THE BILLIONAIRE WHO THREW AWAY HIS VIRGIN WIFE のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Elena’s povWe met for coffee again the following week, this time at a small place two blocks from the library. Daniel had suggested it casually as we were packing up our notes the Thursday before.“There’s a quieter spot around the corner if you ever want actual chairs instead of library stools,” he had said. “No pressure.”I had said yes without overthinking it, the same way I had said yes to the first coffee.Now we sat at a small table by the window. The place was half-empty, the late-afternoon light soft against the glass. Daniel had ordered the same black coffee with one sugar. I had gotten a latte. For a few minutes we talked about the zoning project he was finishing and the report I had just turned in at work. Easy topics. Safe ones.Then he leaned back slightly in his chair.“You’ve been coming to the library a lot these past few weeks,” he said. “Longer than most people stay for research.”I wrapped my hands around my cup. “It’s quiet. That helps.”“I get that.” He studied

Elena’s povWe met for coffee again on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, this time at a corner place with better chairs and fewer students. Daniel was already there when I arrived, two cups on the table and a small notebook open beside him.“You’re on time,” he said as I sat down.“I left work early. The last meeting ended sooner than expected.”He pushed the latte toward me. “I guessed milk again. Tell me if it’s wrong.”“It’s right. Thank you.”For a while we stayed on safe ground. He told me the height restriction on his project had been delayed again. I told him the Mercer follow-up had finally been approved without more changes. The conversation was easy, the kind that didn’t require effort.Then he closed the notebook and rested his forearms on the table.“You’ve been coming to the library a lot these past weeks,&r

Elena’s povWe were at the same small café near the library, the one with the uneven tables and the decent coffee. Daniel had already ordered for both of us by the time I arrived, black with one sugar for him, latte for me. He pushed the cup toward me as I sat down.“You’re late,” he said mildly.“Three minutes. The train decided to stop in the tunnel for no reason.”“That’s still late.” He opened a small paper bag and took out two cookies. “I compensated by buying the last oatmeal ones before someone else could.”I raised an eyebrow. “You compensated for my lateness by buying cookies?”“I compensated for the risk that you might arrive in a bad mood. Cookies are a solid defense strategy.”I shook my head, but I took one. “You’re ridiculous.”“Practically prepared,” he corrected. “Ther

Elena’s povI was leaving the office on Friday when my phone rang with another number I didn’t recognize. I almost ignored it. Then I answered on the third ring.“Elena Hart?”A woman’s voice this time, crisp and professional. “Yes.”“This is Priya Shah. I handle internal records for Mr. Voss’s office. I apologize for the direct call. I was asked to verify one detail from the original documents related to your previous address and the timeline of certain records. It should only take a moment.”I stopped on the sidewalk. “I’m not sure I understand. The divorce has been finalized for weeks. Everything was already reviewed.”“I understand. This isn’t a legal request. Mr. Voss asked for a quiet re-check of one timestamp on a clinic intake form that was part of a private file. He wanted confirmation that the date format matched the system it was supposedly pulled from.”The words settled slowly. “He’s looking at the file again.”A short pause. “He requested a verification, yes. I was to

Elena’s povWe were at the café near the library again, halfway through our usual order, when the door opened and a woman in a dark coat walked straight toward our table.Daniel looked up and exhaled. “Of course.”The woman stopped beside us, one eyebrow raised. She had the same dark hair as Daniel and the same direct way of looking at people.“You didn’t answer my texts,” she said to him.“I was working.”“You’re always working.” Her gaze shifted to me, curious but not unfriendly. “And you must be Elena.”I blinked. “I am.”“Isabella. His sister.” She pulled out the empty chair and sat without waiting for an invitation. “He’s mentioned you. Not in detail. Just enough that I decided to come see for myself.”Daniel gave her a flat look. “You’re impossible.”“I’