Semua Bab My Ex's Boss is My Baby's Father: Bab 41 - Bab 50

We didn't make it back to separate rooms.After the pool, Lucien walked me to my suite. At the door, he hesitated."Can I stay?" he asked quietly. "Not for sex. Just to be near you. To not spend another night alone when you're right next door."I answered by taking his hand and pulling him inside.We stood in the middle of my suite, dripping water on the expensive carpet, looking at each other with years of tension finally acknowledged."Chloe." He said my name like a prayer. "Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need.""You. I want you."He crossed to me in two strides and kissed me with a tenderness that made my knees weak. His hands were gentle, careful of my belly, treating my body like something precious rather than something to consume."I'm not the same as that first night," I said between kisses. "My body has changed. I'm pregnant and tired and not exactly sexy—""You're beautiful. More beautiful than that first night because now I know you. Your strength, your talent, your

The show was stunning.Philippe's pieces integrated seamlessly with mine, creating an unexpected narrative about sustainable luxury as a collaborative movement rather than individual achievement. The audience loved it. Critics were taking notes frantically. The energy in the room felt electric, positive.When the final model walked and applause erupted, I felt cautious optimism. Maybe we'd pulled it off. Maybe disaster had transformed into triumph.Backstage was celebration. Models hugged each other. Margaret actually smiled. Riley was crying happy tears."That was incredible," she said, squeezing my hand. "The collaboration worked. It really worked.""We won't know until rankings are announced."But I could feel it. Fourth place at least. Maybe even third. Finally breaking into the top five I'd promised Lucien.Philippe found me in the chaos, looking pleased. "Magnifique. Better than either of us could have achieved alone.""Thank you. Really. You saved the show.""We saved it togeth

I spent three days in the hospital. Three days of forced rest, monitored constantly, forbidden from working or reading news or doing anything that might raise my blood pressure.It was torture.Lucien visited twice a day but refused to discuss the investigation. "You need to rest. Let me handle this.""I can't just lie here doing nothing while my reputation burns.""Yes, you can. Doctor's orders. And mine."On the third day, my blood pressure had finally stabilized. The doctor agreed to release me with strict conditions."No stress. No work beyond light creative activities. No social media. If your blood pressure spikes again, you'll be on bedrest for the remainder of your pregnancy. Understand?"I understood. The baby's safety depended on me staying calm, which felt impossible but necessary.Lucien picked me up from the hospital looking exhausted but satisfied."What happened?" I asked immediately. "What did you find?""Later. First, we're getting you back to the hotel for proper res

We returned to New York to find everything had changed and nothing had changed simultaneously.The fashion industry welcomed me back with cautious praise. Orders were flowing again. My fourth place Paris ranking was official and celebrated. But Travis was still out there, more dangerous than ever.I discovered the first message three days after returning. A note slipped under my apartment door."You think you won. You didn't. I'll make sure you lose everything."No signature but I knew Travis's vindictive tone.I showed it to Derek, my security guard. "Document it. Add it to the file.""Ms. Thorne, this is a direct threat. You should increase security.""We already have two guards rotating shifts. How much more secure can I be?"The answer came two days later when I returned home to find my apartment door slightly open.Derek stopped me from entering. "Wait here. Let me check."He went in, gun drawn, moving carefully through each room. When he emerged, his expression was grim."Someon

Six weeks until Milan Fashion Week.I stood in front of my team at Cross Luxury Group, twenty-five weeks pregnant with a belly I could no longer hide even if I wanted to."The Milan collection needs to be our best yet," I said, gesturing to the mood boards covering the walls. "Not just technically innovative but emotionally resonant. I want people to feel something when they see these pieces."Margaret studied the sketches. "These are ambitious. More complex than New York or Paris. Can we execute this level of detail in six weeks?""We can if we work smart. Delegate better. Trust each other." I looked at my expanded team, now twelve people instead of the original five. "I can't do everything myself anymore. Physically, I'm limited. But that means I have to trust all of you to execute the vision."Riley spoke up. "We've divided the collection into sections. Each team focuses on their specialty. Margaret handles construction oversight. I manage coordination between teams. You focus on c