Semua Bab Cripple Billionaire Husband : Bab 71 - Bab 80

Lauren sat on the mansion’s living room floor. Emmy sprawled beside her, puzzle pieces scattered across the rug, the morning light soft through the windows.“Emmy, try this piece,” Lauren said, her voice warm, handing her a corner piece, but Emmy just stared at her, her eyes dull. “You’re quiet today, sweetie. What’s going on?”Emmy sighed, her voice small, her curls falling over her eyes. “Mia says I’m bossy at school, and Tommy took my crayon yesterday.” She pushed a puzzle piece away, her lips pouting. “I just wanted to play my game.”Lauren’s heart ached, her voice gentle as she brushed Emmy’s curls back. “Oh, Em, sometimes friends need a little space. Maybe share with Tommy and ask Mia what she wants to play?” She hugged her daughter, her mind flickering to Richard Cole’s Tom-like face, a secret she hadn’t told Alex, his company stress weighing on both of them.Emmy nodded slowly, her voice brighter. “Okay, Mommy. Can we finish the castle?” She grabbed a piece, her grin returning

Lauren stood frozen in the kitchen, her phone trembling in her hand, the text glowing: “You’re digging too deep.” Her voice was a whisper, her eyes locked on Alex’s. “Dan.” The name hung heavy, his escape four years ago a ghost, his threats escalating—first the note on her car, now this. Emmy colored nearby, her crayons scratching, oblivious to the tension, the mansion’s warmth dimming in the evening light.Alex’s eyes widened, his voice low, stepping closer, his hand on her arm. “Dan? He’s back?” His tone was sharp, his Sterling Ventures client win from yesterday overshadowed by fear, his hurt from Lauren’s secrecy about Richard Cole still raw. “Lauren, what’s going on? First Richard, now this?”Lauren’s breath caught, her voice trembling, setting the phone down. “Alex, I’m sorry. I was about to tell you—Richard’s Tom’s twin, stolen at birth, didn’t even know he was adopted.” She reached for his hand, her eyes wet, their trust strained from his discovery yesterday. “Then this text c

Alex watched Lauren across the kitchen, her eyes distant, stirring coffee, Dan’s school appearance replaying in her mind. His voice was soft, his worry deep. “Lauren, you’re not sleeping. Talk to me.” He touched her hand, their romance a steady light, his Sterling Ventures board meeting looming, adding strain.Lauren’s voice was raw, squeezing his hand. “Alex, I keep seeing Dan’s face, his eyes.” She glanced at Emmy, eating toast, her voice low. “I’m trying to focus, but I’m scared.” Her distraction was palpable, Richard’s twin reveal and Dan’s threat fracturing her calm.Alex’s voice was firm, pulling her close. “We’re doubling security, love. Emmy, you, Langston—I’ve got you.” He kissed her, their lips urgent, their love intense despite his hurt from her secrecy. “You’re off, Lauren. I’m worried.”Lauren nodded, her voice trembling, leaning into him. “I know, Alex. The breach, Dan, it’s too much.” She kissed him back, the kitchen warm, their bond a shield, Richard’s coffee on the co

Lauren sat crumpled in her Langston Enterprises office, the moonlight slicing through the blinds, her body trembling as she clutched her phone, Alex’s voicemail echoing in her ears. “Alex, please, I was drugged. It wasn’t me with Richard.” Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her face, the cryptic note beside her—“You should’ve stopped digging”—a cold confirmation of Dan’s handThe memory of waking up naked on the cot, Richard beside her, clothes scattered, papers strewn, seared her mind. Her heart pounded, the setup a knife in her chest, her love for Alex a desperate anchor against the betrayal’s weight.She dialed again, her voice raw, pleading into the void. “Alex, I love you. It was Dan, not me. Please.” The silence on the other end was a fresh wound, his trust—already fragile from her secrecy about Richard’s twin status (Tom’s stolen brother) shattered by the scene he’d witnessed hours ago. Her head throbbed, the bitter aftertaste of Richard’s drugged mineral water. Elena’s

Lauren’s scream tore through the school parking lot, her eyes locked on Dan’s black van as it sped away with Emmy inside, his scarred face smirking through the window. Her hands shook, fumbling for her keys, her voice choked. “Emmy, I’m coming!” She jumped into her SUV, the engine roaring, tires screeching as she peeled out, the school fading behind her.The Boston streets were crowded, cars honking, lights glaring. Lauren’s voice was frantic, gripping the wheel. “Where are you, Dan?” She spotted the van’s tail lights, her breath quick, Emmy’s scared face in her mind. A taxi swerved in front, her voice a shout. “Get out of the way!” She jerked the wheel, nearly hitting a minivan, the driver yelling, her hands trembling.At a red light, the van surged ahead, Dan’s head turning, his smirk taunting. Lauren’s voice broke. “You’re not getting away!” She floored it as the light turned, but a delivery truck blocked her, its brakes squealing. The van vanished around a corner. Lauren slammed