Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Broken Contract: Bab 81 - Bab 90

Riley's POVThree weeks later, we’re sitting in another lawyer’s office, but this one feels completely different, bright and cheerful, with toys in the corner and certificates on the wall celebrating successful adoptions.Lily sits between Brett and me, swinging her legs so hard her sneakers tap the chair, clutching the new stuffed elephant Brett bought her for court day.Judge Martinez, a kind-looking woman with graying hair, leans forward from behind her desk, her bracelets sliding down her wrist. “So, Lily, do you understand what’s happening today?”Lily straightens in her chair, squeezing the elephant. “Brett is going to be my legal daddy forever and always.”The judge’s eyes soften. “That’s right. And is that what you want?”Lily bobs her head, her ponytail bouncing. “Yes, please.”Judge Martinez tilts her head. “Can you tell me why?”Lily’s forehead wrinkles as she thinks. “Because he loves me and Mommy. And he makes the best pancakes. And when I have bad dreams, he comes and ch

Riley's POV"I'm sorry," Brett says for the fifth time this morning, hovering anxiously as I make coffee. "I shouldn't have raised my voice at Marcus yesterday. I know it triggered you when men yell."I set my mug down harder than necessary, the ceramic clinking against the counter. “Brett, you disagreed with your assistant about a business decision. That’s normal.”He shifts in his chair, eyes flicking away. “But I saw your face when”“Stop.” I swivel toward him, my arms crossing. “You’re doing it again.”His brows pinch together, genuine confusion flashing across his face. “Doing what?”“Walking on eggshells around me, apologizing for having normal human emotions.”Three weeks of therapy have transformed Brett in ways I never expected. The cruel, controlling man is gone, but in his place is someone so afraid of hurting me that he barely speaks above a whisper.His voice is almost too soft to hear. “I don’t want to be that man anymore.”“You’re not.” I lean one hip against the counte

Riley's POV“You don’t get to decide that for me,” I say firmly, crossing my arms as Brett stands by his desk, phone in hand.Brett’s grip on the phone tightens. “Riley, be reasonable. The charity board meeting is full of sharks. You’re not ready for—”“Not ready for what? To have opinions? To speak for myself?” My voice rises, and I plant my feet.Brett freezes, recognizing his mistake immediately. “That’s not what I meant.” His voice is low now.I tilt my head, refusing to let him off that easily. “Then what did you mean?”We’re having our first real fight since becoming equals, and honestly, it feels healthy. Before, I would have submitted to whatever Brett wanted, too afraid and desperate to argue. Now I’m standing my ground.“I meant they’ll try to intimidate you because you’re new to this world,” he says carefully, meeting my gaze.“So teach me how to handle them instead of trying to protect me from them.” I step forward a fraction, daring him to retreat.Brett sets down his pho

Riley pov"I do. I know what it's like to choose between feeding your child and buying her medicine. I know what it's like to sleep in a car because shelters won't take families. I know what rock bottom looks like."I lean forward slightly, matching her stare. I've survived homelessness, Brett's cruelty, and your worst efforts. You don't scare me anymore."But I also know what it looks like to climb out of that hole through sheer determination. And I know that the people we're trying to help aren't statistics or tax write-offs. They're human beings who deserve dignity, not pity."The room is absolutely silent. Even Patricia looks impressed. Good. Let them see who I really am.Victoria's perfect composure cracks slightly. "How... inspiring. I'm sure your unique background brings a certain... authenticity to the work."She's rattled. Good."It does," Brett says, his voice cutting through the tension like steel. "Riley understands these issues in ways that matter. She's exactly the kind

Riley's POVI cannot sleep. Victoria's text message keeps replaying in my mind. Every time I close my eyes, I see her smug face. She thinks she has won something, but what? Brett chose me. The board will choose my proposal. She is grasping at shadows now. But why does my chest feel so tight? Why cannot I shake this feeling that she knows something I do not?Instead of lying awake worrying, I slip out of bed and head to Brett's home office. If she is planning something bigger, I need to be ready.The foundation proposal spreads across the mahogany desk like a battle plan. These are not just numbers on paper. Behind every statistic is a child like Lily, shivering in a backseat. A mother like me, choosing between dignity and survival. Housing programs, job training, medical assistance each initiative designed from my own painful experience."You're up early."I turn to find Brett in the doorway, his hair tousled from sleep. Concern creases his features as he takes in my scattered papers.