Too Late To Love Me, Mr Billionaire のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 151 - チャプター 160

KIRA POVThe hospital hallway smelled so much like disinfectant and some floor cleaners.Kira had been sitting in the same plastic chair for a couple of hours now. Her back ached and her eyes burned from exhaustion and residual smoke. Her dress was ruined, black streaks all over the cream fabric.A doctor came out earlier around midnight to say Elena was stable. The smoke inhalation had a little strain on her lungs but not critically. They were keeping her sedated and on oxygen overnight for observation.Richard, her father hadn’t left her side, He sat in Elena’s room holding her hand, refusing food or water or even rest.Marcus paced the hallway making some phone calls to insurance companies, the fire marshal, their lawyer.Around three in the morning, Kira’s phone buzzed. A text from Adrian: Kids finally fell asleep and Catherine is staying with them at my place. Let me know when you need me to bring them home.Kira typed back: I’m going to head back now and check on the house to se

KIRA POVThe security company arrived at nine in the morning, it’s just been security upon securities lately. Better to be safe than sorry.Two men in dark suits carrying briefcases full of equipment. They introduced themselves as Thomas and Ray, former Secret Service agents now working private contracts.Kira led them to the sitting room where she’d laid out her requirements on the coffee table, school chedules and other extracurricular activities, including pickup and drop-off times.“The children are ten years old,” she said. “Twins. They attend Hamilton Academy on the Upper East Side. Monday through Friday, eight to three. Lily has choir practice on Tuesdays. Ethan has basketball on Thursdays.”Thomas took notes on an iPad while Ray studied the papers.“And weekends?” Ray asked.“They split time between here and their father’s place. He picks them up Friday after school and drops them back Saturday evening.”“We’ll need to coordinate with his security team then.”“He doesn’t hav

KIRA POVKira pulled through the estate gates and parked near the main house. Alyssa unbuckled her seatbelt but didn’t move to get out.“What do you need me to do?” Alyssa asked.Kira sat there for a moment thinking through what needed to happen next. The hotel inspection had been on her schedule for today but her mind was too scattered to focus on staff performance and cleanliness standards right now.“Actually, can you head to the hotel and do a full inspection for me? Make sure to check every department, front desk, housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, all of it.”“You sure? I know you usually like to handle the inspections yourself.”“That’s exactly why I want you to go instead. When I show up, everyone scrambles. They see my car pull up and suddenly everything’s perfect, all surfaces get wiped down. Staff straightens their uniforms, problem guests mysteriously disappear from the lobby.”Alyssa smiled. “You want me to see what’s really happening.”“Exactly. If you go, they won’t be

KIRA’S POVThe content of the grocery bad spilled across the floor, starting with an apple that rolled toward the couch and stopped at Marcus’s feet.Nobody moved to pick anything up, it was like someone pressed an invisible stop sign.“Engaged,” Kira repeated. The word felt foreign in her mouth.“Yes, last night at Aureole,” Sophia said, holding up her left hand, the diamond caught the light again creating a soft ray of colours. “It was perfect.”Elena was already talking about wedding plans and what venue to use including dates and guest lists. Richard shook Marcus’s hand again and tapped him multiple times on his shoulder.Kira bent down and started gathering the scattered groceries slowly putting them back inside the bag. Her hands moved automatically while her mind were filled with thoughts..Marcus was going to marry Sophia. The woman who sent threatening texts. Who left dead flowers on the doorstep with notes about the kids. How do you marry who hates you.“Kira, aren’t you go

KIRA POVThe Brooklyn Phoenix branch was finally alive.Every table full, every seat taken, the bar three deep with people who’d been on the waitlist for six weeks before the restaurant innovation even finished had finally made it through the door. The kitchen was running clean, her sous chef calling tickets in a steady rhythm, the expediting line moving the way it was supposed to move. Kira could feel it from where she stood near the host station, that particular energy a restaurant gave off when everything clicked into place at once.Alyssa appeared at her elbow. “Table seven wants to meet the chef.”“Give me ten minutes.”“They’re the Vogue critics.”“Five minutes.”She did a loop through the dining room first, the way she always did. Stopping at tables, crouching down to the level of guests who looked uncertain about something on the menu, touching her chef’s pass to the kitchen window to check the plating on a sea bass that came back slightly off-center. Small things. The kind n