All Chapters of My Swimmer Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim: Chapter 131 - Chapter 137

Tiara's funeral was held on a gray Saturday in late November. Riley and Samuel attended together, along with Max and Nora. They sat near the back of the small chapel, not wanting to intrude on the grief of Tiara's sister and the few friends who'd stayed in touch over the years. The service was simple and beautiful. Layla, Tiara's younger sister, spoke about the vibrant woman Tiara had been before the accident. About her dreams of becoming a veterinarian, her love of old movies, her terrible singing voice that she used anyway. "My sister lost seven years of her life," Layla said, her voice breaking. "But in the time she had after waking up, she lived fully. She moved to Oregon, went back to school, made new friends. She didn't let what happened to her define her final chapter." Riley found herself crying. For Tiara, for the life cut short, for all the what-ifs and might-have-beens. Samuel held her hand through the entire service. Afterward, Layla approached them as they were pre

The third film premiered in December, timed perfectly for awards season.Riley walked the red carpet in a stunning emerald dress, Samuel beside her in a tuxedo that made her heart skip despite ten years together. The kids were home this time, deemed too young for the chaos of a premiere that would run past midnight."You look beautiful," Samuel murmured as cameras flashed."You look pretty good yourself.""Just good?""Devastating. Happy?""Very."The film was everything Riley had hoped for. The director had stuck the landing, giving the trilogy a satisfying conclusion that honored the books while adding cinematic flair.When the credits rolled, the audience gave a standing ovation. Riley found herself crying, overwhelmed by seeing her story, her characters, her world brought to life so perfectly."You did it," the lead actress told her at the after-party. "Created something that's going to last. People will be watching these films twenty years from now.""That's surreal.""That's leg

Summer brought unexpected visitors.Riley was working in her home office when the doorbell rang. Luna got there first, always eager to answer the door despite being repeatedly told not to."Someone here!" she announced.Riley opened the door to find a woman in her early forties, well-dressed and vaguely familiar."Can I help you?""Are you Riley Armani? Riley Chen Armani?""Yes. And you are?""My name is Victoria Moore. I'm Tiara's older sister."Riley's stomach dropped. She'd known Tiara had a younger cousin, Aria, who'd warned them about Marcus. But an older sister?"I didn't know Tiara had an older sister.""We were estranged. I left the pack when I was eighteen, moved to Seattle, cut ties with the family. I only found out about Tiara's death two years ago." Victoria's eyes were red-rimmed. "I should have come sooner. But I was angry. At her, at myself, at everything.""Would you like to come in?"Victoria entered, looking around the house with interest. Luna watched her suspicious