Alle Kapitel von Too Late Mr Blackwood : Kapitel 21 – Kapitel 30

Damien: Pov.My mother sat across from me in the living room of the family estate, legs crossed, expression calm. The ring box was already open on the table between us.“I’ve chosen the date range and the wording for the press release,” she said. “The announcement will go out this week.”I looked at the ring. It was elegant, expensive, and completely lifeless under the light.“You’re not asking me,” I said.“No.” Her voice stayed even. “I’m telling you what needs to happen. The company is steadying. The public needs to see that the Blackwood name is moving forward. Vanessa is the right choice. She always was.”I didn’t argue. The emptiness I had carried for months sat heavy in my chest, but I no longer had the energy to fight her. I simply nodded.She continued speaking about the guest list, the venue options, the carefully planned photos that would be released with the announcement. I heard the words, but they slid past me without sticking. All I could feel was the quiet weight of a

Nathaniel: Pov.The morning light came in soft through the half-drawn curtains.Vanessa stood in front of the mirror, fastening the last button on her blouse. The engagement ring on her finger caught the light every time she moved. I watched her from the bed, still sitting where she had left me, the sheet pulled loosely around my waist.Neither of us had spoken much since we woke up.The plan from the night before still sat between us like something sharp we had both agreed to touch. The words she had spoken in the dark kept replaying in my head. Wait until the transfer is done. Then take everything from him. Leave him with nothing.She glanced at me through the mirror.“You’re quiet,” she said.“Just thinking.”“About the plan?”I didn’t answer right away. She turned fully to face me, waiting, one hand still resting on the edge of the dresser.“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” she asked.“No.”The word came out steady, but something in my chest felt tight. She studied my

Maya: Pov. I woke up before the alarm again. The apartment was still dark. My phone screen lit up with two messages from Ava that had come in sometime after midnight. One was about a small issue with a catering order. The other was a short note saying Lucas had been restless and she couldn’t sleep. I answered both before I even sat up. That was how most of my mornings started now. Not with my own plans. With hers. I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. The water helped a little, but the tiredness sat deeper than sleep could fix. By the time I was dressed and making coffee, I already felt like I was running behind, even though nothing urgent was waiting for me except the usual. At work the day moved the way it always did. Emails. Meetings. Small problems that needed fixing. I handled them the same way I handled everything else — quietly, efficiently, without making a fuss. During lunch a coworker named Jess sat across from me and stirred her drink with a thoughtful look.

Nathaniel : Pov.The second I saw Damien through the window, my blood ran cold.Vanessa stood frozen beside me, her bag still in her hand. I didn’t waste a second.“Bedroom. Now,” I whispered.She moved quickly, slipping inside and closing the door as quietly as she could. I scanned the living room in a panic — the second glass on the counter, the faint trace of her perfume, the way the throw pillow was slightly out of place. I shoved the glass into the sink, straightened the pillow, and forced myself to breathe before I opened the door.Damien stood there in a dark jacket, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just shown up unannounced.“Nathaniel!” he said with a wide, friendly grin, stepping inside like he owned the place. “Man, I hope I’m not interrupting your quiet evening. I was driving around and thought, why not bother my best friend?”“Not at all,” I replied, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was slamming against my ribs. “Come in. Always good to see you.”He

Ava: Pov.The sound of movement woke me before the alarm.Lily was already pulling herself forward on the play mat, determined and unsteady. Lucas watched her for a second, then tried to copy the motion, his small hands pressing against the floor. I sat up slowly and watched them in the soft morning light, a quiet smile forming before I could stop it.“Look at you two,” I whispered.Lily made a proud little sound when she managed another inch. Lucas lost his balance and landed on his side, then immediately tried again. I climbed down onto the floor with them, letting them crawl toward me. Their laughter filled the small living room. For a long moment I forgot about schedules and emails and simply stayed there, letting the ordinary happiness of the morning settle over me.It still surprised me how different life felt now.There was a time when mornings were only about survival. About making it through the day without breaking. Now the same hours held something softer. I watched Lily pu