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CHAPTER 23

Penulis: CagalieYula
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-09-02 23:57:56

I leaned against the cool bathroom tiles, trying to slow my breathing. The tension between Thiago and me was reaching a dangerous peak, and I knew I had to be careful. His possessiveness was suffocating, and I was teetering on the edge of something I wasn’t sure I could control.

I splashed cold water on my face, hoping to clear my mind. But as I looked at my reflection, I could still see the lingering fear and confusion in my eyes. What was I doing?

This arrangement with Thiago had started as a means to get my revenge and a way to secure my future. But now...now it was spiraling into something darker, something I couldn’t easily escape.

I dried my face and straightened up, trying to muster the strength to face him again. But when I opened the bathroom door, I found the suite empty. Thiago was gone.

For a moment, I felt a pang of relief. Maybe he needed some space to cool off. But then a wave of unease washed over me. Where had he gone? Was he planning something?

I hurried to the win
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  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 24

    The air outside the hotel was thick with tension as I hurried out, my mind racing. I had to stop Thiago. The thought of him confronting Jacob, an innocent man, out of some twisted sense of jealousy terrified me. If I didn’t make it in time, who knew what Thiago might do? My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of how little time I had.But just as I reached the entrance, a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back. I turned sharply, ready to fight off whoever it was, only to see Lucia, her face flushed and her breathing labored. She must have chased after me the moment I left the room."Madam Ceo, wait!" she gasped, holding onto me as she tried to catch her breath. "You can't go. If President Bermudez finds out you’re there, it’ll only make things worse."I pulled my arm free, my mind made up. “I don’t care, Lucia. Jacob is innocent. Thiago’s jealousy is out of control, and I’m not going to stand by and let him ruin someone’s life because of it.”“Do you really think you can sto

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-03
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 25

    The night felt heavier as I returned to the hotel room, the silence almost suffocating. Lucia gave me a concerned look before excusing herself to her own room, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts. I paced the room, trying to piece together what was happening. Thiago’s sudden shift in behavior, his cryptic warning—none of it made any sense.I couldn’t sleep. My mind was a whirlpool of anxiety, each thought dragging me deeper into uncertainty. Why was Thiago so adamant about leaving? What was he planning? The answers felt just out of reach, taunting me with their elusiveness. I couldn’t even confront him since he had not return to our hotel room. Where could he be out now this late?Unable to stand the oppressive quiet any longer, I decided to step out onto the balcony, hoping the fresh air might clear my head. The breeze was cool against my skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. Below, the resort grounds were quiet, the sound of the ocean’s waves the only thing

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-03
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 26

    As soon as we touched down in Miami, the unease that had clung to me in the Maldives refused to fade, lingering like a dark cloud on the horizon. The trip had been a whirlwind—a chaotic blend of tension, jealousy, and unanswered questions. Despite the familiar surroundings of home, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was terribly off, as though I was missing crucial pieces to a puzzle I hadn't even known existed.Thiago, on the other hand, seemed as composed as ever. His commanding presence was even more pronounced now, as if the return to Miami had only sharpened his focus. But I could barely keep up with the thoughts racing through my mind. Who would want to track me down? And were they also planning to harm me? If that would be the case, I couldn’t even come up with any idea who might be behind it?My father, my ex-husband, my stepsister—they all had reasons to resent me, but none of them struck me as the type to orchestrate something this dangerous. And yet, I co

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-04
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 27

    As Thiago stepped out of the room, leaving me alone on the bed, the lingering warmth of our interrupted encounter slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a cold, creeping sense of unease. I couldn’t just lie there, waiting for him to return. The nagging questions in my mind refused to be silenced, and I knew I needed answers.I pulled on a robe and quietly followed Thiago, the soft padding of my feet on the floor the only sound in the otherwise silent house. His voice, low and controlled, drifted from his study, where the door was slightly ajar. I hesitated, not wanting to eavesdrop, but my curiosity got the better of me.“This had better be important,” I heard him say, his tone clipped and authoritative. There was a pause as the person on the other end spoke, and I strained to hear, catching only a few scattered words—“Miami,” “security breach,” “target.” My heart skipped a beat, my breath catching in my throat. Was this about me?Thiago’s response was curt, “I want a full report

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-04
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 28

    It had been several days since we returned from the Maldives, and yet, something felt off. I couldn’t quite place it, but the unease gnawed at me like an itch I couldn’t scratch. Every morning, I woke up alone, and it had become disturbingly routine. Thiago was always gone by the time I opened my eyes. No more lazy mornings watching him get dressed in front of me, no stolen kisses before he left for work. Just an empty bed and an unsettling quiet.I tried to tell myself it wasn’t a big deal—maybe he was busy, handling whatever threat he mentioned that night after the phone call. But every time I woke up to the cool side of the bed where Thiago should’ve been, the knot in my stomach tightened. What could he possibly be doing so early in the mornings that he couldn’t share with me? It wasn’t like him to be secretive—at least, not with me.Shaking off the thought, I refocused on my work. I had responsibilities at the company, and I couldn't let my concerns with Thiago interfere with t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-05
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 29

    The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and phone calls, but no matter how hard I tried to immerse myself in work, I couldn’t shake the nagging thoughts about Thiago. His absence in the mornings, the phone call that interrupted our intimate moment, the vague warning about the people pursuing us—it all played on a loop in my mind.That night, I tried to stay up later than usual, hoping to catch Thiago when he got home. I settled into the living room with a glass of wine, pretending to read, but my ears were attuned to every sound. The clock ticked steadily, each minute feeling like an eternity. Finally, I heard the front door click open. My heart leaped in my chest as Thiago stepped inside, his tall frame silhouetted in the dim light. He looked exhausted, his shirt slightly rumpled, and the tension in his shoulders made it clear that whatever he’d been dealing with had taken its toll.He froze when he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. “You’re sti

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-05
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 30

    The tension between Thiago and me hung in the air like a storm about to break. After his confession, everything felt different, darker, as if the walls of our world were closing in. I couldn’t shake the fear that now gnawed at me, not only for myself but for the man I had committed to stand beside. The next few days were strained. Thiago was often absent, sometimes leaving in the middle of the night, always returning with the same grim look on his face, as if he had been fighting shadows I couldn’t see. I busied myself with work, diving into projects with a ferocity that surprised even Lucia and Marcus, but no amount of distractions could keep me from wondering what Thiago was up to—or what dangers were closing in.It wasn’t until one night, after another long, tense day, that things came to a head.I was sitting at the dinner table, pushing food around my plate when Thiago walked in, his face drawn, eyes dark with whatever burdens he had been carrying. He sat down across from me, n

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-06
  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 31

    The next few days after Thiago’s revelation felt like I was living in a haze.My father—my own flesh and blood—was not just a controlling figure in my life, but someone who had been playing a dangerous game for years, one I was now caught in the middle of. Every moment I was awake, my mind raced, trying to make sense of the betrayal, wondering how I had missed it. The nights were worse. Sleep came in fits, haunted by dreams where my father’s face blurred with the faceless enemies Thiago had warned me about.Thiago was consumed by his secret war. He still left before dawn, his absences gnawing at me. I knew he was trying to protect me, but it felt like we were living in two different worlds, worlds that were threatening to collide.On a particularly cold Miami morning, I woke up alone again. The side of the bed where Thiago slept was cold, as if he had been gone for hours. I stared at the empty space, feeling the growing void between us. What was he doing every morning? Who was he m

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-06

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  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 279

    The old pier stretched before me, silent except for the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the wooden posts. A single lamplight flickered above, casting long shadows across the damp planks. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, my breath visible in the night air.I checked my phone again. Midnight. I was a few minutes early, but whoever had sent the message wasn’t here yet.Or maybe they were watching.A gust of wind sent a shiver down my spine. I crossed my arms, not just against the cold, but against the gnawing uncertainty clawing at my insides. This could be a trap. Thiago could have sent the message, luring me here to force a conversation I wasn’t ready for. Or worse—someone else, someone more dangerous, could be behind it.I turned, about to leave, when I heard footsteps. Slow. Measured.I spun back, my pulse skyrocketing as a shadow emerged from the darkness.It wasn’t Thiago.Victor.His sharp features were cast in half-light, his expression unreadable as he stepped towar

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 278

    Thiago kissed me like he was trying to brand himself into my soul—like he could erase every doubt, every betrayal, with the heat of his mouth.And for a moment, I let him.For a moment, I kissed him back, gripping his shirt like it could anchor me to something real.But reality crashed in just as fast.I shoved him away, breathless, my lips still tingling from the force of him.His chest rose and fell, his dark eyes locked onto mine with a heat that burned straight through me.“No,” I said, voice hoarse.Thiago’s jaw tightened. “Bridgette—”“No,” I repeated, stepping back. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to lie to me, manipulate me, and then kiss me like I’m supposed to forget everything.”His hands curled into fists at his sides. “I wasn’t lying to you.”“Really?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Then why do I feel like I just walked into a trap?”Thiago exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”I crossed my arms.

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 277

    I forced myself to meet Santiago’s gaze, schooling my expression into something unreadable. If he was here, breaking into my penthouse in the middle of the night, it wasn’t just to chat.He wants something.I wasn’t going to give it to him.“You have about ten seconds to explain why you’re here before I call security,” I said, gripping the wine bottle so tightly my knuckles ached.Santiago smirked, the kind of lazy, self-assured grin that made my stomach twist. He took a slow step forward, completely unfazed by my threat. “Security?” he mused. “Mmm… You could call them. But we both know they won’t get here in time, mi amor.”His voice was smooth, practiced, laced with the kind of confidence that came from knowing he held all the cards.I refused to let him see the flicker of unease tightening in my chest.“I don’t have time for games, Santiago.”“I know,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Which is why I’ll get to the point.”In one fluid motion, he reached inside his suit jacket. I

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 276

    His lips moved against mine with a slow, deliberate hunger, as if he was savoring every second of my surrender. I should have pushed him away. I should have turned and walked out of this penthouse, out of his life, like I swore I would.But the second his hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, every ounce of resistance melted away.Thiago knew my body too well. He knew exactly how to unravel me with a single touch, how to make me forget logic and consequences. His fingers trailed down my spine, sending a shiver through me, his kiss deepening until I was breathless.I tore away, gasping, my palms flat against his chest. “Thiago—”His forehead rested against mine, his breathing just as uneven. “Don’t tell me you don’t want this.”My fingers curled into his shirt, torn between desire and the storm raging in my mind. “It’s not about what I want.”He exhaled, a humorless chuckle escaping him. “Then what is it about, Wifey?”That nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue like a promise

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 275

    The hallway felt too small, too suffocating with both men standing there—Victor rigid with frustration, Thiago exuding that quiet, commanding presence that had always been my undoing.I should tell him to leave. I should push past this moment and pretend my heart wasn’t beating too fast, that I wasn’t already losing this battle.But I didn’t.Instead, I met Thiago’s gaze head-on. “What do you want?”He tilted his head slightly, studying me, before stepping closer. Too close. The scent of him—expensive cologne, faint whiskey, something distinctly him—wrapped around me like a noose.Victor shifted beside me, his tension palpable. “You’re wasting your time, Bermudez. She’s done with whatever game you’re playing.”Thiago let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes never leaving mine. “That so?” His fingers twitched at his side, like he was resisting the urge to touch me. “Because she hasn’t told me to leave yet.”Damn him.Victor exhaled sharply. “Bridgette.” His voice was low, a warning.I swallow

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 274

    The silence stretched between us, thick with words left unsaid. Victor's gaze remained steady, unwavering, as if he could will me into understanding the danger I was walking into. Maybe he could see the fracture lines forming beneath my skin, the way I was slowly unraveling under the weight of my own choices.But what choice did I have? Thiago was a shadow I couldn’t outrun. No matter how far I went, how fiercely I tried to carve out a life separate from him, he was always there. And worst of all, some part of me still wanted him to be.I exhaled sharply, shoving past Victor toward the kitchen, needing space—needing something to ground me before I lost myself completely in this never-ending push and pull. I reached for the half-empty wine bottle on the counter and poured myself a glass. My hand trembled slightly as I took a sip, the bitter liquid burning down my throat.Victor followed but didn’t say anything right away. He just leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest,

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 273

    The silence between Victor and me stretched, taut and suffocating. He watched me like I was a puzzle he had almost solved but was too frustrated to finish.“Bridge,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “You don’t have to do this alone. You know that, right?”I swallowed against the lump in my throat. Victor had always been my safety net, the one person who saw the mess I was and still chose to stand by me. But even he couldn’t save me from myself.I turned away, rubbing my arms as though that could shake off the cold creeping into my bones. “I’m tired, Vic. Can we just—can we not do this tonight?”His eyes darkened, but he nodded once, reluctant. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. I waited, standing frozen in place until I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway. Then, with a shaky breath, I turned and pressed my forehead against the door, letting my eyes close.Not five minutes later, my phone vibrated on the counter.I didn’t wan

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 272

    The weight of Lucia’s words lingered long after she was gone, settling over me like an unwelcome shroud. The air in my apartment felt heavier, thick with the ghost of Thiago’s presence.I set the wine glass down with a soft clink, pressing my fingers against my temples. My head throbbed, not from the alcohol but from the war waging inside me. Thiago was a storm—unrelenting, consuming, and I was the fool who kept stepping into the rain without an umbrella.I forced myself to move, needing to shake off the static thrumming in my veins. One step, then another, until I was standing before my bedroom mirror. The woman staring back at me looked like a stranger. There was defiance in her eyes, yes, but beneath it, something else lurked—uncertainty.My gaze dropped to the ring, still snug on my finger. I could almost feel the phantom trace of Thiago’s touch lingering there. My hands curled into fists. I should take it off. I should have done it the second he walked out that door.With a sharp

  • TRAPPED WITH MY DAD'S BESTFRIEND   CHAPTER 271

    The elevator ride to my apartment was silent except for the dull hum of the machinery. My fingers hovered over the ring on my hand, debating whether to rip it off before I stepped through the door. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I stepped out into the hallway, my heels clicking against the polished floor, my pulse a steady drumbeat in my ears. As I neared my door, a whisper of hesitation curled in my chest, but I ignored it. My fingers trembled only slightly as I unlocked the door and stepped inside.The lights were already on.I froze.And then…“I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”Thiago’s voice curled through the space, rich and smooth, wrapping around me like a silk noose. He was there, lounging in my living room like he belonged. A bottle of wine sat open on the table, two glasses half-poured. Like he’d planned for this. Like he knew I’d come.My breath stuttered. “You broke into my apartment.”Thiago smirked, tilting his head. “Now, now, wifey. You gave me a key, reme

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