Semua Bab Built Like Karma: The Plus Size Girl's Guide to Comeuppance : Bab 51 - Bab 60

Jalen’s POVWednesday Morning – 6:30 a.m.I woke up already wired, nerves buzzing under my skin. I pulled on my workout clothes, but my head wasn’t in it. Not only had Aria dodged FaceTime last night, she hadn’t even answered my text.My brain spun on overdrive as I started the treadmill, legs pumping harder and harder. All I could picture was her across a table from some muscle-bound clown in a tailored suit, kissing her hand, sliding food off his plate onto hers.Was that why she hadn’t texted back?Was she still with him?Did she… sleep with him?The thought made my stomach flip, my chest burn. I cranked the speed higher, punishing myself with the pace until my foot slipped.“Shit!” I yelped as I flew back, landing hard on my ass and slamming into the wall. Pain shot up my back, my hand scraped raw.I lay there for a second, cursing at the ceiling, before dragging myself up and shutting off the machine. My phone screen lit up, still no reply from her. My jaw clenched.In the ensuit

Jalen’s POVWednesday – Meeting ContinuedWell, fuck me sideways.It was like a cluster bomb of revelations just detonated in my face. Not only is Aria the damn owner of Bright Initiative Group, but she’s also my brother’s sister-in-law. That resemblance between Amara and her? Yeah, well, it turns out it’s not just me losing my mind. They’re actual sisters.And the kicker? Patrick knew. Patrick fucking knew this whole time. My little brother has been sitting on the ultimate family secret, hanging around with the people running Bright, while I’ve been clueless, buried in business deals and assumptions. Jesus, maybe I need to actually talk to him once in a while instead of assuming I’ve got everyone figured out.The smell of carnitas and fresh tortillas pulled me back to the present as we lined up at the taco bar. Vlade, the smooth bastard, didn’t waste a beat.“So, Mr. Todd, are you excited for the twins?” he asked.Before I could even open my mouth, my father jumped in like a politici

Jalen’s POVAfter returning to the Royal headquarters and finally making it back to my desk, my father, Big Tuck, decided it was the perfect time to have a talk. The whole ride back in the service car, he didn’t say a single word. Just stared out the window, sighing every now and then. I caught him sneaking a few curious glances at Patrick with confusion in his eyes, like he was staring at a stranger. I just shook my head, thinking, Dad, you’re gonna have to deal with that mess yourself because clearly Pat feels some type of way about you.Even with how close I thought Pat and Parker were, not even Parker got an invite to the wedding. That alone told me everything.My dad sat down in the visitor’s chair across from me, heavy silence hanging between us. Finally, I said, “Hey, Dad, what’s up?”He never was one to waste words or beat around the bush. His voice was low but firm.“Son, I’m disappointed in your mother.”That made me frown instantly. My father loved my mother down to her dir

Aria’s POVThursday, 6:30 a.m.My alarm clock didn’t even get the chance to be annoying. I don’t know why I woke up before seven, but here I am, staring at the ceiling like, well, hell. Since I’m up, part of me thinks I could squeeze in a workout, but that also means I’ll need another shower, and I’m not doing all that. Nope. So, instead, I slide into my regular morning routine.Teeth. Skin. Hair. Clothes.And today, the hair needs to hit. This isn’t just any meeting, it’s thee meeting. Freight World Materials & Incorporated. They’re everywhere. They have global reach and global money, and here we are, Bright Initiative Group, about to sit down with them and push our way into their nonprofit domestic violence shelter division.Not just one shelter. Not just one state. Global. A network of safe spaces for women and children to not only survive but thrive. To rebuild, to live again. Eventually, we’ll expand to include adult men, too, because domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, but f

Jalen’s POVThursday Afternoon Today was such a long-ass day, and I was glad to finally be home. The smell of garlic potatoes and steak hit me the second I walked in, and damn, it smelled divine. I dropped my briefcase on the counter.“Good evening, Kira. How are you?”“I’m great, sir. Here’s your dinner. Mrs. Talia’s is in the warmer. I’m heading out now ok so I'll see you tomorrow.”She left, and I grabbed a bottle of water and a soda out of the fridge before sitting down with my plate. Three bites into my delicious steak, I heard the front door slam and heavy grunting echoing from the staircase and a loud banging of what I think are suitcases.“Amy, put those bags by the front door!” Talia barked before strutting into the kitchen.Great, so much for peace and quiet.She grabbed her plate out of the warmer, which consisted of veggies and baked chicken well, of course, because she doesn't eat red meat and sat across from me.“Jalen, I’m leaving at 4 a.m. with Amy. So are you sure yo