Semua Bab Claimed By My Best Friend’s Daddy: Bab 31 - Bab 38

Alicia’s POV After taking my bath, Mirabel and I spent some time laughing and gisting over brunch, stealing extra cinnamon French toast from each other’s plates while Maria smiled and pretended not to notice. After that, we decided to make the most of the remaining day by shopping. With two security guys and the driver in tow, we headed to the upscale mall downtown for Christmas shopping. Mirabel was in full festive mode, dragging me from store to store, piling gifts into our baskets for her dad, Maria, and even a few things for herself “because why not?” I tried to enjoy it. We tried on silly holiday sweaters, sampled too many candles that smelled like pine and vanilla, and argued over whether Mirabel’s dad would actually wear the ridiculous reindeer tie she picked out. The security team stayed discreet but close, and for a few hours I let myself laugh along with her, picking out a soft cashmere scarf I thought Rhys might like, then immediately putting it back because the thought

Alicia’s POV The morning we were due to return to campus felt heavier than I expected. I stood in the foyer with my suitcase, which was now packed with new clothes, books, jewelries, and cash in my wallet. Mirabel was bouncing on her toes beside me, already chatting nonstop. “Are you sure you have everything?” she asked for the third time, checking her own bag. “I packed extra snacks because campus food is trash. And the new sweaters we got? We’re wearing them on the first day back. Matching bestie vibes.” I smiled, trying to match her energy. “I have everything. Stop worrying.” Rhys appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed in a dark coat over a crisp shirt, looking every bit the billionaire CEO even on a travel day. His eyes found mine immediately, and something unspoken passed between us. “The convoy’s ready,” he said, his voice calm and authoritative. “Two SUVs in front, one behind. I’ll follow in my car. No risks this time.” Mirabel rolled her eyes playfully. “Dad, we

Alicia’s POV The call had been from one of her old high-school friends, some long story about winter break drama that had lasted nearly forty minutes. By the time Mirabel hung up, she’d been too distracted and sleepy to circle back to the rose. I’d dodged it, barely. But the near-miss sat heavy in my chest now, like a stone I couldn’t swallow. Mirabel was asleep in the next bed, one arm flung dramatically over her head, dark hair spilling across the pillow like ink. Her breathing was deep and even, the kind of peaceful sleep only someone with a completely clear conscience could manage. I envied her for that. Quietly, I slipped out from under the covers, careful not to make the mattress creak. I dressed in the dim light in soft jeans, an oversized cream sweater that swallowed my curves, and my hair twisted up into a messy bun. My phone stayed tucked deep in my bag, the sleek black box with the white rose hidden on the top shelf of my closet behind a stack of textbooks. I need

Rhys’s POV “But she’s Mirabel’s best friend. She’s twenty-five, you’re forty-five, a widower, and her best friend’s father, this is kinda wrong in every way that counts. Power imbalance doesn’t even begin to cover it. And Mirabel…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “That girl worships you. Losing her mother the way she did, you’ve been her whole world. If she finds out you’ve been with Alicia behind her back, even if it started before she knew who Alicia was to her… it could break something.” “I know.” The words tasted bitter, I picked up the scotch again but didn’t drink. “Alicia’s terrified of that. She keeps pulling back, saying we have to stop, that it’s wrong, that Mirabel would never forgive either of us. She almost confessed to Mirabel when I sent her the rose. Alicia doesn’t want me to tell Mirabel yet. She needs time, she’s scared.” Hayes nodded slowly, processing what I’d said. “Smart girl. Scared, but smart. Are you planning to respect that?” “I am.” My grip tightened