Fallen For Best Friend’s Daddy のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Rachael’s POVMorning in the penthouse arrived quietly.The kind of quiet that only existed when my father wasn’t on the phone arguing with lawyers.His bedroom door had remained shut since dawn, the muted sound of television occasionally leaking into the hallway. House arrest had turned him into a restless presence in a place that didn’t even belong to him.None of this belonged to us.The penthouse was Jonathan’s.He had rented it without hesitation the moment our home became a circus of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. Paparazzi still lingered outside the old house, hoping for another scandal involving Briggs Ltd.So we had moved here.Temporarily.Guests in someone else’s life.I kind of missed homeI’m sure mom did too. She had bought us breakfast and left earlier to get groceries, saying she needed fresh air.Which left the rest of us gathered around the dining table.Bella was halfway through a croissant, Capri scrolled lazily through his phone, and Jonathan sat across

Rachael’s POV“…Good day?”Bella’s voice sounded unusually small.Which, for Bella, was almost impressive.Clinton didn’t respond immediately.He stepped further into the penthouse, closing the door behind him with the quiet precision of someone who disliked unnecessary noise.His gaze moved slowly across the dining table.The scattered guest lists.The brochures.The half finished seating charts.Then it settled on Bella.“You were saying something about control.”Bella straightened in her chair.“I…”She glanced at me.For help.Unfortunately for her, I had no intention of rescuing her from a situation she had created herself.Clinton pulled out one of the chairs across from us and sat down.Calmly.Deliberately.“If you have concerns about the arrangements,” he continued evenly, “you should express them directly.”Bella blinked.“Oh.”That clearly hadn’t been the reaction she expected.For once, she seemed unsure whether to argue or retreat.She chose a third option.“Well,” she sa

Bella’s POV I loved surprises.Most people said that it was a personality trait.For me it was closer to a life philosophy.Unfortunately, my family had a very strange relationship with surprises.Jonathan usually reacted to them with quiet suspicion.Capri reacted with amusement.And RachaelWell.Rachael usually looked like she was mentally calculating how much chaos was about to follow.Which was exactly why I had waited until the last possible moment to tell her.She was sitting on the couch in the penthouse living room when I walked in.Wedding folders surrounded her like small, judgmental mountains.Guest lists.Venue confirmations.Color palettes.The entire thing looked exhausting.Rachael glanced up when she heard me.“You look suspiciously happy.”I dropped onto the couch beside her.“I have news.”“That sentence rarely ends well.”“This one will.”She closed the folder in her hands slowly.“What did you do?”“I invited someone.”Rachael blinked.“To the wedding?”“No.”“To

Rachael’s POVBella poured wine like she was hosting a celebration.Which, in her mind, she probably was.“This,” she declared proudly, handing Mary a glass, “is progress.”Mary accepted the wine.“Progress toward what?”Bella blinked.“Toward you two speaking to each other without lawyers present.”Jonathan didn’t react.He leaned against the edge of the kitchen island instead, arms loosely folded.Watching.Not participating.Mary glanced at him briefly.“Your daughter believes she’s orchestrating something.”Jonathan’s voice was calm.“She’s been attempting that since she was twelve.”Bella gasped.“That was one time.”“It was seventeen times.”“Those were different situations.”Mary sipped her wine.“And what situation is this?”Bella spread her arms.“A family visit.”Mary looked around the penthouse.“At Jonathan’s apartment.”“Temporary apartment,” Bella corrected.Jonathan said nothing.His gaze moved briefly across the room.Then it landed on me.For a moment it stayed there.

Rachael’s POVThe car ride to Suzu Café was far too quiet.Bella sat in the passenger seat practically vibrating with excitement, her phone still clutched in her hand like the message from the waiter might suddenly disappear if she let go of it.Jonathan drove.Which I hadn’t expected.Clinton usually insisted on drivers, but Jonathan had taken the keys without discussion when Bella announced we were leaving. Now one hand rested casually on the steering wheel while the other adjusted the car slightly as we turned onto the street where the café sat.He looked completely calm.Bella, on the other hand, had turned halfway around in her seat so she could face me.“I still can’t believe this is happening.”I leaned back slightly.“Bella, we’re going to a café. You’re acting like we’re uncovering a conspiracy.”“This is a conspiracy,” she said dramatically. “A romantic one.”Jonathan spoke without looking away from the road.“That’s not a real category.”Bella ignored him.“You met this mys