Semua Bab THE HEAT BETWEEN US : Bab 171 - Bab 180

I should have walked away. I should have ignored the way his words sent a shiver down my spine. But he never let me take the easy way out. I met his gaze, steady and unrelenting. “I don’t have time for your games.”He smirked. “Who said I’m playing?” I scoffed. “That’s all you ever do, isn’t it? You push, you manipulate, you trap people into your world, and you think I’ll just—” He cut me off, his voice lowering. “I think you’re scared.” And I froze. He took a step closer, his scent—expensive cologne and whiskey—invading my senses. “You’re afraid because you know the moment you let me in, you’ll never be able to push me out again.” Anger flared inside me, drowning out the weakness he was trying to pry open. “You’re just so delusional.” He chuckled. “Maybe. But I’m also a man who always gets what he wants.” I clenched my jaw. “Not this time.” His smirk didn’t waver. If anything, it deepened. “Then tell me, Alex—why are you still standing here?” I opened my mouth to ar

My fingers clenched into fists. He was already threatening me with legal action? I slammed my laptop shut and paced across the room, my mind racing. He wouldn’t actually drag me to court, would he? No, of course he would. But he didn’t bluff. And the worst part? He had the resources to win. If this turned into a legal battle, I’d be outmatched in every possible way. I needed to get ahead of this. Now. I grabbed my phone and dialed the one person who could help. “Alex?” My lawyer, Jenna, answered after the second ring. “We have a problem,” I said, gripping the edge of the counter. “Leon knows about the baby.”Silence. Then a sharp inhale. “And?” “And he’s already making moves to claim his place in my child’s life.” Jenna cursed under her breath. “I’ll set up a meeting with my team first thing in the morning. In the meantime, don’t respond to him.” I exhaled shakily. “Okay.” But as I hung up, I knew one thing for certain— This wasn’t just about me anymore.Chester wasn’t just t

I had almost convinced myself that Natasha was no longer a threat. That was my first mistake. The second was underestimating how far she was willing to go. I was reviewing a partnership deal in my office when Ava burst in, looking both furious, and concerned. "You need to see this," she said, dropping a folder onto my desk.. I frowned, flipping it open. Then my stomach dropped. A tabloid article. Natasha Romanoff spotted in Manhattan City, meeting with an unnamed Blackwood's insider. The photos showed her stepping out of a luxury car, her signature red lips curved into a smug smile. That evil mistress! That vile bitch!. She will pay for what she did to me, some days. Two day later, I received a message from Chester's mother, asking to meet with me. I wasn’t sure why I agreed to this meeting. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was exhaustion. Or maybe, deep down, I needed to hear it from someone else—someone who wasn’t Chester, the great liar. Chester’s mother, sat across from

CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV "You want me to do what?" I stared at my mother, struggling to process her words. She sighed, setting her teacup down with a clink. "I said, you need to let me speak to Alex on your behalf." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Mother—" "Chester," she interrupted firmly. "You hurt that girl in ways I can’t even begin to understand. If you truly love her, then humbling yourself isn’t a weakness. It’s a necessity." I clenched my jaw. I hated this. I hated that I had to beg for the chance to fix things. But I also knew she was right. Alex wasn’t going to fall for my persistence alone. She needed something bigger. Something genuine. I exhaled slowly. "Fine." A small smile touched my mother’s lips. "Good. I’ll arrange a meeting." But even as I agreed, a strange unease settled in my gut. Because Alex was the least of my worries right now. Natasha is back with more schemes. And if there was one thing I knew about her, it was that she never played fa

I never thought I’d find myself in this position again—sitting across from Chester's mother. She has to come over to Manhattan. Defended me from Natasha and her endless emotional torture. This woman has always looked out for me and I am grateful for her love. I can't just ignore her call anymore. She sat before me, her posture composed as always and her eyes… they held what I have come to love her for.Genuine concern. For me. For the baby. And also, for her son. The private dining room of one of Manhattan’s most exclusive restaurants was quiet, save for the distant hum of conversation from outside. A setting fitting for a Blackwood matriarch, but I felt so much warmth sitting before her. Strangely enough, I felt at peace. I felt this feeling I had missed for some months now. And I regret putting her in the dark. I wish I didn't pushed her away when she offered to help. "Thank you for meeting me," She said, her voice cool and kind. I folded my hands in my lap. "I almost didn’t.