Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 51 - Chapitre 60

Susan's POVMy fingers tightened on the towel as I strained to hear. I couldn't make out any words, only the tone.My stomach clenched painfully. No. It can't be.He wouldn't do that…I moved slowly, silently, as if the slightest sudden noise would shatter the fragile illusion I was clinging to.I cracked the bathroom door open just enough to glimpse the bedroom.It was empty.The bed had been untouched since I left. No movement. No woman. No Rick.Silence fell in the room.I left completely, overwhelmed by confusion. "Rick?" I called softly.No answer.I scanned the room again, my heart pounding.The closet door was open, just like before.The window was closed. No sign of him.Had I been dreaming? No. I knew what I'd heard.My chest tightened, a wave of unease running down my spine.I stepped into the room, all my senses on high alert.The hallway door was ajar. I followed it.The apartment was silent."Rick?" I called again, louder this time.Nothing.I stayed there, wrapped in a

Susan's POV"I'm an orphan, but my last name is Robert," I lied, my voice trembling. With all my heart, I hoped she wouldn't notice.Her eyebrows rose."I work in logistics," I added quickly. "I live in Star City. I like quiet places. Books. Beaches." I hesitated. "Honesty."Rick glanced at me at that last word.Evelyn noticed. "Honesty," she repeated. "It's important.""Yes," I said. "Very important."She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. "Good."Vanessa chuckled softly. "Mom, you're interrogating her!""No," Evelyn said. "I'm listening."She turned to Rick. “You didn’t tell me she was… calm.”Rick smiled slightly. “You didn’t ask.”Evelyn took another sip of wine. “Are you leaving today?”“Yes,” Rick replied. “Jacksonville.”She hummed. “The apartment on the beach.”He nodded.She turned to me. “Are you running away from something, Sarah?”I held my breath.Rick stiffened immediately. “Mom…”“I’m asking her,” Evelyn said calmly.I forced myself to meet her gaze. “No,” I

Susan's POVThe moment we stepped into Rick's private jet, I froze.For a moment, my brain refused to process what I was seeing: the pristine white interior, the polished wood trim, the supple leather seats that looked like they belonged in a luxury penthouse rather than an airplane.Everything smelled clean, expensive, unreal."Wow," I breathed before I could stop myself. "I didn't know you had a private jet."Rick chuckled softly beside me, clearly amused by my reaction. "You don't know I own a lot of things," he said. "I just hope you don't freak out when you find out."I turned to him, my eyes twinkling playfully. "Find out what?"He leaned toward me unexpectedly, his voice becoming low and intimate. "I want you to be mine. Forever."Before I could even grasp the meaning of those words, his lips were on mine.The kiss wasn't rushed or desperate. It was warm.I let myself go for a moment before gently pushing him back onto my chest, laughing despite myself."Leave me alone," I sai

Susan's POVThe plane door opened with a soft, hydraulic whir.A cold, invigorating air rushed into the room, tickling my skin like a warning.My breath caught in my throat, my body reacting before my mind could even keep up.Boots pounded on the tarmac. One pair. Then another.I didn't need to look closely. I could feel it.The men in military uniforms deployed first, efficient, disciplined, their eyes scanning the surroundings.They were trained, vigilant, but that wasn't why my chest tightened.He stepped forward last.Alexander Walker.He didn't rush. He didn't scan the surroundings like the others.He already knew where everything was. Where I was. His gaze lifted slowly, deliberately, and fixed on me.I felt as if I were frozen.My fingers clenched in the seat fabric, my nails digging in as if the plane itself could anchor me.My pulse was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it from the ground.He didn't smile. It was worse.Alexander had always smiled when he thought he'

Susan's Point of ViewFor a moment, no one spoke.The air between us felt heavy, like breath held for too long.Richard said nothing. He didn't shout. He didn't demand an explanation.That's what frightened me the most.His hand slipped from mine.The loss of his warmth was immediate, brutal, like plunging into cold water without warning.He slowly stepped back, not far from Alexander, but far from me.That distance hurt me more deeply than any accusation."Is it true?" Richard asked softly.I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.My tongue felt heavy, useless, as if it no longer belonged to me.Alexander smiled.It wasn't a broad smile, nor a triumphant one. It was a small smile. Satisfied. “Answer him,” Alexander added nonchalantly, tightening his grip on my wrist just enough to remind me of his presence.Richard didn’t look at him. His gaze remained fixed on me. Searching.“Are you legally his wife?” he asked.The question landed like a gunshot.My chest tightened. I nodded.A b