Lahat ng Kabanata ng Pucking Forbidden Claim: Kabanata 191 - Kabanata 200

Kade POVRook is pushing it, and the worst part? He knows it.He’s been doing it all damn day, testing me, waiting for some kind of reaction. But if he thinks he’s going to get me to snap just because he’s been chirping at me non-stop, he’s out of luck. I’ve dealt with worse.He’s sitting across from me now, smug as hell, like he’s proud of himself, chewing obnoxiously slow on his pizza, his eyes flicking to me every so often. He’s waiting for something. Waiting for me to break.I keep my expression flat, lifting my drink and taking a long sip, giving him nothing.He swallows his bite, sitting back and stretching his arms out over the booth like he’s some kind of king. “You know, I think today’s been really productive.”I raise a brow. “Do you?”“Absolutely,” he nods, fingers tapping the table rhythmically. “We got you some fresh new merch. The cameras got plenty of good footage. And most importantly, we really tested your self-restraint.”My jaw tightens just slightly, but I exhale s

Kade POVHarlow fusses in my arms, and I shift her slightly, grabbing a bottle from the bag and settling into one of the chairs. She’s more patient than I expected for a baby that barely cries, but she’s clearly hungry.While I get her settled, Rook disappears into the aisles, far too invested in whatever the hell he’s looking for. It doesn’t take long before he returns, grinning like he just found the key to all of my suffering.A stack of books drops onto the table.I glance at them, unimpressed.Parenting books.Rook plops into the seat across from me, flipping one open immediately. He’s not even subtle about holding them up so the cameras outside can see.“‘Bonding With Baby: How to Ensure a Strong Attachment in the First Year,’” he reads, resting his elbow on the table. “Sounds like something you should brush up on, Mercer.”I don’t react, watching as Harlow slowly finishes her bottle. “I think I’m doing fine.”“Oh, sure,” he hums, flipping a page. “But listen to this—‘Babies res

Rook POVMeanwhile, I’m still standing here, cameras in my face, hands in my hair, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.Because Kade Mercer?He just ruined me on live TV.I should have expected this. I should have fucking known the second I started pushing Kade, he’d find a way to flip the entire situation on me. He always does.And now? Now I’m standing here, blinking like an idiot while the reporters are still yelling over each other, cameras flashing so fast it’s making my head spin. Every single one of them just got exactly what they needed to run with.I swear, if I wasn’t in public, I’d tackle him right now.“Rook! Rook, over here!” One of the reporters shouts, snapping me back into the moment. “Is this an official statement? Does this confirm the rumors about your dynamic?”Oh for fuck’s sake.I'm here losing my mind. Kade, on the other hand? Completely calm.He’s standing near the car, hands in his pockets, looking way too pleased with himself while I fight the ur

Kade POVThis life, Harlow, the family we’ve built here, it’s real. And somehow, I already know I’m never walking away from it.Not from him. Not from this.I let out a slow breath, closing the box and slipping it into my pocket.“Guess I really did lose,” I mutter.Rook grins. “Obviously. You didn't see that coming? What else do I ask for these days Mercer?”Rook leans back into the couch, legs stretched out, looking completely at ease like he didn’t just drop a fucking engagement ring into my hand and suddenly end the conversation.Meanwhile, I’m sitting here, pocketing the damn thing, trying to process the fact that I’m apparently engaged now.Harlow lets out a small noise, her little face scrunching up as she wiggles against my chest, reminding me she’s still here.Rook grins, reaching over to run a hand over her tiny back. “You gonna wear a dress for the wedding, little one?”I snort, shaking my head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”“What? I’m just saying, she’d look cute.” He gri

Rook POVI wake to Kade muttering, his voice tense. Day one, and I haven’t even got my eyes open before he’s already stomping around the damn hotel room like the world’s about to end.Sitting up, I blink at him as he holds my phone to his ear.“What the fuck?” My voice is rough from sleep, and he barely spares me a glance before tossing his phone at me.“Check it,” he mutters, still focused on his call.Not a great start to the morning. With a sigh, I rub my face and glance at the screen. My body locks up instantly.My head snaps to the side, eyes narrowing at him. “Got it already,” Kade snaps at me, holding up a camera I hadn’t even noticed he was gripping. Then he goes back to talking like this is a normal fucking morning.“Hello?” I shout at him. “Why the fuck wouldn’t you wake me and let me know?” I snap, gripping his phone tightly.“You were asleep, didn’t want to wake you.” His tone is too casual for the shit I’m seeing.I hold out my hand. “Give me the phone. Let me talk to my