Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

“Derrick?” Tatiana’s voice echoed, soft and startled. Tall, thin, with sharp handsome features and neatly combed golden hair, he smiled warmly at Tatiana, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Freda turned, and for a moment, she froze. He was already there. Her eyes flicked between him and Tatiana. She noticed it instantly: the glimmer in Derrick’s eyes as they settled on Tatiana, and the swirl of emotions in Tatiana’s eyes. Freda snatched her bag from the floor, anger still burning in her chest. “I will leave you two to talk,” she said flatly. She leaned over to give Derrick a quick side hug, her lips pursed, "Be good to her." Then she bent toward Tatiana, her eyes sharp and voice low. “Better let him not know what is going on here.” Tatiana gave a polite nod and her eyes escorted her best friend out of the restaurant. “You look tense,” with low voice, Derrick said, “Is something wrong?” Concerned was written all over his face. “I’m fine.” “No, you’re not.” Derrick saw he

The pain was sharper than it should have been, far beyond what Tatiana had anticipated. Tatiana remained seated for what seemed like endless hours as her hands remained pressed against her chest. The mansion was quiet—so quiet that every tick of the clock echoed heavily. Slowly, Tatiana lifted her head, her eyes swollen and reddened from crying, and fixed her gaze on the empty couch opposite her. It was 10 p.m., yet Xander had still not returned. Without his presence, the couch appeared hollow and deserted, accentuating the emptiness she felt. The atmosphere weighed upon her, thick and almost impossible to bear. Her breathing gradually slowed, her tears dried into streaks on her cheeks, and without fully realizing it, her eyelids fluttered closed. ****** Tatiana awoke with a start. Her neck ached from the awkward position she had slept in, and her body felt stiff. For a brief moment, she was unsure if it was still a dream—it was already morning. Then a sound broke th

Xander’s hands froze mid-cut, the knife hovering over his plate as his jaw snapped shut tightly at the mention of Derrick’s name. How dare he show up uninvited at his home. Tatiana’s gaze locked on Xander, her own eyes widening in shock. She took in every detail—the tense set of his jaw, the tightening of his muscles, the dark storm brewing in his eyes—each sign of his silent fury. Xander shoved the food into his mouth. He chewed harshly, jaw rigid, eyes blazing; each bite ground with visible fury. No one could decipher what was happening. Without meeting Xander’s eyes, Tatiana swiftly turned away and instructed the servant to inform Derrick she would be with him in three minutes. Although Xander wasn’t watching her, she could still feel the sting of his anger burning deep within her soul, a guilt she could not escape. The stillness was shattered by Xander’s low, cold voice. “Now that we’ve cleared up the mystery,” Xander said smoothly, as if discussing idle gossip, “shall we tu

“Tatiana,” Derrick's voice cracked, “Wh… what are you saying?" Tatiana felt the pain in his eyes, the anguish in his voice, and the hurt in his faint bitter smile. She hesitated, clutching her phone tightly. “I’m sorry, Derrick, but I… I don’t feel love for you anymore.” Tatiana was forcing the words out, trying her best not to hurt him. Derrick’s eyes filled with tears, his lips shook with pain that was stemming from within. He pulled Tatiana’s hands into his, with his hands trembling vehemently. “You... you must be hungry. You... you didn’t eat much at breakfast. Get something to eat first, th… then, we can talk.” Tatiana pulled her hand away, her eyes refusing to meet his. “Derrick, I’m a married woman now. I have a husband and I… I can’t... can't be with you.” Tatiana’s words came out heavy, her voice low and trembling. She bit her lip hard, her shoulders slumping as the weight of her decision was crushing her. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she kept f

Tatiana finally stirred. As her lashes parted, the first thing she saw was the ceiling above her, pale and still, before the sensation of cool dampness touched her forehead. A towel. Her eyes fluttered fully open, adjusting to the brightness. Slowly, the blur of a white coat sharpened—the doctor stood beside her bed, scribbling something on a notepad. And there he was. Xander. Standing near the window, arms folded across his chest, his broad shoulders drawn tight, his gaze locked on her. His face was as cold and unreadable as ever, but his eyes… Tatiana blinked. Was that worry? “Mr. Michelle, your wife needs rest. These are the prescriptions. The fever should come down within two days if she takes them,” the doctor said. Tatiana frowned faintly, uncertain, but her thoughts scattered when Xander stepped forward. He accepted the slip wordlessly, giving only the slightest nod. Then he walked the doctor to the door. Just as he was about to close it, it burst open—Brenda pu