All Chapters of A Pulse And Betrayal : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Chapter 52 – grateful for every journeyTwo years later.I wake up, stretch, and smile. I breathe in deep. I feel proud and thankful.I finally did it. I saved enough money…every dollar…to open my dream pastry shop. A real place of my own. A spot filled with light, sugar, and hope.I did it by baking in rented kitchens for two years. A little cake here, a dozen cupcakes there. I saved every penny. I said no to fun nights and cheap clothes. I believed in this dream.I’m so happy.I walk downstairs from my apartment bedroom, through a small hallway, to the front of my shop. It’s called “Whisk & Wings”, named after the little whisk with wings I drew myself.The early morning sunshine warms the wooden door. The smell of butter, sugar, and fresh dough floats in the air.I pull the door open, and the bell rings.I’m not nervous. Not today.I sweep my apron, adjust my hair, and step behind the counter.push aside the morning dust of dreams, and head down in my favorite space.Yesterday’s dough

Chapter 54: The wait Diana pov I woke up early, feeling accomplished after a long night of baking and preparing orders for the company's delivery car. I had worked tirelessly to ensure every single order was perfect, from wholesale to retail. Every loaf, cake, and pie had been baked, boxed, and labeled. I handled each order carefully, especially the ones for that company that had been her biggest customer for the past two years. She had never met the boss, but today… today might be different.As I waited for the delivery car to arrive, I thought about my plan to follow the driver to her boss's location. I wanted to personally invite the boss to the branch opening and express her gratitude for being a loyal customer for two years.Gift entered the room carrying a mugs of tea. “You need this for energy,” she said, gently placing the mug in front of me.“I will. Just for a bit. I want to follow the delivery van. I’ll finally meet him today.”Gift paused. “The CEO?”I nodded. “It’s be

Chapter 56: Drawing the LineMercy’s POvI hadn’t left my apartment in two days. Not for groceries. Not for air. Not even to answer the door when the delivery guy knocked with a meal I forgot I ordered.The curtains remained drawn, blocking out the sunlight I usually adored. My kitchen was full of half-drunk coffee mugs, untouched yogurt cups, and unwashed plates. The strong scent of lavender candles couldn’t mask the sour sting of despair in the air.I was sick…. physically, emotionally, and somewhere in between.Ever since that humiliating night outside Xander’s apartment, my body had felt heavy, my chest, heavier. It wasn’t just a rejection. It was the kind that rewrote the meaning of self-worth.“You should never come here again.”His voice had been sharp. No hesitation. No softness.Those six words kept echoing in my mind like a broken record. Over and over. Each time more painful than the last.I told the management that I had a fever. Claimed it was the flu. And because of my pr

Chapter 58: The Grand Opening. Diana’s POVThe sky was still dark when I slipped out of bed. My heart raced before dawn…nervous and excited. I tiptoed past where my Mom was lying, grateful she arrived yesterday evening. She had traveled all night to be here. I paused by the window and watched the pale glow of sunrise spread across the sky. I closed my eyes, whispered a quick prayer that everything would go smoothly, and then ran back downstairs where my mom was sleeping.“Mom?” I called softly. No answer. I found her still deeply asleep. I left her because she traveled all the way from home to meet up yesterday night She arrived late. I think she is still stressed out.Before I could know what was happening I saw Star burst into the room, his curly hair. “Mama! He called and hugged me. I scooped him up and hugged him tight. “Yes, baby.” I took him into the bathing room and bathed him and helped him I picked out a tiny dress in soft blue with a white collar…that matched my uniform…

Chapter 60:Nothing Left but GratitudeDiana’s POVThe grand opening came to a soft, quiet end.The last guests walked out through the wide glass doors, some still holding cupcakes, others chatting softly about how beautiful everything was. Many of them hugged me or shook my hand. Some promised to return with friends and family. Others said they couldn’t wait to place their next order.Even though my feet hurt and my back ached, I smiled at each one. I was tired, but it was the good kind of tired…the kind you feel after something worth it.When the final guest stepped outside, I turned around and took a long, deep breath.We had done it. I had done it.The bakery was nearly empty now, except for a few of my team members who were cleaning up and laughing about how busy the day had been. I walked slowly to the main counter and looked down at the empty trays.Everything was sold out.Every single thing.The Cake was gone. The fish pie? Gone. Even the last batch of meat pies had disappeare