Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Chapter 1

My mafia boyfriend, Finn, is always bickering with his childhood friend, Amanda.For my birthday, she brought me a bullet vibe. "Here. For round two, just in case. I know his stamina better than anyone."He tossed a bottle of pale foundation at her. "Slap some more on. Maybe then someone will actually want to touch you."They shoved each other on their way out, slamming the door behind them. The candles on the cake burned down to nothing while I sat alone at the dining table.The first time our families sat down for a formal dinner, she smiled and slipped him a small bottle of lube. "Take it. So you don't make the poor girl suffer."His face darkened. "Better than you crying at night, hugging a body pillow."This time, Finn had arranged a private island vacation.A mutual friend quietly gave me a heads-up, telling me he was planning to propose on a cliff at sunset.After a seven-year marathon, I told myself this was it. The finish line was finally in sight.I dressed meticulously, putt

Chapter 2

By the time the helicopter landed on the island's private helipad, the sun was already hanging low.Finn grabbed both suitcases with one hand and, out of habit, reached to pull me into his arms."Why the long face? Are you not feeling well?"I shifted my shoulder to avoid his touch and started toward the villa, pulling my own suitcase.His arm froze mid-air. A moment later, he was right behind me.In the master suite, he set the luggage against the wall, then knelt and took my hands, his voice softening."Amanda is just a psycho who's been spoiled her whole life. We all grew up together; we see each other all the time. I can't just burn bridges with her over every little thing.""I'm saying this because I know you'll understand, right?"I didn't speak, my gaze drifting past him to the deep blue of the ocean outside the window.He continued, his tone becoming even more soothing."Once we're married, no one will dare to come between us again.""Everything you've been hoping for, I've pre

Chapter 3

When Finn left, he forgot his phone on the bar.The screen lit up. I glanced over and saw a message from Amanda.[Who were you glaring at? In a rush to prove your loyalty to your perfect little girlfriend?][You're so ungrateful! Who was the one who took you street racing in the garage to blow off steam when you screwed up that deal for the family and the Old Man punished you?]I reached out, picked up the phone, and unlocked it. The password hadn't changed. It was still my birthday.I opened his chat with Amanda.The chat history was endless. They talked every single day.[Ordered you a whole box of sexy lingerie. Extra small, to make you look bigger. So you won't feel so insecure.][You should stuff your bra first, flat-chest.][You didn't send anyone to mess up my turf today. Guess you've grown up?][Count your lucky stars. Consider it a mercy from me!]It was all meaningless nonsense, but Finn replied to every single message.If not instantly, then only a few minutes later.He met

Chapter 4

The next morning, Finn pulled me out of bed as if nothing had happened."Chloe, get changed. The weather's nice today. Let's go for a walk on the cliffs."His face showed no trace of the previous night.It was as if the sight of his back, rushing out of the room without even a jacket, had just been a dream."And don't worry, Amanda definitely won't be bothering us today."He paused, then said with absolute certainty, "I've arranged for some new thrills to keep her busy. Deep-sea diving gear, a speedboat, and a few bodyguards to keep her entertained, so she won't get bored and crash our day."He had even anticipated her boredom. How considerate of him.The path to the top of the cliff was rugged. Finn walked ahead, occasionally turning back to steady my arm.But he was completely distracted.Messages from Amanda were coming in one after another.[These bodyguards are so dull. I'm bored to death.][The diving spot is okay, but the sharks are too small.][When are you done with your thing

Chapter 5

"I don't."The wind howled at the top of the cliff, and below, waves crashed against the rocks.After I spoke, the world fell into a sudden, dead silence.Everyone was stunned.Finn was still kneeling on the hard rock, the ring box held aloft. His expression shifted from anticipation to bewilderment, as if he couldn't quite process what I'd just said."What… did you say?"His voice trembled slightly as he asked again, filled with uncertainty.I looked down at him.He had been kneeling for too long; his trouser knee was flecked with rock dust and dirt."Chloe."He swallowed hard. "Don't joke about this, Chloe. Our families are watching…"Behind him, the boisterous laughter from Mia and the others died away."I said, I don't."This time, I enunciated every word.Finn's expression finally changed.It wasn't anger, but profound confusion.It was the confusion of a man who thought he had done everything right, unable to understand what more I could possibly want."Chloe, I know I have my sh

Chapter 6

Amanda grabbed his arm."She doesn't want you anymore, Finn."Her voice held a cruel clarity. "If she really cared about you, she wouldn't have said what she did.""Besides, in your world, a sheltered girl like her could never survive.""Let go.""I won't."Amanda clung to his clothes, tears streaming down her face. "This time, I'm never letting go!"I didn't look back.The gravel crunched under my feet with every step. It was the sound of something heavy, deep inside me, shattering completely.The villa was empty when I got back.I walked into the master suite and stood at the foot of the bed, looking at the open suitcase.Finn's clothes were mixed with mine. On the vanity, two cups stood side by side.Seven years.Our things had long since blended together.I picked out my few belongings, zipped up my suitcase, and dragged it out of the room.At the end of the hallway, two men in black suits approached me."Ma'am, the boss sent us to escort you.""That won't be necessary."I walked a

Chapter 7

It was dusk the next day when I arrived back in my hometown.My mother was in the yard watering her flowers. She turned when she heard the iron gate creak."Why are you back so suddenly? Weren't you on an island vacation? How come…"Her gaze fell on the suitcase in my hand, and her voice trailed off."Mom.""Yes?""Finn and I broke up."She froze for two seconds.Then she walked over, took my suitcase without a word, and carried it into the house."You must be starving. Let me make you something hot.""Okay."I sat on the sofa, watching the steam rise in the kitchen, and the tension that had been wound tight inside me finally began to unwind.My phone suddenly vibrated several times.A few news alerts.[Source: Partner for East Coast Trade Project abruptly replaced; original family ousted from deal.]I gave it a passing glance before flipping the phone face down on the table.The doorbell rang unexpectedly.My mom called from the kitchen, "Who is it?""I'll get it."I stood up and open

Chapter 8

After settling down in the new city, I successfully got a job at the gallery.It was a small place with a nice boss, and the hours were regular.My colleague, Anna, sat across from me. She was a cheerful girl who always had a lot to say."New here? Where are you from? Where'd you work before? Ever been in a relationship?"The moment she asked the last question, a brief silence fell over half the office.Realizing her slip, she rubbed her nose. "Just kidding, just kidding."I smiled but didn't answer.Work went smoothly.I clocked in at nine and out at six.Occasionally I'd work overtime, sharing a takeout meal with a colleague and making idle small talk.Life was uneventful, but it was steady.For the first time in ages, I didn't feel the need to jump whenever my phone vibrated in the middle of the night.One day, preparing for a new exhibition, I worked overtime until eight at night.Only Anna and I were left in the gallery.She leaned over and asked, "Want to go grab a late-night sna

Chapter 9

That night, a storm broke. I was working late at the gallery.By the time I left the building, the rain was still pouring, and I hadn't brought an umbrella.I stood inside the glass doors, waiting for the rain to stop, when a black armored Maybach pulled up to the curb.The window rolled down to reveal Finn in the back seat.His left shoulder was wrapped in thick gauze, his suit jacket draped over his shoulders, unbuttoned. A dark red spot had bled through the edge of the bandage.Another car was behind his, and a few men in suits stood outside holding umbrellas, keeping their distance."Chloe, get in. I'll take you home."His face was unnaturally pale, his lips bloodless."That's okay.""The rain's too heavy. You'll never get a cab in this weather.""I can wait.""Chloe."He pushed the door open and got out of the car himself.A bodyguard immediately rushed forward with an umbrella, but Finn waved him away.He walked toward me, letting the rain soak him.The rain quickly saturated the

Chapter 10

A few years later, one winter, I took a long vacation and flew alone to the other side of the world.To a famous coastal cliff.A different one.This one was farther, steeper, a place that required two connecting flights to reach.I had thought for a long time about why I still felt the need to come to a place like this.Perhaps it was because the heavy things from the past needed a similar setting to be laid to rest, to draw a final, definitive line.The sun was brilliant that day.The surface of the sea was a sheet of blinding golden light.I walked alone to the very top of the cliff and felt the sea breeze.There were few tourists at the summit; it was very quiet.The wind was fierce, snapping the hem of my dress around my legs.I held onto the railing, gazing at the endless coastline, and took a deep breath."Chloe."Someone called my name from behind.I turned around.A man was standing not far away.He was wearing a dark trench coat and sunglasses, his face obscured.He took off

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