Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

The orchestra eased into a slower melody, the notes winding soft and warm through the grand ballroom. Crystal glasses caught the light with every movement, scattering tiny shards of gold across the polished marble floor. Waiters weaved through the crowd with practiced ease, offering flutes of champagne and delicate hors d’oeuvres balanced on silver trays.Adrian and Liam stood talking quietly by the entrance, their words too low to carry and Esther watched them with a faint, easy smile. When Adrian spotted a cluster of familiar faces further along the hall, he turned to her.“I need to greet a few investors. I’ll be right back.”He walked away, leaving her alone beside a tall marble pillar. Esther released a slow, quiet breath, her fingers brushing the cool surface. Large events had never been her world. Everyone here moved with such easy confidence, like they belonged by right.A waiter stopped beside her. “Sparkling water, ma’am?”“Thank you.” She accepted the glass, curling both

Peter stood off to one side, glass still in hand, untouched. He could not look away from her. She stood tall beside Adrian, listening attentively, nodding when appropriate, graceful in every movement. He watched the way she held herself calm, sure, belonging, and realised with a jolt that he had never truly seen her shine before. He had only ever seen her through the lens of his own doubt.When the speeches ended, the orchestra struck up a waltz. Couples moved onto the floor. Damien approached Esther with a polite bow. “May I?”She glanced at Adrian, who gave a small, encouraging nod. She took Damien’s hand. They moved together easily, light steps, quiet conversation, smiles that came naturally. Peter’s jaw tightened so hard it ached. Every laugh, every glance, every moment they shared felt like something he had been denied, something he had thrown away.The night wore on dinner, toasts, lively music, handshakes and introductions. Esther met people who spoke to her with respect, who

Peter stepped closer, his voice rough and shaky still fighting with all the things Ethan had filled his head with, and all the things he was starting to see for himself.“Tell me the truth, Esther. Did you ever really love me or was I just a stepping stone to get everything you really wanted?”Esther’s jaw locked. Her chest rose and fell as she took one sharp step toward him, eyes blazing.“You dare ask me that? If I never loved you, do you think I would have wasted years of my life in that cold, loveless house? “Do you think I would have stayed up hoping things would get better, hoping you’d see me, only to get a divorce as my reward? And now you have the nerve, the absolute nerve to march into my workplace and stand there acting like you know anything about what love is?Her voice did not waver.“I walked away with nothing but the clothes on my back and my children. I worked three jobs while I recovered. I studied when I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. I did all this

Peter stood rooted to the spot, his hand still hanging in the air where she’d pulled away. The warmth of her touch lingered on his skin, sharp and aching. He watched her step back, her eyes bright with unshed tears but her jaw set like stone, and his throat felt so tight he could barely speak.“Esther… please,” he said again, quieter this time, almost a whisper. “I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m just asking… let me try to make it right.”Esther shook her head, clutching her bag tight against her chest, the locket heavy in her pocket. “You can’t make right what you broke for years. Every time I let you close, every time I believe things might be different… something comes along to tear it all apart again. I can’t do that to myself. I can’t do that to my children.”Her voice wavered only for a second before it steadied. “Stay away from me, Peter. Please just let me be.”She turned and walked away, her steps quick but sure, not looking back even once. Peter took a step after her, then

Liam kept a steady, careful distance, his eyes locked tight on the faint red glow of their taillights winding through the dark streets. He’d been assigned to watch over Esther from the shadows, unseen and unspoken of but tonight he’d followed the trail that led straight to Ethan and Maria. And every word he’d overheard made his blood run cold, sharp and heavy in his veins. His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white, years of military discipline snapping into place instantly; every sense sharpened, every movement controlled, his mind already mapping every turn, every escape route, every possible way to stop them before it was too late.Up ahead, Ethan drove faster, swerving carelessly around corners and speeding past slower cars like he thought the rules didn’t apply to him. Loud, thumping music blared from his open windows, drowning out everything else. Maria sat slumped back in the passenger seat, her fingers picking nervously at the hem of her coat, but h