Semua Bab The CEO'S SECRET BRIDE : Bab 31 - Bab 38

The sun was up, but the morning felt quiet—almost too quiet. I sat near the window, sipping warm tea, looking at the sky. Carson walked in slowly, holding a book in his hand.“You’re awake early,” he said.I nodded. “I couldn’t sleep much,” I replied. “I had so many things on my mind.”He came closer and sat beside me.“Still thinking about the names your father mentioned?” he asked softly.“Yes,” I whispered. “I don’t even know who to trust anymore.”Carson held my hand gently.“We’ll figure it out,” he said. “One step at a time. But you don’t have to carry everything alone.”I looked at him and gave a small smile. “I’m glad I have you,” I said.He leaned closer and kissed the back of my hand.“And you’ll always have me,” he replied.---Later that day, Fred came in holding a small envelope.“This came in, sir,” he said.Carson took it from him and opened it slowly.Inside was a folded paper and a small photo. He read the paper silently, his face changing as he read.“What is it?” I

The fight changed everything, and we now start behaving like two strangers who are just getting to know themselves. That seems very difficult for me or maybe for himself too.That night, Carson slept on the couch although I didn’t ask him to, but he didn’t come into the room either. Maybe he needed the space… or maybe I did.I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, just like I used to before we met.I managed to have a small sleep and once it was morning, I got up early. I packed a small bag and I was set to leave so as to clear my head for the main time.Carson, on the other hand, was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept at all.“I’m going out for a while,” I said softly.He looked up, his eyes unreadable.“Where?” he asked.“Just somewhere to clear my head,” I replied.He didn’t stop me. He just nodded.“Okay.”he said.I waited a few seconds. I thought maybe he’d say more. Maybe he’d ask me to stay.But he didn’t.So I walked out the door

It was already past midnight, before Carson finally spoke again.We were in the study, each lost in our own thoughts. Papers, maps, and files were scattered across the table, but no one was touching them. Fred had gone to rest, but Carson and I stayed behind, sitting far apart—like we were still waiting for something more than just a plan, maybe a resolve.“I think I know where we should start,” Carson said quietly.I looked at him. His voice was calm now, unlike before.“Where?” I asked.He turned his laptop towards me. There was a picture of a tall glass building with heavy security at the entrance.“It’s called Valtrex Group,” he said. “They’ve been linked to illegal offshore transactions. Laura Price used it to move over four million dollars just last month,”he added.I frowned. “Is she still using it?"I asked.“Yes,” he said. “Which means we can use it too. We get inside, plant the tracker, and we follow the money trail,”he said again.I stared at the screen, then back at him. H

The night passed slowly. I stayed by the window until my eyes felt too heavy to stay open. Even after I lay on the bed, I couldn’t sleep. I just kept thinking about Carson, Fred, and everything that had changed in just one day.I finally drifted off a little before dawn.When I woke up, Carson wasn’t back yet.I checked my phone, there were no missed calls and no new messages.I sat up and looked out the window again. The sky was cloudy and unclear.Just as I stood up, I heard the front door open.I rushed out of the room.Carson was coming in, looking tired and slightly rough. His shirt was untucked. His eyes were red."You’re back," I said softly.He looked up at me, nodded slowly, and closed the door behind him."Did you find her?" I asked.Carson dropped his bag on the floor and walked to the kitchen without a word.I followed."Carson?"I called.He took a glass and filled it with water, then finally looked at me."No. She was gone before we got there. The apartment was empty. Cle