly—the rare, unmistakable look of authority.

Noah stilled.

James crossed the room, voice steady but unyielding.

“Youdo notspeak to your mother like that. Ever. Do you hear me?”

Noah’s face flushed, but his glare shifted to the floor.

“She’s not being fair,” he muttered under his breath.

James’s eyes darkened.

“You don’t get to decide that. She’s your mother. And she’s doing her best.” His voice dropped lower, a protective edge Kate hadn’t heard from him in a long time. “Now apologize.”

Noah’s lips parted—like he might argue—but after a tense beat, he mumbled, “Sorry.”

It was half-hearted, but it was something.

Kate nodded, voice softer. “Thank you.”

Noah didn’t stay. He disappeared out the door, leaving the echo of his retreating footsteps in his wake.

The silence that followed felt heavier than before.

Kate braced herself against the counter, exhaling shakily.

James stayed where he was, watching her carefully.

Finally, he broke the silence.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

Kate shook her head. “He’s just—hurting. Confused.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t think he’ll ever look at me the same way again.”

James stepped closer, hesitant but determined.

“He doesn’t know the truth. He just...he sees us struggling and thinks you’re the one keeping us apart.”

Kate nodded, her voice quieter. “I know. But what am I supposed to say? ‘Hey, Noah, your dad broke my heart and shattered everything I thought we had?’”

Her voice broke at the end, despite her best efforts.

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