جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

A sharp sound dragged her out of sleep.Her mind was disoriented; she opened her eyes, staring into the darkness of the room.Beside her, the bed was empty.She sat up slowly, sensing something was wrong.Pulling the blanket off her legs, she slid out of bed, her bare feet meeting the cold floor. The silence in the room felt unnatural compared to the tension rising from downstairs. She hesitated at the door, her hand hovering over the knob.You think you can act like nothing happened?!”Jayden.Her stomach rumbled.She opened the door.The voices became clearer as she stepped into the hallway, each word cutting through the quiet like glass.“You don’t get to act like a father now!” Jayden’s voice was rough, filled with anger.Her pulse quickened as she moved toward the stairs, each step heavier than the last.“Watch your tone when you speak to me,” Richard’s voice came, low.She reached the top of the stairs and froze.The scene was chaotic.Jayden stood near the center of the living

The next morning, the house felt like a minefield. Richard was awake and insistent on sitting in the living room. He looked fragile, his usual commanding aura dimmed."Lena," Richard called softly as she walked past with a tray of mint tea. "Can you sit with me for a moment?"She stiffened, her fingers tightening on the tray. "I should get this to the kitchen, Richard. You need to rest.""The tea can wait. I feel like I haven't really looked at you in weeks," he said, his voice raspy. He reached out, pulling her down to sit on the edge of the sofa.She heard a faint creak at the top of the stairs. She didn't have to look up to know Jayden was standing there listening to every word."I’ve been a fool, Lena," Richard muttered, his fingers tracing the back of her hand. "This made me realize how short life is. I’ve spent too much time being distant, being a man I’m not proud of.""Richard, please, you don't have to do this now," she whispered, my heart thundering against my ribs. She felt

Richard had left the city for an urgent work. Scarlett suggested they go to the beach.At first, Lena refused but decided she wasn't going to let Scarlett get to her, she came here to have fun and will have it to the fullest.The tension in the car was enough to break a wall.When they arrived at the beach, the Atlantic was a shimmering expanse of turquoise, the waves rolling in rhythm. The sand was searingly hot, forcing them to move quickly toward the blue-and-white striped umbrellas that marked their territory.Scarlett was the first to shed her cover-up. She was wearing a crimson bikini that looked more like adventurous swimwear. Her hips swaying as she laid out her towel close to Jayden’s."It’s breathtaking, isn't it, Jay?" Scarlett purred, shielding her eyes as she looked out at the horizon. She reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of sun screen, holding it out toward him with a smile.My shoulders are already starting to sting."Lena, sitting on the edge of her lounge

Richard came back with boxes of neatly wrapped packages—he had surprised her to make up for his absence. The moment she saw them, her face lit up in a way she couldn’t hide. With excitement she sat on the bed, carefully opening each package like it contained something fragile. “Richard… this is too much,” she said softly. “It’s nothing,” he replied simply, watching her. One after the other, she tried on the dresses. They were elegant, flowing pieces that hugged her frame perfectly. Each time she stepped out to show him, she turned slightly, waiting—almost unconsciously—for his reaction. “They’re beautiful,” he said. You compliment the clothes so well. By the time evening settled in, the house felt calm. Scarlett had already left earlier that day, her presence lingering only in memory. They were all seated in the living room— For a while, it felt peaceful. Until Richard spoke. “I’m going to step down from the company soon.” The words landed heavily. Jayden lo

The early morning came, but all of Lena’s attention was fixed on the man standing in front of her. Jayden looked lethal. He was wearing a crisp white shirt paired with a black suit that looked like it had been molded to his frame. It defined his broad shoulders and the powerful build of his chest, making him look more manly.He stepped into her space, holding out his silk tie with a look that dared her to look away. "Help me with this?" he asked, his voice low.Lena smiled, her fingers trembling slightly as she took the fabric. She stood on her tiptoes, concentrating on the knot, feeling the heat radiating off his body. As she finished and began arranging his collar, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles, his hands suddenly found her waist. He pulled her flush against him, the suddenness of it catching her breath in her throat.He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear so closely she could feel the damp heat of his breath. "Hope you’re ready for our next session," he whispered,