Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 161 - Chapitre 170

Caroline's Point of ViewThe next morning, I enter the store taking a deep breath. I brace myself for any chaos the day might bring. The bell above the door rings as I walk in. The familiar smell of polished wood, velvet displays, and faint perfume welcomes me. Warm lights cast a soft glow on the arranged jewelry making everything glitter.It's early, but some customers already look at the displays. This is a good sign. Sales have gone up , and I know why."Ah, la mia bella donna finalmente arriva."I have time to turn before I hear Alessandro's smooth, teasing voice. I look over and see him standing by the counter leaning on it with the kind of easy confidence he can pull off. His dark brown hair looks a bit messy—on purpose, I bet—and his sharp features show a relaxed amused expression."Alessandro," I sigh putting my bag down behind the counter. "You're here .""For you? Always." He puts a hand on his chest like he's touched. "Plus, my dear Caroline how could I skip any chance to s

Caroline's Point of ViewBy the time I step into the house, exhaustion clings to me, but I push it aside the moment I see Liam sitting alone on the couch. His posture is stiff, his hands restlessly fiddling with the hem of his shirt, and his head is bowed slightly. He looks deep in thought, his little brows furrowed in concentration.Immediately, concern prickles my chest.Liam is usually full of energy after school, always eager to tell me about his day. He’d talk about the games he played with Lorenzo’s son, what he learned, and even the things he found funny. But today… he’s quiet.Too quiet.I set my bag down and approach him, lowering myself onto the couch beside him. “Liam?” My voice is soft, careful. “Is something wrong?”Liam lifts his head, and the seriousness in his expression makes my stomach tighten. He’s only a child, yet the way he looks at me right now feels far too mature—like he’s carrying something heavier than he should be.“Mom,” he says after a brief pause, his vo

Dolly’s Point of ViewThe moment Evelyn bursts through the front door, her little face is alight with excitement. She doesn’t even bother to take off her shoes properly, just kicks them aside as she rushes toward me."Mommy! I did what you said!"I set down my cup of tea, feigning surprise, though I’ve been waiting for this moment all day. I pat the couch beside me. "Oh? Come here and tell me everything, sweetheart."Evelyn scrambles up beside me, eyes gleaming with pride. "I told the teacher that Liam was being mean to me, and when he tried to say he wasn’t, I started crying real loud! The other kids got scared, and the teacher got super mad at him!" She giggles. "And then at recess, nobody wanted to play with him!"A slow, satisfied smile spreads across my lips."Good girl," I murmur, stroking her hair. "That’s exactly how you handle situations like this."She beams up at me, waiting for more praise."Now tell me," I continue, my tone gentle but firm. "Did anyone suspect you were ly

Caroline’s Point of ViewThe tension in the principal’s office is suffocating. It wraps around me like an iron chain, weighing heavier with every second that ticks by. The moment Knoxx steps inside, everything changes.Dolly’s tears dry up instantly. Evelyn, who had been sniffling dramatically in her mother’s arms, suddenly clings to Knoxx’s leg like she’s been terrified this whole time. The teacher looks relieved, as if his presence somehow solves everything.But it’s his eyes that make my stomach churn.Knoxx’s gaze doesn’t land on me first. No, his attention is locked on something else—Adrian’s hand, which is still wrapped firmly around my wrist.His expression doesn’t shift immediately, but I see the flicker of something dangerous beneath the surface. His jaw tightens, his fingers twitch, and then, slowly, his gaze drags upward until he meets my eyes.

Knoxx Point of ViewI wasn't even supposed to be here.But the school sent a reminder about Evelyn's event, and for some damn reason, I clicked “yes.” Maybe it was habit. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe I just wanted to see if Caroline would be there.Let’s not pretend I don’t know what this is. I’ve been trying to play it cool, pretending she doesn’t matter anymore. Pretending the distance between us doesn’t feel like a knife slowly digging deeper.But the moment I step into the school courtyard, I see her—and all that cool vanishes.She’s standing under the archway of some kindergarten art project, surrounded by paper suns and glittery stars. She's laughing. That soft, effortless laugh I haven’t heard in years. And beside her?Adrian.He’s adjusting the collar of her coat, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. His fingers graze her neck. She looks up at h