บททั้งหมดของ THE PRICE OF BEING HIS : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 58

Chapter Fifty-OneTristan’s POVThe bar is on the far side of the hall, surrounded by people pretending their conversations matter more than everyone else’s. I weave past clusters of politicians, investors, and overdressed socialites, already exhausted by the performance of it all.The second I reach the counter, my phone lights up.Unknown number.I stare at the screen for a moment and almost laugh.It's him, obviously.My father has gone through enough burner numbers in the last forty-eight hours to qualify as a criminal organization.The phone keeps vibrating against the marble counter.Persistent bastard.I can’t ignore it because then he’ll simply call again in ten minutes, but I also can’t walk away and leave Andrea standing alone in a room full of strangers.I catch the bartender’s attention first.“Send a Bellini to the woman in the blue dress over there,” I say, nodding toward Andrea across the ballroom.She’s standing near one of the tall floral arrangements, pretending not

Chapter Fifty-ThreeTristan's POV“Hey, I've been waiting for you.” Andrea's voice interrupts my thoughts. “I already changed and everything, couldn't find you anywhere.”I turn around.She's standing at the entrance to the outdoor terrace, hair down, wearing nothing but a robe loosely tied at the waist, looking at me with that expression she gets when she's been looking forward to something and is mildly annoyed it hasn't started yet.I turn back toward the pool.I’m leaning against the railing, letting the last drag of smoke leave my lungs slowly. I love the silence here, even though it's expensive. No city noise. No neighbours. Just the sound of wind creating small waves across the water and Andrea's bare feet on the stone behind me.She walks over and stops beside me.“Are you okay?”I drop the cigarette, crushing it beneath my slippers. “Yeah,” I say after a second, forcing a small smile. “I was just thinking.”Andrea leans against the railing beside me, studying my face carefull

Chapter Fifty-FiveTristan’s POVAvoiding Andrea feels cowardly. Unfortunately, it also feels like the smartest option right now. Because the second I see her face again, I already know I’m going to forget every logical thought currently holding my life together.So instead, I left before sunrise like a complete asshole.The truth is, I don’t actually have a better plan yet.And yeah, I know avoidance isn’t a strategy. It’s basically just procrastination dressed up in a suit pretending to be self-preservation.But avoidance buys time and time buys clarity. Right now, clarity is the one thing I need before I do something I can’t take back.At least that’s what I kept telling myself while being driven to work after barely sleeping the entire night.Daniel walks beside me through the executive floor, reading through my schedule from his tablet while trying very hard not to notice I haven’t paid attention to a single word he’s said in the last five minutes.“You have the investor conferen

Chapter Fifty-SevenTristan’s POVNot once in my life has a woman ever slapped me across the face. Not once. And somehow the craziest part of this entire situation is that I’m not even angry about it.I probably should be.Three months ago, if anyone had asked me how I’d react to being hit, I would’ve said exactly what everybody expects from Tristan Hale.Cold rage, distance, punishment.But standing here now, looking at Andrea panicking in front of me with tears already gathering in her eyes…All I feel is guilt.Because I pushed her there.I know I did.The slap barely even registered compared to the look on her face afterward. Immediate regret, immediate fear and honestly? That part bothers me more than the slap itself.“Tristan…” Her voice shakes badly. “I'm so sorry.”I finally move but not toward her. Just one step away.Because right now my thoughts are too loud and I need one second to get them under control before I say something stupid.Andrea notices immediately and the fea