Semua Bab The Price of His Betrayal : Bab 141 - Bab 150

The click of the door echoed faintly through the dimly lit apartment as Caleb stepped in, his shoulders heavy, his mind a knot of exhaustion and emotion.He didn’t bother turning on all the lights, just the soft lamp by the entrance. The golden hue spilled across the sleek tiles and modern furniture, casting long shadows as he moved slowly through the living room.With a sigh, he unknotted his tie and tossed it across the backrest of the couch. His briefcase followed, landing with a muted thud against the cushions. He didn’t care. Not tonight.He was tired. Tired from work. Tired from pretending. But most of all… tired from the joy.Because despite everything, despite the secrecy, the danger, the deep ache he fought to hide, he had spent the entire day around his son. Around Crystal. Around the world he lost.And somehow, that bright little smile Zoey gave him… it refused to leave his face.Even now, he could feel it lingering, sweet, stubborn, like a shadow he didn’t want to escape.

The soft rustle of paper filled the quiet space of the Blackwoods' living room. Caleb sat on the far end of the couch, legs slightly crossed, a slim folder balanced over his lap. The golden afternoon sun filtered through the grand windows, casting long shadows over the polished floor and warm hues against the cream-colored drapes. A half-filled mug of coffee sat forgotten on the table beside him, steam now gone cold. His fingers turned each page slowly, mind half-occupied with numbers and notes, half-distracted by something deeper, something he could not quite name.His eyes, though trailing over figures and files, lifted now and then to scan the house around him. The Blackwoods' mansion had a softness to it, a kind of lived-in warmth that echoed with laughter and the rhythm of domestic life. Adrian was somewhere down the hallway, handling a call about a new corporate venture. Crystal, earlier, had called out a greeting as she went upstairs to get ready for work, holding little Zoey's

The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains, dancing softly on the polished tiles of the Blackwoods' mansion. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, but inside, the silence felt heavier than usual. Crystal stirred awake, only to realize the other side of the bed was empty. Adrian was already out for work. She sat up slowly, brushing her loose strands of hair behind her ear. A part of her wanted to crawl back under the covers, but another part, uneasy and restless, drew her out of bed. Something had been bothering her. Something she hadn’t been able to shake since yesterday. After slipping into her robe, she moved downstairs quietly. The house was still, apart from the occasional clinking sound of the help in the kitchen. Her legs took her to Adrian’s study almost unconsciously. The door creaked open softly as she entered. It was still as she remembered it the last time she cleaned it up—a few files stacked neatly on the mahogany desk, the faint smell of fresh paper and

The scent of seasoned garlic, buttery thyme, and sizzling steak had already taken over the atmosphere like a lover’s perfume, lingering, heady, intoxicating. Rosie pushed the door gently and stepped into the house, letting it click softly behind her. She sighed, exhausted but strangely comforted, her heels making a dull thud against the hardwood floor.She shrugged off her office coat, flung it lazily onto the couch, and began to follow the trail of that delicious aroma wafting through the air like a gentle invitation.Her lips curled into a smile as she could hear the faint clink of cutlery and the sizzling whisper of food on the stove. Turning the corner into the kitchen, the sight that met her melted her.There he was.Caleb, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, forearms flexing slightly as he chopped vibrant vegetables on the island counter. The overhead light cast a golden hue over his face, and for a second, Rosie just stared, appreciating this rare moment. He looked... peaceable

She finally stepped forward slowly. “Zoe, baby… that’s enough,” she said in the warmest voice she could muster. “We need to let Uncle Caleb work, okay?”Her lips curved into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. And her feet stopped just short of the desk, as if an invisible line dared her to go further.Caleb looked up, acknowledging her with a soft glance, but didn’t speak.Caleb looked up slowly, his eyes meeting hers with a soft, unreadable expression. He gave a faint nod, acknowledging her presence, but said nothing. His silence hung heavy in the room, like something fragile holding back a deeper storm.Zoe stood nearby, his little hands clutching the sides of his shorts. His lips pressed together, eyes darting between Caleb and the doorway. Then his lower lip pushed out in a soft pout.“But… I wanna stay,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I like being with Uncle Caleb…”He shuffled closer, tugging gently at Caleb’s sleeve. His eyes were glossy now, full of that i