Semua Bab FALLING FOR THE FORBIDDEN STAR : Bab 71 - Bab 80

Chapter 71 Inside the sprawling, billion-dollar estate nestled in the heart of the city, a carnival of chaos unfolded beneath crystal chandeliers and artificial smiles. Balloons floated toward the vaulted ceilings, the scent of gourmet mini-burgers and cotton candy mingling in the air. From the terrace hung a glittering banner that rippled in the breeze like a royal decree: "Brian is 8!" A life-sized picture of the grinning birthday boy beamed down from it. Laughter bubbled from the backyard where Brian, the star of the day, bounced with his friends on a sprawling inflatable castle, his cheeks flushed with joy and sugar. The party which was supposed to be an intimate affair, just family, a few classmates, nothing over the top. But intimacy was never Tania’s style. No, Tania lived for grand entrances and center stage. Now self-anointed as the lady of the house, ever since the engagement, she glided through the crowd in a gold sequinned jumpsuit, her heels clicking off the ground, he

Chapter 73 After the applause died down and introductions were done, the hall lights dimmed slightly as the overhead smart system kicked into presentation mode, casting a soft blue glow across the state-of-the-art amphitheater. The university’s Smart Hall has polished chrome-paneled walls, tiered seating with built-in touchpads, floating holographic screens suspended over every row, and a glass podium that gleams like crystal under the track lighting. Her heels clicked softly on the polished black marble floor as she stepped behind the podium, tapping her laptop to life. The room was cool, almost sterile, yet charged with youthful energy. She could feel it, the thrill of ambition thick in the air. Mia exhaled slowly. Her fingers moved over the touchpad, syncing her slides to the wall-sized smart projector behind her. With a simple gesture, the university crest dissolved into a crisp logo: ‘Mia’s Foundation’, white lettering against deep blue, glowing softly like a beacon. She loo

Chapter 75The applause, the laughter, the flash of wine glasses clinking, it all blurred into the background as Tania stepped back into the party with Brian tugging at her hand. The boy was practically glowing, bubbling with excitement over his new toys, his voice chirping with joy beside her. But Tania’s smile was a mechanical one, a rehearsed expression that barely touched her eyes.Her mind was elsewhere. On Andreas. Wondering what he was up to. She called over one of the house staff, leaning closer as he passed by with a tray of petit fours. “Where’s Andreas?” she asked in a hushed, practiced tone that made it seem like idle curiosity.The staff member didn’t hesitate. “He’s in his study, ma’am. Alone.”Tania nodded with a tight smile, her stomach twisting into a knot. The study. That was his sanctuary. A locked world only he had access to. She’d tried to enter before and been politely, but firmly, reminded that it was his private space. Not even she, the mother of his child, wa

Chapter 77As Mia sat down opposite the host, the applause still echoed in her chest, the residual heat from the spotlight clinging to her skin like a second layer. Her palms were clammy despite the powder dusted on them by the makeup team, and her breath tried to keep rhythm with the nerves drumming in her chest.The host, Rowan Cole, a charismatic man known for his piercing questions and empathetic tone, leaned forward, eyes warm. "First off, Mia," he said, voice calm and rich, "you look radiant tonight. And that performance… absolutely stunning.” The applause came again before he continued. “Tell me, what did it feel like singing that song again, in front of the world?"Mia took a breath, letting her shoulders settle. "It felt... like I was finally telling the truth. Not to the world, but to myself. I wrote that song one night I felt everything shattered. And I thought I'd buried it with my past. But music doesn't die just because we stop playing it."A hum of agreement spread thr

Chapter 79Are you kidding me, Susan? You knew he was here the whole time?" Mia’s voice cut through the tension in the dressing room like glass shattering in the quiet.Susan blinked as if slapped, frozen halfway through crossing the plush carpet. "What are you talking about, Mia?" Her brow furrowed in genuine confusion, but Mia wasn’t looking for answers, she was already unraveling.Mia stood, shoulders tense, lips trembling with the sting of Lucas’s whispered words still ringing in her ears. "Don’t play dumb, Susan. You knew. You knew Lucas snuck backstage while you conveniently put everyone outside! You were acting strange the entire time! Before I got on stage, you had this nervous look. Was it because of him?"Susan took a hesitant step forward, eyes widening. "Wait, wait, what are you saying? That I... let Lucas in here? On purpose?""Don't deny it!" Mia snapped, her voice rising with every breath. "Your face said everything. I saw it. That nervous look before I stepped on stage