Back in His Arms, Back in His Game... a Billionaire's Price의 모든 챕터: 챕터 81 - 챕터 90

Natasha stood in her studio, eyes fixed on Sebastian and Alina as they descended the hospital steps. They didn’t falter. The city buzzed below, but for her, the game had begun.A small smile touched her lips, not warm, but calculated. Her phone blinked on the desk. She answered the phone without hesitation.“Vino,” she said calmly. “We have a situation.”On the other end, Vino's voice was steady but cautious. "They've been seen. Publicly. You mean Alina and...?"“Yes. And Sebastian. Together.” A pause. “A display of strength. A declaration of family.”Her lips curved again. “Perfect. Let the world admire it. Let them think it untouchable. Then we dismantle it.”The line went quiet. Even through the phone, Vino could sense the patience in her tone, the kind that killed slowly."Your orders?"“Leaks first. Let the press ask questions they’re not ready for. Social media will turn. Stir doubt. Scrutinize her image. His name. Let public opinion fracture.”“And Emilia?”Natasha’s voice stay

The Fairfax mansion was quiet, but it wasn't peace.Celeste stood by the marble fireplace, gripping a crystal glass. Fury shook her voice."I watched the entire thing," she said. “In front of the country, Natasha. In front of everyone.”Natasha stood at the foot of the stairs, calm and unreadable, her black coat still draped over her shoulders.Celeste’s voice sharpened. “You’ve been with him for years, Natasha. You gave him everything and he stood there with her like you were nothing.”Natasha’s throat tightened. “I know.”“No,” Celeste snapped. “You don’t. You wasted your best years, Natasha. You could’ve built a life of your own, away from their shadow. And now?”She slammed the glass on the mantel. It didn’t break, but the sound was sharp. “Now they humiliate you.”Natasha stared at her phone. “I tried calling Emilia. She’s not answering.”Celeste laughed bitterly. “Of course not. She's protecting her perfect little family.”The study door opened. Gideon stepped out, calm but comm

The next morning, Adam stepped into Charlotte’s room, a faint smile softening his usually serious face.“Well,” he said, glancing around, “seems someone’s finally escaping my hospital.”Charlotte giggled. “I’m not escaping. Mommy said I’m going home.”Adam chuckled. “That’s what everyone says right before they run off and forget to visit.”Alina, helping her daughter into her shoes, smiled. “Don’t worry. We’re not going far, you’ll see her again.”Felicia, at the bedside, adjusted Charlotte’s coat. “You’ll need to rest a few more weeks. No climbing, no running...”Nathaniel grinned. “No fun.”Felicia sighed but smiled. “Maybe a little fun. Just careful fun.”Charlotte hugged her suddenly. “I’ll miss you, Nurse Felicia.”Felicia froze, then smiled softly. “I’ll miss you too, sweetheart.”Adam cleared his throat. “You know, if you’re thinking of returning to Marlowe, that’s fine, but Atheria Medical could use someone like you. You’ve been here since Charlotte arrived. Everyone trusts yo

The house was quiet. Garden lights flickered against the dark windows.Sebastian lingered long after Alina had gone upstairs, a glass untouched in his hand. Natasha’s words echoed in his mind, a quiet threat wrapped in civility.He set the glass down and moved to his study, pulling an old, sealed envelope from a drawer. The paper was yellowed, corners softened by years. Inside lay a photograph and a folded letter, handwriting he hadn’t seen in ages.In the photo, three figures stood outside university gates: Sebastian in the middle, confident and unaware; Natasha at his side, smiling for the camera; and Tessa Rowan, quiet, clever, a strength that needed no words. Everyone thought Natasha held his heart. But it had always been Tessa.On the back, Tessa’s neat handwriting read: “For luck. Always, S.” He remembered her pressing it into his palm. “You’re my good luck.”He traced the faded ink, her voice returning from a time when love still felt simple. Beneath the words was a date, the w

The weekend morning started with laughter.Charlotte moved carefully into the kitchen, still in her pink pajamas, her bear tucked under one arm, a sleepy smile on her face. Nathaniel followed, calm and collected, the picture of an old soul in a child's body."Nana Agnes!" Charlotte called, climbing onto the stool beside the counter. "Pancakes please! The ones with chocolate chips!"Agnes shook her head, smiling. "I should’ve known you’d come running the moment you smelled pancakes."Charlotte grinned at Nathaniel. "See? I told you she'd say yes."Sebastian helped her settle onto the stool, quietly watching as the house filled with their voices, the giggles, the clatter of breakfast. This kind of morning still felt new.Alina passed with a tray of juice. "You can sit, you know. You don’t have to stand like a guest."He smiled faintly. "Just taking it all in."Charlotte turned to him. "Daddy, do you like pancakes?""I do," he said, "but only if Nana makes them."Charlotte beamed proudly