Semua Bab A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss: Bab 401 - Bab 410

Madison"Thank you." I kept my voice neutral and professional. The same tone I'd used when updating him on quarterly reports. Alexander's fingers curled around his coffee cup. "Madison, I was an idiot not to visit you back then. Not to reach out. Not to..." He stopped, his eyes fixed on Ethan. "Think about what I said. About meeting him properly." "I said I'd think about it." "And?" "I'm still thinking." He nodded once, sharp and decisive. Then he straightened, adjusting his jacket in that familiar gesture I'd seen a thousand times before meetings. "I'll be in Connecticut for a while. The development project." "How convenient." "It's legitimate work." His tone carried an edge. "But yes, also convenient." Before I could respond, he turned toward the door. Three steps. Four. Then Ethan happened. My son barreled into Alexander's legs with the force of a tiny meteor. "Oops!" Ethan bounced back, looking up and up at the tall man he'd just collided with. "Sorry, mister!" Alexande

Alexander"You know what's interesting?" Anthony said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up from my whiskey. "What?" "At first, Katherine left you, and you said nothing. Didn't chase her. Didn't fight for her. Just let her walk away like it meant nothing. Then she came back, and you got engaged, and that was that. No drama, no grand gestures, just a business arrangement disguised as a relationship." I said nothing, just turned my glass in slow circles on the table. "And in the same way Madison left," Anthony continued. "Same pattern. She walked out of Knight Industries, disappeared to Connecticut, and you said nothing. Didn't call, didn't text, didn't try to find her. Just let her go like she was interchangeable with any other employee." "Your point?" "My point is you have a pattern of letting people walk away without fighting for them." He paused, taking a sip. "Which raises an interesting question. What do you actually want, Alex? Do you want to marry Katherine? From my pe

AlexanderI arrived ten minutes early. The bistro was charming in that understated way that meant expensive without being flashy. White tablecloths, fresh flowers, and large windows letting in natural light. The hostess greeted me with a professional smile. "Good afternoon. Do you have a reservation?" "Alexander Knight. Table for two at noon." "Right this way." She led me to a corner table with a view of the street. I settled into my chair, declining the wine list but accepting water. The door chimed. Madison walked in, and every thought in my head scattered. She wore a cream-colored dress that hit just above her knees, simple but elegant. Her hair was down, falling in soft waves past her shoulders. Minimal makeup, just enough to highlight her eyes. She looked exactly like the Madison I remembered and nothing like her at all. She spotted me, and something flickered across her face before she smoothed it into neutrality. I stood as she approached. "Hi." Her voice was quiet.

Alexander"You suffered because of me," I continued. "Because of my choices, my failures, my complete inability to see what was right in front of me. I can't change that. But I can promise you I won't make you suffer again." "Promises are easy." "Then let me prove it with actions. Let me show you I'm serious about this. About us." "Us," she repeated, testing the word. "There's no us, Alexander. There's you, engaged to Katherine. And there's me, raising your son alone in Connecticut. Those are two separate things." "They don't have to be." "Yes, they do. Because I can't trust you. Not yet. Maybe not ever. You say you'll end things with Katherine, but you've been engaged for years without setting a date. How do I know you'll actually follow through? How do I know this isn't just guilt talking?" The question was fair. More than fair. "I'll sort it out in a few days," I said. "I'll fly back to New York, sit down with Katherine, and end this engagement properly. No dragging it out,

MadisonWe fell into comfortable silence. The streetlights painted patterns on the dashboard as we drove through Connecticut's quiet neighborhoods. Christopher's house wasn't far now, maybe another five minutes. "Can I ask you something?" Christopher said. "Depends on the question." "Why me? For the fake boyfriend thing." He turned slightly in his seat. "You could have asked anyone. Why pick the guy who shows up at your café regularly for overpriced coffee?" "It's not overpriced." "Madison." I gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Because you're safe. You're not complicated. You don't come with baggage or expectations or..." I trailed off. "Or a billion-dollar empire and fiancée?" "Something like that." He was quiet for a moment. "For what it's worth, I don't mind being the safe choice. Better than being the complicated one." "You say that now. Wait until Alexander starts asking invasive questions about our relationship." "Let him ask. I've got answers." Christopher grinned.