Semua Bab Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.: Bab 41 - Bab 50

SILVAN The private jet lands at the JFK International Airport and I exhale for the first time in what feels like hours. Just like swimming, there’s something about flying that evokes an itchy feeling of numbness and suffocation deep within the confines of my heart. The flight attendant unseals the door and my security detail motions me towards a waiting SUV. It’s been an exhausting two days in South Korea. Exhausting but fruitful. I finally signed a contract with the top real estate firm in Korea to procure an entire estate for my new project. This purchase cost me billions of dollars. It wasn’t necessary, considering the fact that I have thousands of real estate properties scattered across the world, including a dozen in South Korea already, but I was feeling restless. When I feel restless, I don’t smoke, drink or burn extra calories in the gym. I make investments. I acquire properties — sometimes entire blocks, companies or chains of businesses. Every single time I a

ASTRID Claire takes one look at my emotionless expression and the fight drains out of her. Immediately. She understands that her hands are tied. Smart woman. “Fine.” She spins towards Philip. “I apologize.” That’s the rudest apology in the history of apologies, but I’ll rectify her smart-ass behaviour very, very soon. Claire stomps to one of the chairs and takes her seat, huffing, puffing and muttering profanities under her breath. “Can we start now? Or will I have to apologize to all of your staff as well?” I lift my chin and stare her down, my voice hard when I speak; “I do not care for your tone, Claire.” “And I don’t —“ I slam an open palm on the glass table and she jumps, her eyes widening in shock. “I don’t think you understand what I meant.” I growl, my voice cutting through the air with the sharpness of a blade. “You’re in my territory, my establishment, therefore you will address me with respect. Do you fucking understand?!” Claire holds my gaze, her

ASTRID My guards must sense his bad vibes because they step forward, forming a human wall in front of me. Michael responds to the gesture with a smile — a dark, slight tilt of his lips that sends shivers down my spine. “There’s no need for all of that. I assure you that you’re safe with me.” A heavy pause, then; “The boss would have my head if a strand of hair on your body is harmed on my watch.” My heart tightens as I mull over that statement. What the hell is that supposed to mean? “I apologize for my lateness.” I finally speak up, lifting my chin. “Where is your boss? I’d still love to speak to him today, if possible.” He shakes his head and my heart falls. “You’re eight hours late, Miss Machiavelli. You’ve missed your chance.” He flicks an uninterested glance at my men, his expression as cold as ice. “Besides, you also violated the boss’ order. He specifically asked you to come alone.” “Does your boss have any ulterior motives? Does he intend to hurt me?” Som

ASTRIDSilvan takes a step forward, his expression thunderous. I stand my ground, my fists clenched at my sides as I hold his gaze.“Your tongue is still as sharp as ever, I see.” His voice is a throaty rasp that has my thighs clenching involuntarily. Standing close like this, I catch a whiff of his scent. He smells like salt, sin and man. A dangerous combination that teases my senses to the brink of insanity. “Why are you here, Mr. Rourke?” I ask, trying my best to sound firm. “Last I checked, this house is supposed to belong to my father’s long time business partner. I’m not here to see you and I don’t have time for this.”His eyes remain impassive, burning with an emotion I cannot name. Even after three years of priding myself with the ability to read people, I cannot for the life of me figure out what he’s thinking. He’s silent and still. As still as a statue.His gaze consumes me, roving over my body from to toe, sparking illicit memories that I’d rather keep locked up.His

ASTRID I hold the scissors against Silvan’s throat, my heart pulsing with tension. “Go on, princess.” He growls, pressing his throat against the blade. “Show me how courageous you’ve become. Stab me.” His eyes glitter with a darkness that triggers my anger. Silvan is testing me. He’s fucking pushing me. Defiance surges in my chest and I press the weapon harder against his throat, freezing when the unexpected happens. Tiny beads of blood materialize on his neck, spilling down his throat and over his torso in a crimson trail. My eyes widen in horror and my lips part, a gasp of terror slipping free. I release the scissors and it clatters to the floor with a loud thud. A barely visible wound mars the perfection of his smooth neck. Blood drips through it as the seconds tick by, soaking into the waistband of his shorts. “Silvan…” I whisper, my heart tightening into tiny knots. Why isn’t he saying anything?! His eyes are dark as he quietly appraises me. He doesn’t rush to attend t