Lahat ng Kabanata ng Belonging to Lockhart: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

THERON POV I kept telling myself I was doing the right thing. That I was protecting her. Hiding her from the spotlight, shielding her from danger. So why did this fake breakup feel so deeply, horribly wrong? The feeling only worsened once I stepped into my penthouse. The space had never felt emptier. Her presence had lingered in the air, but now her scent was fading, minute by minute. The tightening in my chest grew sharper with the realization she wouldn’t be here for days, maybe even weeks. My hands curled into fists. I hated every part of this. I wanted to scream that my father and Chun Kit could go to hell. But recklessness wasn’t an option. If my father had Nazzareno Bellotti attacked or worse, just for overhearing a conversation then what might they have done to Ami if someone perceived her as a threat to the merger? I couldn’t bear to imagine it. I wouldn't risk learning the answer the hard way. I knew Ami didn’t want any of this. I hated making her pretend. Nothing a

AMARIS POV I peeled myself out of bed and wandered toward the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the East River. The view from my bedroom was breathtaking just like the rest of my new apartment but the sight barely stirred anything inside me. With a sigh, I pressed both palms to the cool glass and stared blankly at the Manhattan skyline. All I could think about was how much I wished I were on the opposite bank of the river. Being here felt like exile. A few months ago, a place like this would’ve felt like winning the lottery. Now? I couldn’t care less. I would’ve traded it all just to have Theron beside me. Another breath escaped me as I stepped away from the window and grabbed some clothes. I hesitated in front of the mirror, debating whether makeup was worth the effort. The dark circles beneath my eyes answered for me. “Don’t crawl into your shell. Don’t crawl into your shell. Don’t crawl into your shell...” I repeated my mantra under my breath, star

Evadne opened up a little more, sharing pieces of her past and the way art had always been her sanctuary. She spoke softly but openly about meeting her husband about how she’d been young, in love, and far too trusting to recognize the warning signs until they had already sunk in. In turn, I told her about my academic path, my ill-fated relationship with Ansel, and how it all eventually unraveled. She was easy to talk to, and I only realized how much time had slipped by when the sun began to sink lower through the glass dome above us. “So... Amaris Kennerly,” she said, a teasing grin on her lips as she refilled my champagne flute. “Tell me what are your dreams?” I let out a dry chuckle. “I’m not sure I have any.” “I think you do,” she replied, narrowing her eyes at me like she was trying to read between the lines. “You just haven’t allowed yourself to admit it yet. Luckily, you don’t have to be shy around me. So take a deep breath, think about it for a moment... and tell me: if

The car rolled to a stop in front of a two-story red-brick building. For a moment, I thought we had come to the wrong place until I noticed a restaurant sign nearly swallowed by a curtain of ivy that had grown wild across the facade. From the outside, the place looked forgotten, like time had brushed past without a glance. But the interior was another story entirely. As we stepped in, we were met with warm light and elegant art deco flourishes. Every table was filled, the low hum of conversation blending with soft jazz in the background. Not a single seat was free. I glanced at Renzo, uncertain, but he only smirked and clasped my hand, guiding me toward the stairs. "Apologies for the climb," he said, casting a brief look at my shoes as we began the ascent. "But I promise the view and the privacy are worth it." Four flights later, we emerged onto the rooftop. The air was cooler, scented with jasmine and basil from the potted greenery that surrounded the space. A single table

THERON POV Ami’s eyes met mine, and I saw it that slow, aching pain rising to the surface like a bruise darkening under skin. Guilt twisted in my chest. I hated seeing her hurt. Hated knowing I was the one responsible. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, brushing a kiss across her forehead. “This doesn’t go beyond the headlines,” I promised. “The engagement it’s as hollow as the press releases make it seem.” She nodded silently, her lips sealing around words she didn’t say. Then, softly, “I trust you.” Her head found my chest, and I shifted to lie flat, wrapping my arms around her, holding her closer. “I didn’t want this,” I muttered, staring at the ceiling. “I tried to stall it… even thought I’d managed to talk my father down. But the moment Chun Kit called him, it was over. Like someone flipped a damn switch.” I clenched my jaw as the memory flashed again my father, cold and resolved. Ami lifted her head, a bitter smile ghosting her lips. “I’m sure Zinnia was thrilled.”