Chapter 30 “You’re getting heavy, champ,” she teased, bouncing him slightly on her hip. Timothy giggled, showing off the gap in his baby teeth. “I’m strong now! Strong like superheroes p> “Oh? Which one?” Bella asked, brushing his hair back. “Spider-Man,” he declared proudly. “But better, because Spider-Man doesn’t have
Chapter 29 The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, painting faint gold across the walls. Bella sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the streaks of light. She hadn’t slept much — tossing and turning, her mind replaying last night’s confrontation like a broken record. Every
Chapter 28 The drive back home was quiet, the kind of quiet that let Bella’s thoughts crowd and echo louder than the city noise outside. Raymond’s voice still lingered in her ears — that broken edge to his tone when he’d admitted his father had stripped him of everything, the
Chapter 27 The bar had grown quiet by the time Bella finally glanced up at the wall clock. The neon hands glowed against the dim backdrop, reminding her how late it had become. The noise that had filled the place hours ago had dwindled to a faint murmur, a few
Chapter 26 Bella was just setting Timothy’s dinner on the table, wanting to sit and eat with Chloe and Rachel when her phone buzzed across the counter. She wiped her hands and picked it up, her brows furrowing when she saw an unknown number flashing on the screen. “Who is
Chapter 25 As though to ward off any doubt both brothers had, Charles slid the file across to Jake. “This is the document for everything. I’ve signed it all p> Raymond shot to his feet, his hands trembling, his voice rising. “You can’t do this, Dad! All my life, I’ve
Chapter 24 The heavy oak doors of Charles Stones’ study swung open with a low groan, the familiar scent of polished wood and aged whiskey filling the air. It was a room that demanded silence, its walls lined with shelves of leather-bound books, a massive mahogany desk dominating the far
Chapter 23 Jake’s sleek black car purred into the wide circular driveway of the Stones’ estate, the headlights sweeping over the grand white-pillared mansion that had been home for generations. The air smelled faintly of pine and the faint trickle of the garden’s fountain echoed in the night. Raymond stepped
Chapter 22 The office always changed after work hours. During the day, StoneTech Solutions was alive with voices, heels striking across polished marble floors, phones ringing, and printers humming. But once the clock struck six, silence fell like a shroud. The long corridors grew still, lit only by strips of
Chapter 21 Bella let him go with a polite smile, then turned to Chloe as soon as he was out of earshot. “Okay. Spill. What’s going on between you and Raymond p> Chloe blinked innocently. “Nothing p> “Chloe,” Bella said flatly, crossing her arms. “You promised you’d tell me everything.
Chapter 20 The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Bella stepped out, adjusting her blazer as though it could somehow hold together the storm swirling in her chest. Lunch hour had arrived, but she didn’t feel hungry in the least. The nerves Jake had tangled her in
Chapter 19 Bella inhaled slowly, balancing the porcelain mug of steaming coffee on a small tray. Her hand trembled slightly, though she told herself it was only the heat of the drink. No, it wasn’t. It was him. Her first day had ended with her swearing to Chloe she’d endure,
Chapter 18 The clock ticked past six, the office gradually emptying of staff, but Bella’s heart hadn’t stopped hammering since the moment she’d stepped into Jake Stones’ office that morning. The rest of the day had been a blur of reports, tense glances, and his unnervingly calm voice instructing her
Chapter 17 The door clicked shut behind Bella, and she didn’t stop walking until she reached the ladies’ restroom. She needed space and that was the only place she knew she could get it. The moment she was alone, her knees nearly gave out. She gripped the sink counter and
Chapter 16 Isabella had barely settled into her desk when the intercom on her phone buzzed, Jake’s deep voice flowing through the speaker. “Miss Howells,” he said, smooth and commanding. “Step into my office p> Her throat tightened. She set the pen down, smoothed her skirt, and forced her legs
Chapter 15 Jake closed his office door, his chest still tight from the moment Isabella had walked out. He sank into his chair but couldn’t stay still—his pulse was hammering too fast. So her name was Isabella Howells. He had finally found her. The girl he’d searched for five long
Chapter 14 His chest tightened. Recognition slammed into him. It was her. It really was her—the girl from five years ago. The girl who had looked at him with tearful eyes and trembling hands, who had come into his life like a storm one night and then vanished the next.
Chapter 13 Bella, who was desperate to ease her nerves, tilted her head. “You seem to know him. Do you… know the CEO personally p> He smiled faintly, as though amused by her question. “Sort of p> Bella perked up, her curiosity overtaking her fear. “Then maybe you can tell
Chapter 12 Chloe’s car rolled smoothly to a stop in front of Stonetech Solutions, its glass towers gleaming under the morning sun like a monument of power. The wide building stretched high above the city, its surface of silver and black glass reflecting the busy streets below. It wasn’t just
Chapter 11 Five years later The hum of the airplane still lingered in Bella’s ears as she and Rachel walked hand-in-hand with Timothy through the bustling Sweliss International Airport. The boy’s small eyes darted everywhere, wide with excitement, while Bella’s heart swelled at the sight. Her son’s energy was a