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78. Welcome back

Penulis: Anne Joyce
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-05-15 21:57:59

SERA

Morning sunlight poured through the windows as our car rolled down the narrow path leading to Blackwood Estate. The tall trees lining the road felt like they were welcoming us home.

Last night, I almost pushed Cal past his limit. And even though he had turned me down—so gently, so kindly—I knew he could tell I was trying to dig too deep. What surprised me was how he still held me afterward. How he rubbed my back without saying a word. How he stayed awake watching over me even though I could tell he barely slept himself.

And now, this morning, he was driving with one hand on the wheel and the other slipping into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. Just like he promised—he acted like nothing happened. Too normal, honestly. Normal enough to make me want to shake him a little, just to see if he was really that good at pretending.

Cal parked the car and turned off the engine. He glanced at me with a small smile—the same one that made me feel safe last night and most
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  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   79. It means you admit you’re mine

    SERAThe late afternoon sun streamed through the tall curtains, casting a golden glow over the towering bookshelves lining the walls. In the middle of the room, Ace sat on a deep red sofa, looking annoyingly composed—shoulders relaxed, legs crossed, a book resting on his lap like it was just another accessory.I stood at the doorway, took a deep breath.Without even bothering to look up, he asked, “Are you here out of guilt or intention?”I closed the door quietly. “Maybe a bit of both.”He finally looked at me, just for a few seconds, then sighed and set his book down. “Sit.”I walked slowly toward him, and just as I was about to settle into the single chair across from him, he patted his thigh once. A silent order. Sit here.I held back a smile, then obeyed. I sat on his lap, feeling how calm his body was, though I could sense the tension just beneath the surface.“One question,” he said directly.“What?”He turned to me, his face too close. “What made you fall for Cal?”I froze. “A

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   78. Welcome back

    SERAMorning sunlight poured through the windows as our car rolled down the narrow path leading to Blackwood Estate. The tall trees lining the road felt like they were welcoming us home.Last night, I almost pushed Cal past his limit. And even though he had turned me down—so gently, so kindly—I knew he could tell I was trying to dig too deep. What surprised me was how he still held me afterward. How he rubbed my back without saying a word. How he stayed awake watching over me even though I could tell he barely slept himself.And now, this morning, he was driving with one hand on the wheel and the other slipping into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. Just like he promised—he acted like nothing happened. Too normal, honestly. Normal enough to make me want to shake him a little, just to see if he was really that good at pretending.Cal parked the car and turned off the engine. He glanced at me with a small smile—the same one that made me feel safe last night and most

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   77. Let me in

    CALWe came back upstairs after the movie—the first fifteen minutes wasted on me trying to make sure the TV still worked properly. It wasn’t perfect, but good enough to make Sera laugh at the effort I put in.Up in the room, she collapsed onto my bed. I was still by the door, taking off my hoodie and leaving only a thin T-shirt. The light was dim. A soft drizzle started outside the window.“You cold? Want my hoodie?” I offered.Sera stretched lazily, arms above her head, a small but satisfied smile on her lips. “I’m fine. It’s a bit warmer here than in San Francisco.”I gave a slight nod and hung my hoodie behind the door. “Still just as humid to me.”She raised an eyebrow. “You hate humidity?”“Not hate. Just need to adjust. In Blackwood, the fog rolls in from the hills—it feels like ice water clinging to your skin.” I slowly walked toward the bed and sat at the edge. I grinned at the memory. “When I first moved there, I slept in socks, hoodies, and even bought an extra heater. In Mo

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   76. It’s cute when you’re flustered

    CAL“If you miss this place, we could stay the night.”I fell silent, staring at the wall across from me. The offer was simple, but it echoed—like she knew what I hadn’t even admitted to myself.I turned to look at her. “You sure?”Sera gave a small nod. “Yeah. I mean … you brought me all the way here. I don’t mind staying if you need time here.”I hesitated. A part of me worried it might make her uncomfortable. This house was full of shadows, not the kind you easily share. But she kept looking at me with that calm, open expression. Sincerely, without any hesitation.“Okay,” I murmured at last.We headed upstairs. My old bedroom was still at the end of the hall. Everything looked just like it used to—the gray curtains I liked, the small bookshelf, the bed with the wooden headboard I built in high school.She stepped in, her fingers brushing along the shelves, pausing at a photo frame on the desk. It was a picture of me and my mother, standing in front of the hospital where I did my fi

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   75. You miss her

    CALI’d just stepped out of the arrivals gate, suitcase in my left hand, shoulders tight from too little sleep. Paul’s smile when he handed me that tiny baby was still playing on repeat in my head.I glanced down to pull my phone from my jacket pocket, and when I looked up—I saw her.“Sera?” I barely believed it.Her hair was still tied back, her work blazer a little rumpled, and her face—God, she smiled like I’d just come back from war. Not that polite, careful smile she usually wore. This one was pure relief. Like she needed to see me. And before I could even process it, she started running.My heart stopped.The next second was a blur. She crashed into my chest with a hug that nearly knocked me off balance. My suitcase slipped from my grip. “Whoa—”Her arms wrapped around me tight, and I stood there frozen for a second, until my body caught up with the moment and I hugged her back.I could feel her breath tremble against my neck. “You’re here,” she whispered, like she needed to say

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   74. Fries and feelings it is

    SERAI opened Damon’s bedroom door slowly, wearing his hoodie that was way too big on me—its long sleeves falling past my fingers. That familiar scent of his—darkly masculine, faint smoke, and worn leather—still clung to the fabric. Still clung to me. My bare feet padded across the cold marble floor, hair still messy from the night before.I thought the house was still quiet.But just as I crossed into the left wing—so close to my room—my steps halted when a tall figure with tousled blond hair emerged from the room right next to mine.Beck. Holding a mug of coffee, dressed in a loose shirt and crumpled pants. He lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine. Just for a moment, but long enough to see the way his pupils widened. How his smile flickered for the briefest second, before slowly fading away.There was silence for a few seconds. I tried to speak. Say something. Anything.But Beck spoke first. “Morning,” he said, his voice calm and soft. Almost too calm.I bit my lip. “Beck, I—”“It’

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   73. Who did this to you?

    DAMONI woke up to a soft sound. A choked whimper from the side of the bed. Sera was squirming restlessly under the blanket, her face drenched in sweat. Her brow furrowed, her breaths shallow as if she were drowning in something I couldn't see, something terrifying her.My hand moved instinctively to her shoulder. “Sera?” I whispered. She didn’t wake. My fingers brushed down her arm, gave a gentle shake. “Wake up, baby. You’re dreaming.”Her body stiffened all at once. In a heartbeat, her eyes snapped open so wide, terrified. I froze. It was like she wasn’t seeing me—like she was still trapped in a place I couldn’t reach.“Sera,” I repeated softly, but her breathing grew more frantic. Her chest rose and fell in sharp, broken rhythms. She sat up fast, clutching the sheets like they were the only thing keeping her tethered to this world.My heart clenched. My breath caught in my throat seeing her like this. Minutes ago, I had her curled against me, gasping my name like it was the only w

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   72. Say you’re mine

    DAMONSera’s body felt so small, so light in my arms. Her skin was warm, soft, but ever since that agreement, I couldn’t leave marks on her anymore. Not like before. Not as deep. Not as many. Even if sometimes, I still lost control.I stroked her back slowly, fingers combing through her hair, letting the weight of our breathing settle into something quiet, something steady.The silence broke when she spoke with a low voice, heavy with sleepiness. “There’s a gala next month. It’s also supposed to be Ace’s birthday party,” she said, catching my hand and resting it over her waist. “You’re going public. All four of you. Tomorrow, Grant’s gonna brief everyone—once Cal’s back.”I hummed in response, nodding, fingers still trailing lazily along her spine. Of course Grant would start laying out the plan—Reggie’s plan. Our fight wasn’t over. Maybe it hadn’t even started yet.To be honest, I never took it seriously in the beginning. I never wanted to be the heir to anything. I just wanted out.

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   71. Stay still, baby

    DAMONShe really went full bad girl when she barged into my room wearing nothing but a black T-shirt—my T-shirt. Somehow, that was even hotter than if she’d walked in naked.“Is this how you study? Half-naked and dangerously hot?” she asked, arm crossed.I was actually trying to be a better man for once, doing some homework on the Blackwood Group. But the second I saw her standing there—bare legs, messy hair, those big challenging eyes like a sin straight out of hell—I lost it.My body moved before my brain caught up. One breath and I already had her in my arms, kissing her hard, hungry, with an urge I couldn’t fake if I tried.“You really want me to lose my mind tonight, huh, princess?” I murmured against her mouth.She just let out this low, dirty laugh—one that made me instantly harder—and ran her fingers down my bare chest, like she knew exactly how easy it was to make me fall apart.“You’re not scared of me at all, are you?” I whispered, my hand wrapped around her neck.She looke

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