บททั้งหมดของ Straight Until Him: บทที่ 91 - บทที่ 100

Micah’s POV“Turn on the TV.”“Now? Really?”“Yes, Micah. Now.”“You know it is after midnight, right? News at this hour is boring. Stocks and weather, that is it.”“Just do it.”“Fine, bossy.” Clicks remote “There. Happy? Some anchor talking about trade deals and; wait, why are you leaning forward like that?”“Something is about to break. I can feel it.”“You are paranoid. It is just... oh, hold up, they are cutting to a live broadcast.”“See?”“Okay, okay, do not gloat yet. Who is that… oh shit, that’s Catherine. Catherine Chen. Why is she standing behind a podium?”“Quiet. Listen.”“Fine, I am quiet. God, she looks pissed though.”“…‘Good evening. My name is Catherine Chen. I am the legal wife of Marcus Chen.”“Legal wife? That is how she starts? Wow, dramatic.”“Shh.”“…‘Tonight, I will not be silent anymore. The world deserves to know the truth about Marcus Chen and the family he tied himself to… the Duvalls.’”“What the fuck?”“…‘For years, the Duvall family has pretended to be

Micah’s POVAlessandro’s mother literally tugged me away, her grip on my shoulder completely mild, like I was some dainty vessel about to break if she gripped too firmly. Out on the patio, she sat me in a chair and began stroking my back, like I was a six year old who had face planted off his bike. God, I hated it. Hated the way I was bawling, full on ugly crying, like a grown man who had lost every ounce of dignity. But I could not stop. My chest felt hollow, my throat raw, and my hands trembling.“I can’t believe it,” I whispered between broken breaths. “The rumors Alessandro told me… the ones about my father… they are true. He actually...” My words cracked apart, drowned in another round of tears.She did not utter a word, just kept patting me, letting me collapse against the chair. After some time; who even knows how long, I noticed Alessandro right there, close enough that I could actually feel his warmth. Grounded me, honestly. His mother rose, straightened her attire like it wa

Micah’s POVHer curses filled the van, sharp as broken glass, but I did not flinch. I just watched her, steady, letting her venom run its course.“You always were loud,” I said softly.She whipped her head toward me, wild-eyed. “Do not you start with me. Do you not sit there and act like you are better…”“I am not better. Just older. Do you remember summers at the lake?”Her breath caught. “What… what the hell does that matter now?”“The pier,” I whispered. “You love running so much that you used to sprint ahead, always jumping in first like an Olympics gold medal sprinter, splashing me like it was your life’s mission. You laughed so hard you could not breathe. Remember?”Her jaw worked, but no sound came.“You laughed so much back in those days... Oh! Yes, and the ice cream truck,” I went on. “You would grab two cones… chocolate for you, vanilla for me… and say I owed you forever, that is after you eat from my cone." I chuckled a little. "You still have my IOU, you know that little s

Sandra’s POV“I told them the entire story.” I spoke softly, stepping out of the questioning room with Micah, my wrists quivering and shuddering though they were not cuffed anymore.“You did just fine,” Micah uttered tenderly, his hand stroking my back as if I could shatter or collapse. Who knows maybe both. Maybe I already had.Then my eyes met Alessandro’s. He was positioned there, statuesque, frosty, expressionless as always. However, at the moment his glance settled on me, I halted. For the very first time in a long while, I felt diminutive.I knew he was not here for me but for Micah.“I…” My voice cracked. “I am sorry. For everything. For wrecking your life, for sullying your reputation, for all of it.”Alessandro’s gaze widened, merely a glimmer but sufficient to penetrate me. He did not speak a word.“I mean it,” I went on, my throat burning. “You never deserved me… none of you did. I was cruel, I was selfish, I…”Micah squeezed my arm. “Sandra.”“No, let me finish,” I said q

Micah’s POVSomething warm was pressed against my back. Steady breathing brushed the back of my neck. I smiled before I even opened my eyes.“Are you awake?”“Was hoping you would not ask,” came the groggy mumble against my skin.“You are holding me like I’m your teddy bear.”“You talk too much for a teddy bear.”I turned, facing him. His hair was in disarray, his eyes still burdened with drowsiness. “Morning.”He smirked lazily. “Good morning, CEO Duvall.”“Do not start.”“Oh, I will. You have been rehearsing your speech in your sleep.”I groaned. “I did not.”“You said ‘Our company will rise again’ right before snoring like a chainsaw.”I laughed, burying my face in his chest. “You are lying.”“Would I ever?”“Yes. Frequently.”He chuckled, running a hand down my back. “You are nervous.”“No, I am… okay, maybe a little.”“You will do fine,” he said softly. “You always do.”“Liar again.”“Fine. You will probably do fine.”I hit his chest gently, and he seized my wrist, drawing me clo