Semua Bab RIGHTFULLY MINE : Bab 51 - Bab 60

ZOE'S POV “What the hell? Owen?” I heard her say in a stunned whisper. But she wasn’t looking at him. Her sharp, wild and vengeful eyes were trained on me.One second I was still breathless from the tenderness of Owen’s kiss and the next, I was frozen with my eyes locked with a glare that could shatter glass."I knew it" Alexis spoke with venom. "It wasn’t just my stupid suspicion. I saw it. It’s you. You’re the reason he won’t even look at me twice!"Owen tried to speak but Alexis wasn’t listening."You little parasite," Alexis hissed, advancing a step. "First at his house like some stray he picked off the street, now in his office. You just love crawling into your bosses’ beds, don’t you? That’s what you do, right? Sleep your way up and act all innocent?"My mouth dropped open. My chest tightened. “What… what did you just say?”Owen stepped forward sharply. “That’s enough, Alexis.”But my mind reeled. My past—those words shouldn’t be in this woman’s mouth. No one should know about

ZOE'S POV I breathed out slowly, still standing where Owen had left me, enjoying the moment. It was unexpectedly peaceful. And for the first time in days it felt like a sense of peace settled in. I watched Owen as he walked away to get us something to drink and maybe some snacks. I smiled to myself. He really was trying after everything that has happened, after all the mess and emotional wreckage, he still wanted to be there for me. And the part of me that longed for peace wanted to let him. Then I heard someone coming behind me. I turned instinctively, expecting to see Owen coming back already—but something felt off. It was too soon. The steps weren’t hurried, but they were heavy. My stomach dropped. When I turned fully, it wasn’t Owen. I did not have the time to scream. Someone attacked me from behind and held me tightly as I fought back. Then something pressed hard over my mouth—soft fabric. A handkerchief. The smell was immediate. Strong. Sweet. Chemical. I struggled and fo

OWEN'S POV I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours.My office was dark despite the daylight outside. I had drawn the blinds to shut out the world because it didn’t feel right for the sun to be shining while Zoe was missing—possibly hurt, scared… or worse.My desk was covered in open files, maps, and printouts. Security footage from the area. I had men working around the clock. Every surveillance system, every possible lead. Nothing. Like she vanished off the face of the earth.And it was killing me.I have never felt so powerless. So useless. I was used to being in control, always a step ahead. But this… this was a different kind of war. And I was losing.The door flung open suddenly.“I said I don’t want to be—”I looked up and froze.Austin.He stood there, stiff and red-eyed, with my receptionist behind him, apologizing breathlessly and trying to stop him.“It’s okay” I said flatly to her. She hesitated then nodded and backed away.Austin walked in aggressive. I could already see

ZOE'S POV The shot still rang out.I was trembling and out of breath. The gun fell to the floor. And then I saw blood.Not mine.Alexis stared in shock as she grabbed her stomach, blood spreading on her hands and clothes. She let out a weak pained moan.I froze for a moment. Couldn’t think. My mouth opened but no sound came out.Then my body reacted. I went beside her. “Oh God” My voice cracked. “Oh God I didn’t mean to… Alexis—no—please, no.”She was breathing hard and losing consciousness. I paused before pressing my hands to the wound. There was blood all around us. Warm. Sticky. Terrifying.“I didn’t mean to” I gasped shaking my head as tears fell uncontrollably. “It was an accident. I swear, I didn’t mean to. I just— I was trying to stop you.”Alexis groaned trying to lift her hand to push me away but she had no strength left.“Stay with me” I begged in panic. “Just stay awake please.”I frantically looked around for something—anything. Then I remembered her phone. She had dropp

OWEN'S POV I watched Zoe from a distance as she stepped out of the ambulance, talked with Austin for a while before she got into the car with him. She put her head against the window looking exhausted. I should feel relieved now knowing she's safe but I felt empty inside. It was not just the image of her covered in Alexis’ blood that lingered in my mind, it was how she could have easily died and how I might have lost her forever.I stayed up all night. I couldn’t sleep.I felt weighed down no matter how many times I stood up to pace or sit back down and act like I was fine. I couldn’t stop hearing Austin’s voice in my head, accusing and harsh. Zoe almost died because of you.He wasn’t wrong.If she hadn’t fought back. If that gun had angled slightly differently. If we hadn’t found her in time…I ran my hands over my face gritting my teeth to keep from screaming.I had promised I would keep her safe.And yet, all I did was let Alexis into her life. All I did was believe someone I kne