Semua Bab Only You: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Mari's pov I reached into my purse, grabbed a handful of cash, and slammed it onto the table with enough force to make the glasses rattle. My chair scraped back against the floor - a harsh, screeching sound that drew eyes from across the room. I didn't care. The dark red fog was already closing in. "Mari, wait! Just wait!" Tiana called after me, her voice panicked as she scrambled to grab her bag. I didn't stop. I pushed through the double doors and out into the crisp Galencia Bay air. My heels clicked against the pavement like a countdown. Every step I took, the image of that profile burned brighter in my mind. 'Looking for excitement.' 'Discretion is a must.' Was this why he’d been so distant? Was this why he hadn't touched me in months? Because he was "bombing" strangers while I was home changing nappies and scrubbing floors? "Mari, you can't just storm in there!" Tiana panted, finally catching up to me and latching her arm through mine. "There’s a hundred kids in there! Ben wo

Chapter 14Cleo’s POVIt was a deceptively sunny Saturday afternoon. The kind of rare British weather that lured you into a false sense of security, promising the warmth of the Mediterranean but delivering a sharp, biting breeze that cut right through your clothes the moment a cloud crossed the sun. The ancient oak trees lining the high street swayed gently in the wind, their leaves rustling a soft, rhythmic melody, and somewhere above the low hum of the mid-day traffic, I could hear the birds singing their sweet, oblivious songs.I, however, was not feeling particularly sweet.I shifted my weight, shuffling around in the extremely uncomfortable, hard plastic faux-rattan chair outside Java Lounge. The woven pattern was undoubtedly leaving deep, waffle-like imprints on the back of my thighs, a cruel punishment for opting to wear a dress. I stretched my neck out, peering down the busy pavement for the fourth time in as many minutes.Nothing. Not a sign of him.I glanced down at my wrist

Chapter 16: What the F* Is Going On Here?**Cleo’s POVMy Uber pulled up outside Ben and Marissa’s house and I practically threw myself out of the backseat before the engine had even fully idled."Cheers, keep the change!" I called back to the driver, shoving a crumpled tenner through the gap in the front seats.I marched up the driveway toward the front door, my strappy black sandals clicking sharply against the stone with every rapid step. I hit the illuminated doorbell with my thumb and began tapping my foot anxiously on the welcome mat as I waited.My mind was racing. Kyle and I hadn't even managed to have our lunch before he’d had to rush off for a work emergency - though we had shared a rather spectacular, breathless kiss - but the entire time, my brain had been buzzing with the ominous radio silence from my two best friends. They were supposed to be at Fandangos. They weren't. Ted had confirmed they’d stormed out looking absolutely furious.The heavy front door swung open, inte

Chapter 18: The BoyNarratedIt was a crisp, painfully bright autumn morning. The ancient, skeletal trees lining the perimeter of the park swayed gently in the biting breeze, sending a cascade of crisp, golden leaves dancing through the chilled air.To the casual observer, the park was a picture of suburban perfection. It was bustling with weekend life. Well-dressed children squealed in pure, unadulterated delight as they flew high into the clouds on the chain swings, or whizzed down the bright red twirly-whirly slide, their cheeks flushed pink with the cold. At the edges of the playground, chattering parents sat huddled on wooden memorial benches, wrapping their hands around steaming takeaway cups of artisan coffee, blissfully ignoring their offspring as they gathered in small, tribal groups to play.It was a world of warmth, safety, and innocent joy.All except for one little boy.Far away from the manicured safety of the rubber-matted play area, hidden in the creeping shadows under

Chapter 20: Tiramisu and TraumaTiana’s POVI stood silently in the doorway, the warm, yellow light from the hallway spilling over the threshold. I watched little Henry snoring softly away in his bright red race car bed, tucked deep under a mountain of Marvel duvets, snug as a bug in a rug. One small arm was flung over his head, a line of drool pooling on his pillow.I smiled, pulling the door closed until the latch clicked softly into place. I padded quietly down the carpeted hallway to check in on Harry.The nursery was bathed in the gentle, rotating glow of a starry night-light. Pink and blue elephants danced slowly across the ceiling to a tinny, metallic lullaby playing from a baby monitor. Harry was lying flat on his back in his cot, securely zipped up in his little sleeping bag, his tiny arms raised above his head like a champion boxer who had just won a gruelling twelve-round bout. He was breathing gently, completely oblivious to the absolute chaos that had derailed his parents