Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Ultimate Cure: A New Husband: Kabanata 651 - Kabanata 660

Adriana saw Chris's name light up on her phone screen, and a flash of irritation crossed her face—one she didn't even notice herself.She reached over, turned off the car's music, and answered."Chris, what's up?"Chris's voice came through, cheerful. "I booked out a private theater and had them put on Maeve's favorite princess play, just for her. I'm already on my way to come get you guys. Have you had dinner yet?"Out of the corner of her eye, Adriana caught sight of the man in the driver's seat—his lips pressed thin, his hands tightening slightly on the wheel, some mix of unease and irritation in his posture.She spoke gently but firmly into the phone. "Sorry, Chris, we're not home right now. Let's do the play another time. Thanks for thinking of her, though."She'd already promised Francesco she'd go watch fireworks with him, and she wasn't about to break that promise.And besides, Chris had arranged something only for Maeve, leaving Milo out entirely—and that wasn't somethi

Just as their lips were about to meet, Milo suddenly barreled into Francesco's leg, throwing his arms around it and shouting excitedly, "Daddy! Big fish!"The firework that had just gone off had, in that instant, looked exactly like a fish swimming through the sky.Francesco froze, then let out a rueful laugh.Whatever charged moment had been building between him and Adriana popped like a bubble and vanished.Adriana snapped back to herself, flustered, and pushed him away before turning to the kids to watch the fireworks with them, her ears burning quietly.Francesco took Milo's hand, his gaze lingering on Adriana's slender back, and for the first time in his life, found himself thinking the kids were a little inconvenient.He sighed. "All right. Let's go look at the big fish together."The fireworks show ran for a full hour, and the kids only grew more energetic as it went on. Even after it ended, they weren't satisfied, hollering that they wanted more.Francesco crouched down

Adriana lowered her voice in warning. "Francesco, the kids are right outside."But Francesco's arm around her waist didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened, like he wanted to fold her whole body into his.He bowed his head slightly, chin pressing into her shoulder, his hot breath ghosting over the side of her neck."It's fine. They're watching cartoons."His voice had gone low and rough, catching on a faint, unsteady breath.Adriana felt the heat climbing up her spine and closed her eyes, trying to steady her voice, but the moment she spoke, even that came out trembling. "We can't do this."Francesco didn't budge, didn't ease his grip by even a fraction.He pressed his mouth close to her ear, his tone bordering on pleading. "I miss you. Just let me hold you a while, okay?"The new stubble on his jaw scraped against her soft skin, an itch that stung. His voice was like a current of electricity, shooting straight through her eardrum and numbing her all the way down to her heart.

Adriana spent every hour of the week-long New Year's holiday with her kids.The break had barely started, or so it felt, before it was rushing to a close.Eight days into January, she spent the entire day in meetings at headquarters.Two days after that, the company launched a new product: a set of prosthetic legs designed for disabled dogs.The price tag was steep, but with free repairs and free checkups for the dogs bundled in, the first batch sold out the moment it hit the market.High-tech products designed specifically for pets were rare enough as it was, and this one alone landed Adriana several innovation awards in a row.As her career kept climbing, Milo and Maeve kept growing right along with it, seemingly bigger every single day.Wanting to give the kids more room to run around, Adriana decided to buy a villa.She took advantage of a Saturday off and spent the whole day out looking, but nothing caught her eye.When she got home that evening, Francesco was sitting on

Maeve's eyes lit up at the familiar voice. She dropped her stuffed toy and dashed for the entryway on her short little legs to greet Chris.Milo, though, stayed put on the soft rug, both small hands pressed flat on the picture book in front of him, not even lifting his head.Watching from the side, Francesco felt his heart ache a little for the small figure.The boy was barely two, and he could already tell, with unnerving clarity, who genuinely liked him and who didn't.Chris bent down and scooped Maeve into his arms, laughing as he settled onto the sofa.He glanced sideways at Milo on the rug, deliberately softening his voice. "Milo, Uncle Chris bought you a new toy car. Want to come see?"Milo still didn't look up, just shook his little head, his tone carrying an unmistakable edge of refusal. "I don't want it. Daddy already got me an airplane."Something flickered across Chris's face, but he held his temper in check and asked, gently, "Then what does Milo like? Tell Uncle Chr