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There it is. A small crack

Penulis: Beth
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-05-22 23:41:45

ZOE’S POV

The restaurant Austin picked wasn’t far from the office I shared with Owen. It looked elegant and quiet with soft music playing in the background. We were seated by the window side, light spreading across the table.

He smiled as I sat down opposite him. “Thanks for sparing me the time especially with how last-minute this was.”

I returned the smile. “You don’t need to thank me, Austin. You’re family. It’s no problem.”

He gave a small nod and glanced down fidgeting with the edge of his napkin. “I’ve been looking to talk to you… not about the project or business. About family.”

That caught my attention. My spine straightened just slightly, but I kept my expression calm.

“I realized I know next to nothing about Zoe’s side of the family,” he continued. “She never talks about your parents. Neither does Jamie, one would expect him to talk about his grandparents sometimes, knowing how kids love being with them, but he has never done so. And I don’t know… I just thought maybe you co
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  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    A terrifying silence

    AUSTIN’S POV I sat alone at the table playing with my coffee. Chloe had called earlier saying she needed to see me to discuss something important.She didn’t say what it was about.Just, “Can we meet?”It was rare. Chloe never called me out of the blue. Especially not without business in between.So I came early. I couldn’t help it. I was shaken by her voice. Not in a panicked way. Just… Serious.I checked my watch again.Then I saw Chloe walking toward the table, her eyes scanning the room until they found me. She looked put together, but tense.“Sorry for the wait” she said taking a seat.“I actually got here a little early” I replied putting the coffee aside. “You’re not usually one to ask.”She forced a smile. That unsettled me.“You okay?” I asked, leaning forward.She sighed. “Austin… I know I might be overstepping by getting involved in what happens between you and Zoe. Especially a private matter that has to do with your marriage. I know that. But this… this is beyond that. S

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    An Ugly truth

    ZOE’S POV “I think you might be right,” Owen said dropping an envelope on my desk. “She's been to the hospital alone. Twice.”I looked up at him slowly, then at the envelope. My heart immediately started beating faster.He added, “Photos are in there. I had him follow her yesterday and the day before. Same hospital. No driver. No Austin.”I didn’t say anything at first. Just reached for the envelope like it might burn me. It felt like the beginning of a truth I’d been dying to pull into the light.“I knew it” I whispered my fingers working quickly now, looking at the photos from inside.The first one was of Chloe coming out of the car in big sunglasses and a scarf that didn't conceal her much. She was clearly trying not to be recognized. The timestamp in the corner confirmed the visit was just yesterday morning.The next photo was even more telling—she was walking out of the hospital alone, a hand pressed to her stomach. Her face looked pale. Worn. Not the face of a glowing, joyful,

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Old habits

    ZOE’S POV My heels clicked softly on the floor as Owen and I stepped into Austin’s office building. It had been years but somehow everything still looked almost the same. The air felt familiar. The walls, the furniture, all of it pulled at a corner of my memory I’d sealed off long ago.We were here for a meeting with an investor, yet my heart beat faster than it should have. Maybe it was the memories, maybe it was what I knew and what Austin didn’t. Either way, I wasn’t just here to discuss business today.Owen glanced sideways at me. “You okay?”I took a moment to respond. I looked around the room, my old desk is now someone else’s. A place I once sat with dreams in my head and a secret in my heart. I felt like my old self.“Yeah,” I finally said clearing my throat. “I just didn’t think I would walk into this place again.”Before Owen could respond Austin stepped out from his private office with that wide smile that had come to feel more and more strange lately. He was beaming with

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Something deeper shattered

    CHLOE'S POV It had been almost a week since I told Austin I was pregnant—and I don’t think I’d ever experienced such peace. Or love. Not like this.I’ve been starting the day with breakfast in bed and waking up to the smell of pancakes or eggs. Austin handled everything—Jamie’s breakfast, his school prep, drop-offs. The moment I told him something shifted in him. He was softer and more attentive.Like this morning.He walked in with a tray containing eggs, toast, fresh fruit and a cup of tea. The tray almost fell as Jamie bounced beside him on the bed excited to kiss my belly again like he had been doing every morning now.“Here you go, darling,” Austin said placing the tray on my lap. “Now, remember, you’re not lifting a finger, okay? If you need anything at all just call one of the staff from the landline.”He sat beside me looking into my eyes like I was made of glass. “Do you remember the time for your appointment? I want to clear my schedule early so we’re not rushing.”I smiled

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    The "Good News"

    AUSTIN’S POV “You're dressed up? I was not expecting that” I said walking into the room and putting my keys down. “I’m guessing you're feeling better?” Zoe was sitting on the bed fully dressed. Her hair in a messy bun and she had a little box with a ribbon sitting in her lap.She smiled at me her expression unreadable. “I feel a little better” she said quietly. “Here… open this first.”I blinked. “What is this?”“Just open it.” she insisted holding the box out to me.I took it with a cautious smile pulling at the soft ribbon. The lid lifted easily, and inside I saw a white plastic stick. I frowned, trying to place it. I’d seen it before, but…My eyes slowly widened when I saw the two bright pink lines.I looked up at Zoe. “Wait… is this…?”She was already grinning. “Yes, Austin. I’m pregnant.”The air seemed to leave the room. I stared at her stunned into silence for a moment then looked back at the test like it might vanish if I blinked. My chest tightened but in the best way pos

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Finally, a seal to my place here.

    CHLOE'S POV I sat calmly in the hospital passageway legs crossed, perfectly poised. The smell of disinfectant filled the air and nurses went by without paying much attention. That was good. I wanted to blend in like just another concerned visitor. But I wasn’t here for concern. I was here for control. When I finally saw Zoe and Owen walking down the hall, a sense of satisfaction grew inside me. There it was…the look on Zoe’s face. Confusion. Apprehension. Like she was watching something fall apart that she thought she had perfectly planned. They weren't expecting me. Not now. Not after all this time.Zoe's pace quickened. She approached me with that usual still, accusing stance. “Why are you here?” She asked, her voice already tight before she was close enough to whisper. Owen stood behind her, quiet, watchful. Like always. I tilted my head slightly offering Zoe a soft smile. “I came to check on Nick,” I said lightly as if I were talking about an old friend, not a man I once tri

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