Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Pretty Wife: Bab 21 - Bab 30

AmeliaI had to stop.As much as I wanted to keep running, just bolt and disappear into thin air, I couldn’t. Not because I wasn’t scared. God, I was scared. But that damn cookie. I needed it. Rose needed it. And there were barely any left back at the store. If I came back later, there was no guarantee I'd find another.I had made her a promise.So I stopped in my tracks and turned slowly.And of course, just as I’d guessed, it was Alex.“Alex?” I breathed, the name tumbling out of my mouth like something bitter. I swallowed hard, taking a cautious step back.He was holding the bag with the cookie in it.His eyes were red and heavy, like he hadn’t slept properly in days. There was a beard now, unkempt and scattered across his jaw like he just didn’t care anymore. Alex never kept facial hair. He always liked to look neat—sharp, clean, presentable. This version of him was a stranger.I stiffened.“Give me the bag,” I said, trying to sound firm and confident, but my voice cracked just sl

AmeliaI pushed my food around my plate for a bit longer before finally standing up and heading into the kitchen. Vera was at the sink, scrubbing soup bowls like it was the most ordinary morning in the world. But for me? It wasn’t. I was still fuming.How could she say that? In front of Sebastian, no less.I walked up behind her, arms crossed. “Why did you say that?”She didn’t turn, just kept washing. “Say what?”“Oh, Vera,” I muttered, exasperated. “Please don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”That’s when she finally turned, brows raised, a soapy hand flicking water as she gestured. “You mean what I said about your wrist?”I arched a brow, voice low and sharp. “It’s not funny. What you said wasn’t cool at all.”Vera chuckled, that annoying laugh of hers coming out like it always did when she didn’t take things seriously. “Come on, he needed to know! Besides—” she grinned suddenly, throwing a towel over her shoulder, “he’s your husband. And damn it, girl, I squealed w

AmeliaIt was already the weekend, and I was at the office with Sebastian. I hadn’t planned to spend the whole day there, but Jamie was supposed to bring Rose to Sebastian’s workplace later in the afternoon, and I couldn’t bear to wait alone at home.I missed Rose. More than I ever expected to. Maybe that’s what shocked me the most, that kind of ache for a child that didn’t even come from me. But she felt like mine. Like our daughter. And I couldn’t wait to have her back home.The office was chaotic today, far more than I thought it’d be. Phones ringing constantly, staff rushing between departments, and the PA, Mr. Smith, juggling three things at once.Even Simon had shown up with a laptop in one hand and a sandwich in the other, looking like he hadn’t slept. That was how I realized the whole branch was in overdrive.Sebastian was doing his best, of course. He always did. He moved with confidence, spoke clearly, kept his posture composed, but I could see the strain underneath it all.

AmeliaThe corridor felt too quiet. It was just me and the echo of my own pacing. Jamie had already left, saying she had something urgent at work, apologizing as she rushed off. Smith and Simon had also gone, off to handle one thing or another, and Smith did say he’d be right back, though I hadn’t seen him since. So now, it was just me. Alone. Waiting. Wondering. Anxious.I wrapped my arms around myself, chewing at my bottom lip. What could be wrong with Rose? What could have happened that she didn’t want anyone else to hear? My chest felt tight. Something wasn’t right, I could feel it. And then I heard Sebastian’s voice. Low, urgent. And then, Rose… crying. Loudly.My heart dropped.Without thinking, I ran to the door and pushed it open. “Sebastian?” I called out.There he was, kneeling right in front of Rose, his hand holding hers tightly. She was trembling, crying so hard it made my eyes sting. He kept whispering to her, gently but firmly.“Please, just talk to me,” he was saying.

Amelia“You… you married Hawkins’ son?” my father said, his voice trembling slightly, like the words themselves pained him.My face fell. The change in his tone was so clear, it made my heart skip a beat. I stared at him, trying to read his expression. “Is something wrong, Dad?” I asked cautiously. “And yes… yes, I did marry him. Sebastian Hawkins. What’s going on?”Before he could say anything more, I instinctively turned to Rose, and I caught the look on her face. Her expression had changed completely. She looked scared… and sad. And really, a child her age shouldn’t be hearing conversations that felt so heavy and strange.I crouched beside her. “Rose, come with me,” I said gently, brushing her cheek. “Why don’t you excuse me and Grandpa for a bit, hmm?”She nodded slowly, though her eyes still carried that shadow of worry. I held her hand and led her out of the room, down the hallway until we reached one of the benches.“Sit here, baby,” I told her softly. “Stay right here. Don’t m