The Billionaire’s Broken Contract のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

Riley's POVThe parking garage echoes with my footsteps as I walk toward my car. Another twelve-hour shift at Mercy General, another day of watching miracles happen in the pediatric ward. My scrubs are wrinkled, my auburn hair escaping its ponytail, but I feel more alive than I have in months.My phone buzzes. A text from Mrs. Dorathy, Lily's babysitter: Lily ate all her vegetables and finished her homework. She's asking when mommy comes home.I smile, typing back quickly. Almost there. Tell her I love her.The garage is dimly lit, shadows pooling between the concrete pillars. I dig through my purse for my keys, exhaustion weighing down my shoulders. Tomorrow I have the morning shift, then Lily's check-up with Dr. Vasquez in the afternoon.My heart stops.Behold in front of me stood Brett Graham leaning against my car.He looks different. His expensive suit is wrinkled, his dark hair disheveled like he's been running his hands through it. The steel-gray eyes that once commanded boardro

Riley's POV I can't concentrate on anything. Not on Lily's animated story about her day at school, not on the stack of medical forms I need to review, not on the novel I'm trying to read before bed. All I could think about was Brett's face in that coffee shop. The way his hands had shaken when he talked about starting over. The genuine remorse in his eyes when he apologized. "Mommy, you're not listening," Lily said, climbing onto my lap with determined movements, her small hands framing my face. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Tell me about the butterfly again," I replied, forcing myself to focus on her excited expression. "We learned about metamorphosis. That's when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly," she explained, grinning and showing the gap where her front tooth used to be. "Mrs. Angel says it's like magic, but it's really science." "That's amazing," I said, kissing her forehead softly. "People can change too, you know." "Like how you're not sad anymore?" she asked, her innoce

Riley's POV I woke up feeling like I have been hit by a truck. My head pounds and my throat feels like sandpaper, every muscle in my body aches. But Lily needs breakfast, and I have a shift at the hospital in two hours. "Mommy, you look sick," Lily said, pressing her small hand to my forehead as I tried to pour her cereal. "I'm fine, sweetheart," I replied, though my voice came out as a croak. "Just a little tired." "You're hot like when I had a fever," she observed, her brow furrowed with concern. She's right. I can feel the heat radiating from my skin, but I can't afford to be sick. I'm still new at the hospital, still proving myself. Missing work isn't an option. "Eat your breakfast," I instructed, setting the bowl in front of her. "Mrs. Dorathy will be here soon." I managed to get Lily ready for school and myself somewhat presentable before Mrs. Dorathy arrived. She took one look at me and frowned. "You should be in bed," she said, shaking her head disapprovingly. "I'm fin

Riley pov I stare at the ceiling tiles for what feels like hours after Brett leaves. The hospital room feels colder without him. Victoria's words echo in my mind like poison I can't shake. You couldn't even handle a simple job without collapsing. She's right. I'm barely keeping my head above water. Now I'm supposed to weather the storm of dating Brett Graham? The media scrutiny, the judgment, the constant questions about whether I'm good enough? I don't think I can bear going through that again. A soft knock interrupts my spiraling thoughts. Dr. Vasquez peers in. "How are you feeling?" she asks. "Like I want to go home," I say, trying to sit up straighter. "When can I be discharged?" "Tomorrow morning, if your fever stays down," she replies, checking my chart. "But Riley, you need to take some time off. Real time. Your body is telling you to slow down." "I can't afford to slow down," I tell her. "You can't afford not to," she says, sitting on the edge of my bed. "I know it's h

Brett's POV I woke up before dawn with Riley curled against my side, her auburn hair spread across my chest. For a moment, I just lie there, memorizing the feel of her, the soft sound of her breathing. Yesterday’s sex had been so intense that I was sure Riley was sore. She’d ridden me to death, and I couldn’t think straight afterward. Where had she been hiding all that vixen power all this time? It was the best sex I’d had in ages. Hell, I wanted more, but it could wait. This is what happiness feels like. Not the rush of closing a deal or the satisfaction of dominating a boardroom. This quiet contentment, this sense of completeness I've never experienced before. I ease out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her. She needs the rest, and I need to think. In the kitchen, I make coffee and stare out at the city waking up. Somewhere out there, Victoria is probably planning her next move. The board members are likely questioning my judgment. The media is waiting for their next story.