All Chapters of Tastes Like Damn Chocolate : Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

CHAPTER 91 Eva Toriaga had kept Nikolai under house arrest at The Toriaga Mansion. She wanted him under close monitoring so that he could recuperate quickly before the ball. She had instructed Indy to stay with him in the mansion. Nikolai knew better than to disobey her. Since George is dead, he had become the male figure of the family. The private gym smelled of rubber mats, polished steel, and the sharp tang of sweat. Nikolai stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, shirtless, muscles flexing under the overhead lights as he powered through another set of deadlifts. The barbell clanged against the rack with each controlled drop, the sound echoing like distant thunder. He was pushing himself harder than necessary, his veins standing out on his forearms, breath coming in short, angry bursts. The doctors had warned him: rest, light activity, no strain. But Nikolai had never been good at rest. Not when anger burned hotter than caution. The charity ball was tonight. He needed to

CHAPTER 93 Ryan’s arm rested lightly around Tiana’s waist as they moved through the room, Lyn trailing just behind in her sapphire gown, chin high and eyes sharp. Heads turned as they passed. Whispers followed like smoke. The leaked photos from Madrid had spread like wildfire; by now, half the room had seen them. Tiana felt every glance filled with curiosity, judgment, and envy, but she kept her head up, peach silk shimmering with each step, diamonds catching fire at her throat and ears. They reached a small knot of Lancaster Group executives near the bar. The group — senior VPs, the head of finance, and the marketing director, straightened visibly when Ryan approached. Ryan’s voice carried the easy authority that always commanded attention. “Gentlemen. Ladies.” He nodded to each of them, then gestured to Lyn. “I’d like to officially introduce Lyn Carter, who has been promoted to Assistant Chief Secretary. She’ll step into the Chief Secretary role once Tiana officially transitions.

CHAPTER 95 The quartet’s opening notes of the waltz floated across the ballroom. Ryan’s hand was already extended, palm up, steady as always. Tiana slipped her fingers into his without hesitation this time. The contact felt… exquisite. They moved onto the floor together. He drew her in close, one hand at the small of her back, the other clasping hers near his shoulder. Their first steps were tentative, almost testing, then the rhythm caught them and everything smoothed. Tiana’s peach gown whispered against his trousers with every turn. The chandelier light caught in the diamonds at her throat and scattered across Ryan’s crisp white shirt like falling stars. Around them, other couples joined, laughter mingling with the music. The dance floor became a living thing, a slow, elegant current carrying everyone along. Across the room, Nikolai watched. He had Indy on his arm, her red gown blazing under the lights, her laughter bright and practiced as she tilted her head against his shoul

CHAPTER 97 Lyn slipped out of the hospital room without a word. The door closed behind her. She didn’t look back at the two men standing on opposite sides of Tiana’s bed, nor did she acknowledge the tension thick enough to choke on. Her heels echoed down the corridor, sharp and deliberate, until she disappeared around the corner. Inside the room, silence settled again, heavier now. Nikolai exhaled slowly through his nose. He looked at Tiana, pale, and still, the bandage above her eyebrow stark against her skin, then at Ryan, who hadn’t moved an inch since the doctor’s revelation. Something flickered in Nikolai’s eyes: guilt, exhaustion, maybe even shame. He pulled the visitor’s chair closer to the bed and sat, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tight enough that the knuckles showed white. Ryan remained standing, arms crossed, gaze fixed on Tiana as though willing her to wake up and make this nightmare end. Minutes dragged but neither spoke. Finally, Nikolai stood. He didn’t sa

CHAPTER 99 Nikolai stood frozen in the doorway of Tiana’s hospital room for several long seconds after the words left his mouth. The confession, “How can I leave when she’s pregnant?”, still hung in the air like smoke, thick and impossible to wave away. Tiana’s hand remained pressed to her abdomen beneath the thin hospital blanket, fingers trembling. Sandy stared at her brother as though she had never seen him before, mouth half-open, words stolen from her. Then Nikolai moved. He turned without another word, shoulders hunched, and walked out. The door closed behind him with a soft, final sound that echoed louder than any slam. In the corridor, the lights buzzed overhead. Nurses passed with clipboards and quiet murmurs. Nikolai leaned against the wall for a moment, eyes closed, breathing hard. Then he straightened, straightened his tie as though that small act could restore order, and walked toward the nurses’ station. He found Dr. Patel, the same man who had delivered the news the