Semua Bab Abandoned by my ex, I accept his boss proposal : Bab 51 - Bab 60

Chapter 52Lily's povI opened the message, and my heart skipped a beat.“Enjoy your spotlight while it lasts, Lily 😡”A chill ran through me, despite the warmth of the evening. My fingers tremble slightly as I deleted the message. I refused to let anyone ruin this moment for me. Not tonight. Not after all I’ve worked for.I exhaled deeply and forced a smile back on my face as I tapped on Mia’s number. She picked up on the second ring.“Mia, guess what?” I giggled like a schoolgirl, excitement bubbling through me.“Richard proposed marriage to you?” she teased, followed by her unmistakable cackle.“What??? Come on, Mia!” I laughed. “Don’t do that to me. You almost gave me a heart attack!”“Nah?” she hissed dramatically. “How disappointing then. So what could possibly be more exciting than that, Lily?”I grinned. “Oh, Mia... you are the sweetest, craziest soul I know. I got promoted today! I’m now a senior auditor!”There was a brief pause, then a scream from the other end.“No way! L

Chapter 54Lily's pov.“I“I love you too, Lily,” Richard said, his voice soft and full of meaning. His eyes held a kind of honesty I had never seen before—pure, gentle, and warm. My heart swelled. The Eiffel Tower sparkled behind us, casting golden light over the river and surrounding rooftops. Paris at night was everything people said it would be—magical, dreamy, and full of love.We stood there for a while longer, wrapped in the silence and beauty of the night. Couples around us held hands, whispered, laughed, and kissed. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged—not just in the city, but with him.“You know,” Richard said, his eyes on the tower, “this place holds a love story of its own.”“Really?” I asked, tilting my head toward him.He nodded. “There’s a private apartment built inside the tower by Gustave Eiffel himself—the man who designed it. He used to invite scientists and special guests there. Some say he built it as a secret place to escape with someone he l

Chapter 56Richard's Pov I've seen many expressions on Lily’s face over time—happiness, curiosity, even anger—but the look in her eyes tonight was different. It was a sharp mix of confusion and pain, the kind that hits you in the chest. All because of something Samantha said.Why would Samantha say something like that in the middle of an important business gala, of all places? What was she trying to achieve—humiliate me? Hurt Lily? Both?“Please, Lily... Can we talk about this later?” I asked, hoping to calm the storm before it started.She smiled softly and nodded. “Alright, Richard.” But her eyes were locked on Samantha with the kind of quiet strength that unsettled me.I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Relief washed over me, but it didn’t last long. I turned to face Samantha with nothing but pure disgust in my eyes.“Listen to me, Samantha,” I said through clenched teeth. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing, but don’t ever cross that line again.”

Chapter 58Lily's pov“Is something wrong, Lily?” Richard asked softly, his brows creasing with concern.“Not exactly, Chard. Just… some stupid fool that doesn’t want to give up,” I replied, shrugging like it was nothing. But it wasn’t nothing.“Oh?” he said, raising one eyebrow. He tilted his head, waiting, like he expected more. I knew that look—he wanted the truth. And something about his silence, his patience, gave me the courage to open up.This was it. A moment of sharing with no judgment. Now or never.I reached for my drink—the one I hadn’t even touched since we sat down. It tasted bitter, but I gulped it all down in one go. My throat burned, but I welcomed the sting. Maybe it would distract me from the ache in my chest.“You know,” I began slowly, “I’ve had my own share of a messed-up love story too.”Richard leaned back, listening. Not interrupting. Just waiting.“I met this guy once,” I continued. “He was… everything I thought I wanted. Smart, charming, funny in that annoyi

Chapter 60Lily's PovWe arrived back in the state around 7 p.m., exhausted but filled with beautiful memories. Richard’s driver was already waiting for us at the airport with his sleek black Porsche. The moment we stepped into the car, the comfort of familiarity wrapped around me like a warm blanket.When we got to Richard’s house, it was like stepping into a warm embrace. The domestic staff welcomed us like we were family. Smiles lit up their faces as they took our bags, asked about our trip, and offered to make dinner.“You’re really good with all your staff, both at home and at the company,” I said as we walked into the living room. “I’m impressed.”Richard smiled, the kind that softened his otherwise serious face. “What can I say? They’re humans just like me. I’ll never forget what my parents always told me before they passed.” He paused for a moment, staring into the air as if he could still hear their voices. Then he said, gently, “They would say, ‘Richard, though we are privil