Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 7

The Night Earlier… Unlike the nightmare that awaited her, Alisha Hart woke that morning believing life couldn’t get any better. Tonight was Joe’s birthday. And if her heart was right… It would also be the night he finally proposed. “Baby girl, how does my makeup look?” Alisha struck a playful pose, beaming into her phone screen. “Did I choose the right color of lipstick?” On the other end of the video call, Ella rolled her eyes dramatically. “Girl, you’ve asked me that at least a hundred times already!” She took a deep breath, giggling like a kid. “You look absolutely stunning with or without makeup. But tonight… you look unreal.” “That’s it, girl!” Alisha snapped her fingers in a dramatic flare. “That’s the exact energy I need right now. And you’re always the best to give it.” “But honey pie… all this intuition of yours is sending chills down my spine.” “Oh, come on!” Alisha laughed. “You have no idea how he’s been acting for the past few weeks!” Sweetheart, I want your d

The Glass Citadel showed no signs of slowing down, even as the illuminated clock high above the grand staircase drifted past midnight. Downstairs in the main ballroom, the atmosphere remained electric. The heavy, rhythmic bass from the sound system vibrated right up through the polished marble floorboards, carrying with it the ambient hum of a crowd thoroughly enjoying themselves. Chilled champagne was still being poured liberally by attentive waitstaff in sleek black vests, and laughter echoed across every corner of the crowded room. Joe was right in the middle of it all, moving through the space with the natural ease of someone who owned the world. He glided effortlessly from one group to another, offering firm handshakes to senior business associates, sharing quiet jokes with old college friends, and effortlessly keeping the energy of the party alive. Near the center bar, he paused when he spotted Raymond. Joe stepped over, clapping a friendly hand on his future brother-in-law's

Chapter Six: THE PRICE OF FAILURE Raymond couldn't lift his chin. His eyes were locked onto the edge of the dark wool rug beneath his feet. The silence in the massive corner office didn't just feel empty; it felt heavy, pressing down on his shoulders until his posture cracked. At the far edge of the room, Ace Romano remained perfectly still, looking out through the floor-to-ceiling glass at the fog-shrouded skyline. His hands were tucked casually into his trouser pockets. He didn't acknowledge the heavy door clicking shut. He didn't acknowledge the ragged sound of Raymond’s uneven breathing. A minute stretched into two. The only sound in the entire top-floor suite was the faint, rhythmic ticking of a minimalist black steel clock on the wall. Raymond felt a bead of sweat break at his hairline, tracking slowly down his temple. He didn't dare lift a hand to wipe it away. Finally, Ace turned around. This was the first time Raymond had looked directly at him in months, and the impa