جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 130

In the dim basement, Miles slowly regained consciousness.A dull pain throbbed through every inch of his body. There wasn’t a single spot that didn’t ache.He blinked open his swollen eyes and found his hands tied behind the chair.His legs were bound to the chair legs, trapping him completely.Where… was he?He looked around in panic and soon noticed his parents bound the same way on either side of him.“Dad? Mom? Wake up!”After several calls, Asher and Kayla gradually came to, groaning in pain.“Where… is this?”They tried to move their arms and legs, only to realize nothing budged.The jolt of terror woke them fully.“Are we kidnapped?” Kayla shrieked, violently struggling.“Help! Somebody help!”Miles frowned and snapped, “Mom, stop yelling. It’s probably those loan sharks.”“You scream again and they’ll just come beat us more.”Kayla froze, fear swallowing her voice, and switched to quiet whimpers.“Why is my life so cursed? I’m old enough to be someone’s grandmother, yet still

In the grand hall of the Easton estate, Alexandra sat upright on the sofa, her expression softened with a rare, warm smile. Sophia sat beside her, looking gentle and composed.“Sophia,” Alexandra said as she held her hand, thumb brushing lightly across her knuckles, “you truly are the family’s good-luck charm.”“You brought us a smart, sweet boy like Buddy, and now you’re carrying twins.”Sophia’s lips curved gently. “Children come as fate allows. It’s not just my doing.”“You mentioned wanting great-grandchildren from the Easton family, and these two must’ve been listening. They rushed over to grant your wish.”“That means they’re especially fond of you. They couldn’t wait.”Alexandra laughed so joyfully that the fine wrinkles at her eyes deepened. “You really do have a sweet tongue, child.”It was the first t

The night air was cool.Sophia sat on the rattan swing, swaying lightly while Ethan stood a meter away, watching her in silence.One still, one moving. The air between them tightened for a long moment.“Can you tell me about your childhood?” Ethan finally asked.The swing slowed. Sophia lifted her head, eyes shimmering with calm amusement.“Haven’t you already dug my past up completely?”“Those were outsiders’ accounts,” Ethan said. “I want to hear it from you.”Sophia let out a soft laugh. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll lie to you again?”“Lie lightly? Or lie heavily?” His tone held a deep chill. “I can’t imagine what reason you’d still have to lie now.”

Inside the piano room of the Mayer estate, Charlotte sat before a glossy black grand piano, her slender fingers gliding lightly across the keys. The melody she played shifted from warm and lively to soft and sorrowful.Her lashes lowered. She sank deeper into a world no one else could reach, and her eyes slowly reddened.At the doorway, Evelyn rested her fingertips on the frame, quietly listening.From afar, her mother still looked breathtaking. Elegant. Graceful. As if time had always favored her.It reminded Evelyn of the very first time she saw her.When the final note faded into the air, she snapped back to reality.Evelyn stepped forward with a bright smile, clapping as she approached.“Mom, that piece sounded beautiful. What’s it called?”Charlotte turned slowly, her gaze unfocused. She didn’t speak for several seconds.Then she murmured, “I wrote it for Iris.”“Ever

Right then the lock on the bathroom door clicked softly.Ethan instantly lay flat on the master bed, eyes shut tight, breathing slow and even on purpose.The bathroom door slid open.Sophia stepped out wearing a bathrobe and slippers, hair still dripping at the ends.As she walked past the bedroom area, she caught the unusual rise under the blanket out of the corner of her eye.Her steps paused. She turned toward the bed, her lips curving as a quiet laugh slipped from her throat.Her laugh was soft, but Ethan heard it.His eyelids twitched, his Adam’s apple bobbing lightly.Was she laughing at him?He was just about to throw off the covers and sit up when he realized she was already walking away, heading straight into the walk in closet.Sophia pushed open the closet door and looked around.Sure enough, all the clothes Ethan had moved to the guest room were now neatly hung back in their original place