Lahat ng Kabanata ng Billionaire Romance: Mine Tonight: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

The next morning, Seraphine woke to twenty-three missed calls and a trending headline: “Oscar Winning Producer’s Company Embroiled in Embezzlement Scandal.” The story was everywhere. Not just the theft which was salacious enough but speculation about Seraphine’s involvement, her oversight failures, whether she’d known about the fraud. “Questions arise about how Ashton, an experienced producer, failed to notice millions disappearing from company accounts.” Variety “Industry insiders question whether Ashton was complicit or simply negligent in massive fraud scheme.” Hollywood Reporter “Oscar winner’s production company shuttered amid criminal investigation.” Deadline Her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Journalists requesting comment. Colleagues expressing shock or carefully distancing themselves. Investors demanding explanations. Maya called at 7 AM. “I saw the news. Are you okay?” “No. The industry thinks I’m either criminal or incompetent. My company is destroyed. My COO my friend

September 15th, the book launch was scheduled at a Barnes & Noble in Union Square. Rachel had expected maybe fifty people. Instead, two hundred packed the store journalists, industry professionals, working mothers, and conspicuously, people who just wanted to see how the disgraced producer would handle her public humiliation. Seraphine stood backstage, looking at the crowd through a crack in the curtain, feeling nauseated. “You don’t have to do this,” Rachel said quietly. “We can cancel. Blame illness. Postpone indefinitely.” “No. Running makes me look guilty. I go out there, read from the book, answer questions, survive.” Seraphine’s voice was steadier than she felt. “They’re going to ask about Tessa. About the scandal. About failure.” “I know. Let them ask.” The moderator Jennifer Walsh, a journalist from the New York Times was known for tough questions. She wouldn’t softball this. Seraphine walked on stage to mixed applause. Some genuine support, some polite, some clearly sk

Early October, “we’re going away for the weekend,” Damien announced Wednesday evening. “Just us. No children. No lawyers. No crisis management. Two nights at a bed and breakfast in the Hudson Valley.” Seraphine looked up from the legal documents she’d been reviewing. “I can’t just leave. The deposition is Monday. I need to prepare” “You’ve been preparing for three weeks. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be. What you need is a break before you collapse completely.” He took the documents from her hands. “Your mother’s already agreed to stay with the kids. Patricia will help. Everything’s arranged.” “Damien, I can’t just” “Yes, you can. Friday after we drop Charlotte at school, we drive two hours north, we check into a beautiful inn, and we remember we’re more than co-parents managing catastrophe.” His voice was firm but gentle. “You’re running on empty. We both are. We need this.” “What about Charlotte’s advanced reading? James’s speech therapy appointment?” “Handled. Your mother kn

Late October, the second deposition was scheduled for Friday this time with the insurance company’s attorneys. Richard had warned it would be even more adversarial than the investors’ deposition. “Insurance companies fight every claim,” he explained Wednesday during preparation. “They’ll argue you were negligent, that coverage should be denied, that you’re personally liable for the full loss. Expect it to be brutal.” Seraphina felt exhausted before it even started. Between the ongoing criminal investigation, the civil suits, media scrutiny, and trying to maintain normalcy for Charlotte and James, she was running on fumes. Thursday night, she couldn’t sleep. Lay awake reviewing potential questions, preparing answers, spiraling into anxiety about everything that could go wrong. At 2 AM, Damien woke to find her sitting on the bathroom floor, having a panic attack. “Can’t breathe,” she gasped. “Too much. Everything’s too much.” He sat beside her, pulling her against his chest. “Brea

Late November, thanksgiving arrived with complicated logistics. Catherine and Richard were flying in from Oregon, Elena and David from Switzerland, Margaret and Robert from Boston. Plus the chosen family Marcus and Lizzie with their five children, Julian and Sophia with Lucas and Amelia, Film Maya and Elijah with Nathan and Henry. Twenty-five people. Thirteen children. Complete chaos. And Seraphine was supposed to co-host while managing ongoing legal proceedings and considering whether to produce Melissa’s film. “We should cancel,” she told Damien Tuesday evening while reviewing the guest list. “I can’t manage this many people right now. I’m barely holding together as it is.” “We’re not canceling. These people love you. They want to be here. Let them.” He took the list from her hands. “Besides, Catherine’s already planning the menu. Your mother would never forgive canceling at this point.” “But what if I have a panic attack in front of everyone? What if the medication stops workin