Semua Bab The Bride He Never Chose: Bab 81 - Bab 90

Chapter 80: When Travis ReturnedI sighed deeply as Mom and I drove home in silence. The wind from the car window tousled my hair, but I barely noticed.“Where do you want to go for vacation this semester break, dear?” Mom finally asked, her voice light, as if trying to distract me.I looked at her, surprised by the sudden change in topic. But maybe that was her way of comforting me—by looking ahead.If I said I wanted to stay home, I’d probably spend every day crying over this mess. That was not happening. I needed an escape, even if temporary.“Mom, can I go where P, Adison, and my other friends are spending their break?”She smiled and nodded. “Of course, dear. It’s better to spend time with your classmates. They’ll keep you distracted.”Her fingers brushed gently through my hair, and I leaned into her touch. For a moment, I felt safe.I didn’t overthink it—her approval. I didn’t want to read between the lines. I just wanted to go somewhere far, even for a little while.I nodded. “

Chapter 82: When Hearts Meet the TideI looked away, but she already knew the answer.“You know,” P said, flopping down on the beach towel next to me, “I think he likes you.”I gave a dry laugh. “He doesn’t even have my number.”“Maybe he’s scared.”“Of what? A girl like me?”“Of how much he might actually care,” Adison said softly.That silenced me.I leaned back, staring at the clouds, wondering if somewhere out there, under the same sun, Travis was thinking about me too.He didn’t answer right away. I saw it—the flicker in his eyes, the way his jaw tightened. He was hesitating.That hesitation was already an answer in itself.“So… she was there,” I whispered, almost to myself.Travis exhaled deeply and sat down on the edge of my bed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes. She was there. She refused to leave until the issue was fixed.”I felt my throat tighten, my fingers curling into my palms. “Of course she did.”“She’s a senior architect, Kourt. She had every right to be there.”

Chapter 84: The Kiss Between TurnsAnd then, almost teasingly, it stopped.Pointing straight at me.The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers.“Looks like it’s your turn, Kourt,” Seth said, flashing me a half-smile that made my heart flutter again.I glanced around at everyone, feeling all eyes on me — the teasing, the excitement, the unspoken dares waiting in the air.I picked up the bottle again, ready to spin it back.This time, I gave it a good, strong spin.It whirled faster and faster.Faces blurred as the bottle spun wildly.Finally, it slowed, wobbling on its neck like a fragile promise.And stopped.Pointing at Seth.The crowd gasped and erupted into laughter once more.“Oh, come on!” I laughed nervously, cheeks warming.Seth’s eyes sparkled, amused but calm.“Well, looks like fate wants us to go for it,” he teased.“Alright,” I said, my heart pounding.He scooted closer on the sun lounger, and I nervously leaned forward.Our faces inches apart, time slowed, and the world melt

Chapter 86: Between the Breeze and the Breakdown“I wanted to,” he admitted. “But I needed to be sure. I didn’t want to drag you into something dangerous without warning.”I searched his face, seeing the turmoil beneath his calm exterior. Suddenly, the carefree moments at the pool, the playful spins of the bottle — they felt worlds away.“Travis,” I whispered, “whatever this is... we’ll face it together.”He smiled, a mix of relief and love in his eyes. “I’m not letting you go, Kourtney. No matter the secrets, no matter the danger.”I took a slow sip of the juice in my hand, crossing my arms as I leaned back against the wooden railing. The salty breeze from the ocean mingled with the faint scent of coconut and sunscreen lingering around the summer cottage where our classmates had gathered. Everyone was buzzing with energy, laughter, teasing, and challenges, but all my focus was on P — my ever-cheerful, mischievous friend — who raised one eyebrow and held tightly to my crossed arms.“T

Chapter 88: The Heir No One KnewTravis, Seth, and I became an unlikely trio, bound by secrets and the shared desire to protect each other.In the quiet moments, Travis let down his walls, revealing fragments of his life — a family legacy tangled in crime and power struggles, and the heavy cost of keeping secrets.Seth’s past and Travis’s present began to intertwine, revealing a dangerous web that threatened not just their lives but everyone they cared about.And through it all, I found myself caught between two boys — one haunted by a troubled past, the other by a dangerous present.But one thing was certain: whatever the future held, we would face it together.One evening, after a long day of tense meetings and whispered plans, Seth called me urgently.“Meet me at the old pier,” he said, voice low and urgent.When I arrived, Seth was pacing anxiously, eyes darting around as if expecting someone — or something.“Kourt,” he said, grabbing my arm, “there’s something I haven’t told you.