Carrying His Secret Baby; My Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 81 - チャプター 90

Dante’s POVI knew Ivy had not come to congratulate me the moment she walked into my office. She carried a cream envelope in one hand, and her expression told me she had spent the journey deciding exactly what she wanted to say. I stood as she approached my desk.“Leave Nora out of your wedding,” Ivy said, placing the invitation in front of me. Her voice was controlled, but her fingers remained pressed against the envelope. “Whatever public display you and Seraphina are arranging, my daughter is not part of it.”I looked at the envelope, then back at her. I had signed off on the guest list because Thornbridge remained an important partner, not because I expected Ivy to attend. I had imagined her reading the invitation in private. Seeing it in her hand made that choice feel far less straightforward.I had expected the announcement to hurt her, though I had no right to assume how she felt. I had not expected her to mention Nora. “Tell me what happened,” I said, remaining on my side of t

Wren’s POVThe nurse led us into a consultation room, and I sat opposite Nora’s surgeon with Cole beside me. when the doctor opened Nora’s file, I gripped my notebook hard enough to bend its cover.“We’ve completed the final assessments,” the surgeon said, looking directly at me. “Nora is cleared for the operation. The team is ready to proceed tomorrow morning, provided there is no unexpected change overnight.”For a moment, all I heard was that she was ready. Relief rose so suddenly that my eyes stung. Then I remembered what being ready actually meant.“Tomorrow?” I repeated, leaning forward. “Is there anything in her results that still concerns you? I need to understand what changed and why you’re comfortable proceeding now.”The surgeon went through the latest findings, explaining what the team had checked and why they were satisfied with Nora’s condition. He did not promise a perfect outcome. Every mention of risk made my stomach tighten.I opened my notebook and began asking the

Wren’s POVI left the consultation room with the surgeon’s explanation still circling in my head. Nora was alive, but the operation had not corrected her condition. She was in intensive care, and the doctors needed time before they could tell me what came next. None of the answers made the corridor easier.Cole was waiting near the nurses’ station. He stepped toward me, but another figure came around the corner before I reached him. Dante stopped when he saw my face. He looked frightened, and the sight of someone else carrying that fear for Nora nearly undid me.I tried to take another step, but my foot caught against the edge of the carpet. Dante reached me before I hit the floor, catching me around the waist. My hands landed against his chest, and for one confused second I let him steady me.Then I gasped and pulled away. “I’m fine,” I said, straightening my blouse with fingers that would not cooperate. “I just missed a step. You didn’t need to catch me like that.”“You were falling

Wren’s POVThe hospital café was nearly empty when Seraphina arrived. I had chosen a table away from the counter because she had told Maya she might be able to help with Nora’s care. I was tired enough to listen to anyone who could offer something useful, but I had brought the latest estimate so I could judge her proposal for myself.Seraphina sat opposite me, placing her handbag carefully beside her chair. “Thank you for meeting me, Ivy,” she said with a warm smile. “I know you must be exhausted. I was sorry to hear the surgery didn’t go as everyone hoped.”“Thank you,” I replied, keeping the estimate inside my bag for now. “Nora is stable, but the doctors are reviewing the next steps. Maya said you wanted to discuss some assistance.”“I do,” Seraphina answered, folding her hands on the table. “But first, I think we should address what happened outside Nora’s room. That scene with Dante was inappropriate, especially so close to our wedding.”I stared at her. For a moment I wondered w

Wren’s POVDante stood beside Nora’s bed, waiting for my answer. He had just made my daughter laugh with two ribbons. Now he watched me with the same seriousness he brought to every difficult negotiation.“Seraphina wants to purchase my management and profit rights in our joint project,” I explained, keeping my voice low so Nora could rest. “Thornbridge would retain its existing contract and the fees already agreed upon. She would take over my leading role.”Dante frowned. “Why would you surrender a position you fought to secure? You built those relationships, Ivy. She cannot simply decide to take your place because she has money.”“She made an offer,” I replied, folding my arms. “I haven’t accepted it. But Nora’s next stage of treatment will cost more than the surgery we just went through, and I need enough resources to plan beyond the next hospital bill.”His gaze moved briefly toward Nora before returning to me. “You can delegate your responsibilities while she recovers. Stepping b