Все главы FATE: Sweet little cheat: Глава 1 - Глава 6

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. For instance, today, Isabella left her house without an umbrella. She only realized she needed one when she stepped out of the bakery, drenched in cold water hurriedly carried by a passing waiter. Meanwhile, a man walking by, shielding himself from the rain with a newly purchased newspaper, stumbled and fell face-first into the mud.Holding a bag of poppy seed buns she intended to gift to the Lancaster estate’s butler, Isabella glanced up at the sky. The rain showed no signs of stopping. With a heavy sigh, she stepped back inside the bakery and sat at an empty table.“I need to hurry,” she suddenly thought.This week alone, she had visited the duke’s residence three times, and three times she had been turned away for various reasons. But she was not one to give up so easily. The only positive outcome of her visits was the butler’s growing favor. During her time waiting at the estate, they had engaged in pleasant conversations, and on her last vis

The human mind is a remarkable thing. It can find a way out of the most difficult situations, anticipate several moves ahead, and conceal emotions behind a mask of indifference. But sometimes, even the most perceptive people find themselves at a loss. That was exactly what happened to Jack.The Duke of Hartess’s secretary was a composed man, accustomed to handling financial reports, conducting business correspondence, and keeping his master’s schedule in order. But none of his skills could help him now.A child. A member of the Hartess family. Or perhaps an impostor?The thought circled in Jack’s mind, refusing to let him rest. He tried to predict what Damian’s next move would be, but as always, the duke remained unreadable. Sitting in his office, he silently drank bourbon, gazing absently into the darkness beyond the window.“What is he thinking? What decision will he make?”Jack didn’t know. But he knew one thing: when Damian stayed silent for too long, it never led to anything good

There are questions that cannot be ignored. They linger in the air, seep into one’s thoughts, and make the heart beat faster. Some choose to address them immediately; others put them off. But sooner or later, the moment comes when avoiding them is no longer an option.The rest of the dinner passed in silence, interrupted only by the clinking of silverware against porcelain. Isabella, sitting across from Damian, could feel the tension in the air grow almost tangible. He looked tired, with a faint shadow of irritation on his face, which only heightened her desire not to disturb him.He slowly brought the glass to his lips, absentmindedly studying his reflection in the silver plate, and seemed ready to tear apart anyone who dared to break the silence.Isabella remained silent too. She wasn’t a coward, but her ability to read people told her this wasn’t the day to test the Duke’s patience.The servants, bent over the trays, watched the pair with interest, hoping to catch a spark of drama.