Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 411 - Chapitre 420

MadisonI filled the kettle, set it on the stove, and watched the blue flame flicker beneath it. Tea. Because that's what responsible adults did when they couldn't sleep, right? Made tea and pretended it helped. The kettle whistled. I poured hot water over a chamomile tea bag, watching it steep as the water turned pale gold. Steam curled upward, disappearing into the dark kitchen. I carried the mug to the table and sat, wrapping my hands around the warmth. Five days. That's what I'd given Alexander. Five days to end his engagement to Katherine publicly. Five days to prove he actually meant what he said. And then what? That was the question keeping me awake, wasn't it? Not whether Alexander would follow through. He would. When Alexander Knight made a promise, he delivered. That much I remembered from our working relationship. No, what kept me staring at the ceiling was what came after. What happened when he returned to Connecticut, free and available? When there was no Katherine

Madison"YES!" Hazel's shriek nearly deafened me. "Oh my god, this is amazing! You won't regret this, I promise. Well, maybe you'll regret it a little when you meet Oliver's Aunt, but mostly you won't regret it!" "You're selling this really well." "I'm excited! My best friend is coming to New York! This is the best news I've had all week." She paused. "Wait, are you bringing Ethan?" "I guess so. You said it was family friendly." "It is! Perfect! Bring that adorable kid of yours. Oliver will love meeting him again." "Okay." "And Madison? Thank you. Really. This means a lot." The sincerity in her voice made my throat tight. "You're welcome." "I have to go. I'll text you all the details! Love you!" "Love you too." She hung up before I could change my mind. I set down my phone, suddenly aware that both my mother and Ethan were staring at me. "What?" I asked. "You're going to a party!" Ethan bounced in his seat. "Can I come? Aunt Hazel said I could come!" "Yes, you can come."

MadisonAlexander's eyes held mine across the crowded venue, and everything else faded. The jazz music, the chatter, and the celebration were happening around us. None of it mattered because he was here. At this party. Why was he here? Had Hazel invited him? Or Oliver? Was he following me? My mind spun, trying to make sense of his presence. Then I spotted Anthony behind him, and pieces started clicking into place. Oliver or Hazel must have invited Anthony, who brought Alexander. But still. The coincidence felt too perfect, too deliberate. Hazel appeared beside me, her hand on my arm. "Breathe, Madison. You look like you're about to pass out." "What is he doing here?" I hissed, my voice low enough that only she could hear. "I invited him." My head snapped toward her. "You what?" "I invited Alexander." Hazel's expression was apologetic but firm. "And before you yell at me, Anthony and Oliver are colleagues. Oliver invited Anthony. They're friends. It would have been weird not t

MadisonOliver blew out the candles to cheers and applause. The cake cutting commenced, servers appearing with plates and forks. Alexander approached with Ethan still on his hip. "Someone's getting tired." "I'm not tired!" Ethan protested, even as he yawned. "I'm just resting my eyes." "Of course you are," I said, reaching for him. "Come here, baby." "No! I want to stay with King Alexander!" Ethan burrowed deeper into Alexander's arms. "He's warm and tall and tells good stories!" "Stories?" I raised an eyebrow at Alexander. "Just some stuff about buildings and engineering. Kids are fascinated by how things are built." "Like skyscrapers!" Ethan's energy returned briefly. "Did you know they have special foundations that go really deep?" "I did know that," I said. "He knows everything about buildings. He's so smart!" Ethan's head drooped again. "Can we visit his kingdom now? I'm ready to count floors." "Not now. Maybe another time." Alexander's hand rubbed soothing circles on

MadisonTwenty minutes later, Alexander pulled up in front of Hazel's building. The doorman glanced up from his post, then looked away when Alexander killed the engine. "I'll carry him up," Alexander said. "That's not necessary." "Madison." He turned to face me. "Let me help." I wanted to argue, but Ethan was dead weight, and I was exhausted. "Okay. But just to the apartment. Then you leave." "Deal." Alexander climbed out, opened the back door, and carefully extracted Ethan from the seatbelt. Ethan barely stirred, just shifted slightly, and mumbled something about cake. I led the way into the building. The doorman nodded as we passed, his expression carefully neutral. The elevator ride was mercifully short. Hazel's apartment was dark when I unlocked the door. I flipped on a small lamp, creating just enough light to navigate without waking Ethan. "Guest bedroom," I whispered, pointing down the hall. Alexander followed, moving carefully through the unfamiliar space. The guest