บททั้งหมดของ No Way to Win Me Back: บทที่ 191 - บทที่ 200

Celeste’s POVThe elevator doors slid open to the top floor of Hughes Industries.I straightened my blazer and walked past the receptionist, who’s genuine smile shocked me for a moment.At least someone was having a good day.“Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Hughes is expecting you.”Of course he was.Robert Hughes was occupying the most important seat on the oval table in the boardroom.Right in the middle.But my eyes locked in to the person sitting beside him.Michelle.I gulped, straightening my shoulders.I should have expected her to be here.Michelle stood when she saw me, offering her hand politely. “Celeste. It’s nice to meet you, again. Can’t believe it took us so long to reach the negotiation bit.”“Likewise,” I said, shaking her hand firmly.“Please, have a seat,” Robert said, gesturing to the mahogany table. “We were just talking about Hughes Industries expanding its gemstone partnerships. You’ve made quite a name for yourself, Ms. Sinclair. Or should I say Rosemary. Bold move, naming y

Ryan’s POVThe front door burst open before I could even knock.A blur of dark curls and tiny arms crashed into me.I caught her automatically, her little hands clutching my shirt as if she’d fall through the world if she let go.“Uncle Ry-Ry!”“Mols,” I murmured, smoothing her hair back. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”She looked up at me, eyes wide and wet. “Mommy and Daddy are packing. Are we going somewhere? They said not to tell Grandpa.”My throat tightened. “Did they now?”Vivian appeared in the doorway, her face pale and lips pressed together, like she was barely holding on to her emotions.“Molly,” she said firmly, “Why don’t you go upstairs and finish your drawing for Aunt Celeste?”Molly sniffled. “But I miss Aunt Celeste. When will I see her next? You said we;d go to her soon.”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.Vivian stepped forward, crouching to meet her daughter’s eyes.“Soon, Molly,” she said gently. “Now go on.”Molly looked at her with distrustful eyes.Even seeing the picture

Celeste’s POVIt was Saturday. The one day I usually let myself breathe.But today, the silence of my studio was my only refuge.The hum of the carving tool steadied me, the soft rasp of metal against wax, the smell of polish, the slow emergence of a design beneath my hands.It was something to focus on. Something that wasn’t him.Everyone at Rosemary had been talking about it all week.The engagement.Of course, someone had leaked it to the press, that the Michelle Hughes, heiress to Hughes Industries, was finally getting engaged.They didn’t know to whom, though.Not yet.I pressed the tool too hard. The wax snapped in half.I cursed softly and set it down.The engagement was happening today, at the Pearl Harbour Hotel.An extravagant show of the Hughes money.A knock came at the door, snapping me away from my thoughts.“Come in,” I said, not looking up.Rachel peeked in, hesitant but smiling. “Hey. You’re here?”She didn’t look surprised to see me here.“Couldn’t stay home,” I murmu

Michelle’s POVThe microphone felt heavy in my hand.Heavier than all the expectations that had been forged around me since birth.The lights from the chandeliers hit my face, making it hard to see the hundreds of eyes turned my way.My mouth went dry, but my heartbeat was clear, steady, defiant.I had rehearsed this moment a hundred times in my head, but no amount of practice could prepare me for the weight of silence that filled the ballroom.“Thank you all for coming,” I began, my voice trembling just enough to sound human. “Before we continue tonight’s… celebrations, there’s something I need to say.”Somewhere near the front, my mother’s hand froze mid-applause. My father leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable. And Ryan — standing beside me — gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.The cue.I took a deep breath. “I can’t go through with this engagement.”A murmur rippled through the room. Gasps, whispered questions, the clinking of glasses halted midair.I saw confusion on

Vivian’s POVMolly’s whining hit a pitch that could crack glass.“Mommy, why can’t we go home now?” she said, tugging on my sleeve with sticky fingers. “I don’t wanna go! I wanna stay here with Uncle Ry-Ry and Aunt Celeste!”Her voice echoed through the terminal, drawing a few annoyed glances from other travelers.She never used to be this difficult. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.I tightened my grip on the boarding passes and tried to keep my voice level.“Molly, not now,” I murmured. “We’ve talked about this.”“No, we didn’t!” she stomped her foot. “You and Daddy just said we were going on vacation, but we’re not coming back!”Her little face was flushed, her lower lip trembling. My patience snapped.“Molly, enough!” The word came out sharply. Heads turned.My chest burned with instant regret.Her small mouth quivered before she crossed her arms and turned away from me, chin jutting in silent rebellion.“Molly,” I said softly, crouching to her level. “Sweetheart, I didn’t mean t