Semua Bab Gilded Hearts: Bab 91 - Bab 100

Sophia POVSaturday afternoons had slowly become my favorite part of the week'.Few years ago-, my weekends no longer meant catching up on assignments-, working double shifts at the café, or worrying about whether we had enough money until the end of the month'.Life had changed.But enough that I could finally spend an afternoon doing something as ordinary as shopping with Mama.London was unusually lively that day,.The summer sun painted the old buildings in warm gold while street musicians played cheerful melodies along Covent Garden'. Tourists wandered through the markets carrying colorful shopping bags-, children laughed while chasing pigeons across the square-, and the scent of freshly baked pastries mixed with roasted coffee drifted through the cool afternoon breeze,.Mama looked happier than I had seen her in years,.She stopped every few minutes to admire flower stalls-, handmade scarves-, antique decorations-, and little souvenir shops as though she wanted to remember ever

Sophia POVThe moment Lorenzo stepped inside the apartment, my mother completely forgot that she had planned to act calm and composed.Which, honestly, was very predictable.Because Isabella Rivera had never been someone who could hide her excitement when she welcomed someone into her home,."They are beautiful-," Mom said', gently touching the petals,. Mom said'."I thought you might like them. Also, I am early to help you guys with the prepping," Lorenzo replied with a smile. Mom looked at him with a slightly amused expression."You brought flowers, dessert, and yourself early enough to help us?" Mom asked. Mom said.Lorenzo laughed softly."I did not want to arrive empty-handed," Lorenzo explained. Lorenzo said.I smiled while watching the interaction.It was strange.A few months ago, Lorenzo was simply a name connected to business meetings and partnership discussions. A name which I had already forgotten. A powerful Italian businessman.Someone I only saw across conference tabl

Damien POVThree days after my conversation with Grandpa-, I received his call,.I was sitting in my office at Hayes Global-, going through a stack of documents that required my attention-, when my phone vibrated against the desk,.I glanced at the screen.,.Grandpa.I answered immediately."Grandpa-," I said,."I spoke with the Hudson family-," Grandpa said,.I leaned back in my chair,."And,?" I asked,."They are willing to meet."A small smile appeared on my face."When?". I asked."Tomorrow evening.""Where?""Hayes Manor.""That works." I nodded.Grandpa was quiet for a moment."Damian.""Yes?" I replied"This is a formal meeting.""I know.""It is not a business negotiation.""I know that too.""Then try to remember it."I almost laughed."Grandpa, I am not going to turn a marriage discussion into a board meeting.""Good.""But I do expect everyone to be honest about what they want."Grandpa sighed."That is exactly what I expect."The call ended.I placed my phone back on the d

Sophia POVLondon had slowly become a place I no longer needed to convince myself belonged to me,.There had been a time when I had walked through these streets feeling like I was only passing through,.A temporary resident.Someone whose life was still somewhere else.But now-, when I looked out of the apartment window in the morning and saw the familiar streets below-, I didn't feel like a stranger anymore,.I felt settled.Maybe it was the work.Maybe it was the house.Maybe it was having my mother close again.Or maybe it was simply the fact that, my life didn't feel like it was constantly waiting for something to happen.It was just happening.And lately, one particular person had somehow become a very natural part of it.Lorenzo.His visits to London had become more frequent because of the Romano-Hayes partnership.At first, every visit had a reason.A meeting.A discussion.A negotiation.A project update.Something involving the London office.But somewhere along the way, his

Sophia POVThere were some moments in life that made you realize how quickly everything could change.This was one of them,.I sat in the passenger seat of Mom's car-, staring through the window as London passed by in a blur,.The streets were familiar.The buildings were familiar.The people walking along the sidewalks were familiar,.And yet-, somehow-, everything felt different this morning,.My hands rested quietly in my lap,.I hadn't said much since we'd left home,.Mom hadn't either.She knew me well enough not to fill the silence simply because it was there,.Instead-, she drove with one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested near the gearshift,.Every now and then-, I caught her glancing at me,.I pretended not to notice,.I was nervous.More nervous than I wanted to admit.This appointment was supposed to be routine,.At least-, that's what I'd told myself,.But nothing about the past few months had felt routine,.Everything had changed so quickly,.My life.My hom