Semua Bab The Billionaire's Uwanted Wife : Bab 81 - Bab 90

~ ISLA ~The greenhouse fell into a suffocating silence.The air smelled of damp soil and roses—warm and sweet—but there was a pressure in my chest that made it hard to breathe. Bethany waited, pruning shears loosely held between her fingers. Her posture stayed elegant, composed, but there was a subtle shift in her expression.I didn’t bother easing into it. I didn’t have the strength for subtlety anymore.I met her eyes and asked, quietly but clearly—“Are you my biological mother?”The question hung in the air as if filled with thorns, pricking at our skin.Bethany’s hands paused. Her eyes couldn’t look straight at me anymore—but I saw through her already by. That tiny flicker in her expression, something sharp and quick, like fear she tried to swallow before it could show.Then she blinked, her face smoothing over too carefully.“What are you talking about?” she countered, her tone still calm, almost bland. “I am your mother. What nonsense are you spouting?”A practiced lie—meant t

~ ALISTAIR ~The CEO’s office had never felt this tight before.I sat calmly in my chair, fingers resting lightly against the wooden desk, my eyes sharply fixed on the financial report projected onto the laptop Evan was showing me.One of the three minority shareholders under the Montgomery Group umbrella had already sold his shares—quietly, efficiently. Not to a third party. Not to a proxy firm.But to Rebecca herself.My jaw almost broke from clenching it so hard, though my expression didn’t change.I had anticipated that Rebecca’s scheme would eventually take place. She had already fooled Albert into transferring the shares to her with alarming ease. That foolish man. I still didn’t know what Rebecca had fed him to make him so stupid as to trust his venomous wife.And now, Rebecca was aiming for the remaining fifteen percent of the company’s shares, because if she succeeded, she would take over my position.However, what angered me more was that the person Grandma and I had believe

~ ISLA ~My body froze in his arms.For a split second, instinct urged me to pull away—to create distance before the truth burned through my skin and gave me away.But Alistair only tightened his hold, as if sensing the hesitation, anchoring me in place.Then he leaned down.He buried his face into the crook of my neck, his warm breath brushing against my skin as he inhaled slowly, deeply.“I missed you,” he murmured, his tone softer than I was used to.The words landed harder than anything Liana had said earlier.My heart jolted violently, thudding against my ribs like it was trying to escape. I closed my eyes, fingers curling around the railing as his scent surrounded me completely.This was the man whose mother had been taken from him. The man who held me like I was something precious.And I was carrying a truth that could shatter him.His arms loosened—just enough for him to look at me. He rested his chin lightly against my shoulder.“You’re too quiet,” he said, voice low and care

~ ISLA ~The sound of my name—spoken in that distinct, measured cadence—sent a sharp jolt through me.I turned slowly, only to find Antonio Vitale standing just a few steps away, dressed impeccably in a tailored dark suit, his posture relaxed yet unmistakably composed. He looked exactly as he had the day we met—calm, sharp, and carrying that effortless authority that came from knowing his place in the world.Luca stood beside him as well, giving me a light nod of recognition.For a moment, I remained rooted to the spot.I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon after we parted at the restaurant the other day. Seeing him here tonight made the uneasiness and worry in my chest weigh even heavier.“Mr. Vitale,” I said after a beat, finally finding my voice.His eyes softened—just for a fraction of a second. It vanished so quickly that anyone less observant would have missed it.“I’m happy to see you again,” he said, his tone faintly affectionate.I blinked, then swallowed. I didn’t know

~ ALISTAIR ~The semi-private space off the ballroom was much quieter, insulated from the melodious music and laughter.After exchanging a few words with some of my business colleagues, old Mr. Chandler invited me for a conversation in a more breathable place. Though I initially dismissed the idea since I was waiting for Isla to return, I couldn’t say no to someone who had once been my senior. If not for the fact that this family had a good relationship with my mother in the past, I wouldn’t even give them the satisfaction of keeping me.Now the four of us were seated in a lavish lounge—I sat on a single velvet sofa, while Mr. Chandler and his wife, Susan, sat across from me. Emery occupied the other single seat beside mine.The exchange of usual pleasantries began, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept wondering whether Isla had returned from the restroom yet. I missed her—more than I cared to admit. As much as possible, I didn’t want her out of my sight, not even for a few seconds.“It’