All Chapters of Breaking Her at Thanksgiving: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

“You are very welcome. Thank you.” Solene said again for what felt like the hundredth time since the event started.“You know, Ronan has always been innovative and brilliant,” one woman said. “I always looked forward to how far that would take him…and now I can see it brought him a fine young woman like you.”Heat crept up Solene’s cheeks, deeper than the blush she’d carefully applied.“You flatter me, Mrs Ford.”“But it’s true.” Another woman chimed in. “If women could be more ambitious and business-minded like the rest of us, the world could be different.”Maybe there was truth in what she was saying. But Solene only nodded, lifting her glass for a small sip.She was more tired than interested at that point.When Ronan told her about the launch, she’d imagined sitting at some high table, clapping politely for him while he made a long speech on a stage. Then maybe dinner after.But getting here now, it all seemed like networking, nodding, smiling, while absorbing exaggerated praise

The sound of beeping machines and the sharp, sterile smell of antiseptic were the only things Lewis had digested in almost twelve hours, as he’d been moving in and out of the hospital like he belonged there.Yesterday had happened so quickly, it was hard to believe it was real.Solene, the woman he could swear he knew like the back of his hand, had slapped Linda.For what?He didn’t care anymore. He just couldn’t believe she’d turned so violent.But something else bothered him. Something stronger that had kept him up after his mom had forced him to go back home.Linda’s pregnancy.He let out a slow breath, dragging a hand down his face as he sat in his car in the hospital parking lot.Sure, he was happy about it. But at the same time, he was confused, lost. Even though he didn’t want to admit it, so he wouldn’t think about it.He’d followed Linda all the way to the hospital after they loaded her into the ambulance. And then requested a checkup just to be sure every other thing was oka

The phone trembled in Solene’s hand against her wish as the car moved steadily but fast along the road.“Ma’am, have you seen the news?” Mae’s voice replayed in her head. “You need to come to the office now and see things for yourself, ma’am.” Her heart had dropped after the brief conversation with her assistant.And Hannah had seen it too—the way color had drained from her face.Because this wasn’t just noise.This wasn’t just gossip, or careless accusations with “allegedly” tucked behind them.This was something else—carefully calculated and executed.These were claims backed up by pictures obtained from carefully positioned angles.From someone who had been watching her.Solene’s grip tightened around her bag, her eyes flickering from one side of the road to another, then back at the rearview mirror. Unconsciously checking if the driver was staring at her.And the worst part? They’d dragged Ari into it.They’d included her in the entire dirty business.“Using her child to trap…”

“What if we tell the truth?” Every eye turned to him.The room went still—like something heavy had been dropped in the middle of it. A flicker of confusion flashed across Solene’s face as her gaze slowly shifted towards him.“What truth?” Someone finally asked.“The only one that matters,” Mr Hathaway said. “That she is not what they’re painting her to be.” He met Solene’s gaze now. “There’s no use hiding from this, Mrs Alvarez. You have to step into it.”Solene shifted slightly. “You mean…speaking fully about it?” “That’s risky.” Someone muttered.“It always is,” Mr Hathaway replied calmly. “But right now, silence makes her look guilty of everything. Deflecting makes her look too calculated. And denial…” he shook his head faintly. “These people aren’t stupid. Denial will crumble the moment more pictures surface.”Solène felt something settle in her chest. No quiet calm, not acceptance, but something close to clarity.She exhaled slowly.“You go public,” he continued. “There’d be

The sound of slamming doors echoed through the yard, followed by softer footsteps crunching over the gravel. “Feels so good to be back.” Linda whined, resting her head on Lewis’s shoulder as he guided her carefully towards the front door. Clarissa walked a few steps behind, her eyes glued to her phone as she scrolled, her expression tightening with every swipe. She paused once, her throat bobbing, clearly resisting the urge to say something as they all got to the door. “Careful now, dear,” she called with a straight voice. The door opened from within before they even got to it. Lewis’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He paused for a moment like it was the first time it was doing that, and pulled it out, staring at the screen. Linda paused too. “What is it?” She asked softly, trying to peek into the phone. But his grip blocked her view. Instead, Lewis locked the screen and shoved it back into his pocket, continuing towards the stairs. “It’s nothing.” But Linda was