Swallowing Hard

최신 챕터

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   Let our Love, Heal Us

  AUTHORS POVOne Month Later…The house was nothing like the Lorenzo mansion.It was smaller, cosier, and warm in all the ways the old place had never been. No marble statues or chandeliers, no cold halls echoing with silence. Instead, it smelled of fresh paint, new beginnings… and Dean’s laughter filling the house.Pedro had proposed she comes with him to the new house and spend at least one months with dean, and himself, if she decides she wants to go back, he won’t stop her, she remembered how he called her privately and told her sign that she would stay for a month.She had told him she did not need to sign the papers as she was going to stay for the one month and then decide for herself.But that very day, Tessa stood in the doorway, a single box in her arms. Pedro had insisted on carrying everything else. She watched him now, carefully arranging Dean’s toys in the living room.“You don’t have to do that,” she said, smiling.He turned and gave her that awkward, half-smile that had

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   A WIsh In Colours

  AUTHORS POVThe school auditorium emptied slowly, the buzz of excited parents and proud children drifting into the twilight. Dean had done brilliantly in his school play, dressed as a little tiger in one play and a tree who had to learn how to stand tall even in the storm. Tessa’s heart had swelled with pride. Pedro, sitting beside her, had clapped louder than anyone. At one point, he’d even let out a whistle, which made her roll her eyes, though secretly, it had amused her.Now, as they stepped out into the night, a drizzle had started. The light mist quickly became cold rain. Pedro looked up and cursed softly.“Of course,” he muttered, pulling off his coat.Before Tessa could protest, he gently draped it over her shoulders. His fingers accidentally brushed against her collarbone. She stilled, her breath catching just slightly.“You’ll catch a cold,” he said, his voice softer than usual.Tessa didn’t reply. Her eyes met his for a moment—just a moment—and then she looked away, biting

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   Curtains 16

  AUTHORS POVDean was in the sitting room when the bell rang.It had only been a few days ago when Tessa visited.He leapt from the floor where he’d been coloring. “It’s her!” he shouted, abandoning his crayons and flying down the hallway, socks sliding on the marble tiles.Pedro, in his study, looked up from his laptop and checked the time. He hadn’t expected her until later.When he opened the front door, Dean was already latched to Tessa’s legs like a koala.“Hi, sweetheart,” Tessa cooed, bending to hug her son properly, burying her nose into his soft hair. She looked up at Pedro with guarded eyes. “You said five. It’s only four.”Pedro shrugged faintly, stepping aside. “I didn’t want to waste an hour that could be yours.”Dean dragged her toward the sitting room. “Mummy, come see what I made!”She followed, and Pedro trailed behind quietly, watching her take in the living room. There were framed photos of Dean everywhere now — his first lost tooth, a birthday picture, a crayon scri

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   A Night In The same House

  AUTHORS POVTessa hadn’t planned to stay.But after Dean clung to her hand, whispering “Please don’t go, Mummy,” and Pedro stood quietly behind him, saying nothing—just watching her with weary, guilt-ridden eyes—she found herself saying: “I’ll stay. Just for tonight.”Pedro didn’t smile. He only nodded once, as if afraid anything more would shatter the fragile truce.Upstairs, she helped Dean change into his pyjamas, the small Spiderman set she’d packed for him tucked into the overnight bag Clarissa had delivered earlier.“Mummy, are you really staying?” he asked as she brushed his hair back.“Yes,” she said softly. “I’ll sleep right next to you.”He grinned, gap-toothed and tired, and leaned into her touch. “Good. Daddy tried to make dinner. It tasted weird.”Tessa chuckled lightly. “Oh really.”“I would have him make something better next time” Tessa said.***The kitchen looked like a war zone.There was a blackened pot on the stove, the smell of burnt rice hanging in the air like

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   Dean Runs Away 11

  AUTHORS POVThe Lorenzo mansion had grown quieter over the past few weeks—quieter, but not calmer. The atmosphere inside was like walking through thick fog—stifling, uncertain. Pedro sat in his study, fingers curled tightly around his glass of scotch, watching the ice melt slowly.He hadn’t heard Dean’s footsteps in over an hour. Normally, the boy would be bouncing down the hall, dragging some toy or book behind him, or calling out for “cartoons” or “snacks.” But tonight, the silence was ominous.Then came the crash.Pedro jumped to his feet and stormed out. He found Dean in the hallway, clutching a broken action figure. His face was flushed, and his tiny hands were trembling with frustration.“I told you not to touch my toys!” Dean shouted.Pedro, already on edge, snapped.“And I told you to stop screaming in this house! Enough, Dean!”The words shot out like daggers, louder than he’d ever spoken to the child. Dean froze. He did not know when he yelled. His eyes widened. The pain in

• RELUCTANT BRIDE FOR THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE   Let it be Real, Lord

  AUTHORS POVThe office was unusually quiet that morning.Tessa sat at her desk with her elbows propped on the smooth glass surface, fingers laced beneath her chin, eyes fixed on the empty coffee mug in front of her. Files sat untouched. Her laptop screen was still on the login page. She hadn’t been able to focus since she walked in.Her mind wasn’t here.It was back at the Lorenzo mansion.Back in Dean’s smile as he blew out birthday candles.Back in Pedro’s voice when he’d said, “Tell me what to do.”He’s changing, she thought. Or he’s pretending better than before. But which is it?The knock on the door snapped her back.Clarissa peeked in. “You’re not in a meeting, right?”“No. Come in,” Tessa said softly, straightening.Clarissa entered with a cup of hot tea in one hand and a little wrapped pastry in the other. She placed both on the desk.“You skipped breakfast,” she said knowingly.Tessa smiled faintly. “Thanks.”Clarissa sat in the chair across from her and studied her friend c