Semua Bab Beautiful Betrayal: Bab 121 - Bab 128

"Then we'll go soon," Hope promised. "Very soon."Zenep giggled and climbed onto her lap as if she didn't need any proof."Do we still have to speak French?""Only if you want to."Zenep quickly shook her head."What do people speak there?""Mostly English," Hope said. "And Spanish."Zenep's eyes grew wide."But we don't know Spanish."Hope smiled."You don't.""But I do."Zenep froze.Then she gasped."You do?"Hope nodded."I do. And so does Rose."Zenep's smile became even bigger."I want Rose to teach me."Hope raised an eyebrow."Not me?"Zenep grinned without missing a beat."I want you to find the perfect beach house."A soft laugh escaped Hope as she pulled her daughter closer."Better than Barbie's?""Way better," Zenep said proudly, as if it already belonged to them.Hope tickled her.Zenep's laughter filled the cabin.Warm.Bright.For a little while, everything felt easy.As if nothing was waiting for them on the other side.Then Zenep suddenly grew quiet.She wrapped her

He had to know.The thought wouldn't leave him.It kept pushing.Harder.Until he finally gave in.Valduz opened his messages.His fingers moved quickly.No hesitation.Valduz: I need the number of the new CEO of Royal Threads. Hope Elara.The reply came almost at once.Remart: You know her?Valduz: Yes.A pause.Too long.His heartbeat quickened.Remart: Give me a second.Valduz leaned forward.His eyes stayed on the screen.Then another message appeared.Remart: The best I can do is arrange a meeting. Wednesday afternoon.It wasn't enough.Not even close.But it was better than nothing.Valduz: Fine. I'll take it.Remart: Can I ask why? You never ask for favors.Valduz stared at the message.Then he typed.Valduz: I'll tell you after I talk to her.Remart: Got it.Wednesday.It felt too far away.But at least he had a chance.He opened Hope's page again.Found the photo.The little boy.This time, he studied it longer.Looking closer.Comparing every detail.Then he sent the picture

Hope Elara’s Point of ViewHe was not supposed to be here.Not in this city.Not inside my office.Not standing this close to the life I rebuilt without him.The meeting with the school had already gone badly enough. They did not approve of what I did in Paris. According to them, I crossed a line over what happened with Zoey.Too far.I almost laughed when they said it.Zoey is a child. Sweet. Innocent.I am not.And if I do not protect my children, who will?…Working with Sullivan and the staff has been… easy. Too easy, sometimes.Warm smiles.Open doors.No whispered conversations that suddenly stop when I walk in.If they judge me, they do it quietly.I can live with that.At least here, nobody tries to steal my work. Nobody watches my sketches like they are already planning to claim them as their own. I no longer sleep wondering who will stab me in the back next.For the first time in years… I can breathe.“Your two thirty is here.”Marlon steps into my office and hands me my tab

Valduz Ryker's Point of ViewThe word mine should have made me happy.Instead...It feels like someone's hand is wrapped around my throat."She said that?"My voice comes out rough."She said the children are mine?""Yes."My mother stays calm.Too calm."And she has every right to protect them, Valduz Ryker."She drops a stack of magazines onto the table.They slide toward me.Every cover has my face on it.Headlines.Scandals.Rumors.Mistakes I can never take back."This is all she knows about you."My mother's voice is quiet."Look at them.""Then tell me...""Would you trust a man like this around your children?"I don't answer.Because I wouldn't.Not after everything tied to my name."I've looked into her."Her voice softens.But the tension in the room doesn't."That girl worked for everything she has.""Nobody handed her a thing."She pauses."She raised those children on her own."My chest tightens.On her own."She's scared," my mother says."And after everything that's hap