All Chapters of Beautiful Betrayal: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Valduz Ryker’s Point of ViewShe smiled softly.Small.Certain.And something inside me shifted again.“That makes sense,” I say with a quiet laugh.Because it does.Her logic is simple. Honest. Hard to fight against when every word she says is clearly about protecting the twins.Then her expression changes slightly.Not cold.Not defensive.Just painfully sincere.“I promise this isn’t personal, Valduz Ryker,” she says softly. “But they mean everything to me.”The words land harder than they should.“I didn’t have a good childhood,” she admits after a moment. “I don’t want that for them.”Her eyes lower briefly.Like even now, the memory still hurts too much to hold for long.Something tightens in my chest.“I’ll let you and your mom see them whenever you want,” she continues quietly. “I think it would actually be really good for Zoey.”A small pause follows.“But Zenep and Zayne do not need this world yet.” She taps her phone lightly against her knee. “He’s just a sweet, innocent li

Hope Elara’s Point of ViewSomething waiting.Something heavy enough that even now, I can still feel it sitting between us.And for some reason…I have a terrible feeling I am about to find out exactly what it is.“I mean…” Rose says slowly, pulling me back into the room. “He just found out he has two kids. Shouldn’t there be more questions? Maybe accusations?”She studies me carefully.“Secrets like this usually explode.”I nod slowly because she is right.“I thought about that too.”A pause.“I think it’s coming.”The words feel cold leaving my mouth.“Just… not yet.”My fingers tighten around the edge of the couch cushion.“Right now, I think we’re both still trying to breathe.”I force a small smile.One that does not quite reach my eyes.“Let’s talk about something else.”Rose immediately picks up on the shift.“Okay.”She leans back slightly.“I told my brother we’re in town. He wants to do lunch.”That pulls me out of my thoughts for a moment.Just enough.“How is Ruin?”She gr

Valduz Ryker’s Point of View“Ruin,” Hope Elara says.I hear it immediately.Fear.Not panic or surprise. Real fear.“Who are these two?”“Four intruders,” my father says coldly.My grip tightens around the wheel.Ruin doesn't even react.“Jason and Vernon,” he says lazily. “Friends.”Friends.Bullshit.I can already picture him sitting in Hope Elara’s apartment, looking around as if he owns the place.Then his attention returns to her.“Nice haircut.”“Yeah.” Her voice is tight and careful. “It’s more practical.”“It suits you.”A heavy silence follows.Then Ruin speaks again.“Sit down. We need to talk, Princess.”It isn't an invitation.It's an order.“What is going on?” Hope Elara asks.Good. She is still fighting.Ruin leans forward slightly. I can hear the change in his voice.“Rose told me about the twins’ father.”Silence fills the line.“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Hope Elara snaps.Her voice shakes with anger.“It wasn't her place to tell you. I trusted you

Valduz Ryker’s Point of ViewMy father reaches us first.He says nothing. He doesn't need to.One look at the twins is enough to tell him how important this moment is.Then the front door swings open.My mother comes rushing out.She is moving too fast for someone trying to look calm, and the moment her eyes land on the twins, all restraint disappears.“Here we go,” Dad mutters.“Hello!” my mother calls brightly, waving at them.“Hello,” Hope Elara replies politely, though I can hear the nervousness in her voice.She crouches and gently sets Zoey down. I lower Zenep beside me.Hope smiles at the twins.“This is your Grandma Shark,” she says. “She’s really cool and really smart. If you think Mommy is smart, you’re going to like her.”Both twins stare at my mother with wide eyes.“Whoa,” they whisper together.Dad steps closer to her.“And that is Grandpa Shark,” I add.Zenep gasps.“D.A.D, he’s not wrinkly!”She immediately bursts into laughter.“Zenep,” Zoey scolds, looking horrified.

Hope Elara’s Point of ViewFor a few minutes, the room feels almost like home.Not temporary.Not fragile.Just normal.“I like fish,” Zenep says, looking up at us with bright eyes. “The pretty shiny ones are my favorite.”“I like sharks,” Zoey says proudly. “My favorite is the mako shark. They’re really smart. They don’t hunt like great whites. They can see better and smell better too. They’re smaller, so they’re harder to catch.”“They shiny too,” Zenep adds seriously. “And blue. Pretty blue.”“Do you have a favorite shark?” Valduz Ryker asks.“I love silkies,” she says with a grin. “Their name is cute. And they are…” She pauses, trying to remember the word. “I heard sent.”Valduz Ryker looks at me, confused.“Iridescent,” I explain. “It’s her favorite word. She just can’t say it properly yet.”“I re sent,” she tries again.“Iri-des-cent,” I say slowly.Zoey grins. “Like you. Zenep de-scent.”“That’s actually a good one,” I laugh.“Zenep de-send,” she repeats proudly.“Hey, Zenep,”