All Chapters of Ties That Bind: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

PIPER’S POVI sat up slowly, confused. There were candles everywhere, scattered carefully on the shelves, the table, even the corners of the room. Their flickering light made the walls seem warmer, softer, almost unreal.Then I noticed the floor.Petals, red, pink, white, scattered like a path leading away from the bed. My breath caught. My fingers curled into the sheets as I tried to make sense of it. Where was I?My eyes traveled around the space, and it hit me. This wasn’t my room. The shelves, the colors, the faint scent of cologne that clung to the air—it was his. Rowan’s room.My heart skipped.I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet brushing against the cool floor as I followed the petals with hesitant steps. Each one felt heavier than the last, like I was walking into something I wasn’t prepared for.Then I saw him.Rowan stood near the window, half in shadow, half bathed in candlelight. He looked different tonight—less cold, less guarded. His suit jacket was gone, his sle

ROWAN’S POVThe words hit me like a punch to the gut.“The wedding photos have arrived. They’ll be reviewed in the board meeting for final approval.”My assistant, calm and efficient as always, relayed the news without knowing the storm she had just unleashed inside me.My blood ran cold.Wedding photos. Our wedding photos.I leaned back in my chair, fingers tightening around the armrest as if holding on would keep me grounded. But it didn’t. My mind spun in a thousand directions at once, and every one of them ended in the same image: Piper and I, staged, dressed in white and black, smiles plastered on faces that weren’t smiling at all.The world tilted, suddenly off balance. My jaw clenched. My throat went dry.For months I’d managed to keep a firm grip on this charade, convincing myself it was just business, just another calculated move to secure what I needed. But this? Seeing it immortalized in glossy prints and magazine spreads for strangers to dissect? It was a different kind

LUCIA’S POVThe first thing I became aware of was the sound. A faint beeping, steady and rhythmic, like a heartbeat that wasn’t mine.My eyelids felt heavy, as though weights had been pressed down on them, but slowly, painfully, I forced them open. Bright white light blinded me at first, sharp and sterile. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar.Where… where was I?I tried to move, but the weight in my body pinned me down. My throat was dry, my lips cracked. I swallowed hard, a weak groan escaping before I could stop it.“Easy… easy now.” A voice. Gentle but steady. Male. Close by.I blinked, turning my head toward the sound. There was a man sitting beside me, leaning forward in the stiff hospital chair. His eyes softened when he saw me awake.“Where am I?” My voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper.“You’re at the hospital,” he said softly, almost as though he didn’t want to startle me.Hospital. The word hit me like a splash of cold water. My heart lurched, and panic surged in my che

LUCIA’S POVThe night air was cool when we finally left the hospital. My body felt heavy, drained, as though every ounce of strength had been wrung out of me. The neighbor walked by my side, steadying me with one hand lightly on my elbow, guiding me as if I were fragile glass that could shatter with one wrong step.He didn’t speak much, and I was grateful for that. I didn’t think I could handle small talk, not after the doctor’s words still echoed mercilessly in my head: you almost lost your baby.When we reached the car, he opened the passenger door gently, lowering his voice as though speaking any louder might break me completely.“Take your time, Miss Lucia. No rush.”I nodded, my throat too tight to form words. Sliding into the seat, I let out a shaky breath. My hand instinctively went to my stomach again, as though touching it could reassure me that the baby was still there, still alive.The drive was quiet, the city lights blurring through the car window. He glanced at me occa

AURORA’S POVThe box was gorgeous. Orange, sharp, unmistakable.I peeled back the lid slowly, like I was unwrapping a crown jewel. And there it was — a Birkin. My Birkin. The leather gleamed under the light, rich and perfect, the smell intoxicating.I ran my fingers along the smooth edges, smirking at my reflection in the mirror. People spent years on waiting lists for this bag. Me? I had it sitting on my bed, less than a week after I whispered to myself that I wanted one.“Of course,” I murmured, swinging it onto my arm, striking a pose. “I always get what I want.”The front door opened, and Cassie’s voice floated in. “Aurora? You home?”“Bedroom!” I called, my tone smug.She walked in, her eyes immediately locking on the bag. Her jaw dropped. “Oh no. Oh no. Tell me you didn’t.”I turned, tilting my chin up like a queen flaunting her crown. “Didn’t what?”She stormed closer, pointing at the Birkin. “Aurora, that’s a Birkin. A real Birkin. Where did you get it?”I smiled slyly, sinkin