Lahat ng Kabanata ng My Boss, My Husband: Kabanata 221 - Kabanata 230

"Speaking of that, did you get your IUD taken out? It was due to expire, right?" Jenna asked."It was a quick procedure, over in a minute. I don't know why I was so anxious about it," I admitted."Are you getting another one or switching birth control methods?""I have an appointment next month to decide. I haven't made up my mind yet as work's been so overwhelming. Maybe my body's just asking for a break from hormones.""If you're done with Matt, why bother? Let your body detox," she advised, then added, "Did you two hook up after you had it removed?""No," I said, wrinkling my nose. "He was traveling, and then it was the anniversary of my father's death... you know how I get around that time. Then your wedding, Alice, work... forget it."A heavy sadness filled my chest. I didn't know where my life was headed anymore. Alice might be taken from me, and I had no idea how this series of disastrous events would end."Hey, don't get all gloomy. Look on the bright side—you're not at

"I don't know. When he came back, he gave me this ridiculous speech about how I should rebuild my life with a 'good man' who'd be right for me. Now... I don't know. I don't know if I'll ever be able to think clearly with him around," I confessed, struggling to keep my thoughts steady."I don't know what to tell you either. His life is... complicated. But no matter what happens, don't give up on the future that you want," Jenna emphasized her words by pressing a hand over my heart.After she was done speaking, she pulled me into a hug, and I held on tightly. It was the only solid thing I had to hold on to right now.-Lucius's idea of a safe house turned out to be a secluded country estate outside the city. From the outside, it looked like any other house in the countryside, but inside, it was a fortress. Every room had security cameras in the corners, and many doors required digital codes to open. Guards patrolled the grounds, though only a select few had access to the main house.

I looked at her, utterly baffled."Why are you telling me this?" I asked, trying to piece together Julia's intentions.She took a deep breath, her jaw tightening as she looked away, avoiding my eyes."When you're the one, Marianne... you just are.""The one...?""Why didn't you tell me you'd arrived?" Lucius's voice cut through the air as he strode toward us.His hand went to my back in an almost possessive motion. He was tense, and his tone was sharper than usual."Eventually, you'd have known," Julia replied, her voice light but edged with a challenge. "Besides, I was just having some quality time with Marianne."Lucius looked between us, alarm written all over his face."Quality time? What were you two talking about?" His question carried a hint of nervousness."Girl talk. Is everyone here yet?" Julia asked, walking toward the house.I could feel Lucius's gaze fixed on me, his unspoken questions pressing, but I wasn't ready to discuss my conversation with Julia. Not yet.

Lucius Brown's P.O.V.The air between Amelia, Amanda, and I felt weighed down with every shameful quality that defined the woman who had birthed us. A horrendous mother to two wrecked children. Or maybe, I mused, it was she who deserved the blame for what we had all become.Amelia wasn't expecting Amanda to defend Marianne, that much was clear. She tried to laugh it off, but Amanda didn't."Oh, come on, Amanda. You hate Marianne, and she hates you. She has only taken care of your daughter out of pity and because she's waiting to snatch her away from you someday—her grand revenge," Amelia sneered.Amanda's lips trembled, her eyes glassy with tears."She might hate me... but I don't hate her anymore," Amanda said, her voice stronger than I had expected. "And Marianne won't take Alice from me. I know she won't."Amelia rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a snarl. "I must have given birth to you too late. The oxygen didn't reach your brain in time. Why wouldn't Marianne take your

Disoriented, he faltered just enough for me to land another punch and loosen his grip on the gun. By now, I was in the backseat, throwing punches and kicks as we wrestled. Finally, I managed to wrap my arm around his neck, cutting off his air. He stretched his arm out, desperately reaching for the gun on the floor, but it was useless. He passed out before he could grab it, his body slumping, lifeless for the moment. Angie was now cornered and panicked as she stared at me with terror.I shoved the unconscious man aside and picked up the gun."Now, shall we continue our little drive?" I asked.In a flash, Angie bolted from the car like a devil on fire, stumbling across the abandoned lot toward the warehouse entrance. I stepped out after her, wiping the blood from my mouth and letting her put some distance between us—this cat-and-mouse game suited her, I supposed.And then, a gunshot rang out.Angie collapsed to the ground.I turned around, and there she was: Julia, steady as a rock