Semua Bab The Price Of Us: Bab 101 - Bab 110

ANNA POV The entire day, I moved like I was floating.There was this quiet magic in my bones, something only I knew for now. I kept placing my hand gently on my stomach, still stunned that a tiny life was already blooming inside me again.But now, it was time to tell Jace.I wanted it to be special—something soft, something unforgettable.After Nathan’s nap, I dressed him in a white onesie that had the words “Big Brother in Training” printed in soft gold across the front. He babbled while I buttoned him up, clueless but smiling, like he could sense something good was in the air.I set up my phone to capture it all—something told me I’d want to remember this moment forever.By the time Jace walked through the front door, loosening his tie, tired but glowing from his long day, Nathan had already waddled halfway toward him with his unsteady steps and gummy grin.“There’s my boy!” Jace dropped his keys and scooped Nathan into his arms, pressing a loud kiss to his cheek.Then he noticed

ANNA POVThe next morning, the sun poured golden light through the curtains as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the pale linen dress I’d picked for the visit to the main Lysander mansion. My stomach fluttered with unease. No matter how much Jace reassured me, the idea of standing in front of his parents again—with tradition hanging in the air like a thundercloud—set my nerves on edge.Nathan babbled from where he sat on the bed, swaying slightly in his little dungarees. Jace knelt beside him, fixing one of his socks and murmuring nonsense that made our son squeal in delight. It was such a normal moment. Sweet. Warm. But it felt borrowed, like it belonged to another world—one far away from the heavy elegance of the Lysander estate.We left shortly after, driving through the narrow, winding streets of Tuscany until the familiar wrought-iron gates of the family villa came into view. I inhaled sharply, fingers curling in my lap. Jace reached across the console, brushing his th

ANNA POVThe sun was barely peeking through the blackout curtains when I opened my eyes.For a moment, I forgot where I was. The sheets didn’t smell like home. The air was too still, too sterile. And then I remembered—the sterile hotel room, the long flight ahead, and yesterday.I turned slowly, careful not to wake Nathan. He was still asleep between us, his tiny mouth parted, cheeks puffed, one foot kicked out from under the blanket like he owned the bed.Jace was already awake, propped up on one elbow, just watching me.“Couldn’t sleep?” I whispered.He shook his head. “You?”“I don’t know. I think I did. But I feel like I dreamed through all of it.”He brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “We’re leaving soon. Just a couple more hours.”I nodded, then pushed myself up to sit. The weight in my chest hadn’t lifted. It had just gone quiet. Like a warning before a storm.“Do you think they’ll actually come?” I asked.Jace sat up too, his eyes following mine. “I think they will.”

ANNA POVI wasn’t exactly looking for them.But when I stepped out into the courtyard with Nathan on my hip, I saw them—Rose and Vanya—tucked together under the orange tree like old college roommates catching up on inside jokes.Rose laughed at something Vanya said, a soft, feminine giggle I hadn’t heard from her in years, not even when we were teenagers. Vanya had her hand on Rose’s arm, leaning in close, whispering something behind a manicured hand. They looked… cozy. Familiar. Like two girls who had been bonding for months, not a pair who’d only just met last week.My stomach twisted.Rose caught my eye first. She offered a little wave. Vanya turned too, flashing that same polished, disarming smile she’d worn the day she congratulated me with all the grace of a viper in pearls.“Morning, Anna,” Rose called out sweetly, like we hadn’t spent the last years barely tolerating each other.I nodded, tight-lipped. “Didn’t realize you two were such good friends.”Vanya stood up slowly, b

ANNA POV.I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. My hands were trembling violently as I fumbled for my phone, my mind a blurry mess of confusion and fear. Everything felt... wrong. The walls were closing in on me, and the room was suffocating.My hands were slick with sweat as I dialed Jace’s number. My heart hammered in my chest. It rang, once, twice, three times. I pressed the phone to my ear, the sound of his voice breaking through, soothing yet laced with concern.“Anna?” His voice was immediately soft, and warm. “Hey, what's wrong?”I couldn’t speak. The words got stuck in my throat, swallowed by the shaking. My body trembled so violently I could barely keep the phone in my hand. I tried to take a breath, but it felt like my chest was too tight, like I was drowning.“Anna, talk to me,” Jace’s voice came through more urgently. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”I couldn’t form the words. I just... I couldn’t. My breathing was shallow, jagged. The room seemed to spin, and everythin