บททั้งหมดของ Pregnant For My Best Friend's Rival : บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Jason's POVThe boutique on Michigan Avenue was one of the most exclusive in Chicago. It was a place where dresses cost more than most people's houses and the sales associates treated you like royalty if you could afford to shop there. I arrived first, the bell above the door chiming as I stepped inside."Mr. Richmond," the sales associate greeted me, her smile warm and professional. "We've been expecting you. How can we assist you today?""I need a dress for my fiancée. Something for the O'Connor charity ball."The associate's eyes widened slightly. "The O'Connor ball? That's quite an event. We have several pieces that would be appropriate."She led me through the showroom, past racks of designer gowns in every color imaginable. But nothing caught my eye. Nothing felt right.And then I saw it.The dress was displayed on a mannequin in the center of the room, lit by a spotlight that made the fabric shimmer like liquid silver. It was a Vera Wang original—a limited edition piece that ha

Mikel's POVMy mother, Eleanor, was seated in the wingback chair to my father's right in the living room of the O' Connor mansion. Her hands were folded in her lap, but I could see the tension in the way her fingers pressed together like she was holding back words she desperately wanted to speak.My father, Patrick, sat behind like a king on his throne. Ever since I brought Katherine home, the atmosphere had not been the same. My mother was still not ready to accept the reality that I got married without their involvement and worse still, to a lady that she belonged to the class of the O' Connors.But Katherine was my choice, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Even if the marriage with Katherine was only going to last for six months, I was willing to make it appear as the best real thing that has ever happened to me."So," Patrick began, "the charity ball is in five days. The Enzograndes will be there. The Richmonds will be there. And we need to present a united front."

Katherine's POV That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the events of the day replaying on a loop in my mind. What if I don't want this to end after six months? What if I want forever? His words echoed in my head, taunting me with the possibility of something I'd been too afraid to hope for. But I couldn't let myself believe it. I couldn't let myself fall into that trap again. Because every time I'd trusted someone, every time I'd let myself hope, I'd been let down. My father. Jason. Everyone. How could I believe that Mikel was different? And yet... when I thought about the way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the way he'd defended me to his parents... I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time. Hope. I pressed a hand to my belly, feeling the faint flutter of movement beneath my palm. Our baby. Our child. A living, breathing

Jason's POV I paced the length of the house, my eyes fixed on the door like a hawk watching its prey. The Vera Wang dress was supposed to arrive today. Every detail had been meticulously planned—the dress, the timing, the entrance at the O'Connor ball. Brenda would be a vision, and every eye in that room would be on her. Tonight was about winning. Tonight was about showing the O'Connors that the Richmonds were not to be underestimated. I checked my phone again. Still no call from the boutique. Where is it? I'd paid a fortune for that dress. I'd made sure Brenda's measurements were perfect. I'd arranged for it to be delivered with plenty of time for alterations. So why wasn't it here? I was about to call the boutique when my phone buzzed in my hand. The screen lit up with the name of the boutique manager. I answered immediately. "Yes? Is the dress on its way?" There was a pause on the other end. Then the manager's voice came through, trembling with nervousness. "M

Jason's POV "The O'Connor charity ball," Matteo said. "I'll be there. Everyone will be there. I want to see how you navigate that room. I want to see how you handle the O'Connors, how you present yourself, how you command the attention of Chicago's elite." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "If you can impress me there, if you can prove that you have the gravitas to lead this partnership, we'll talk further." I felt a surge of triumph, but I kept my expression composed. "You won't be disappointed, Matteo. I promise you that." "I hope not." He rose from his chair, extending his hand. "I look forward to seeing you at the ball, Jason. Don't let me down." I shook his hand firmly. "I never do." *** I sat in the back of the limousine, my mind racing with a mixture of triumph and determination. The meeting had gone better than I'd expected. Matteo was impressed, I could see it in his eyes. But he was cautious, careful, unwilling to commit until he'd seen me in action. The ball. Everyth