جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 160

“So…” my therapist cleared her voice, “you are saying you are still in love with your ex-husband?” she asked, her voice soft, not judging but rather wanting to hear me out.“I think?” I wasn’t sure.“Okay, let me just say I am proud that you’re admitting it. Only a few have such courage,” she said, and damn, she was right. I even convinced myself since I returned not to feel a thing. I played it well, but that broke when he announced his proposal to her.“I mean, am I wrong for feeling so?”“No, no, you’re not wrong. We can’t control who our heart desires.”“Yes, but still, after what he did to me. I want to stop. He’s an awful man. I know he’s an amazing father, but he doesn’t love me. I shouldn’t feel this way.”“I see. Can you please tell me exactly how you feel?”“Okay…” I breathed. “When I returned, I thought all was well. Then he started making moves on me. He intentionally wanted to work with me, and now that I think about it, I think I fell for him.”“Because of the attention?

Okay, before you start judging me, yes, I’m not slow. This was all part of an act. Here he was, still sounding so concerned about Aaliyah, but it left me in shock, especially after just admitting I still had feelings for him, which wasn’t long ago.For a minute, I struggled to find myself. I was completely shocked, but the law classes took over. I quickly found my voice and spoke, asking if it was necessary for me to wear the ring.“I am seeing someome, you know. I’m sure Carlos won’t accept this,” I said, watching Rodrigo’s ego break. His face showed disappointment for a split second before he quickly masked it and stood up, coming toward me.“I think it is.” He asked for my hand, and I hesitated.“I can put it on myself. I know where an engagement ring goes.” I nervously laughed, but he didn’t back down.“Allow me.” He held out his open hand, and the seriousness in his tone made me wonder if perhaps this was his plan. That he was working with Christian, that there was no lady on top

I used all my lawyer skills, but nothing made sense. There was no good explanation as to why Fiona and Aaliyah would work together. If anything, Aaliyah is supposed to hate Fiona the same way she hates me because Fiona is also her father's daughter, and as far as I was concerned, she wanted to be the only child.“What are you thinking?” I heard Christian ask, which snapped me back to reality. The more I thought of it, the more I got confused.“I don’t get it. Why would Aaliyah and Fiona work together?”“I don’t know how I didn’t see this sooner.” He sounded like he was blaming himself.“Oh no, you couldn’t. I lived with Fiona, and I didn’t see this too.”“But it wasn’t your job to spot moles. And to think she completely made me not pay attention to her. How is it that she now took over the house, only to later find out they’re working together? Like, what could be her goal?”“That I’m not sure of. But tell me, did you check on her today? I told you I received a strange call earlier th

R O D R I G OI paced around my office. Christian and Miles sat on the guest chairs as I waited for the person to get back to me. I didn’t hate being put on hold. Being a CEO of a wealth management company meant being put on hold sometimes when dealing with important clients like politicians and tycoons, but in this situation I didn’t want to hold.“You need to sit and calm down, Mr Roberts,” Christian said, but I ignored him. He didn’t know what he was saying. He hadn’t spent seven years looking for the woman he loved. He didn’t have to go to bed with regret like I did. He didn't waste millions on alcohol just to cope with life.“Besides, they said the marriage can happen within the next week. We have plenty of time until then,” he added, but I shook my head.“I can’t take any risks.” I stopped and faced him. “Nothing must go wrong. It has to happen, and now that she is in agreement with it, I think I should use this opportunity.”“Hold on. You’re still on with this remarriage nonsen

V A L E R I AThe sting on the back of my neck forced me up. With much strength, I opened my eyes, very much aware that wherever I was, I wasn’t safe. I still remembered being abducted.“Mhmm.” I muffled a painful scream as the ache spread to my neck. I wanted to massage the area, but my hands appeared to be joined together. They were tied. Finally opening my eyes, I was disappointed to meet darkness; they still hadn’t removed the sack over my head.“Change her location every day. Water and a piece of bread. We still need her alive.” I heard a familiar voice, and my throat went dry. I had suspected it was her, but now hearing her voice made it clearer.“Yes, ma’am,” a man responded.“Remember to change your phones after I call. The people we are up against are extremely clever. If you mess this up, I’ll kill you. Do you understand me?”“Yes, boss.”“Good. Now wake that bitch up. She needs to eat.”I heard footsteps coming toward me and immediately closed my eyes, but just as they were