Semua Bab My Ex's Boss is My Baby's Father: Bab 1 - Bab 10

The maid's text glowed on my phone: Mr. Volt prepared a surprise for you tonight. Come home early.My heart jumped. Three years of marriage, and Travis hadn't done anything like this since our honeymoon. I pressed my hand against my stomach, hopeful. Maybe tonight would finally be the night. Maybe we could fix whatever had broken between us.I drove faster than I should have, my mind racing. Tessy had twins now. Emma was pregnant with her third. Even the barista at my favorite coffee shop had a baby strapped to her chest. Everyone around me was building families while my womb stayed empty, and my husband grew colder with each passing month.But tonight felt different. Tonight felt like a second chance.The penthouse was dark when I arrived, except for a soft glow from the upstairs bedroom. I grabbed my purse and rushed inside, my heels clicking against the marble foyer.Roses. Champagne on ice. Soft jazz playing from somewhere upstairs.My throat tightened with emotion. He remembered.

"Prostitute?" I leaned back to look at him properly, my fingers still tangled in his hair. "Really? I thought you were a male escort. The bar's special entertainment for desperate women. Very exclusive. Very expensive."His eyebrows rose slightly, the first crack in that controlled expression. Around us, I could sense people watching, but no one approached. This man clearly had power here."I'm just here for fun," I continued, emboldened by champagne and heartbreak and the way his hands still gripped my waist like he didn't want to let go. "And if you please me tonight, I'll pay you extra."I reached between my breasts and pulled out a crumpled twenty dollar bill. The only cash I'd grabbed before Travis canceled my cards. I held it up between two fingers, then let it flutter down onto his chest."Consider that a down payment."Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. Before I could process it, he stood, lifting me with him like I weighed nothing. His arms locked around me, one under m

Tessy's apartment smelled like coffee and baby powder. I'd been on her couch for three days now, and I was starting to understand why she always looked exhausted. The twins were eight months old, and they took turns crying. When one slept, the other woke up. It was like they'd coordinated a torture schedule."Tell me again about mystery fashion week man," Tessy said, bouncing one baby while I fed the other. The little girl in my arms grabbed my finger with surprising strength, her blue eyes staring up at me with complete trust."There's nothing to tell. I had a one night stand with someone who may or may not have been an escort. I owe him a small fortune I don't have. And I need to focus on getting my life together."The baby in my arms made a small cooing sound, and something in my chest squeezed. I'd forgotten how innocent babies were. How they looked at you like you were their entire world, like you held all the answers."You're good with them," Tessy observed, watching me pat the

Lucien Cross closed the door behind him and walked to the opposite side of the conference table. His face was perfectly calm, professionally neutral, like we'd never met before."Ms. Thorne," he said, his voice smooth and controlled. "I'm Lucien Cross, CEO of Cross Luxury Group. Thank you for coming in today."He extended his hand across the table.I stared at it for a moment, remembering the last time those hands had touched me. Then I forced myself to reach out and shake it. His grip was firm and brief, but the contact sent electricity up my arm."Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Cross." My voice came out steadier than I expected, though my heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it."Please, sit." He gestured to a chair and took his own seat across from me.I sat, grateful because my knees felt weak. This couldn't be happening. Of all the people in New York City, of all the companies in the fashion industry, why did it have to be him?"I've reviewed your preliminary portfol

Rachel Kim led me to a smaller office down the hall, chattering about HR paperwork and building access cards. But I barely heard her. My mind was spinning, calculating, trying to process everything that had just happened.Five million dollars.Nine months.Three fashion shows.Top five placement.The numbers rattled around in my head like dice in a cup. I was good at math. I'd always been good at breaking down problems into manageable pieces. But this problem felt impossibly large."Ms. Thorne?" Rachel's voice broke through my thoughts. "Are you okay? You look pale.""I'm fine. Just processing." I sat down in the chair she indicated. "Can I ask you something?""Of course.""Why me? Why is Mr. Cross offering this opportunity to someone with no recent work history, no industry connections, nothing but an old portfolio?"Rachel hesitated, like she was deciding how much to say. "Mr. Cross has instincts about people. When he believes in someone's potential, he goes all in. He doesn't do an