Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 81 - Chapitre 90

Chapter 82; Sore LoserXENOISThe water balloon toss had devolved into exactly the kind of chaotic, joyful mess that Celeste had promised. Parents versus children, with no mercy given on either side. The rules were simple: each side lined up facing each other, armed with buckets of water balloons, and tried to eliminate the opposing team by hitting them. Once you were hit, you were out.The children had approached it with military precision, forming strategies and coordinating their attacks. Troy had positioned himself as the team captain, directing Lake and Soren to focus fire on specific parents while Kyle provided cover with rapid-fire throws. Amber, despite being in the regular class rather than gifted, had turned out to have surprisingly good aim and a competitive streak that rivaled her brother's.The parents had tried to mount a coordinated defense, but we were no match for the children's energy and enthusiasm. One by one, families were eliminated in explosions of water and lau

Chapter 84: Video FootageXENOIS"I don't know," David said. "But if he doesn't, should we tell him?""Tell him what?" Miranda asked. "Show him that video? The one where he absolutely destroyed Celeste for defending herself? Where he screamed at her for making him lose business deals?"Video?My heart went cold."That wasn't her fault," David said firmly. "Victoria started it then too, and Celeste just defended herself.""I know that, and you know that," Miranda replied. "But Old Xenois didn't care. All he cared about was that Celeste had embarrassed a woman whose husband was a potential investor."I felt sick to my stomach."I need to check on Celeste," Miranda said, starting to turn away. "Make sure she's really okay."That's when I stepped forward, making my presence known. "Miranda, wait."She jumped slightly, spinning around with wide eyes. "Xenois! I didn't—how much did you hear?""Enough," I said grimly. I turned to David, who was looking uncomfortable. "What video?""Xenois, I

Chapter 86XENOIS I looked toward the building where Celeste had gone to clean up. I thought about the way she'd pretended not to see Victoria coming. The way she'd been prepared to take the fall rather than defend herself.Because I'd trained her not to defend herself.Because I'd made her believe that protecting herself wasn't worth the consequences I would inflict."This is killing me," I admitted quietly. "Knowing what I did to her. Knowing I can't even apologize for it because I'm not supposed to remember.""I know," Miranda said sympathetically. "But David's right. The best thing you can do right now is continue being the man you've become. Show her through your actions that she's safe. That she's valued. That she's free.""And maybe someday," David added, "she'll tell you about the deal herself. When she's ready. When she trusts that you won't use it against her anymore."I nodded slowly, accepting the wisdom of their words even though it felt like swallowing broken glass. "

Chapter 88: Almost RevealedXENOIS"Maybe," she said, studying my face like she was trying to memorize it."Or maybe you hit your head and now you're a completely different person who just happens to look like my husband."She said it like a joke, but I felt my heart stop. She'd essentially described exactly what had happened—the old Xenois was gone, replaced by someone with his knowledge but none of his memories or personality traits."Would that be so bad?" I asked carefully. "If I was different?"Celeste was quiet for a moment, really considering the question. "No," she finally said, her voice thick with emotion. "No, it wouldn't be bad at all. This version of you—the one who shows up to school events, who defends me in public, who plays in the mud with our children and doesn't care about ruining expensive clothes—I like this version very much.""Then that's who I'll be," I promised. "For as long as you'll have me."She kissed me again, softer this time, and when she pulled back sh

Chapter 90When Everything Falls ApartXENOISWe walked down a quiet corridor where every door was closed and presumably empty—the entire floor cleared for Tommy's safety. At the end of the hall, outside a door marked "Presidential Suite," Dmitri and Sloane were waiting.They both looked like they'd aged years in the past few hours. Sloane's face was pale and drawn, his usual composed expression shattered. Dmitri's jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides."Xenois," Sloane said, his voice rough. "Thank God. We tried calling earlier but—""I know, I'm sorry," I said, clasping his shoulder briefly. "How is he?""Sleeping now," Dmitri replied. "The surgery went well—they got the bullet out, repaired the tissue damage. No major structures hit, but he lost a lot of blood. They've got him on antibiotics and pain medication.""Can we see him?" I asked.Sloane nodded, opening the door to the suite. "He's in the bedroom. Be quiet though—he finally fell asleep about an hour ago