Page 75 of The Hotel Room

“I mean, it’s not like you went to college. Never went to college, never had a job, just lived off of Dad. How are you supposed to help me with this?”

The air seemed to leave the room all at once.

For a moment, Kate couldn’t breathe.

The words twisted, hitting her deep—because they were sounfair.

It’s true. She hadn’t gone to college. She’dbeen accepted. She’d had dreams. Plans. But life had changed.

Because she’d chosen to keep her baby. To marry James. To build this life. And she had never—not for a single second—felt like that life had been a sacrifice.

Her voice was tight as she placed her hands on the table, trying to keep her composure.

“I didn’t go to college because I hadyou, Noah. And I’ve never regretted that. Not once.”

Noah rolled his eyes, shoving his chair back with a loud scrape. “Whatever. I’m done with dinner.”

He grabbed his phone, already halfway out the door toward the stairs.

“Noah!”

Kate stood, her pulse pounding, her heart aching so fiercely she didn’t know how to contain it.

But before she could say more, James’s voice cut through the air.

“Noah William Hayes, sit back down.”

The command landed hard.

Noah froze halfway up the stairs, turning with that same defiant glare, but James was already rising from his chair, his voice calm butunyielding.

“You don’t speak to your mother that way. Ever. Do you hear me?”

Noah shrugged, face tight.

“Whatever. I’m just saying the truth.”

James took a step closer.

“Thetruthis that your mother has done more for this family than you can even begin to understand. She’s the reason we have a home. She’s the reason you had someone packing your lunch every day, someone who stayed up late making sure you got your science project done. She’s been there, always, without complaint, while I was working late. So youdon’tget to speak to her like that just because you’re stressed about school.”

Noah’s face turned red, his jaw set stubbornly.

“So what? You’re gonna ground me now?”

James nodded, voice steady. “Yeah. I am. Two weeks. No going out, no screens unless it’s for school. Now go to your room. I’ll check on you later.”

Noah muttered something under his breath but didn’t argue this time, retreating up the stairs with heavy, stomping steps.

The slam of his door echoed through the house.

And suddenly, everything was too quiet.

Kate stood frozen, arms folded tightly across her chest.

James turned to her, his face softening immediately.

“Kate, I’m sorry—”

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