All Chapters of Belonging to Lockhart: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

A string of curses coiled at the back of my throat. I swallowed them down and managed a tight, courteous smile for Zhenhai. Only when I was certain nothing vile would escape did I allow myself a slow breath. "I'm sure you're busy. I wouldn’t want to" "I have time. My meeting was just canceled." A lie, almost certainly. I returned a faint smile. "Still, I imagine there are far more pressing matters than playing tour guide." He exhaled a soft laugh. "You might be disappointed to learn there aren’t many exciting things happening in this building. But with the right company..." His mouth curved into a flirtatious grin. My throat went dry, but I forced my expression to remain neutral. The last thing I needed was for him to see fear. "Mr. Zhao was kind enough to walk me through the halls. Though, I wouldn’t mind learning more about your current projects," I said, steadying my gaze and locking eyes with his. He held my stare for a beat too long, as though assessing h

“Breathe, Ami. Just breathe,” I whispered to my reflection, bracing my palms on the edge of the vanity. This was far from how I’d envisioned a rescue mission though, truthfully, I’d never had a concrete idea of what one should look like. Still, striding into danger in full evening glam, a sweeping gown, sculpted curls, and sky-high stilettos hadn’t exactly topped my list of plausible scenarios. “Trust me. The less suspicion we draw, the better,” Renzo had insisted as he outlined the plan. A romantic dinner at one of Hong Kong’s most elite restaurants was the perfect cover. It gave us a legitimate excuse to leave the compound. Chun Kit would almost certainly have us followed, but a glamorous night out wouldn’t set off any alarms. That didn’t make the heels feel any less treacherous. I could barely walk in them running was out of the question. “Stop overthinking,” Renzo murmured from behind me, placing steady hands on my shoulders. “We’ve got it all mapped out. We stop at

Theron POV Zinnia and I were on our way back to the residence after what passed for a date quiet, stiff, and utterly performative. Just another charade to maintain appearances, another excuse to be seen together in public like some blissful couple. I hadn’t wanted any part of it. But Zinnia had begged literally begged and hinted that things could get worse for her if I didn’t agree. It was emotional blackmail, and I knew it. But I also knew she wasn’t lying. As much as I loathed every second of this farce, I wouldn’t let her or her mother bear the punishment of Chun Kit’s wrath. The idea of that sadistic bastard laying a hand on either of them made my blood simmer. One day, I would make him pay for every bruise and every ounce of fear he’d ever caused. One day soon. I checked the time, exhaled slowly, and tried to get a handle on the fury crawling beneath my skin. Dinner had been uneventful. Not because Zinnia and I had nothing to say to each other though that was true but

AMARIS POV I must have dozed off. When I opened my eyes, a sharp chill wrapped around my limbs, stealing the breath from my lungs. I was trembling. My fingers fumbled for my phone. Dead. “Oh, come on,” I hissed, pressing the button as if stubbornness alone could bring it back to life. I muttered a curse under my breath and shoved it back into my purse, drawing in a steadying breath. Focus, Ami. Renzo had said he’d come looking for me. What if he had? What if he was here while I’d been asleep? A shiver traced my spine. No. No, I would’ve woken up if someone had entered. I hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep couldn’t have, not in a place like this. Even the lightest noise should’ve roused me. So maybe he was still searching other buildings. Or maybe his injury had worsened. He’d tried to convince me it wasn’t serious, but I hadn’t believed him then and I still didn’t. I moved to the window. Outside, the city was still wrapped in darkness. Not even the faintest trace of dawn. Th

The longer I stayed here, the more Lazaro’s cottage began to feel like the perfect refuge. Tucked away from the world, it offered a quiet, almost disarming kind of peace. I’d even found women’s cosmetics tucked in the bathroom cabinet an unexpected gift I welcomed as I washed away layers of grime, dried blood, and exhaustion. After a long, cleansing shower, I slipped into the oversized men's shirt Theron had set aside for me. It hung loosely on my frame, brushing the tops of my thighs. With damp hair still clinging to my neck, I made my way through the softly lit wooden corridor toward the master bedroom. Theron was already inside, perched on the edge of the bed, a towel slung low on his hips and nothing else. The sight made my breath hitch. His skin was freshly cleaned, his chest and abs on full display, glistening faintly under the light. "Come here," he said, reaching for my hands and gently pulling me down beside him. There was a softness in his eyes, and for the first tim