Semua Bab BOUND TO THE CRIPPLED CEO : Bab 111 - Bab 120

DANICAAs soon as we stepped outside the hospital, the cool air hit my face, giving me a sense of peace within. Valerie, seated on a wheelchair, also has a wide smile on her face.“I'm so happy we're going home,” she spoke dreamily.“Me too,” I replied, wheeling her towards where a cab I'd booked was waiting for us already.“And now I have a father, mother and brother.” She paused then continued, “A complete family.”I stopped for a moment before lowering my head to give her a peck on the cheek. “Yes sweetheart, you do. And we all love you.”She nodded her head as if she was thinking about what I'd just said.The cabbie walked forward to assist us into his cab. Purring his engine back to life, we joined the flow of several cars on the busy street.Seated at the back seat of the car, I leaned my head against the cool glass, with my eyes taking in the beautiful, ordinary everyday sight of Chicago at its peak.I felt a tug on my blouse sleeve. “Mum, can we stop at that big mall close to

DANICAThe drive home felt calm, the kind of quiet that didn’t need to be filled. Valerie hummed softly in the backseat, her head resting against the window, while little Ivan who had at some point woken up during the picnic, was now fast asleep. The sun was dipping low, streaking the sky with shades of gold and rose.Beside me, Ivan had one hand on the wheel, the other resting loosely on his thigh. He looked… peaceful. For once, there were no business calls, no stiff silence between us, just the soft hum of the engine and Valerie’s half-asleep singing.When we finally reached home, the kids were too drowsy to protest being carried inside. I took little Ivan upstairs, laid him in his crib, and returned to find Valerie cuddled up on the couch with her stuffed bunny Ella.“Young lady,” Ivan said softly, crouching beside her, “why don’t you go change into your pajamas and play upstairs for a bit?”She yawned, eyes fluttering. “Can I take some juice with me?”“Of course,” I said, brushing

DANICAThe morning light streamed softly through the curtains, spilling gold over the sheets. I stirred slowly, feeling warmth beside me before my eyes even opened. For a moment, I just lay there listening to the quiet rhythm of his breathing.Ivan’s arm was draped lazily around my waist, his palm resting against my stomach. It was strange how something so simple could feel so right.When I finally turned, his eyes were already open. “Morning,” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.“Morning,” I whispered back, smiling faintly.He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch slow and unhurried. “Did you sleep well?”“I did,” I said softly. “Better than I have in a long time.”He smiled a little— that quiet, rare kind of smile that made his features gentle. For a moment, we stayed like that, saying nothing. Just breathing the same air, sharing the same peace.Then, his phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the spell. He sighed, reaching over to check it. “Pete,” he said.

AMYThe morning light slicing through my blinds did nothing to soften my mood. I’d been awake for hours, scrolling through my phone, each picture on the screen made my jaw tighten a little more.There they was Ivan and Danica— smiling like a picture-perfect family.On the picnic grass, she leaned against him, her hair loose and wind-kissed. Valerie sat between them, laughing with a flower crown on her head, while that little boy, their son clinging to Ivan’s arm as he slept like he was his whole world.The internet was eating it up.“Perfect family goals.”“True love always wins.”“CEO and his miracle love story.”I threw my phone onto the couch, the sound of it hitting the cushion echoing louder than it should have. I couldn’t stand the sight of it anymore. Every photo, every stupid caption felt like a slap to my face.How dare she look that happy?How dare he?I stood, pacing across the room. My apartment was spotless not because I liked cleaning, but because control was all I had l

DANICAFor a second, we just stared at each other, the air between us charged and thick. Her eyes darted around as if searching for a way out, but my voice cut through before she could move.“Say it,” I said quietly. “Say you did it.”Amy’s lips parted, but nothing came out. Her fingers twitched at her sides, her jaw working as though she was biting back words.“I know it was you,” I continued, taking a slow step closer. “The perfume, the voice— everything matches. You were there that night, weren’t you? You were the one taunting me while Valerie cried.”“You’re insane,” she hissed, taking a sharp step back. “You’ve completely lost it.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I remember now. You thought I wouldn’t, didn’t you? But I do. Every word you said. Every sound. It was you, Amy.”She folded her arms, a bitter smile stretching her lips. “You really should get yourself checked, Danica. Maybe that husband of yours finally drove you mad.”My heartbeat thundered against my ribs. “Don’t twi