Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Longer Yours to Break: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Three years back, Lucian rolled into Southport.He used to have an older brother—the golden boy, born to take over the Lyttelton legacy. Lucian? He was just the spoiled younger son, living easy with no pressure.Then his brother got kidnapped and murdered at sixteen.Everything changed. The whole family shattered. One night, they lost their son and their future.Lucian snapped out of his bubble fast. He stepped into his brother's shoes, took on the weight, and never looked back.That same year, he tagged along with his dad on a business trip. Ended up drunk, stumbling through Southport with a splitting headache.Southport was still buzzing that night. Lucian had crashed on some random steps, letting the breeze cool him off while a guitar strummed somewhere nearby.Nobody remembered it, but music had always been his first love.Then she sat down next to him. "Hey, you okay?"He turned, surprised.Under the streetlight, her eyes sparkled like pearls. She smiled. "That's my frie

Vicky cried for what felt like forever.Zoe just sat there, silent, until the sobs finally died down.Vicky hid her face in her arms, like she didn't know how to look at her.For once, she didn't seem sharp or scheming—just lost."...Don't you hate me?" Her voice came out rough, muffled by her sleeve.Zoe didn't hesitate. "Right now? I still can't forgive you. But the person I hate... isn't you."Vicky slowly lifted her head, eyes blank as she stared at her.***Zoe handed Vicky some money and walked her all the way to the airport gate.Vicky had told her everything about what went down on the wedding day.With how tight Southport's social circles were, staying wasn't an option. It wasn't safe.Maybe a new country, new culture—maybe that's where Vicky would finally figure out who she was.She didn't hold back this time. Told Zoe everything.And when Zoe heard the bit about the sapphire bracelet, she almost laughed.The thing that wrecked her, that chained her down for ove

After the wedding, Zoe had stuff to handle.Khelmark City was still new. Sure, she had the Lyttelton name now—but this was just a deal on paper.After Connor, trusting any guy blindly? Not happening.Pierre was gone. Vicky was overseas. Everything the Hertberts owned? Now hers.She booked a meeting with her lawyer. Time to get Pierre's estate sorted and kickstart her career here—for real.***In the back corner of the café, Connor slouched in a baseball cap and mask—drawing side-eyes from the staff.Since when did a Buxton heir get treated like a weirdo?Annoyed, he yanked at the mask. Thought Zoe glanced over—snapped it back on.He'd disguised himself and followed her here after catching wind of her meeting.She sat just behind him. The café was quiet enough that he could catch bits of her convo.After a while, it sounded like they'd wrapped things up.The lawyer stood but paused. "Ms. Hertbert, since you're married, don't you need your husband's input on the estate?"Zoe

The car ride was dead quiet on the way back to the Lyttelton estate.Lucian had his tablet out, acting like he was working.Except the screen hadn't changed in twenty minutes.Zoe snorted.His eyes jumped to her, ears turning pink. Busted.He set the tablet down."...You're not gonna ask me anything?"She'd braced for questions about Connor.But this? This threw her off.Lucian caught her stunned look and sighed."We're newlyweds. I meet with another woman right after the wedding, and you're not even curious?"She blinked. "Didn't you already explain at the café? I saw it—Camorra's heiress wants to marry you..."Before she could finish, he touched her lips with his finger.It was gentle, but when she looked up, his eyes were dark enough to drown in.His scent curled around her—something floral, layered over smoke and steel.Just like him. Soft on the outside, but underneath? Cold. Controlled. Dangerous in a way that pulled you in.He finally looked away, rubbing his tem

Zoe had just managed to get herself somewhat presentable when a knock hit the door.She rolled her eyes, thinking it was Lucian, and pulled it open—Only to find Connor standing there.Whatever softness was on her face vanished.Her stare turned colder by the second under his gaze.He opened his mouth—Then froze.His eyes locked on the marks trailing her neck and collarbone.Deep red, unmistakable. Like someone hadn't held back at all. Like they wanted everyone to know she was taken.His breath hitched."...Who?"Zoe followed his stare, caught sight of the marks on her shoulder, and muttered a curse at Lucian under her breath.She calmly tugged her collar into place. "What does it have to do with you?"Her voice was flat. She turned to shut the door.Connor lunged, blocking it like some wild animal. His voice dropped, sharp and bitter."You slept with Lucian? Zoe, how long have you even known him? And you already—? You even know what kind of guy he is? Do you get—""Wh