Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 141 - Chapitre 150

Aiden's POVThe internship was supposed to last ten weeks.By week eight...It no longer felt like an internship.It felt like work.Real work.The kind where people stopped explaining every little detail because they trusted you to figure things out.It was both terrifying...And strangely satisfying.---"Aiden."He looked up from his desk.Nathan stood outside his office."Walk with me.""Sure."They rode the elevator to the rooftop terrace of the building.The Chicago skyline stretched endlessly before them.Nathan rested his hands on the railing."Do you know why I accepted interns in the first place?"Aiden shook his head."I assumed the firm always had."Nathan smiled."It didn't.""What changed?"Nathan looked out across the city."When I was twenty-two..."He smiled faintly."...someone took a chance on me."Aiden listened quietly."I wasn't the smartest person in the room.""I wasn't the most experienced.""But someone saw potential."Nathan looked at him."I've been trying

Aiden's POVTen weeks.It was strange how something that had once felt so long...Could suddenly feel impossibly short.My flight back to New York was tomorrow morning.By this point, the studio no longer felt unfamiliar.Sarah no longer double-checked my work.The receptionist knew my coffee order.The security guard downstairs greeted me by name every morning.Somehow...Chicago had become part of me.---I walked into the office expecting another ordinary day.Instead, the entire design team was gathered around the conference table.Nathan looked up."Perfect timing."I frowned."Did I miss something?""Not yet."He handed me a folder."Our waterfront project."I recognized it immediately.The same project I'd helped redesign weeks earlier.Nathan opened the folder to the latest plans.The public garden.The children's play area.The outdoor café.The community spaces.They were all there.Exactly where we'd discussed them."You..."I looked at Nathan."...used the ideas."He smile

Alex's POVSunday dinners had become a tradition without anyone ever officially deciding they were.No invitations.No schedule.By six o'clock every Sunday, everyone simply... arrived.Ryan usually brought dessert.Zara claimed she'd help in the kitchen and then somehow disappeared whenever dishes needed washing.Emily arrived early enough for Alicia to insist she taste everything before dinner.And Aiden...Aiden walked in as though he'd never spent ten weeks away.Some things didn't need to be relearned.They simply picked up where they had left off.---"This is cheating."I looked up from the grill.Ryan frowned."What is?""You brought cheesecake.""So?""You know that's my favorite."Ryan smiled innocently."I had no idea.""Liar.""I've been part of this family long enough to know your weaknesses."I laughed."Fair enough."From inside the house, Zara called out,"He's right, Alex! You'd forgive almost anything if there's cheesecake involved.""I heard that!""I wanted you to!

Zara's POV"You know this is your wedding, right?"Zara looked at the mountain of fabric spread across the fitting room."I was beginning to suspect."The bridal consultant laughed."Most brides are excited.""I am excited."Zara sighed dramatically."I'm just discovering that weddings involve... decisions.""So many decisions.""What flowers?""What music?""What napkins?"The consultant smiled."You'd be surprised how passionate people become about napkins.""I already am."---Across town...Ryan was having a very different conversation."I don't care what color the ties are."Alex laughed."You should probably pretend to care."Ryan adjusted his suit jacket."I'll wear whatever Zara tells me.""That's smart.""I've learned."Marcus grinned from the other side of the room."So..."Ryan looked up."You nervous?""A little."Marcus nodded thoughtfully."Good."Ryan frowned."Good?""It means you understand how important this is."Alex smiled quietly.Marcus had a way of saying the ri

Epilogue — Two Years LaterThe smell of barbecue drifted across the gardens.Children's laughter echoed from somewhere near the fountain.Music played softly beneath the old oak tree.It was Sunday.Some traditions never changed.---Alex stood behind the grill wearing the same faded apron he'd refused to replace for years.Alicia walked past carrying a bowl of fruit."You know we could buy you a new one."Alex looked down at the apron."It's lucky.""It has three holes.""They're lucky holes."She laughed."I married a very strange man.""You absolutely did.""And I'd do it again."He smiled."I was hoping you'd say that."---The George estate had changed over the years.Not because the house had grown bigger.Because it had grown louder.There were bicycles leaning against the porch.Blankets spread across the lawn.Coffee mugs abandoned on garden tables.Signs that people actually lived there.Exactly the way Alicia always wanted.---"Mom!"Alicia turned just in time to see Aiden