Alle Kapitel von RIGHTFULLY MINE : Kapitel 21 – Kapitel 30

ZOE’S POV “How did this happen?” I whispered. I stood by the bed staring down at Nick. He was motionless, pale and his head was heavily bandaged.“What did the doctor say? Is he going to be okay? Will he wake up soon?”I asked a bunch of questions turning toward Owen who stood a few feet behind me calm in posture but not in the eyes.“Zoe,” he said softly moving closer. “You need to breathe. The doctors are still running tests. They’re doing everything they can. We’ll know more soon.”I nodded, though nothing about his words made me feel better.“We think he was lured there,” Owen added, voice low. “And then attacked.”My chest tightened. I turned back to Nick looking at the bruises that peeked out from under his hospital gown and the cuts on his face.Why? Why would someone go this far?Before I could ask more the door opened and the doctor stepped in with a serious look on his face. I stood up quickly clutching the bed rail.“Doctor?” My voice trembled. “How is he?”He sighed. The

ZOE'S POVI ended the call and placed the phone gently on the table. My fingers were trembling but not from fear.From rage.“She knows something,” I said, turning towards Owen, who stood with his arms crossed, watching me carefull.He didn't ask for clarifications. He didn't need to.“She's involved in this. I could hear it in her voice the second I mentioned Nick was still alive. Her shock wasn't just surprise—it was panic.” My jaw tightened. “She tried to have him killed.”Owen exhaled slowly and nodded. “If she's involved, them she'll try to finish the job. She wouldn't risk Nick waking up and spilling everything.”“She won't wait long,” I added, my voice hardening with conviction. “That call rattled her. I'm sure she thought he was dead and gone. Now she'll act fast, hastily—without planning like she usually does.”“That's exactly why we said it.” Owen said walking over to the window. I nodded slowly. “A bluff… but a necessary one.”We hadn’t told the doctor to lie. Nick really

AUSTIN’S POV “You're dressed up? I was not expecting that” I said walking into the room and putting my keys down. “I’m guessing you're feeling better?” Zoe was sitting on the bed fully dressed. Her hair in a messy bun and she had a little box with a ribbon sitting in her lap.She smiled at me her expression unreadable. “I feel a little better” she said quietly. “Here… open this first.”I blinked. “What is this?”“Just open it.” she insisted holding the box out to me.I took it with a cautious smile pulling at the soft ribbon. The lid lifted easily, and inside I saw a white plastic stick. I frowned, trying to place it. I’d seen it before, but…My eyes slowly widened when I saw the two bright pink lines.I looked up at Zoe. “Wait… is this…?”She was already grinning. “Yes, Austin. I’m pregnant.”The air seemed to leave the room. I stared at her stunned into silence for a moment then looked back at the test like it might vanish if I blinked. My chest tightened but in the best way pos

ZOE’S POV My heels clicked softly on the floor as Owen and I stepped into Austin’s office building. It had been years but somehow everything still looked almost the same. The air felt familiar. The walls, the furniture, all of it pulled at a corner of my memory I’d sealed off long ago.We were here for a meeting with an investor, yet my heart beat faster than it should have. Maybe it was the memories, maybe it was what I knew and what Austin didn’t. Either way, I wasn’t just here to discuss business today.Owen glanced sideways at me. “You okay?”I took a moment to respond. I looked around the room, my old desk is now someone else’s. A place I once sat with dreams in my head and a secret in my heart. I felt like my old self.“Yeah,” I finally said clearing my throat. “I just didn’t think I would walk into this place again.”Before Owen could respond Austin stepped out from his private office with that wide smile that had come to feel more and more strange lately. He was beaming with

AUSTIN’S POV I sat alone at the table playing with my coffee. Chloe had called earlier saying she needed to see me to discuss something important.She didn’t say what it was about.Just, “Can we meet?”It was rare. Chloe never called me out of the blue. Especially not without business in between.So I came early. I couldn’t help it. I was shaken by her voice. Not in a panicked way. Just… Serious.I checked my watch again.Then I saw Chloe walking toward the table, her eyes scanning the room until they found me. She looked put together, but tense.“Sorry for the wait” she said taking a seat.“I actually got here a little early” I replied putting the coffee aside. “You’re not usually one to ask.”She forced a smile. That unsettled me.“You okay?” I asked, leaning forward.She sighed. “Austin… I know I might be overstepping by getting involved in what happens between you and Zoe. Especially a private matter that has to do with your marriage. I know that. But this… this is beyond that. S