Alle Kapitel von The Return Of The Betrayed Bride : Kapitel 121 – Kapitel 130

NICHOLAS HALE APARTMENT ~ NEW YORK The kiss hit like fire weeks of tension spilling out all at once. No holding back. His hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head deeper into his. She gripped his sweater, pulling him close until there was no space between them.He tasted like wine and heat, everything she’d been denying herself. She moaned, and he responded with a low growl that shook her chest.When they finally pulled back, both gasping, his dark eyes burned with desire.He didn’t hesitate. He took her hand and led her upstairs.The bedroom was big, dark wood, white sheets, city lights sparkling through the windows. He turned her to face him, fingers brushing the strap of her dress.“Last chance to lecture me about conflicts of interest,” he said, a teasing curve to his lips.She smirked and yanked his sweater over his head. “Shut up, Nicholas.”He laughed low, rough and then his mouth was on hers again. He walked her backward until her knees hit the bed. Clothes came off in a

Alexander straightened slowly. Whatever shock had crossed his face vanished, replaced by surprise. “No,” he said.The word hit the room like a gunshot.Amelia stared at him. “No?”“I won’t call off the engagement,” Alexander said, voice even, controlled. “And I won’t destroy Vivian.”Ariana let out a sharp breath. “After everything you just heard?”Alexander turned to her, eyes cold. “I heard accusations.”Amelia laughed, short and bitter. “You heard the truth.”“You heard fear,” Alexander snapped. “And grief. Not proof.”Ariana pushed herself upright despite the discomfort, her voice tight. “She named the school, Alexander. Not just the name the gate, the drop-off time, the blind spot by the fence.”Alexander didn’t blink. “And yet my son my godson is alive. Unharmed.”Amelia’s hands curled into fists. “Because I signed the return of shares agreement contract.”“No,” Alexander said sharply. “Because nothing was ever going to happen.”She stared at him. “You’re saying she was bluffin

STONE ENTERPRISES~ NEW YORK Amelia Stone’s office was quiet, but her head was anything but.One screen showed the Cortez case files. Another held Ariadne Group’s ruthless offer to Blackwood. And floating over both was the photo she couldn’t escape Alejandro on a balcony, Gabriella at his side, caught mid-laugh by a hungry camera.She had smashed her favorite paperweight yesterday.Today, she didn’t feel like breaking anything. Today, she was planning.Ariana had left earlier, a half-eaten salad on the desk and a warning look in her eyes. “Remember,” she’d said, “the target is Blackwood. Not your… wandering husband.”“I know,” Amelia replied flatly. “He’s just distraction.”But distraction could be useful.Anger sharpened her focus. The cold burn in her chest wasn’t pain anymore it was power.Her phone buzzed.A calendar reminder flashed on the screen, one she hadn’t acknowledged in years: Favino Family Quarterly Dinner — Seville. 72 hours.She swiped it away without hesitation. Let

Marisa was silent for a long moment, watching the younger woman. There was no anger on her face. If anything, there was a flicker of respect.“You have your father’s nerve,” Marisa finally said. “And his cold blood. I’ll give you that.” She took another sip. “But attacking my business to get my son’s attention? That’s a dangerous gamble.”“Everything worth having is a gamble,” Gabriella replied. She glanced across the courtyard where Alejandro stood, looking tense. “And I always win my gambles. I’m here, aren’t I?”“For now,” Marisa said, her tone making it clear this wasn’t over. “But Amelia is still his wife. And she’s not a woman who loses easily.”“Amelia is in New York,” Gabriella said, her confidence returning. “She’s a shadow. A name on a contract. I am here. In your home. Winning over your family. That’s how this war is won, Señora. Not with ships and contracts, but right here.” She gestured to the lively, laughing courtyard. “At the table.”From his spot by the archway, Alej

GRAND FAVINO FAMILY DINNER ~ SPAIN“Business in New York,” the old woman said, her voice ice-cold. “A wife’s first duty is to protect her husband’s honor. You seem to have misplaced yours.”From across the courtyard, Alejandro sipped his wine, watching. Gabriella was doing exactly what he’d hoped charming his tough mother, making his uncles laugh, praising his grandmother’s roses.But it all felt staged. Like watching a skilled actor deliver lines perfectly.Serena stormed over, rolling her eyes so hard it was obvious she was furious. “Alejo, seriously. Can you believe her?” she hissed. “She’s smiling and laughing with everyone like she belongs here! Like she deserves to! It’s disgusting!”Alejandro frowned. “Serena…”“Disgusting!” she snapped. “She knows nothing about this family. She doesn’t care about you or any of us. She’s just pretending charming, flattering, kissing ass. That’s all she knows how to do. She’s fake, Alejo! Completely fake!”He forced a tight smile. “I… I know.”“