RIGHTFULLY MINE のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

ZOE’S POVThe day had finally arrived, Jamie’s birthday. I couldn’t hide my excitement. I had been looking forward to this very day for weeks. The day I'll get the chance to spend some time with my son. I was unable to sleep the night before. I couldn’t stop thinking about my little boy. I kept picturing him smiling, blowing out candles, us laughing together and taking pictures with his friends. This was supposed to be my moment, our moment. A chance to be part of his world again, if only for a few hours.Owen and I had finalized Jamie’s gift the day before. I found a vintage set of model trains, just like the ones he used to love playing with before I left. Owen had bought a top-of-the-line smartwatch with a custom strap for Jamie, the kind a boy his age would go crazy for and in his favorite color, green. We were both excited and a little nervous since we both knew how much this day meant to me.Earlier that day, Owen and I were at the office going over some contracts for an upcom

ZOE’S POVThe moment the words left my mouth, “Can Jamie spend the day with me tomorrow?” Chloe stopped mid-step like someone had yanked her back by an invisible chain. The fake warmth that had lit her face moments ago drained into a pale look of disbelief and panic. I didn’t even try to hide the satisfaction bubbling inside me. I had caught her off guard, and she hated it.Austin turned to me his brow furrowed slightly as he considered the request. “Well.. it’s still weekend,” he began slowly then looked at Chloe. “If Zoe doesn’t mind I think that should be fine.”Everyone turned to her and for a split second she stood frozen—her victory slipping away, unravelling bit by bit right in front of her. She stuttered, struggling to come up with a response. “I–I just think Jamie should rest… after all the excitement today. He’s probably really tired.”I smiled politely, but my voice was firm. “I promise he’ll be fine. We’ll just visit a few of his favorite places, maybe the zoo, or the park

CHLOE'S POVNick ended the call before I could respond.I just stood there, the phone still pressed to my ear, the silence on the other end like a punch to my gut.He’s coming to Sydney.My throat went dry. My hands trembled as I slowly lowered the phone. A tidal wave of panic slammed into me.Of all the people Zoe could have dragged into this, she chose him?Nick—the one person who could destroy everything with a few well-placed words. And he wouldn’t hesitate, especially if Zoe was fueling him with her rage.I forced my legs to move, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed to hold it together. I couldn’t let Austin suspect a thing.When I stepped back in, they were laughing—Austin and Jamie, heads thrown back in joy, completely oblivious to the storm I was caught in.Austin looked up and smiled warmly. “Everything okay?”I nodded too quickly. “Yeah. Just a call from… an old friend.”Not a lie. Just not the whole truth.I sat down but the food in front of me looked like a mountain I

CHLOE'S POVThe morning sunlight filtered through my curtains brushing everything in a soft golden hue. I sat in front of the mirror fingers gently tracing the delicate necklace lying in the box. The engraved letter isn't actually for my own name but that doesn't matter. It's the love and affection that I'm receiving personally now that matters. It shimmered under the light, subtle yet striking and carried a weight heavier than gold—validation. Acceptance. A small piece of proof that Austin was seeing me.I couldn’t stop smiling.Two nights ago it felt like a dream. When Austin came home from work he looked different, more relaxed and more present. He walked in with a small square box in his hand and he had an unreadable expression. I raised an eyebrow in confusion then hesitantly took the box from him when he offered it.Inside nestled in soft velvet was a necklace and bracelet set. The necklace had a heart-shaped pendant with a small “Z” engraved on it. The bracelet held tiny icons

ZOE'S POV The ride to the office was quiet except for the rumble of the engine and the soft clicking of my nails against my phone screen. I scrolled slowly through the photos, Jamie’s face glowed with innocence and joy as he gripped cotton candy pointed at birds and giggled during our boat ride. It was the kind of happiness that made everything else feel irrelevant. I paused on one where I had managed to get a selfie with him both of us laughing in the sun and for a brief moment I could almost pretend we were just a normal mother and son.But I couldn’t hold that feeling for long. Not after the phone call with Chloe last night.“She said she can’t let go… because Austin loves her now.” I murmured to myself my voice low but heavy. My fingers trembled slightly as I locked my phone and rested back in the seat. The pain in my heart was hard to ignore. She was choosing love over truth—her fantasy over Jamie’s reality. I clenched my jaw and held my head trying to quiet the storm inside me.