Lahat ng Kabanata ng Protecting The Heiress : Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

LIAThe words I’ve kept buried seem to boil up inside of me. Words of hurt, longing, heartache that has twisted itself deep, when even I can barely reach it. I want to scream at him. I want to demand answers, force him to tell me why he disappeared, why he left me here to be mad with worry, clawing through days that stretched endlessly without him.But as he stands there, with softened face and eyes weighed with something unsaid, looking at me like he hasn’t shattered my world, like he hasn’t been gone for a week without a trace, like I wasn’t shell of myself because of his absence, like I haven’t been teetering on the edge, the words slip away. Every line I rehearsed in the mirror all vanish. My voice fades under the weight of his gaze and his silence.Tears spill over before I can stop them, mingling with the rain that lashes down, soaking me to the bone. The chill seeps into my skin, but the burn of his stare holds me still, locked in place.The world feels muffled, just the sound

NIKOLAISigning the contract with Lia was a selfish decision. I knew from the start that the pay wouldn’t cover my sister’s hospital bills, but I still went for the job. Now I’m paying the price for that decision.For the past one week, I’ve taken on some of the most dangerous jobs I’ve ever accepted. The kind of jobs that put me inches away from death. Jobs that used to give me a thrill and make me feel alive in some twisted way. But now, I can’t say the same anymore. Because the thrill no longer fuels me, rather it unsettles me. Every time I’m on the edge of life and death, I find myself hesitating. The adrenaline I used to love now feels more like a sick twist in my gut and it makes me want to turn and run, to protect myself.My sister makes me feel fearless. For her I’m ready to face anything, come hell, or high water. But it’s different when it comes to Lia. She makes me want to back down and avoid risks. Because every time I think about facing something that could end me, there’s

LIA'S POV“What?” I glance up at the wall clock. “That’s a bit last minute.” My words trail off, one by one.Sally exhales sharply, her masked exasperation bleeding through the line. “Come on, Lia. You promised.”Not exactly. I told her to call me when the so-called reunion date is set, but now it’s tonight, and apparently, I’m obligated to be there.“I’m kind of busy at the moment.” I stare at the papers sprawl across my desk.That isn’t a lie. I have mountain of work that I need to finish before today runs out and it’s already three in the afternoon. Plus, I have a meeting with the product development team later. This project has been a stressful roller coaster, but we’re finally seeing results.“Please.” Sally’s voice hardens subtly. “Everyone is busy too, but we’re making time for this. Besides, it’s after work hours.”I chew on the inside of my cheeks, glancing around my office space as if it might hand me a valid excuse. “Oh, I’ll be working late tonight.”“You don’t have to come

LIAI’m about to speak when a squeal cut through the air, startling me. “Surprise, Lia is here.”When I look back up, a door is opened in front of me, and I’m faced with my worst nightmare. Not exactly, but you know what I mean.I pull my lips back into an awkward smile as I reluctantly step into the Vip room. “Hi guys.” I swallow. “It’s been a while.” My eyes go over them one by one. Damn Sally for having everyone dress their best except for me.“A while?” Lori rises to her feet and walks over to me. “A decade is definitely not a while.” A bittersweet smile spread over her face as she pulls me into a hug. “It’s been such a long time, Lia.”I’m surprised by this gesture that I freeze for a moment before tapping back to life and hugging her back. Vicky, and Frank are already right behind me, wrapping their hands around me in a tight hug.“How have you been?” Vicky says with a smile as she throws a hand over my shoulder and lead me to a couch.“Good.”Lori sits beside me. “I can see tha

NIKOLAI POV“Please, don’t act so moral and righteous. Didn’t you make the video in the first place?” He says, almost agitated. “And I destroyed when I realized how bad it was. But you somehow got a copy and kept it for how many years, eight years?”“Fine, make me the villain. As if we weren’t in on this in high school.”“That was then,” the male says. “Besides, it was harmless pranks then.”I slow my pace as Sally’s voice trickles through the wall of the room. “Constantly harassing her was just a prank. Spreading a nasty rumor about her because she wouldn’t send you nudes was a prank. Telling everyone you asked her out as a joke when I told you she planned on rejecting you was all a prank—”I barge into the room, fury boiling inside of me. their voices tune down as my eyes land on the culprit in question. I match across the room and crouch to pick Lia’s heels before making way to the culprit.He shifts back in his seat. I’m sure if there is an open space in the couch, he’ll crawl i