Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

CATHYI sat on the edge of the white sofa and clasped my hands tightly in my lap to stop them from shaking. My fingers were pressed together so hard they'd gone numb.Mom was seated opposite me in her pyjamas, watching me closely."So," Mom began, setting down her teacup with a soft click. "What brings you here so late at night?" Sure. She would've expected me to be at my apartment at this time. I struggled to formulate the exact words I needed to say. I swallowed, forcing my voice to sound casual. "I have an investment opportunity. It's sophisticated, really promising. I just need a bit of capital to get started."The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but what else could I do? Tell her the truth? That I was broke? That without Darius's money, I couldn't even pay this month's rent?I was really screwed this time if she doesn't help. Mom's eyes were sharp all of a sudden as they studied me. "An investment."A part of me wondered if I hould have just come clean, my mom was very percept

SERA Darius left before sunrise again. I watched from the bedroom window as his car pulled out of the driveway, red taillights disappearing into the early morning fog. He'd barely slept—maybe three hours at most. I'd felt him slip into my bedroom to check on me around two in the morning before leaving to work on his laptop downstairs. The move to New York was consuming him. Phone calls with real estate agents, meetings with the East Coast office, arrangements for Luna's new school. He handled everything himself, refusing to delegate even though I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. I wanted to help, but he felt taking responsibility of Luna while he worked was already enough on my plate. But now that I was staying home instead of traveling back to New York, he seemed relieved. He kissed my forehead before leaving, whispered that he was glad I was there with Luna, that it made everything easier. It made my heart skip a few beats. Darius had never done that before, not in

SERAThe next morning, Johnson texted while I was flipping pancakes for Luna.She stood by the counter, bouncing eagerly on her feet as she waited. (I'm in town for work. Can you meet today? The musician wants to collaborate, and he happened to be in the same town as you. It would be a nice chance to quicken the cooperation.) The text read. My pulse quickened, he's in town? I remembered the musician he mentioned last time. It was a beautiful coincidence that we were in the same place.(What time?) I texted quickly before returning my attention to the pancakes, Luna was impatient now and I couldn't help but laugh at her cute little pout. (Two o'clock. Café on Fifth Street.) Johnson responded and I set my phone down and planned my day in my head. A few hours later, I was at the café, it smelled like roasted coffee and cinnamon. Johnson sat by the window, his hair was messy and he was dressed in casual clothes, despite it being a business meeting, he looked relaxed, laid back as tho

SERA I didn't sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Lucas's voice like a plague. Boring. Predictable. Forgettable. The words played on repeat until I wanted to scream. Around five in the morning, I gave up trying. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, watching shadows change as morning came. My bedroom door opened quietly. I went rigid, holding my breath. Through half-closed eyes, I watched Darius move through the barely there light. He was already dressed for work—suit pressed, tie perfect, briefcase in hand. He set the briefcase down silently and crossed to my side of the bed. I closed my eyes and tried to slow my breathing. My heart hammered against my ribs. Part of me wanted to open my eyes, to let him know I was awake, to ask him the questions that had weighed so heavily on me so much so that I couldn't breathe. Instead, I reveled in his approaching warmth, the scent of his cologne...the feeling of his presence. Darius leaned down and p

DARIUS The flowers felt heavier than they should have. I held the bouquet in one hand, my briefcase in the other, and pushed open the front door with my shoulder. The house was warm and quiet—Luna's cartoons playing softly from the living room, the smell of something cooking in the kitchen. Normal. Everything was supposed to be normal now. "I'm home," I called out, somehow the words had become a routine, it relaxed me the second it left my lips. Home. It was truly beginning to feel like one, not just an arranged marriage that had to work because of an inheritance or because I felt indebted to my grandfather. Sera appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. She looked tired—dark circles under her eyes I hadn't noticed this morning. My heart instantly ached at the sight of them, and I took long strides towards her, eager to close the distance between us. "Hey." Her smile was warm, reaching her eyes. "You're home early." "Wrapped up sooner than I thought, had