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Chapter 12

Penulis: Hayley
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-03 00:43:39

JACE POV.

Anna trembled in my arms, her breathing uneven, her fingers curled tightly into my shirt. It broke me—seeing her like this, knowing I was the reason for her pain.

I hadn’t wanted this. I hadn’t wanted her to feel like she was fighting this battle alone. But my father, my mother, Vanya…the Lysander name, all of it was pulling me in directions I never wanted to go.

I ran a hand down her back, trying to calm her. “You’ll never be alone,” I murmured against her hair. “I promise you that.”

She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t pull away either. That was enough for now.

I exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss to her temple before gently cupping her face in my hands. Her eyes were red, her cheeks damp, but damn it, she was beautiful—even when she was hurting.

“Look at me,” I said softly.

Her lashes fluttered, but she didn’t resist as I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. There was something in her eyes—uncertainty, exhaustion, heartbreak. But beneath it all, there
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  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 100

    JACE POV.I closed the door behind the last guest, finally letting out a deep breath. The house was quiet again—decorations half-falling, stray balloons bouncing along the floor, and wrapping paper everywhere. The party had been a success, no doubt about that. Nathan was spoiled rotten, loved on by everyone, and the smile on Anna’s face? Worth every bit of it.I turned to see her walking back from the kitchen, her hair tied up, a soft flush on her cheeks. God, she was glowing even though I knew she was dead tired.“That’s it,” she sighed, falling onto the couch and stretching her legs out. “Our boy’s officially one.”I sat down beside her, pulling her close until she was tucked under my arm. “We pulled it off, babe. You pulled it off.”She gave me a lazy smile. “We both did. But did you see your mother’s side eye?”I huffed a laugh, kissing her temple. “I saw. Let her look. She can keep side-eyeing all she wants, Nathan’s her grandson and she knows it now. That’s what matters.”Anna

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 99

    ANNA POVThe months seemed to fly by in a blur of laughter, cuddles, and sleepless nights that somehow still felt magical. Before I knew it, I was standing in Nathan’s nursery, staring down at my little boy who was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling gently, his tiny lips parted. My heart clenched with so much love I thought I might burst.Tomorrow… my baby would be one.It didn’t even feel real. I traced his soft cheek with my finger, whispering, “Where did the time go, little love?”The house was buzzing with quiet excitement. Jace had gone completely overboard—of course. We were planning the grandest first birthday party anyone had ever seen. Balloons, cakes, themed decorations, entertainers, even a petting zoo in the backyard. I kept teasing him, telling him Nathan wouldn’t even remember it, but deep down, I loved how invested Jace was. It meant everything to me.I wandered down to the living room, where the last of the decorations had been set up. The place looked magic

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 98

    JACE POV.I stood by the terrace railing, staring out at the endless stretch of blue as the sun began its slow descent, casting golden streaks across the sea. The breeze was warm, but there was this tightness in my chest I couldn’t ignore. Tomorrow, we were heading back to Auckland. Back to reality. Back to everything we’d left behind.Anna’s laughter floated from inside, soft and light, as she played with Nathan. God, I’d gotten used to this peace. To waking up to the sound of waves, to seeing Anna’s real and unburdened smile and Nathan’s tiny hands reaching for us like we were his whole world.I ran a hand through my hair, sighing.Anna stepped out onto the terrace, Nathan on her hip, his sleepy eyes blinking up at me. “You’re quiet,” she said gently, leaning her head against my arm. “Thinking about tomorrow?”I looked at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Yeah... I guess I’m not ready to leave. It’s been perfect here.”She smiled, though her eyes shimmered with the s

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 97

    ANNA POV.We’d been exploring Santorini for hours, walking hand-in-hand down winding cobblestone streets, the sun casting long shadows as it began its descent toward the horizon. The sky had transformed into a gradient of gold and purple, the soft hues reflecting off the whitewashed buildings, making everything feel like a dream. Nathan was in his stroller, his chubby hands reaching out to catch the warm breeze, his little giggles filling the air with joy.I had almost forgotten how beautiful this place was—how much we needed this escape. The stress of everything that had happened back in Auckland felt like a distant memory. It was just us here, in this perfect little bubble, exploring a place so far removed from everything.Jace was beside me, looking every bit as radiant as the scenery around us. I could see the way he looked at me, like I was the only thing in the world that mattered, and it made my chest tighten with a mix of love and gratitude.We stopped for a moment, leaning

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 96

    JACE POVThe flight was smooth, and as I glanced over at Anna, I could see the quiet awe in her eyes. She had a way of absorbing the world, taking everything in as if it were a rare treasure. Watching her like that, her hand resting softly in mine, I couldn’t help but think about how much she deserved this—this escape, this peace.When the plane touched down in Santorini, I had to stop myself from grinning like an idiot. I wasn’t really one to get all sentimental or mushy, but damn, seeing Anna’s face when we touched down was like witnessing a dream come true. The way her breath caught, the way she turned to me, eyes wide with wonder, it was enough to make me forget about everything else.“Anna,” I murmured, my voice low, trying to keep the moment special. “Welcome to paradise.”She just squeezed my hand, a silent acknowledgment of how real it was—how perfect it was.As we made our way to the villa, the landscape changed from the blue of the sea to the whitewashed buildings perched

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 95

    ANNA POV.I couldn’t stop smiling. My heart felt light, my body buzzing with happiness like I’d been holding my breath for weeks and was finally breathing again.Santorini.Just the thought of it made me giddy. I twirled around the living room, fingers brushing the new diamond chain around my neck, the sparkle catching the light. The flowers Jace brought were sitting in a vase now, filling the room with their fresh, calming scent.I needed to tell someone.I grabbed my phone and tapped Teresa’s name, my hands shaking with excitement. She picked up on the second ring.“Anna! My love!” she greeted, her voice warm and familiar. “What’s going on?”“Teresa!” I practically squealed, flopping onto the couch. “You will not believe the past two days I’ve had.”“Oh no.” She gasped. “What happened? Are you okay?”I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me. “I’m more than okay. But it was crazy. Let me tell you everything.”And I did. I spilled it all—starting from the moment I stormed over to Soph

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 94

    JACE POV.Her breathing evened out slowly, the rise and fall of her chest steady against mine. I stayed completely still, my fingers tangled in her hair, just listening. Letting the quiet wrap around us.But my mind… it wasn’t quiet.God. My heart was still racing, my thoughts running wild, even though the house was finally calm.I looked down at her—my wife. My everything. She was asleep now, peaceful, her face soft and relaxed. But the memory of her tears earlier tonight... It gutted me. I’d never forget the way her voice cracked, the betrayal in her eyes when she asked me if I’d touched Sophie.That question.That fear in her voice.I squeezed my eyes shut, my throat tightening.I’d put that there.I did that.And the worst part? She had every damn right to doubt me. I’d let things slide, ignored warning signs, let Sophie inch too close when I should have shut it all down the second I felt something off.Hell, I knew Anna wasn’t the type to be paranoid or jealous for no reason. Sh

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 93

    ANNA POV.And just like that, it all came crashing down.I sat there, staring at him—his eyes wet, his voice cracking, hands gripping my thighs like he was drowning. But I wasn’t even really seeing him. My mind was spinning, heart racing, pieces snapping together in this ugly, jagged puzzle I didn’t want to solve.That night.The memory slammed into me like a freight train. The night he came home late—eyes avoiding mine, shoulders tense, voice clipped and distant. I'd asked if everything was okay, and he brushed me off, saying he was tired.And the smell.God, I remembered it now—the faint, cloying scent of perfume on his shirt when I hugged him, one I didn’t recognize, one that made my stomach turn even then. But I’d swallowed my gut feeling. I’d told myself I was overthinking, that I was insecure, and paranoid.But I wasn’t.I choked on a sob, my hand flying to my mouth as the realization crushed me. “Oh my God,” I whispered, shaking my head, tears spilling fast now. “You came hom

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 92

    JACE POV.I grabbed her wrists and shoved her back, hard enough that she stumbled and nearly fell against the desk.Anna’s eyes flicked to me, her jaw tight, her chest rising and falling fast—but she didn’t say a word. She was watching. I turned to Sophie, my fury boiling over now. “What the hell did you mean,” I growled, “when you told Anna you had proof I touched you?”Her face drained of color, shoulders tightening as she shook her head. “I… I didn’t—Jace, I didn’t mean it like that. She was attacking me—slapping me—what was I supposed to do? She cornered me—”“Cut the crap.” My voice rose, sharp and cutting through her excuses. “I’ve been standing at that door longer than you realized. I heard everything. Every damn word.”Her lips parted, chest heaving, eyes darting around like she was searching for some way out.“So,” I pressed, stepping closer, my anger simmering just beneath my skin, “I’m going to ask you again. What proof do you have that I touched you?”She opened her mouth

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