Lahat ng Kabanata ng FORCED TO MARRY MY SISTER'S BILLIONAIRE FIANCE : Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

I slid down the door and fell to the floor.For a few seconds, I couldn't move my back; I rested against the cold wood, and stared at the floor, but my eyes were already filled with tears. I had only one week to find the money; otherwise, I would lose my apartment.My breathing became uneven; I pressed both hands over my belly. The twins moved softly beneath my palms, as if they could feel my fear."I'm sorry," I whispered. A tear rolled down my cheek. "I don't know what to do anymore."I closed my eyes.For the first time since leaving the De Luca mansion, I allowed myself to think about home.I remembered how small I had felt in that house. How many times I had swallowed my tears and wished someone would simply ask if I was okay.If only they had treated me better. If only they had seen me as Gabrielle instead of Elena's replacement. Maybe I wouldn't be sitting on a cold floor, counting days until I became homeless. I wiped my face quickly."No." I shook my head. "I can't give up.

The paper felt heavier than it should have, like it carried not just money but the weight of every sleepless night, every rejection, and every moment I had doubted myself."Thank you," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I don't know how to…""You don't have to know how to thank me," Celeste interrupted gently. "Just show me what you can do; that's all the thanks I need."I folded the check carefully and placed it in my bag, pressing it against my chest for just a moment before letting it go."I'll start today," I said. "Right now."Celeste nodded approvingly. "I expected nothing less. You'll have access to any fabric in this shop; just let me know what you need."She handed me a key. "The back studio is yours for the next three weeks. Work there, work at home, I don't care; just make sure those dresses are ready."I took the key, my fingers wrapping around the cold metal."I won't let you down," I said again."I know you won't," Celeste replied. "Now go. You have thirty dresses to make

The names left my lips like a prayer. I stared at them, half-afraid that if I blinked, they'd vanish.Luca was asleep against my chest, his tiny mouth opening and closing with each soft breath. Beside him, Lia lay with her little fingers curled into tight fists.I reached out and touched her cheek. It was soft and warm.Tears filled my eyes again.I'd imagined this moment so many times, wondering what they'd look like and whether I'd know what to do. Now they were here, and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.A nurse approached with a gentle smile. "How are you feeling?"I let out a weak laugh. "Honestly? Terrified."She smiled warmly. "That's perfectly normal." She glanced down at the babies. "They're doing wonderfully."I nodded slowly. For the first time since labor began, I felt my body begin to relax. She checked on the twins once more before leaving.I let my gaze wander around the room. Other mothers had husbands by their sides; some had family members bustling in with

My hand trembled as I held the phone to my ear."What's wrong?" I asked, glancing at Lia and Luca, who were sleeping side by side in their bassinet."Nothing's wrong, Gabrielle…actually, it's quite the opposite." She paused. "My business partner, Marcus, was in the shop today when I unpacked your dresses. He couldn't stop staring."I blinked. "He liked them?""Liked them?" Celeste laughed. "Gabrielle, he said he would love to invest. He wants to meet you."The room tilted, and I grabbed the table to steady myself."Invest? Real investment?""Real investment. He owns several boutiques across the state. When he saw your work, he said it was exactly what he'd been searching for."I looked down at my hands, the calloused fingertips, and the small needle pricks. These hands had made something a businessman wanted to invest in."When does he want to meet?""Tomorrow morning, if you're available. I know it's short notice, but he's leaving in two days."My heart pounded. I glanced around the

I stared at the order, my fingers tracing the number. The thought of sewing that many dresses myself made my chest tighten.I leaned back on my chair, and the wood creaked. "I'd need to hire people if I were willing to accept it. I don't know if I can do this alone.""Exactly," Celeste said, touching my hand. "Now you're thinking like a business owner. You have to accept it, but you don't have to do it alone."I picked up the pen, and my hand shook when I signed.The next morning, I interviewed two women.The first was Anna, with a small, nervous smile. She had a scar on her thumb from years of needle work."I've been sewing since I was twelve," she said quietly. "My grandmother taught me."I handed her the fabric. Her fingers moved perfectly, even, tight, beautiful stitches."You're hired."Grace came next… She did a nice job, and I hired her too.The month week was chaos as I spent hours calling suppliers."Gabrielle," Grace said, holding up the blue fabric. "This is cotton, and we