Semua Bab Legally Bound : Bab 51 - Bab 60

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, and spilled across Alex’ room. Lily blinked slowly awake, feeling soft cotton under her cheek… and solid warmth beneath her.Alex’s chest.She froze for a second, in the best way then exhaled. His breathing was deep, steady, relaxed. For the first time in days, he looked peaceful. One arm lay heavy over her waist, pulling her comfortably against him without even realizing it.She tried to slip away quietly.Wrong move.His fingers tightened around her waist automatically, as if his body refused to let her leave. She melted a little, okay, a lot as she whispered softly, “Alex?”He didn’t respond, still half-asleep, brows relaxed, jaw unclenched. The sight made her smile.Slowly, carefully, she slipped out of his hold, leaving his arm resting on the bed. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before stepping out of the room.Alex made a small sleepy sound, the kind that could melt anyone with a soul.She bit her lip, smiling, and hea

They arrived back at the penthouse exhausted, the day’s emotions still hanging over all of them like a shadow. Gillian immediately looped her arm through Lily’s and tugged her toward the kitchen.“Hydrate, decompress, breathe,” she ordered dramatically.Lily let herself be dragged away, laughing softly.Wilson watched them go, then strode quietly to Alex and tapped his shoulder. “Bro,” he murmured, jerking his head toward the hallway.Alex followed him.The moment they were alone, Wilson crossed his arms. “It’s time.”Alex blinked. “Time for what?”Wilson raised a brow. “Don’t play dumb. Tell her. She’s looking at you like the sun rises in your eyes.”Alex exhaled slowly, rubbing his jaw. “Wilson…”“No.” Wilson’s voice lowered, serious. “You almost lost her. Twice. Don’t wait for a third warning.”Alex stilled.He nodded once.Wilson grinned and slapped his back. “Go.”Alex walked back toward the living room, heart thudding a little too fast. Lily was sitting on a stool, laughing at s

Lily didn’t sleep.Alex had fallen asleep quickly, one arm around her waist like he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. His breathing was warm and steady against her neck, comforting… grounding. But Lily stared at the ceiling, replaying Mrs. Cromwell’s whispered phone call from the night before.“…don’t tell him yet. I don’t want him stressed….”Her heart twisted each time she replayed those words. Alex had been through too much already, she had no intention of piling more fear onto him. Still, the knowledge sat heavily on her chest like a stone.She carefully slipped out of bed, but even half-asleep, Alex’s hand tightened unconsciously on her waist, pulling her back to him. She froze. He didn’t wake up but the protective instinct in his touch made her heart melt a little. She kissed his cheek softly before gently easing herself free and stepping quietly out of the bedroom.When she reached the kitchen, Mrs. Cromwell was already there, humming softly while chopping fruit. Lily a

The garden was quiet, wrapped in soft evening light. Lily stood against Alex’s chest, his arms warm and strong around her waist as the cool New York breeze brushed her skin. She felt him breathe against her, slow and steady, grounding her.“Alex…” she murmured softly.He hummed, brushing his chin lightly against her hair.“You actually never told me why you came to Chicago in the first place.”He went still.Not startled.Not offended.Just… still.A beat passed before he spoke, his voice gentler than before.“Why do you ask that?”She shifted so she could see his face better. In the fading light his eyes looked softer, warmer.“Your whole life is here,” she whispered, her tone almost apologetic. “Your family is beautiful… your father’s firm… everything you built is in New York. So why leave all this? Why Chicago?”Her words pierced him deeper than she realized.Inside, panic clawed at him.This was the one question he dreaded because the truth could destroy everything they’d built. H

Lily woke up slowly, her cheek pillowed on a familiar chest, the soft morning light filtering through Alex’s bedroom curtains. For a moment, she didn’t move just listened to the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his arm draped securely around her waist. She didn’t remember the exact moment she’d fallen asleep, only that Alex had pulled her into bed with him last night after she’d broken down, and he hadn’t left her side since.She lifted her head carefully. Alex was still sleeping, face relaxed, lashes resting gently on his cheeks. He looked softer in sleep,less guarded, less burdened. Just Alex. Her Alex.Very carefully, she tried slipping out of his hold.His hand tightened instantly on her waist.“You’re escaping?” he murmured, voice deep and rough with sleep.She froze, then laughed quietly. “I was trying not to wake you.”He opened one eye lazily and tugged her back onto his chest. “Impossible. You move, I wake up.”She settled against him, her heart softening.