Semua Bab My Ex's Boss is My Baby's Father: Bab 81 - Bab 87

Ten days into Victor's assault on my business, I'm barely functioning.I've lost half my team. Orders are being canceled. The hostile takeover vote is in two weeks. Fashion blogs are still questioning my sustainability claims despite verified statements from all my suppliers.I'm working twenty-hour days. Living on coffee and anxiety. Snapping at Charlotte. Avoiding Lucien's calls.I'm drowning and I'm too proud to grab the life preserver.Clara confronts me on day eleven. "You're going to collapse. You need to sleep. Eat. Take care of yourself.""I'm fine.""You're not fine. You're destroying yourself.""I'm fighting. There's a difference.""Is there? Because from here it looks the same."I ignore her. Keep working. Keep fighting. Keep pretending I have everything under control.On day twelve, my lawyer calls. "The shareholders vote is leaning toward accepting Zhang's offer. Seventy-thirty in favor. Unless something changes, Ashford House's parent company will be acquired.""How long

Three weeks after Victor's retreat, life settles into a new rhythm.Lucien splits his time between London and New York. Two weeks in each city. It's exhausting but it works.When he's in London, he stays at my flat. Charlotte adores having him there. So does Leo when he's with us.When he's in New York, we video call every evening. Charlotte tells him about her day. I tell him about work. We maintain connection despite distance.It's not perfect. I miss him when he's gone. He misses us. But we're making it work.And then Milan Fashion Week returns.My next collection is ready. "Reconstruction Part Two: Together." A continuation of the first collection's themes but evolved. Showing how broken pieces become stronger when joined correctly.It's personal. Obvious. Everyone will know it's about Lucien and me.But I don't care. I'm done hiding.We fly to Milan together. Lucien, Charlotte, and me. A family.The fashion world buzzes with speculation. "Is Chloe Thorne showing with Lucien Cross

The day after the adoption is finalized, we start planning the wedding in earnest."We have three months," I say, spreading bridal magazines across the dining table. "That's not a lot of time.""It's plenty," Lucien says. "We'll hire a planner. They'll handle everything.""I don't want a planner. I want to plan our wedding ourselves.""Why? Planners exist for a reason.""Because this is our wedding. It should reflect us, not some planner's vision.""Fair enough. So what do you want?"I pull up photos I've saved. "Something intimate. Small. Maybe thirty people. Close friends and family. Somewhere beautiful but understated. Maybe a garden. Or a small chapel. Simple flowers. Elegant but not ostentatious."Lucien looks at the photos, then at me. "Thirty people?""Maybe forty. But no more than fifty.""Chloe, I have business contacts who would be offended not to be invited.""Then don't invite them. This isn't a business event.""In our world, everything is business. You know that.""But o

Ten days before the wedding, I'm at my studio finalizing details for the ceremony reception when my assistant interrupts."There's someone here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment but says it's important.""Who?""Sofia Conti."My blood runs cold. Sofia. Here. Now. Ten days before I marry Lucien."Should I send her away?" my assistant asks.I should say yes. Should refuse to see her. But curiosity wins."No. Send her in."Sofia enters looking different from the last time I saw her. Less polished. More human. Her hair is simple, her clothes understated. She looks nervous."Chloe. Thank you for seeing me.""Sofia. This is unexpected.""I know. I'm sorry to come unannounced. But I heard about your wedding. I needed to talk to you before it happens."My guard goes up. "If you're here to cause trouble—""I'm not. Please. Just hear me out."Against my better judgment, I gesture to a chair. We sit across from each other, tension thick."My father was arrested three weeks ago," Sofia