All Chapters of Nineteen Days: Claimed by My Stepson: Chapter 21 - Chapter 23

The next morning felt like waking up in someone else’s life. Sunlight slanted through the blinds, hitting the rumpled sheets where Victor’s side used to be empty even when he was here. Now it was just Ethan beside me, breathing slow and deep, one arm thrown over my waist like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go.I watched him sleep for a long time, tracing the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, the way his lashes fanned dark against his cheeks. He looked younger when he was like this—peaceful, almost innocent. But the shadows under his eyes told the truth. We hadn’t slept much. Not really.He stirred, blinked awake, found me watching him. A small, tired smile curved his mouth.“Morning,” he murmured, voice gravelly from crying and not enough rest.“Morning.” I brushed my fingers through his hair. “You okay?”He exhaled, long and shaky. “No. But I’m here. With you. That’s something.”I leaned in, kissed him soft—lips barely touching, more breath than anything. He kissed me back

My phone buzzed again in my hand as Ethan and I stood frozen outside the restaurant.Victor’s second text came through.I know everything. Meet me at the penthouse in thirty minutes. Come alone, Amelia. If he shows up, I swear I’ll call the police.Ethan read it over my shoulder. His face went white.“What the hell does he mean by everything?” he asked, voice tight with panic.“I don’t know,” I whispered. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the phone. “But he sounds… different. Scared. Angry.”Ethan grabbed my arm. “You’re not going alone. No way.”I pulled away gently. “He said if you come, he’ll call the police. I have to do this by myself.”“Amelia, please.” His voice cracked, raw fear bleeding through every word. “After everything we just went through, you can’t walk into that alone. What if he hurts you?”“He won’t hurt me,” I said, even though my stomach was twisting into knots. “Not physically. But whatever he found out… it’s bad. I can feel it.”Ethan’s eyes fill