All Chapters of RIGHTFULLY MINE : Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

CHLOE'S POV Austin pushed the cheque closer, he spoke firmly. “It's all you need to get back on track now, Chloe. So what do you say?” I stared at the blank cheque on the table. It sparkled faintly in the light—clean and full of quiet temptation. Austin leaned back, looking at me knowingly. “So what do you say?” he repeated, sounding sure. I couldn’t answer right away. My thoughts were racing too fast. The offer was too good. Money, freedom, the chance to finally breathe again. Austin even said he could help get my probation terminated early. But that offer hid a truth I couldn’t ignore, Owen still had something over me. “I can’t just say yes,” I murmured. Austin raised an eyebrow. “Why not? It’s everything you need to get back on track.” I laughed dryly. “If only it were that simple.” He frowned, studying me. “You can’t refuse this, Chloe.” “I can’t say no to Owen if he asks for my help” I said softly. Austin looked at me sharply. “Why? You don’t owe him anything. As far as

OWEN'S POV “It’s what we need,” Zoe said.Those words keep replying in my head. I was unable to sleep.And I kept seeing Zoe's expression. It was fear— the kind that hurts when you care about someone. It was still dark outside when I stopped trying to sleep. I was looking at my phone, like it held answers. It didn’t. Just more headlines. More noise.Every news outlet had taken the story and twisted it in a thousand directions. Zoe’s picture next to mine was the worst, and that Austin’s fake wedding photo.I've spent hours on the phone, containing the crisis. But it's hard to control the damage when it's everywhere. Now, one thought stuck with me.I once distanced myself from Zoe, to protect her, and it ended up putting her life in more danger.I couldn’t let it happen again.My phone vibrated. Chloe.I paused at the name before answering.“Chloe?”She sounded serious. “I've thought about what we talked about yesterday.”“You’ve made a decision?”“Not yet,” she said quickly. “But I

ZOE'S POV The silence was different after Chloe left. Owen was still at the table, lost in thought.I turned off the heat and whispered. “You look like you need a meal. Stay for breakfast.”He nodded. “Okay.”It was something like a smile.I put the food on plates, and the room smelled like breakfast. It felt almost right for a second.Then Jamie’s voice came from his room. “Mommy, are we eating now?”“Yes, sweetheart,” I said.He came running, his penguin trailing behind. I smiled and messed his hair. But when he saw Owen, his expression changed.Owen’s face relaxed immediately. “Hey, champ.”Jamie froze. His fingers tightened around the penguin’s neck. He didn’t smile.“Jamie,” I said softly. “Say hello to Uncle Owen.”He looked at me, then Owen again and said softly “I don’t want to.”Owen frowned, looking confused. “Why not, buddy?”Jamie hesitated, his voice breaking a little. “Because you made Mummy not want to live with Daddy anymore.”The air left the room.Owen froze. I felt

ZOE'S POV “I’m sorry for calling so early,” I spoke softly, pacing near Jamie. “He's had a high temperature all night, and is not getting better.”“It's no problem, Ms. Perkins,” The doctor said on the other end. “How high—”“It's Ms. Packer,” I cut in calmly.“My apologies. How high is it now, Ms Packer?”“I glanced at the thermometer in my hand. “A little above thirty-eight. He’s still drinking water, but he looks exhausted.”“It sounds mild,” he said reassuringly. “Maybe a virus. Give him pain meds, keep him cool and hydrated. And if the fever worsens or he's unresponsive, bring him in immediately.”“Alright. Thank you, Doctor.”“You’re welcome. Call me again if anything changes.”The call ended, I sat on Jamie’s bed, pushing back his damp hair.He shifted and muttered “Mommy…”“Shh. It’s okay, baby. Go back to sleep.”I picked up my phone to text Owen about Jamie.Then I saw it—a thumbnail that made my blood run cold.“Breaking: Chloe Parker arrested following viral confession.”

ZOE'S POV I never pictured myself facing Austin in court for Jamie.I felt sweat on my hands as I touched the table, my heartbeat felt slow, heavy and final.Austin sat with his lawyer, as neat and straight as usual, but he looked more tired than he was when he came to drop Jamie off last week. He didn’t once glance at me. It hurt in a way I wasn’t ready for.“Ms. Packer?” my lawyer said softly, leaning in closer. “We’ll be getting started shortly. Just remember, just speak the truth. You’re not here to attack Austin. You're here for Jamie.”I nodded, swallowing. That was the truth. It wasn't about revenge or payback or proving I could win against Austin. It was about our son, and giving him peace.With a signal from the bench, the judge entered and took her seat. Everybody rose into their feet and for one brief moment, it seemed as if time had stood still.We sat, and the hearing began.Austin’s attorney spoke first. “Your Honour, my client has been closely and actively involved in