Lahat ng Kabanata ng Stolen Night With My Brother In Law: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

KATHRYN POVThe elevator moved really smoothly. Celine rested her head on my shoulder her cheek pressed to my neck and her small fingers were tangled in my sweater collar like she was scared I would disappear if she let go.I held her tighter without thinking about it.Across from us Iris stood with one hand in his coat pocket his broad shoulders relaxed,. I could sense something alert beneath that calmness. He was giving us space on purpose. ThatIt actually meant more to me than if he had been hovering around us. Most people want credit for helping so they crowd you with their presence. Iris wasn't like that.The elevator lights reflected off his silver watch. His eyes were fixed on something ahead.There was no pressure. No questions. No demand for thanks.Just space.The elevator kept climbing and with every floor, my chest got tighter or looser. Leaving had felt impossible until I actually did it. Now there was no going back. I had walked out with my daughter in the middle of th

KATHRYN POVThe smell of coffee woke me up first. It was rich and warm. The coffee smell came into my room through the gap under my bedroom door.At the time soft morning light filled my room.For a second I felt scared because I did not know where I was.Then I heard someone laughing.It was Celine laughing. Her laughter was bright and happy.I sat up in bed away.She had not laughed fully in months.There was always something holding her back.I got out of bed quickly. Followed the sound of her laughter.I walked barefoot down the hallway.My heart was beating fast. I was not scared.The laughter got louder when I got close, to the kitchen.Then I stopped at the door.I just stood there. Looked.Celine sat on the kitchen island in her pyjamas her legs swinging back and forth like she was finally free to be herself. The kitchen island was made of marble. It was in her kitchen. Her voice was serious. It filled the whole space.Iris was standing at the counter with his sleeves rolled u

KATHRYN POVThe evening began like it always did now without any plan or schedule because we had started to get used to each other's habits. The city outside was all lit up with gold and navy lights. Our penthouse apartment was quieter and dimmer, as if it knew we did not need to fill the silence with talk.I was sitting on the couch with my legs tucked under me and a book in my lap. I was not really reading the book. Iris was sitting at the end of the couch. His arm was resting on the back of the couch. He was not taking up my space. I knew he was there.I noticed something after a while. I had moved a little closer to Iris. I should have pulled away from Iris. I did not though. I told myself that this is not about feelings. It is about being smart and safe. Iris is someone I need to be careful around.Iris was the first to break the silence. His voice was low and calm. "You have been reading that page for ten minutes," he said. He was just stating a fact. He was not trying to get m

KATHRYN POVI do not remember walking up the stairs to the bedroom. My mind stopped thinking about things when Iris touched my back and guided me through the penthouse. What I remember most is reaching for him and pulling him inside. Now lying awake in the dark that choice feels unreal and honest. The only thing that feels real is the warmth of Iris beside me.His arm is wrapped around my waist and his slow breathing touches the back of my shoulder. His body is curled behind mine like he is trying to protect me. This feeling should scare me. It makes my chest ache quietly. As my eyes get used to the darkness I notice a line of city light coming through the curtains. I follow it with my gaze. For years I have trained myself not to trust comfort because it disappears quickly.Lying in Iris's arms feels natural.Iris moves slightly in his sleep. My attention goes back to him. I turn my head to see his face and for the first time in a long time, I really look at him. Sleep makes him look

JACOB POVKathryn’s name was right in the middle of the folder like a stain that wouldn’t go away. I stared at it for a bit too long. The silence in my office started to feel thick and heavy.Outside the city was moving like normal. Cars were driving people were. Construction drills were making noise. None of it really reached me. My eyes were fixed on the folder Collins had put on my desk. He had placed it there carefully. He looked careful too.Collins was standing across from me not sitting down. That told me he knew the mood in the room. He had worked for me long enough to know when it was better to be quiet. The office lamps were casting a glow on the dark wood shelves behind me. It smelled a bit like whiskey and paper in here.I finally opened the folder.Inside were some photos.They were clear. Had timestamps. They were detailed too.Kathryn was leaving a pharmacy with Iris.Kathryn was standing by Iris’s building with Celine asleep on her shoulder.Iris was opening the door f