Semua Bab Her Sister’s Surrogate: Bab 111 - Bab 117

"Hungry?" he asked, glancing over at me. "We could get something to eat before we head home."I nodded, suddenly aware of the hollow feeling in my stomach. I'd been so focused on the interview that I'd forgotten to eat since breakfast. "Starving, actually.""There's that Italian place you like near the beach house." Hunter's lips curved into a smile. "One with garlic bread you'd kill for.""Perfect." I squeezed his hand. "The babies want pasta."Hunter chuckled, the sound warming me from the inside. "Already using the twins to get what you want, I see.""It's a mother's prerogative," I teased back, resting my hand on my still-flat stomach. I couldn't feel them yet, but having the images of them made it more real.The restaurant was half-empty when we arrived, the early dinner crowd not yet filtering in. The hostess seated us at a quiet corner table, away from the few other diners. Hunter requested it specifically, giving us privacy."You did well today," he said after we'd ordered, hi

One Week laterI adjusted the necklace around my neck, it felt too tight as I checked my reflection for the fifth time. This was our first public appearance as a couple since Mom's arraignment, where she'd pleaded not guilty to all charges, just as Quinn had predicted. Tonight's charity gala for children's cancer research was important to Hunter, the Sinclair family was the main sponsor, but my nerves had nothing to do with the cause and everything to do with being on display. Things had been easier at the office, but the public were different."You look beautiful," Hunter said, appearing behind me in the mirror. His hands settled on my shoulders, warm and reassuring. "Stop worrying." Then he kissed my bare shoulder.I smoothed down the midnight blue gown I'd chosen carefully, elegant but understated, the empire waistline giving no hint of my still-flat stomach. At twelve weeks, I wasn't showing yet, but the dress would hide our secret either way. Only family knew about the twins."Wha

The ride back to the hotel was short, but enough time for the adrenaline rush from confronting Emma to start wearing off. And my heart to stop pounding. Hunter kept our fingers intertwined on his thigh, occasionally bringing my hand to his lips, a possessive gesture that somehow still made butterflies swirl in my stomach."You were incredible back there," he murmured, pride evident in his voice. "I've never seen you stand your ground like that. Unless you're having a go at me, that is."I leaned against his shoulder, exhaustion suddenly hitting me. "I surprised myself too. But I meant every word.""I know you did." He squeezed my hand. "That's what made it so powerful."When we arrived at the hotel and Hunter opened the door to the penthouse suite, our friends and family were already there, having left at the same time. Maya immediately bounded over, pulling me into a fierce hug."That was epic, Grace! The look on Emma's face when you shut her down, I wish I had it on camera. But I'm

I followed the guard through a maze of security checkpoints, Hunter behind me, Quinn’sin front. The stark fluorescent lights cast everything in a harsh glow, making the already sterile environment feel even more lifeless. I’d never been inside a detention facility before, had never imagined I’d be visiting my own mother in one. I had thought I didn’t need this… but I did.“Through here,” the officer said, stopping at a door marked Attorney–Client Room 3. “We’re making an exception for privacy since her lawyer requested it. Normally it would be through glass with other visitors present.”Quinn nodded. “We appreciate that. Thank you.”“I’ll be right outside,” he assured us, unlocking the door. “Just knock when you’re finished.”My heart hammered against my ribs as we stepped inside. The room was small, containing only a metal table bolted to the floor and four chairs. No windows. Just a single camera mounted in the corner. The light on it wasn’t blinking, so they weren’t recording. Also