Semua Bab The mafia ceo's substitute bride : Bab 41 - Bab 46

[ SAMANTHA'S POV ]The dining hall was far too large for just two people.A massive crystal chandelier hung from the carved ceiling, casting a warm, flickering glow over the polished mahogany table that stretched between us. For two long months, I hadn't set foot in this room. My meals had been reduced to cold trays sneaked into my locked bedroom by Sophia when the guards weren't looking, eaten in total darkness off a silver dish. But tonight, David had personally sent Sophia upstairs to tell me that the locks were gone, and that I was expected downstairs for dinner.I sat near the head of the table, dressed in a simple, high‑necked cream dress. Every movement I made was deliberate, quiet, and carefully controlled. Underneath the white tablecloth, my hands rested tightly in my lap, my nails digging into my palms until my knuckles turned white. I kept hearing Daniel’s voice from the burner phone hidden deep under my mattress: Play the role of the passive bride. Give him no reason to su

[ DAVID'S POV ]I pushed open the glass doors of Kingsley Tower and walked straight into the main lobby. The heels of my shoes hit the white marble floor with hard, heavy thuds.Behind me, two bodyguards hurried to keep up, their heavy boots squeaking against the floor."Mr. Kingsley!" Marcus shouted, running over from the elevator bank. His shirt collar was open, and his tie hung loose around his neck. He held a phone in one hand and a tablet in the other. "The board of directors is waiting for you in Conference Room A. Director Miller called three times. He wants us to put out a statement right now saying you are separating from Samantha!"I did not stop walking. I headed straight for the private elevator. "Miller can mind his business.""David, look at the news!" Marcus said, stepping into the elevator right behind me as the steel doors slid shut. He held up the tablet so I could see the screen. "It is everywhere. The Financial Times and Bloomberg picked up the story. The phrase #D

[ SAMANTHA'S POV ]The glass door of the orchid greenhouse stood open, letting in the cool, damp air. Inside, rows of purple and white petals hung heavy with water droplets, their sweet, thick scent clinging to the back of my throat.I sat on the edge of a wet stone bench just outside the glass framing, resting an old leather-bound book across my knees. Soft afternoon rain tapped steady rhythm against the glass roof above.My thumbs traced the worn spine of the book. Underneath my high-collared cotton dress, my skin prickled with cold nerves. Every time a tree branch swayed or a shadow stretched across the gravel path, my chest tightened. I slid my right hand into my dress pocket, letting my fingers wrap around the small, hard rectangle of the burner phone Daniel had slipped to me.Three days.I stared down at the black-and-white print on the page, but the words blurred together. Just hold out for three more days, and Daniel gets me out.CRACK.A heavy branch snapped near the dense iv