Semua Bab The Billionaire's Bargain: Bab 121 - Bab 130

CHRISTIAN“I killed her,” I said again, because the first time her face had just gone blank.Penelope stood frozen by the bed, her tear-streaked cheeks glinting faintly in the lamplight, her lips parted as she stared at me like she didn’t recognize the man standing in front of her.“Why?” she finally breathed, her voice breaking.I opened my mouth, ready to explain, but she cut me off with sudden, furious clarity.“You planned this. You and Liam—” her voice rose now, her eyes glaring with anger through the tears, “you planned this together. You knew they’d call me in because of that video. Why? Why, Christian?”Her tone was accusatory, venomous even, and something in me snapped.“Don’t look at me like that,” I snapped back, my voice rising to meet hers. “Don’t you dare give me that look. You’re just like me, you’re a killer too.”Her breath caught, but her chin lifted defiantly.“Am I?” she asked bitterly, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “I was defending myself, Christian.

PENELOPEI knew the moment Jess came barging into my room that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.She stood in the doorway, her sunglasses perched on her head, hands on her hips. “Get dressed, now. Lunch is on me, and I don’t care if you’re in the middle of solving world hunger or crying about whatever man problem you’re having. You’re coming.”I glanced up from the blank page on my laptop, where I had deceived myself that I was getting work done, but I hadn’t been able to type one thing down. “I’m not crying about—”“Save it,” she cut in. “And don’t wear anything sad and grey either. You’re too hot for grey.”I huffed but got up anyway.We ended up at a trendy bistro in the middle of the city, the kind of place that was always packed at lunch, all clinking glasses and muted chatter. Our table was ridiculous—so full it looked like we were feeding a small army. A juicy steak swimming in peppercorn sauce sat next to a burger piled high with bacon and cheese. There were crispy ch

PENELOPEThe house had been so quiet since we got back from the hospital, and yet somehow it still felt full.The flowers Eve brought every other day filled every room with their scent. There were always plates of warm food on the kitchen counter, even when no one was hungry enough to touch them. And Jess… Jess’s crutches thunked against the floors, her annoyed sighs following wherever she went.Still, something about it all felt heavy.I sat curled on the couch with a blanket around my shoulders, staring at the faint purpling bruises on my arm as I flexed my fingers. It has been weeks now, the cuts had healed into faint pink marks, but my side still ached if I moved too quickly. And my head… Well, some days were better than others.Eve visited again that morning, fussing over me as she always did. Literally taking over Alfred’s job, she brought chicken soup and two big bouquets of roses, one for me and one for Jess, scolding me for looking “too pale” and pressing her cool hand to my

CHRISTIANMy mother called me this morning while I was heading out.Not unusual—she had taken a sudden interest in taking care of Penelope these past few weeks.“What does she like to eat? She hasn’t had an appetite in days,” she’d said over the phone. “She barely touches anything I or Alfred makes anymore. I’d like to feed her properly, Christian. She’s my daughter-in-law, not yours alone.”I’d smirked at that, stepping into the elevator and glancing at my watch.“You’re welcome to take Alfred’s job if it keeps you occupied, Mother. I won’t stop you.”“Don’t be glib. What does she like?”“Get her something with chicken,” I said flatly. “She always eats chicken.”I hung up before she could lecture me about my tone.The rest of the morning was quiet until my second phone rang—my secure line. Governor Nylander’s name flashed on the screen.I answered it out of obligation more than anything.“Hilton,” he greeted, a little too warmly for my taste. “I find myself in need of your services.”

CHRISTIANIf Alfred hadn’t called me, she would have left.That thought alone makes me want to tear something apart.She would’ve left me. Just like that, duffel bag slung over her shoulder, dog in tow. If Alfred hadn’t gone outside to look for Bolt, to see her sprinting down the driveway with Bolt and called me, I never would’ve known. She didn’t even bother to leave a note.And now she’s back—escorted by the cops I had to own on to bring her and Bolt home, thanks to me pulling every string I had left to make sure she didn’t leave this town tonight.I’m sitting on the edge of the bed when I hear her boots on the stairs. Heavy. The door slams open so hard it nearly bounces off the wall, as she shuts it with another loud bang.“What the hell was that, Christian?” She demands loud enough. “What’s the meaning of that stunt?!”I didn’t move. I just let my eyes drag up to hers, “Lower your fucking voice.” My jaw tightens. “We’re not the only ones in this house.”Her shoulders heave, her ha