Semua Bab 99 Chances to Lose You: Bab 1 - Bab 7

"Wow, she sure grew up fast. Threatening Mr. Blanton mid-wedding with a pregnancy? I bet she didn't expect her plan to fail.""She's sly, I'll give her that. He saved her from a remote village in the mountains and raised her, but she actually got in his bed and confronted his bride? Talk about shamelessness!"Spittle hit my face as Samuel Blanton walked by while holding Zara Hill, not sparing a single glance for me.He used to tell me I was too young, that he'd marry me when I grew up. But now? He married someone else. He didn't even defend me against the slanderers.Suddenly, everyone saw me as the little minx who wanted her "big brother", and I turned into the family gossip overnight.Samuel helped Zara into the car and massaged her sore feet. He glanced at me before turning back to her."Ophelia's just a kid. Why did you bother with her? Look at these cuts on your feet—it makes my heart break."So, in his eyes, the red marks on Zara's feet mattered more than the fact I'd been

I quickly snatched the paper back from Samuel and shoved it into the box, closing it. "It's nothing. Just a letter I wrote for my parents."He sensed I was being secretive and seemed to realize something. "What, you still believe those lies you were told when you were a kid? You're still sending things to your parents?"He was talking about all the silly things I did as a child. When I learned my parents were buried underground, I worried they would be short on food and clothes, so I'd hoard little things in boxes. Then I'd drag Samuel out to the backyard to dig holes and bury them, pretending I was sending them to my parents.When I got older, Samuel often brought up those old stories to tease me. I didn't expect him to still remember.Despite being misunderstood, I didn't say much this time and just nodded along obediently.The memory made him crack a rare smile on his usually serious face. "You're all grown now, so you should stop doing these silly things. Now, open the gift I

Samuel called his assistant, Joseph Harding, his voice sharp and urgent. "Ophelia's missing. Find her, no matter what it takes! Search all of Rivermount if you have to. Just bring her back!"Joseph acknowledged his order, but didn't hang up. He added, "By the way, we've got leads on Ms. Wagner and Ms. Hill's kidnapping.""Go ahead," Samuel said coldly.Joseph hesitated. "An overseas account transferred two million to the kidnappers, and after we cracked it, it turned out to be a private account belonging to the Hills."After we got the kidnappers, they admitted Ms. Hill paid them to set this up, to put on a show for you, and then… kill Ms. Wagner."Samuel's fists clenched, his temples throbbing.He couldn't believe it. Zara—the same woman who once saved his life and acted gentle and elegant in front of him—was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, and she even plotted to take out Ophelia.She was cruel beyond belief.He ground his teeth and said, "Bring Zara here."Joseph obey

Samuel didn't try to stop me. He just stayed on the ground, slapping himself over and over, murmuring, "Why… why did it come to this?"A light rain started falling. The whole archaeology team was busy protecting the tomb site, and no one paid attention to the man sitting in the mud.But while everyone else rushed around, he was blocking the path, getting in the way of people coming and going. He didn't move an inch despite multiple warnings.Furious, I ran up to him and slapped him hard across the face.The sharp smack seemed to wake him up entirely.I narrowed my eyes, using the tone he used on me before, speaking with disgust, "Can't you see how busy everyone is? Get out of the way!"And another thing—Zara's the one who likes roses. I hate roses!"The response I expected—arguing, crying, defending himself—never came.Samuel stayed quietly beside me.He still hadn't moved.It was as if we'd repeated the old pattern between us.He watched my anger silently.After sorting ou