Semua Bab UGLY? No More!: Bab 101 - Bab 110

The line went quiet again. Then the investigator sighed. “You can’t think of it that way, Julian. Mira is yours because you’ve chosen her. Because you love her. That won’t change. But Milo, if he’s yours, then he’s a part of you too. And Diana… she won’t let this go quietly. She’s already making noise online. Sooner or later, the world is going to start guessing. And if they guess right, you’ll lose the chance to control how this goes...”Julian’s fist slammed against the desk, rattling the untouched glass. “She’s playing me. She’s always played me. And now she’s using a child, my child, as a weapon. Damn her.” His chest heaved, but his voice dropped into a whisper, raw and trembling. “Damn me for not knowing.”For a long while, neither man spoke. Then finally, Julian said, voice heavy with resignation, “Do what you need to. Get me the test. I don’t care what it takes. I need the truth before Diana twists it beyond repair.”“Yes, sir,” the investigator replied firmly.Julian ended the

The boarding gates opened with the familiar chime, and Elara adjusted Mira’s little backpack over her shoulders, ushering her forward with a gentle nudge.The girl clung closer than usual, her wide eyes darting to Leonard, who walked a step behind them with calculated ease.From the outside, it looked perfectly professional, Leonard Shaw, head of a global conglomerate, traveling with his newest business partner and her daughter. But from inside Elara’s chest, it felt suffocating.Every move Leonard made felt loaded with meaning, every glance toward Mira like a blade pressing against a secret she’d vowed never to expose.The boarding line had split cleanly into two streams, first class passengers to the left, business entourage and staff to the right.Elara kept Mira’s small hand tightly in hers as they moved through the priority line, but her gaze lingered just long enough to catch sight of Teresa, who smiled reassuringly before being ushered toward her own gate with Leonard’s assista

Diana softened her expression instantly, the pitiful tremor gone, replaced by syrupy warmth. She set her wine down, spreading her arms. “Come here, baby.”He padded closer, crawling onto the couch beside her, curling into her side.She stroked his hair, studying him closely, the curve of his jaw, the shape of his nose, those stormy eyes that she swore were Julian’s.“Your daddy is coming to see you,” she whispered, voice dripping with anticipation.Milo’s eyes widened. “My daddy?”“Yes,” she cooed, kissing the top of his head. “Your real daddy. The man I’ve told you about. The one who’s strong, powerful, and so, so kind. He’s been away because he had… important things to do. But he’s finally coming. For you.”Milo blinked up at her, confusion knitting his brows. “So I stick to the plan?”Diana stiffened, but only for a second before forcing a laugh, brushing his cheek with the back of her hand. “Yes, Yes, baby. People just… got in the way. But now? Now he’s coming. And you have to be

Julian blinked, something in his chest aching at the word Mommy on Diana’s lips by proxy. He swallowed hard. “Yeah,” he managed, his voice low, rough. “I used to play. Maybe one day you can show me how fast you are.”The boy’s eyes brightened instantly, his whole face lighting up. It was an unfiltered joy, the kind that made Julian’s heart twist. He hadn’t realized how badly he needed to see Mira smile until he did, yet now, faced with Milo’s excitement, it gutted him.Diana took the moment to slip gracefully to the sideboard, pouring herself a glass of wine. “He’s been asking me for months when he’d meet his father,” she murmured, her tone laced with a subtle sting. “I kept saying, ‘Soon. One day Julian will come for us.’ And now… here you are.”Julian’s jaw tightened. “Don’t make it sound like...” He stopped himself, glancing back at Milo who was still watching him with unblinking focus.The last thing he wanted was for the boy to hear anger in his voice.So he swallowed it, forcing

Milo’s lower lip quivered. He shook his head, trying to be brave, but his eyes glistened with the betrayal Diana had planted. “Do you… not want me, Daddy?” His voice cracked, high and trembling.Julian’s chest constricted painfully. “No, Milo...” he began, reaching out.But Milo stepped back, confusion and hurt breaking through his brave little mask. “Then why… why do you love Mira more? She’s not even yours!” The boy’s voice cracked into a sob he tried to swallow, but it was too late. His small frame shook, and he spun away before Julian could gather him.“Milo.. wait...” Julian called, but the boy bolted down the hallway, his hurried footsteps echoing against the marble before a bedroom door slammed shut.The silence afterward was deafening. Julian stood frozen, his hand still outstretched, his heart pounding in his ears.And then Diana’s smirk returned, sharp and victorious. “Well done, Julian,” she whispered, folding her arms across her chest. “First chance you had, you failed him