Chapter 78 The cab ride home blurred before Bella’s eyes. The city lights that usually felt alive and golden now looked harsh and mocking, each flicker a cruel reminder of what she had just seen. She sat rigidly in the back seat, her fingers clutching her phone so tightly her

Chapter 77 The night air around Jake’s penthouse shimmered with city lights — towers of glass and steel glowing against the dusk, cars streaming by in muted rhythm. Inside, the apartment was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and Jake’s uneven breathing. He was sprawled across

Chapter 76 The late afternoon breeze carried the faint hum of traffic as Jake parked outside the lounge where Bella had told him they were meeting. His heart thudded in an unfamiliar rhythm, a mix of anticipation and nerves. For years he had buried the desire, the yearning, but tonight

Chapter 75 The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains of Bella’s room, painting soft golden streaks across the walls. The clock on the dresser ticked quietly, its steady rhythm a reminder that the minutes were slipping away. It was already past four-thirty, and Bella was sitting at the edge

Chapter 74 The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Camden estate, soft and golden, spilling warmth across the sitting room. Rachel sat in one of the armchairs opposite Mr. Camden, a small teacup in her hands, while the old man leaned back with a rare ease. Just

Chapter 73 Jake’s apartment was quiet except for the low hum of the city outside his window. He had just taken off his jacket, draping it over the back of a chair, when the vibration of his phone on the nightstand broke the silence. He grabbed it without much thought,

Chapter 72 Bella exhaled shakily, pushing herself off the door and moving toward the living room. The sofa welcomed her, but she couldn’t sit still. She paced, running a hand through her hair. What was I thinking? Letting him get that close again? Letting him touch me like that? And

Chapter 71 Bella’s throat went dry. Every nerve in her body screamed yes, that she wanted him so badly and had dreamt of him every night, but her mind fought desperately to hold the line she had built for herself. “Jake… you should stop,” she whispered, but her voice was

Chapter 70 The restaurant Raymond chose to meet with Helena wasn’t crowded, not at this hour of the evening. The dim lights pooled in golden rings across the polished wood of the tables, and the low hum of background music provided just enough privacy for two people intent on speaking

Chapter 69 The evening air was cool, and the streets glowed with streetlights, their yellow warmth flickering across the windshield as Jake drove Bella and little Timothy home. The hum of the engine was steady, rhythmic, and inside the car it was peaceful, so peaceful that little Timothy had dozed

Chapter 68 The silence that followed was thick. Sandra’s hands curled into fists at her sides, her nostrils flaring. For a moment, Rachel thought she might argue again, but then Sandra exhaled sharply, snapping her gaze toward Rachel with a glare that could have cut glass. “Fine,” Sandra said through

Chapter 67 In the Camden mansion, Rachel hovered nearby, wringing her hands until she forced herself to be still. She didn’t want to look as panicked as she felt. Mr. Camden lay propped against pillows, his once commanding frame now unnervingly frail. The rise and fall of his chest was

Chapter 66 Raymond watched them from afar and decided that it was time he actually did something to stop whatever it was between Bella, his brother and whoever that child was. He had just before Monday to actually do something, and he wouldn’t miss it. Waiting was dangerous. Raymond’s hand

Chapter 65 “I guess it’s magic seeing as he stopped crying when you did it,” she said,watching Timothy, who was busy trying to finish his ice scream. Bella then raised her gaze to Jake. She stared at him for a long moment, and then, unexpectedly, a laugh slipped past her

Chapter 64 The morning at the Camden estate had been… eventful for Rachel, to say the least. Rachel had arrived early, just as the sun broke through the thick curtains of the manor, her bag slung over her shoulder and her usual determined expression fixed firmly in place. It was

Chapter 63 Timothy skipped between Bella and Jake, his small hand clutching Jake’s like he’d known him forever. Bella tried not to stare at the way Jake held onto Timothy’s hand so naturally, like he’d done it a hundred times before as they headed to the car. She walked on

Chapter 62 Bella’s pulse hadn’t slowed even after Rachel left. The silence that followed seemed deafening. Jake still stood there, hands stuffed into his pockets, his brows faintly drawn as though trying to make sense of the tangled scene he’d just witnessed. And Timothy, oblivious to the heavy thoughts going

Chapter 61 Timothy’s little face scrunched stubbornly, his lips jutting forward in that way Bella knew meant he wouldn’t back down easily. “But Mama,” he whined softly, “I just want to know his name. Please p> Bella opened her mouth, ready to snap at him again, when Jake crouched down

Chapter 60 Jake smiled, shaking his head with amusement. “So tell me—” he tilted his head, still crouched before the boy—”what are you doing here? And is Bella your mommy? Is she the prettiest woman you talked about?” he asked, curiously. Bella’s heart lurched violently in her chest. That was

Chapter 59 “Does it bring back memories? The one of that night, five years ago? Now that I think of it, you look even hotter than you did that night,” he said, gazing into her eyes. The air between them thickened. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She could feel