Mr Kingston, It's Too Late のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

"Come to bed with me, Claire."The words sent a violent shiver down her spine. Raphael’s voice was dark, thick with an intimacy she hadn’t heard in years. His hand was warm on her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.Claire’s heart pounded so hard it actually hurt.She planted both her hands flat against his chest, right over his uninjured side, and gently pushed back."Raphael, stop," she breathed out, forcing a nervous laugh. "You literally just got discharged from the hospital thirty minutes ago.""I was in that terrible hospital bed for a week," he grumbled, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He pressed a soft, open-mouthed kiss to her collarbone. "I am going out of my mind, sweetheart. Just ten minutes.""You have a fractured rib and a healing concussion!" Claire protested, wriggling out of his grip before she completely lost her nerve. She took two large steps back. "The doctor said strict bed rest. And he meant actual rest. Not... whatever you're planning."Rapha

Claire waited a full twenty minutes to make sure Raphael was deeply asleep.His breathing had completely leveled out, turning into the heavy, rhythmic sound of a man knocked out by pain medication and exhaustion. His good arm was still draped heavily across her waist, locking her in place.Moving an inch at a time, Claire carefully lifted his heavy arm. She held her breath, praying he wouldn't wake up. She slipped a rolled-up pillow under his arm to replace her body heat, then silently rolled off the edge of the massive mattress.Her bare feet hit the cold hardwood floor. She grabbed her phone from her discarded purse and practically tip-toed out of the master bedroom, pulling the heavy oak doors shut behind her.The moment it clicked shut, she let out a massive breath, leaning against the hallway wall.She felt like a prisoner who had just successfully escaped a maximum-security cell.Claire quickly unlocked her phone and dialed a number. It rang twice before it was picked up."Ellis

The bright light of the phone screen illuminated the sharp, suspicious lines of Raphael’s face.Claire’s heart slammed against her ribs. She had survived the ring interrogation, but the universe clearly hated her tonight."Three massive suitcases," Raphael read aloud, his dark eyes shifting from the screen to her face. "At one in the morning. Why is Maya in our service elevator, Claire?"Claire swallowed the panic rising in her throat. She snatched the phone out of his hand, forcing a highly exaggerated, embarrassed sigh."Because I am impatient, and Maya is an angel," Claire lied, sitting back down on the bed.Raphael crossed his arms, wincing slightly at his ribs. "That doesn't explain the suitcases.""I told you I threw out all my old clothes," Claire said, looking up at him with what she hoped was a convincing pout. "But I didn't want you to see me wearing the same three outfits while I restocked my closet. So, I went on a massive online shopping spree this week."Raphael raised a

"In the kitchen," Raphael whispered, his hands holding her arms gently, anchoring her to the floor. His voice was thick with a heavy, terrifying concern. "Why did the mention of a baby make you look at me like I broke your heart?"Claire’s breath hitched in her throat.She was completely trapped. She couldn't look away from his intense, searching gaze. He was reading every single micro-expression on her face. If she tried to brush it off, he wouldn't believe her.She had to give him a piece of the truth. Just a twisted, altered version of it."I..." Claire's voice trembled. Her eyes filled with fresh, hot tears, and this time, she didn't have to fake a single drop of emotion. "I went to the doctor, Raphael."Raphael completely froze. The color started to drain from his face. "The doctor? When? Are you sick?""No, I'm not sick," she said quickly, a tear spilling over her lashes. She looked down at his chest, unable to meet his eyes while she desecrated the memory of their child. "I wen

The black Maybach screeched to a halt in front of the towering glass building of Ellis Designs.Raphael didn't wait for his driver to open the door. He pushed it open himself, stepping onto the pavement. His dark coat whipped in the autumn wind, but he didn't feel the cold. All he felt was a burning, dangerous heat radiating from his chest.He marched through the revolving doors and straight to the front desk.The young receptionist looked up, her eyes going wide as she recognized the city's most terrifying billionaire. "M-Mr. Kingston! Welcome. Do you have an appointment?""I am looking for my wife," Raphael said, his voice flat and completely void of patience. "Top floor?""Uh, yes, the CEO's office is on the top floor, but you need a badge..."Raphael didn't wait. He bypassed the security gates, his long legs eating up the distance to the executive elevator. No security guard dared to step in his way.The ride to the top floor felt agonizingly slow.Raphael’s mind was racing. CEO o