บททั้งหมดของ Hot Daddy’s Best Friend: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Jalen’s POV Elena closed the door behind her with a soft click that sounded louder in my ears in the quiet office. The morning light sliced through the blinds in harsh stripes across the desk as she leaned on it,She looked at the panties on the floor again. Then at me. “I saw her leave,” she said quietly. “Hair was a mess and her legs were still shaking while she walked. I've always wanted that with you, Jalen.” I stayed silent. There was nothing to say that wouldn’t make this worse, I was already bursted. She took one step forward. Then another. “I could ruin you, Jalen.” Her voice cracked on my name. “One call to Marian. One anonymous tip to the board. One photo of those marks on your neck that aren’t from me. And it’s over. Your career. Your reputation. Fiona’s future. All of it.” “Are you threatening me?” I asked, and she smiled.“Nope, I will only like it if we can come to a reasonable conclusion Jalen,” she leaned closer with a playful smile on her face. “Except yo

Fiona’s POV My father’s laugh echoed all the way up the stairs first, it felt so genuine, the kind he only let out when he was so comfortable around someone important. I paused at the very top of the stairs, and gripped the banister so hard my knuckles whitened.“What the heck is he doing here?” I murmured to myself, rage fuming inside me. Jalen was already inside, heading to the couch as if he lived here. Some part of me wanted never to see him again, but that was not the case. Because somehow, my soul kept yearning for his touch and his lips on mine. My mother spotted me first. “Fiona, darling, come down. Look who came to check on you.” I forced my legs to move. One step. Then another and I paused. Dad clapped Jalen on the shoulder, grinning widely. “This one’s been asking about you every time we speak. Said you’ve been quiet on the phone lately. Thought he’d drive up and make sure you were fine.” Jalen’s eyes flicked to me—brief but burning with something I couldn't desc

Jalen’s POV Marian glared at me for a long minute without a word, I held my breath for as long as she stared, trying to imagine what was going on in her head. If only she could just say something, her silence was killing me. Then she turned on her heel and walked upstairs. The silence she left behind was louder than any slap she had landed on me. I paced after her, blocking her way—interupting her steps. “Marian, wait—” She pushed past me like I was invisible, my heart pounded as I persisted. In the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the mattress, focused on her phone, scrolling through some funny videos. She managed to smile with the corner of her lips.I stood in the doorway, thinking of what to say to her at that oddly moment, she ignored me—completely. I dragged myself to her presence like a little kid in trouble and crashed on my knees. I never thought to see myself in such a position but Fiona's life was at stake. “Please, marian” I paused, and cleared my throat. “Don’

Jalen’s POVI knew Marian was planning something the moment she started humming in the kitchen this afternoon.She never hummed; maybe I can’t remember the last time I was home with her all day to hear her hum once.She only did that when she received her paycheck and had planned how to squander it on a spree.I stood by the living room window, staring at the empty driveway, hands tucked into my pockets, trying to quiet the dread crawling up my spine.“Jalen,” she called sweetly.Too sweet for me to wonder what she was up against this time.I turned slowly. “Yes?”She leaned against the counter with her phone in her hand, smiling like a woman who had just received wonderful news. “I just spoke with Fiona’s parents.”My heart stopped.“What? For what?” I asked, my stomach clenched.“They’re coming for dinner tonight.”My jaw tightened. “You did what?”She shrugged casually. “Invited them over. It’s been a while since we've all had a proper family dinner with friends. Don’t you think?”

Jalen’s POVThe branches in the woods scratched against my arms softly as I pushed through the darkness, calling her name over and over until my throat burned.“Fiona!”I screamed as loud as I could, straining my ears to hear her respond but she never did. No answer.Only the whisper of leaves and my own pulse thundering in my ears but I kept moving, I told myself I would find her even if it meant dying in the thick forest. I ran faster, and deeper, not minding the darkness that swallowed me.Then I heard a faint cry from a distance.My heart stopped and restarted painfully in my chest as I turned toward the sound.“Fiona!”This time I didn’t wait for a response. I followed the direction of the sobs, stumbling over roots and rocks, my heart pounding faster until I saw her.Curled up in her own arms on the ground, trembling, crying into her hands as the world had ended. I've never seen her that frightened yet brave enough to sit in there for so long. I blamed myself for making her go t