All Chapters of The Bride He Never Chose: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Chapter 31: The Moment Before DawnThe feeling of Travis’s lips on mine lingered like a soft whisper on my skin, impossible to shake.Back in the elevator, the moment had stretched out like an eternity—the way our lips had met, the gentle pull of his hand in mine.That handhold—it wasn’t casual. It was deliberate, intentional.Heat blossomed in my cheeks, and I was sure my face was glowing bright red.We walked side by side until we stopped in front of a sleek door. Travis pulled a black card from his pocket, swiped it over the scanner, and the door clicked open with a quiet hiss.Inside, the penthouse was breathtaking.The floor-to-ceiling glass walls framed the city lights like a living painting. The night sky sparkled with thousands of stars, but inside was warm and inviting.The white couch near the window looked plush and soft, decorated with black and white striped pillows that added a modern flair.On the low center table, magazines lay open, their glossy pages reflecting the s

Chapter 33: The Night We Almost FellA sudden pang of uncertainty rushed through me. Was this truly the end of the tangled mess? Or was the past still lurking nearby, waiting to unravel whatever fragile peace we were building?Travis seemed to sense my hesitation. “Don’t let her shadow your heart, Kourtney,” he murmured, his voice firm yet gentle. “Whatever happens, I’m here. This time, it’s different.”I nodded, squeezing his hand. But deep down, I knew that healing wasn’t a straight path. It was a winding road with surprises—some painful, some hopeful.The night air wrapped around us like a promise: to face whatever came next together, no matter how complicated.I took a deep breath and slipped out of the room quietly. The party was still going on, but my world had narrowed down to one goal: find Travis and talk to him—really talk—before it was too late.The hallways seemed longer, the laughter and music fading into a distant hum. My heart pounded harder with each step, a mixture of

Chapter 35: The Heir’s Secret and the Price of Loyalty“We can’t let them win,” I said, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve.Travis stepped closer. “That’s why you’re coming with us tonight. We need someone who knows the estate and can move without raising suspicion.”I swallowed hard but nodded. “I’m in.”Sebastian handed me a small earpiece. “Stay on channel three. We’ll coordinate.”The night outside was thick with fog, the moon barely a sliver overhead. We moved silently through secret passages, shadows cloaking our every step.The greenhouse loomed ahead, glass panes glistening with dew. I felt my heart hammering as we slipped inside, the scent of earth and flowers heavy in the air.Travis pointed toward the far corner, where the rare orchids bloomed in carefully arranged pots.I crouched beside the cluster, my fingers trembling as I examined the petals. There, barely visible, were tiny markings—like ancient script woven into the veins.“Got it,” I whispered, tr

Chapter 37: The Bracelet’s SecretSuddenly, without warning, I bumped into someone solid and stumbled backward.“Whoa, are you okay?” a deep voice asked, calm but edged with surprise.My heart lurched, and I looked up.It was him. Travis. The same Travis who had been absent all night.His gold chain caught the light, glinting like a secret waiting to be uncovered. His eyes searched mine, steady and concerned, like he was trying to read the invisible lines between my words.“I’m fine,” I said quickly, pushing myself up. “Just wasn’t paying attention.”He offered his hand, and when our fingers touched, warmth spread through me like a spark. I wanted to step back, to protect myself, but I couldn’t. His presence pulled me in.“Why didn’t you come to dinner?” I blurted, unable to hold back the question.He shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Flat tire. You know how it is.”I wanted to ask more. About the woman whose name I’d overheard earlier—Kim. I wanted to know why his name wa

Chapter 39: When the Bangle BreaksNot for me.For her.A woman I hadn’t noticed before, guided gently by the arm as if she were the star of this evening.Slender, poised, stunning — she slid into the seat beside Travis as naturally as if she belonged.“This is Yelena Santiago,” Mrs. Forger said, smiling with a pride that sent a cold shiver down my spine. Her red lips curved perfectly. “Daughter of our dear business partner, Daniel Santiago.”Mom and Dad exchanged knowing glances.“Daniel is one of our major shareholders,” Mr. Forger added, his voice slow and heavy, weighted with importance. “He holds a considerable stake in FRGR.”FRGR.The company my dad had been fighting to join. The company now woven deep into my family’s fate.What exactly were we celebrating again?“I hope you’re all okay with me inviting Yelena,” Mrs. Forger said casually. “I saw her outside the restaurant earlier and thought—why not? I’ve missed her terribly. She’s always out of the country.”So this wasn’t ab