Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

CATHYThe restaurant came into view through the car window, it was elegant, upscale, with large glass windows that reflected the morning sun.I've never been here before. I took a breath and stepped out, smoothing my dress.Lucas was already there, standing by the entrance like he'd been waiting. My steps slowed as I took him in.He'd dressed up. Not in a full suit, Lucas knew better than that for a casual breakfast, but everything about him screamed luxury. Designer jeans. A crisp button-down in deep navy, sleeves rolled to his elbows. A watch that caught the light, gold and expensive. His dark hair though, remained in their usual messy state. Not that it did anything to subdue his attractiveness. Women stared as they passed by, stealing second and third glances in his direction, yet his eyes remained on me. He looked almost smug. He should know by now that such things didn't impress me easily.But I painted on a smile anyway."Lucas." I approached, letting warmth leak into my voi

JOHNSON Sera's tears were torture for me to see, guilt ate at me, as well as a feeling of powerlessness that made me hate both myself and Darius. The doorbell rang again. Sharp and demanding. I pulled back from Sera, my hands still on her shoulders. "I should get that." She nodded and wiped her eyes quickly. Tried to smooth down her hair. I stood and walked to the door. My stomach tightened with each step. I already knew who it was. Something about that particular ring—impatient, entitled—told me everything. I bit back an exhausted groan as I moved forward and then I opened the door. Mother stood there in a tailored suit, her dark hair pulled back in a perfect bun. Gold earrings caught the light. Her posture was rigid. Perfect. Every inch of her screamed elegance and control just like it has always been. Her sharp eyes narrowed on me, the usual disappointment sparking in those depths. "Johnson." She didn't smile. "Mother." I stepped back. "I wasn't expecting—"

JOHNSONI knew she was gone before I even opened the door.The apartment felt different. Empty in a way that had nothing to do with the size of the space.I stepped inside. Closed the door behind me. Listened to the silence."Sera?"No answer.My chest tightened. I moved through the apartment quickly. Checked the bedroom. The bathroom. The kitchen.Nothing. No bag. No shoes by the door. No trace of her except the faint smell of her shampoo lingering in the air.Then I saw it.A folded piece of paper on the counter. My name written across the front in her handwriting.My hands shook as I picked it up. Unfolded it.The words blurred. I read them again. Then again.She'd gone back.Back to the man who'd broken her heart, shattered her life. Threatened to take her daughter.After everything.Fury built in my chest like a storm without warning, I inhaled deeply, trying to calm myself but all I could feel was rage, and that feeling of guilt that intensified with a vengeance. My hands crum

DARIUSMom opened the door before I could knock. Her face lit up when she saw Luna, but something was off. The smile didn't quite reach her eyes."There's my beautiful granddaughter!" She crouched down and pulled Luna into a hug.Luna giggled. "Hi Grandma!"I leaned in and kissed Mom's cheek. "Hey, Mom."She straightened and looked at me. Her smile stayed in place but her eyes were sad. Melancholy in a way that made my chest tighten."Darius." She squeezed my arm briefly. Then her gaze shifted to Vivienne. "Vivienne, dear. It's lovely to see you.""Thank you for having us, Mary." Vivienne stepped forward with a warm smile.Mom hugged her but I heard it in her tone. Something strained. What was going on?"Come in." Mom ushered us inside. "Dinner's almost ready."We followed her to the dining room. The table was already set. Candles lit. Everything perfect like always.Cathy was already there, sitting at the table with her phone. Her head snapped up when we entered and her whole face b

SERADarius spoke first. His voice came out cold and distant, like we were strangers who'd never shared a bed or a life or a child together. Like enemies who'd only ever known hatred."If you want this divorce, you need to keep your distance from Johnson."The words landed between us like stones dropping into still water. My breath caught but I kept my face carefully blank. Tried not to show how his tone cut through me."Completely." He crossed his arms over his chest. The movement was defensive. Closed off. His jaw was so tight I could see the muscle jumping beneath his beard. "No contact. No meetings. Nothing."I stared at him. At the hardness in his dark eyes. Eyes that used to soften when they looked at me, even if just a little.Not anymore."Unless you want to walk away with nothing." His tone was flat. Final. Each word carefully measured. "No custody and not even a penny of my property”My face tightened despite my efforts to stay neutral. My hands curled into fists on my lap,