Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Broken Contract: Bab 71 - Bab 80

Brett's POVI stare at my phone, Riley's words echoing in my head. She hung up on me. She actually hung up on me.I pace across my office, pulling out my landline to dial. "Marcus." Marcus knocks once before entering my office, closing the door behind him. I don't look up from the papers scattered across my desk."I need you to find out who leaked the hospital information. I want names, addresses, everything."He pulls out his tablet, already taking notes. "Already on it. Preliminary investigation points to someone with access to your legal files."I finally look up, my pen frozen mid-signature. "Inside job?"Marcus nods grimly, tapping his screen. "Looks like it."My jaw clenches as I throw the pen down. "And the reporters at the hospital?""Cleared out." He glances up from his tablet. "Dr. Vasquez is ready to see Lily at the penthouse whenever you want."I lean back in my chair, running my hands through my hair. "Good. What about the media response?"Marcus shifts uncomfortably, co

Brett's POVThe elevator ride to my penthouse is silent except for the soft hum of machinery. Riley stands beside me, her hand still warm in mine from our united front at the press conference, but I can feel the tension radiating from her small frame.She's been quiet since we left the chaos behind—the shouting reporters, the flashing cameras, the questions we refused to answer. Now we're truly alone for the first time since everything changed, and I know what's coming.The doors slide open, revealing my pristine penthouse. Riley steps out first, finally releasing my hand."How long do we have?" I ask."Mrs. Dorothy said she'd keep Lily until six. That gives us two hours." Riley moves toward the floor-to-ceiling windows but doesn't admire the view. She turns to face me, her green eyes steady and determined. "We need to talk.""About the press conference? Because I meant every word""No." She holds up her hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "Not about that. About everything else, I have lo

Brett's POVRiley pulls back from our embrace, her hands still resting on my chest. "Tell me about the business. About how you went from an eighteen-year-old aging out of the system to this." She gestures around the penthouse.I move to the couch, suddenly exhausted. "You sure you want to hear this?""I'm sure." She sits beside me, close enough to touch but giving me space to breathe. "I need to understand all of it.""The first few years were hell. I slept in parks, libraries, wherever I could find shelter. Taught myself to code on public computers, showered at gyms with day passes I could barely afford.""How did you survive?""Stubbornness. And the absolute certainty that I'd rather die than go back to being powerless." I lean back against the cushions. "I started freelancing—building websites for small businesses, fixing computer problems for cash. Saved every penny."Riley nods, encouraging me to continue."By twenty-two, I'd saved enough to rent a tiny office and hire my first e

Riley's POVThe silence that follows my words is deafening. Brett stares at me with something that looks like recognition."You're right," he says quietly. "About all of it.""I know I am." I don't say it cruelly, just matter-of-factly. "The question is, what are you going to do about it?"Brett stands abruptly, begins pacing the length of his living room. "I don't know how to love someone without testing them. I don't know how to trust without controlling. It's like asking me to breathe underwater."“Then learn.” I say firmly, stepping closer.He looks up at me, eyes haunted. “What if I can’t? What if I’m too broken, too damaged by everything that happened to me?” He stops pacing and faces me squarely. “What if trying to love you the right way just ends up hurting you in different ways?”I study his face seeing the raw anguish, the deep fear that maybe he’s incapable of the love I deserve.“Brett, sit down.” I gesture to the coffee table.He hesitates a moment, then perches on the ed

Riley's POV"Riley?" Brett's voice comes from the hallway. "I heard something fall. Are you okay?"I'm sitting on the floor, staring at my phone like it might explode. Tom is dead, Lily's biological father, the man who walked away from us, is gone.“Riley?” Brett’s voice is just outside the door, soft but urgent.“Come in.” I say, barely looking up.The door opens slowly. He steps inside wearing only pajama pants, his hair tousled from running his hands through it. When he sees me sitting on the floor, I feel him beside me almost instantly.“What happened?” His eyes scan my face.I swallow hard. “Tom’s dead.” The words feel heavy in my mouth. “Car accident… three days ago.”Brett freezes for a moment. “Lily’s father?”“Biological father,” I say automatically, “but he was never really her father.”He studies me carefully. “Are you okay?”I pause, searching within. “I don’t know. I should feel something sad or relieved? But I just feel empty.”He sits beside me on the floor, careful not