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CHAPTER 185
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 185
TRENT'S POV I sat on the edge of the couch, watching as Olivia approached Tom with cautious curiosity. Her small hand reached out, gently touching his cheek as her eyes widened in wonder."He looks just like you, Trent," Olivia marveled, her gaze darting between us.I couldn't help but smile at her amazement. "That's because we're twins, Liv."Olivia's brow furrowed, her mind clearly racing with questions. She tugged at the hem of her unicorn t-shirt, shifting from foot to foot. "But... but where has he been? Why haven't I seen him before? Does he like pizza too? Can he do magic tricks like you?"The rapid-fire questions tumbled out of her mouth, each one a reminder of how much Tom had missed, how much explaining we'd have to do. I ran a hand through my hair, searching for the right words to say."Hey, Olivia," I said, kneeling down to her level. "I know you have a lot of questions, and we'll answer them all soon. But right now, Tommy needs some rest. Why don't you go up to your room
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 187
ELLA'S POV The looming structure of my late father's factory sent a chill down my spine. I stood frozen, my eyes tracing the brick and rusted metal, trying to reconcile this imposing structure with the man I thought I knew. How had I never known about this place?Finding this place hadn't been easy. I'd had to swallow my pride and visit Mr. Matthews' office, enduring his scrutiny as I fabricated a reason for my sudden interest in Dad's past."A factory?" Mr. Matthews had leaned back in his leather chair, eyebrows raised. "How did you stumble upon that little tidbit, Ella?"I'd fidgeted with the strap of my bag, avoiding his piercing gaze. "Mom mentioned it. In passing. I just... I want to understand him better, you know?"Mr. Matthews had drummed his fingers on the desk, his eyes never leaving my face. "And what exactly do you hope to find there, hmm? Ghosts of the past? Or something more... tangible?"I'd forced a casual shrug, praying he couldn't hear my racing heart. "Just answer
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 188
ELLA'S POVI stared at Mr. Donovan, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. His cold eyes bore into mine, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth."What do you want from us?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.Mr. Donovan chuckled, the sound sending chills down my spine. He circled my chair slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. "What do I want? Oh, Ella. It's not about what I want. It's about what Trent needs to learn."I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "And what's that?"He stopped in front of me, leaning down until his face was inches from mine. "The consequences of betrayal," he hissed. "My son thought he could turn against me, expose my secrets, and walk away unscathed. But he forgot one crucial detail – I always find a way to win.""So that's it?" I spat, anger momentarily overriding my fear. "You're using me to hurt Trent? You're pathetic."Mr. Donovan's hand shot out, gripping my chin painfully. "Car
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 189
ELLA'S POV My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I watched him give a curt nod to Mr. Stewart. Stewart stood up slowly, cracking his knuckles with a sickening pop."No, no, please," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper.Stewart's foot connected with Mom's chair, sending her crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. She let out a pained whimper that tore through my soul."Stop it!" I screamed, thrashing against my restraints. "She's pregnant, for God's sake! You're hurting her... you're hurting the baby!"Mom lay on her side, curled protectively around her swollen belly. Tears streamed down my face as I watched her struggle to breathe.Stewart's laughter echoed through the room, cold and mirthless. "That's not my baby, you foolish girl," he sneered, looming over Mom's trembling form.I blinked, confusion momentarily overriding my fear. "What? What are you talking about? You're the one who..." I couldn't finish the sentence, the words sticking in my throat.He whirled to
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 190
ELLA'S POV The world around me exploded into chaos, but I barely registered it. Sirens wailed, their piercing screams cutting through the air like knives. Red and blue lights flashed, painting the walls in a twisted dance of colors. But none of it mattered. Nothing mattered except the lifeless body in my arms."Please, don't leave me," I sobbed, shaking him desperately. "Trent, please. Wake up!"I shook him gently, then more forcefully, willing his eyes to open, for his chest to rise and fall with breath. But he remained still, his skin growing colder by the second.Police officers swarmed the room, their voices a distant hum in my ears. "Richard Donovan, you're under arrest," one of them shouted, his words barely penetrating my fog of grief. "For child abuse, illegal use of drugs, attempted murder, kidnapping..."The list went on, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Let them arrest him. Let them lock him up and throw away the key. It wouldn't bring Trent back.Mom lay crumpled on
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 191
ELLA'S POV My eyelids fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the harsh lights above. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I slowly realized I was in a hospital room. A figure was slumped over the side of my bed, their head resting on their folded arms. For a fleeting moment, my heart leapt - Trent?But as the figure stirred and lifted their head, my hopes were dashed. It was Ryan, his eyes red-rimmed and hair disheveled. Our eyes locked, and an uncomfortable silence stretched between us. This was supposed to be my brother. The word felt foreign, almost laughable. If Mr. Matthews was truly my father, then Ryan was my... I couldn't even finish the thought. It was too surreal, too raw.How could my entire world have shifted so dramatically in such a short time?I tried to push myself up, my arms trembling with the effort. Ryan reached out to support my neck, but I jerked away."Don't touch me," I snapped, my voice hoarse. "I can do it myself."Ryan's hand hovered a
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 192
ELLA'S POVI opened my eyes to another gray morning, the sunlight struggling to penetrate the heavy curtains I'd drawn weeks ago. The silence in my room was deafening, broken only by the occasional ping of my phone - another message I'd ignore. Everything wasn't okay. It hadn't been for weeks.Trent was still in the hospital, and I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. The worst part? I didn't even know how he was faring. Some ridiculous ban on visits had been imposed, cutting me off from the one person I desperately needed to see.I dragged myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. My reflection in the mirror was a stranger - hollow-eyed and pale. I barely recognized myself anymore.For the umpteenth time, I found myself outside the Donovan mansion, my fists pounding against the imposing iron gates. "Please!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from overuse. "I just need to know if he's okay!"My cries echoed in the empty driveway, met only by the rustling of leaves. As always, th
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 193
ELLA'S POV"Ella!" Susan's arms wrapped around me like a vice. "We've been worried sick about you!" Her voice cracked, and I felt her shoulders shake. "It's been like walking through a ghost town without you here."I hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace, burying my face in her shoulder. The warmth of human contact after so long in isolation nearly overwhelmed me.As Susan pulled back, I caught sight of Amelia hovering a few feet away. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked down, her fingers twisting the hem of her sweater. The pain across her face made my chest tighten.Susan followed my gaze, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's been like that for days now, Ella. Ever since... well, you know." She bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I think she blames herself for what her dad did. She won't talk about it, but I can see it eating her up inside."I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This wasn't going to be easy, but I couldn't bear t
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A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE PART TWO - THE END
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 192
