جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 140

Tessa hesitated then climbed into the car without a word. Roman waited until she buckled up, then drove through the gates, tyres crunching on the gravel drive.The mansion lights glowed ahead. Roman kept his eyes on the road, but his knuckles were white on the wheel.He parked in front of the house and killed the engine. Silence settled inside the car.He turned to her. “I’ve been trying to call you. All afternoon.”“I didn’t know,” Tessa said.“Where the hell have you been?” Roman asked, his tone more concerned than angry. Tessa looked down at her lap, fingers twisting the edge of her coat. Her voice came out small and rushed.“I spent the day with my dad. I’m sorry. I didn’t take my phone with me.” She lied.She fidgeted—hands shaking slightly, leg bouncing, eyes darting to the dashboard then away.Roman watched her. “Tessa…”“I’m not lying,” she added quickly, words tumbling. “I swear. I left it at home. I can show you when we get inside. It’s probably on the charger or something.

FOUR HOURS AGOThe bank smelled faintly of printer ink and air freshener that tried too hard.Nandini stood at the counter, fingers curled around her handbag strap, forcing her shoulders to stay straight.“I’d like to change some money,” she said politely.The teller barely looked up at first, eyes tired behind rectangular glasses.“Passport and currency, ma’am.”Nandini slid both forward. A small stack of rupees rested neatly on the counter.The teller typed slowly, then paused.“Name?”“Nandini,” she answered automatically.The teller glanced up. “Nandini… what?”The word stuck for a second in her throat.Her fingers tightened around the counter.“…Blackwood,” she said finally. “Nandini Blackwood.”The teller’s brows lifted slightly, but she nodded and continued typing.Minutes passed. Stamps hit paper. Bills were counted twice. The dollars were slid toward her in a crisp envelope.“Have a good day, Mrs Blackwood.”Nandini forced a smile and nodded.Outside, the winter air bit at he

Roman and Alec pushed through the front doors of the mansion just after 2 a.m. Although outside looked like something out of a circus. Inside the house was quiet now. “I’m going to check on my mom,” Alec said. Roman nodded once and Alec disappeared up the stairs leading to the guest rooms. Roman shrugged off his coat, hung it on the rack, and headed straight for the east wing. “Tessa.” He called out once before he even got to their bedroom. The door opened with a tiny creak. Roman looked around the room. The bed was still made, untouched. The lamp on her side glowed softly, but the room felt empty. “Tessa, are you in here?” He asked as he stepped into the bathroom—it was dark, towels neatly folded, no sign of her. A small knot tightened in his chest. He crossed the hallway to her private room—the one she’d kept even after the marriage, the one she retreated to when things got too loud. The door was ajar. He pushed it open slowly. Tessa sat on the floor against the far wal

“How surprising of you to join us, Grayson,” Salima said dryly. “However, it would have been better for you to inform me.”“What’s the point of informing anyone?” Grayson stifled a chuckle, his smile easy and sharp. “I love seeing the look on people’s faces when I surprise them.”Tessa shifted in her seat, chest rising and falling too quickly. Roman noticed the subtle movements—the way her fingers tightened around the edge of the table—but he said nothing.Grayson turned his attention to Nandini. “Good morning, Aunt Nandini.”“Grayson, why are you here?” Nandini asked him, voice low but steady. “The last time I saw you, you gave me a heart attack.”“I’m so sorry.” He pressed a hand to his chest in mock remorse. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just thought I was… exposing the truth.”Nandini shifted in her seat but said nothing.“I hope you can forgive me?” Grayson continued, his eyes glinting. “And besides, Alec made sure I learned my lesson.”Alec, who had been staring toward th

The sitting room felt smaller with the officers inside it.Two uniformed men stood near the entrance, silent but watchful. Detective Harlan remained seated across from them, a leather notebook balanced on one knee, pen tapping once against the page.Nandini sat between Alec and Salima.Hands folded.Spine straight.Face composed.If she was afraid, she hit it well — subtle and controlled.“I’m sorry, Mrs Sharma—” Harlan began.“It’s Blackwood,” Nandini corrected without looking at him. “Mrs Blackwood.”A beat passed.“My apologies. Mrs Blackwood,” Harlan amended smoothly. “I’m sorry you had to go through something like that. It couldn’t have been easy.”Nandini inclined her head once.Salima’s hand rested gently on her sister’s forearm. “She endured far more than anyone should. We’re grateful it’s finally over.”Alec sat back, arms crossed over his chest, ankle resting over his knee — his posture was relaxed.“This had been going on for years,” Alec said evenly. “I don’t celebrate any