Semua Bab Bound By A Broken Night: Bab 11 - Bab 20

"Won’t we go bankrupt with all of this?” Zandrie asked, staring at the stack of documents in his hands.“Free housing projects. Free education for their children. Free hospitalization. Food allowances…”He looked up at Cassidy, eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you serious?”Cassidy lifted her gaze from the glowing screen of her MacBook, a soft, knowing smile curving her lips.“It’s an investment,” she replied calmly. “And it won’t take long before we start reaping the returns.”Three months had passed since they signed their agreement—three unexpectedly fruitful months of marriage.She leaned back into her cushioned chair, shifting slightly to ease the weight of her nine-month baby bump. Her breathing was shallow now, but steady.“All the projects are already in motion,” she continued. “And the farmers are beginning to feel the change.”She tapped a few keys, pulling up another report.“Those who left have started reaching out to Mr. Sanchez,” she added. “They’re asking if they can come

"Where is my little pumpkin?” Zabrina Wallace asked the moment she stepped inside, both arms laden with paper bags from a well-known baby boutique.“Mom, why are you here again?” Zandrie said irritably, shooting her a glare as she marched straight toward the crib like she owned the place.“I’m not here for you,” Zabrina snapped back without slowing.She dropped the bags unceremoniously on the floor, disinfected her hands with practiced efficiency—and within seconds, the tiny sleeping figure was already cradled in her arms.“My little pumpkin…”“He’s asleep, Mom,” Zandrie protested, exasperation etched across his face. “Why are you disturbing him?”Zabrina ignored him completely.Zandrie looked seconds away from strangling her when two-month-old Malakai let out a soft whimper, his tiny brows knitting together as he stirred.“I’m here to visit the only legal grandson I have,” Zabrina said primly, pursing her lips as she gazed down at the baby with unmistakable adoration.“I still can’t

"Wowk, Mama? No Kai come?”My two-and-a-half-year-old son stood near the bed, watching me fold clothes into the open suitcase. His small lips puckered into an unmistakable pout, brows knitting together in mild distress.“Yes, my little prince,” I said softly. “Mama has to work. And Prince Kai has to stay home with Mamo for now.”I stopped packing and knelt in front of him, bringing myself to his eye level. “Mama will be quick. Just two nights, Kai. Two nights without Mama.”“That’th wong, Mama…” His lower lip trembled. “Two nighthh Kai no hug Mama.”My chest tightened, breath catching painfully at the sight of that familiar expression—one I would recognize anywhere. It was an expression he hadn’t inherited from me.I swallowed and forced a smile.“Yes, sweetheart, it’s a long time,” I admitted gently. “But Kai will wait for Mama, right?”My heart ached. This would be the first time I would leave him behind.It had been six months since Jefferson Holt came to Wallace Plantation asking

“Kai want to pway…”“Mama,” he sniffled, his small voice breaking, “Kai pway pwaygwound… pleeeath…”Cassie bit down on her lip, hard, fighting the sob that threatened to tear its way out of her chest. Seeing her son’s tear-drenched face—his lashes clumped together, his tiny body shuddering with hiccupping breaths—nearly undid her.“It’s late, sweetheart,” she whispered, pulling him against her chest and beginning to sway gently from side to side while he continue with his soft hiccuping breaths. “You need to rest now. Sleep, my love”She pressed her cheek to his hair, breathing in his familiar scent as her arms tightened around him.“Mama loves you so much,” she murmured, her voice trembling despite her efforts to steady it. “Mama will do better next time. I’m sorry… I’m sorry Mama is being unreasonable.”Her eyes burned. Tears gathered no matter how fiercely she blinked, spilling down her cheeks.“Yeth,” Kai sniffed, his sad, tearful voice slicing straight through her heart. “You aw

"Well, she’s nothing more than a plain housewife,” one woman scoffed, lifting her glass. “If not for her looks, CEO Zandrie Wallace wouldn’t spare her a second glance.”“Still,” another chimed in, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “Sir Zandrie kept Miss Nissa by his side even after marrying that woman. He doesn’t even bring his wife to public events. Are they truly married?”“There are rumors,” a third woman said thoughtfully. “Madame Zabrina Wallace mentioned it once at an event she attended.”“And it’s also been said they have a son,” another added, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But no one has ever seen the child.”“Then it’s probably just a rumor,” someone laughed lightly.“Or maybe it’s true,” another woman countered with a sly smile. “Perhaps that’s why she stays hidden at home—taking care of another Wallace heir. At the very least, she’s making herself useful.”A ripple of chuckles passed through the group.“Now that Wallace Plantation and Holt Corporation