Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0242

Lottie POV

I stood silently behind Chase, the dim light from the hallway casting long shadows on the walls. He was talking to Knox, and from the sounds of it, Knox was drunk... again. I couldn't make out every word, but the slurred anger in Knox's voice was unmistakable. How did I get here? I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep next to Chase. We had been watching movies, and Chase, bless him, had been trying to crochet a baby blanket. Adam, of course, couldn't resist mocking him from his spot and chair at the foot of my bed. Goddess forbid he should get too close to me.

"Chase, you're going to strangle the babes with that thing," Adam had laughed, making exaggerated motions of horror. Chase just smirked, not letting Adam's teasing get to him.

"Hey, the kiddos have to learn to defend themselves from a young age, you know... I am helping them." He winked at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Despite his teasing, I knew my pups would never need to defend themselves with Chase hovering. I had drifted off to that scene, feeling a rare moment of peace. But waking up to see Adam awkwardly sprawled in the chair, Chase nowhere in sight, brought me crashing back to reality.

I opened the door a crack, peering out into the hallway. Chase was standing there, frustration evident in the tense set of his shoulders. Knox's voice had cut off abruptly, and Chase was now trying to reach Kane. His calls, however, were going unanswered, and with a muttered curse, he slammed his fist into the wall.

I slipped back into my room, the sharp sound of Chase's anger echoing in my ears. My eyes shot to Adam, expecting the chaos to wake him, but he remained lost in slumber, somewhat peacefully, too.

"If only the same could be said for Chase." Sage sighed sadly. My heart ached at the sound of Chase's anger and desperation. I knew that stepping in at moments like this was not good for the babies I nurtured in my womb or for me, but seeing those I loved carrying the brunt of my break-up was not an easy burden to bear either.

I pulled a hoodie from the closet, shoving it over the cami that barely covered my bump these days and snug-fitting shorts with a groan.

"I need new clothes." I mumbled softly, not wanting to wake Adam, as I sat on the edge of the bed. Pulling on my socks, I contemplated my options. I could climb back into bed and let Knox deal with the consequences of his actions.

"You should." Sage muttered, following my train of thought.

back as I shoved my foot aggressively into

you won't." She added, a laugh of understanding

knew this was a mistake, and I should avoid their drama for my sanity and the pup's wellbeing.

ugly," Sage piped up. Closing my eyes tight to drown out

but there was an

stammered, looking up at him. I watched his eyes drift over

he questioned

bed, pulling the sheets

nod for me to climb in. He was so

only I got to see his side of

from Leigh's Office?" Sage asked as memories of him torturing Mike and my father

ago." I admitted weakly. "Everything is different now..." I added, resting my hand on my stomach

on." Chase requested, a little less

as he eyed me with love and exhaustion. He knew me well enough to know I would dig my heels in if needed. "Going for a run?" He asked, his voice bouncing back to the firmness from earlier. "Now." He laughed with another

with just as

to help Knox." I shrugged, trying to keep my

you are." Chase barked, his voice rising uncomfortably. "He is in a damn bar, drunk, starting a fight with lord knows

bro... Shut

moaned gruffly, grabbing my