Chapter 171

David stepped beside her without making a show of it. He reached out gently and straightened the shawl over her arm. The touch was careful, like he didn’t want to break whatever small peace Lily had. That little movement, so ordinary made Noah’s face go brittle. Her hands clenched at her sides. “Don’t touch her!” she snapped before she could stop herself. David turned to her, and for the first time that morning his control cracked a little. “Miss Blackwood,” he said, voice steady but sharp, “I respect because you are Lily's friend. But I don’t need your permission to take care of my wife.” “wife, wife,” Noah muttered, bitter and incredulous. “You think saying ‘my wife’ fixes everything? You’re unbelievable.” David didn’t argue the point. He didn’t need to. His attention was on Lily. “Let’s go,” he said quietly. “The car’s waiting.” Lily’s answer was immediate, flat. “No. Noah will drive me home. You can go.” David’s jaw tightened. He wanted to force the issue, to insist, but something