A Wife For Seven Days のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 171 - チャプター 180

Tatiana found herself falling onto Xander’s lap awkwardly, the movement unsteady and slightly off-balance. Her legs brushed his in ways that made her heart thump fast, and she had to shift subtly to avoid slipping. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, a steady, intoxicating warmth that seeped into her own skin. Each small brush of his arms or legs sent a jolt through her, making her pulse stutter. The closeness pressed against her senses, overwhelming her with awareness of his presence and it was dangerously warm. Xander didn’t let her up. His hand tightened on her waist, holding her there, firm enough that escape wasn’t even an option. The closeness was dizzying — her breath brushing his jaw, his warmth seeping into her skin. She felt surrounded, captured. And worst of all? She didn’t know if she wanted to get away. The coldness in his eyes wasn’t there anymore. Something else simmered — something sharper, hotter, more dangerous than anger. His face was inches fr

Selena stood in the hallway, slipping on her blazer while the nanny helped Ariana pack her school project into a bag.The nanny looked up. “Ma’am, will you be home before lunchtime?”“No,” Selena replied, adjusting the sleeve. “I’m going to Ariana’s school. They’re having the Parent Forum today.”“Do you need me to pick Ariana up afterwards?”Selena shook her head. “No. I’ll handle it.”She picked up her handbag and took a breath, trying to steady the tension that had been building since morning. She’d had a strange feeling all week—like something was shifting behind her back—but she brushed it aside.“It’s just a Parent Forum,” she told herself quietly as she stepped out the door.The driver opened the car door for her, and she got in.The entire drive felt unusually long. Too quiet. Too tight. Eventually, the car pulled up to the school’s main gate.Selena stepped out, expecting the usual polite nod from the security officers.Instead, the two men stiffened immediately. One of them

The director’s office was spacious, lined with polished wooden shelves and framed awards the school had collected over the years. And he couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “Mrs. Ratford,” he said warmly, “I want to thank you once again for your support. Truly. You have no idea the relief your involvement has brought us. I must say—I was surprised when I heard the Ratfords were joining the school board. Surprised and honored.” Tatiana sat gracefully in the leather chair opposite the director. “I believe the children deserve a safe and competent environment. It’s only right we support where our children are taught.” “Oh, absolutely, absolutely,” the director agreed quickly, hands gesturing in emphasis. “It is an honor—really, a privilege—to have your children enrolled here. Their presence alone raises the standard of this school. And your sponsorship, I can't thank you enough. Mrs. Ratford, if not for you, parents would have withdrawn their wards entirely. The school’s reputation could

Karl shrugged, though the glint in his eyes sharpened. “He is Evelyn Ratford’s son. Don’t ask me how I got to know… but the woman the director talked about? The one in the blue dress?” He tapped his temple. “I saw her. And she is no other than Evelyn Ratford.” The words clawed at Xander, igniting a storm of disbelief and confusion. Karl’s gaze locked with Xander’s, sharp and unwavering. “It’s her, Xander. It’s really her.” A thousand questions slammed through Xander’s mind, but his throat felt too tight to speak. Karl leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t you think it’s strange why she didn’t want you to meet her son?” “Evelyn? I don’t get it. Why would she not want me to see her son?” Karl nodded slowly. “Think about what the principal said. You heard it, right? That the boy was Ariana’s age. Five years old. And everything happened six years ago.” He paused watching Xander’s reaction. Xander’s eyes flickered—one brief spark of calculation. His mind raced—counting backwa

Tatiana blinked, not surprised.Loretta waved it off. “Relax, Evelyn. I live my life honestly. If he wants youth and beauty by his side, he pays for it. Simple.”Tatiana coughed lightly, pressing her lips together.Loretta leaned forward slightly, a sly glint in her eye. “That old man can’t pin me down. I know more about his secrets than anyone else ever could. And believe me, he’d rather keep me happy than risk those coming to light.”Tatiana raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Really?”“Really,” Loretta said, leaning back with a lazy grin. “You know men… they think power is all that matters. But secrets? Secrets run deeper. They’ll do anything to protect themselves—even if it means letting someone like me take my way.”“So… you’re untouchable?”Loretta laughed softly. “Untouchable? Maybe not. But they sure can’t control me. Not one.”“And what about Noah?” Tatiana asked, her tone cautious but curious. “He doesn’t know all this, does he?”Loretta shook her head slowly. “Nope. He thinks he