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Chapter 16
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Trade Breaker Chapter 17
Dominic looked at Sapphire and shook his head. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Sapphire, can we do this later? I’m—”“No.” She said, her voice was firm, cutting off any excuses. “We’re going to do this now.” She moved toward him, her arms folded across her chest, her expression unreadable. “You went to Italy,” she said, her voice calm but icy. “And you don’t have to lie to me—I know why.”Dominic’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t reply.“You went to look for her, didn’t you? Solo.” The name felt bitter on her tongue, like a betrayal.Dominic hesitated, but the look in Sapphire’s eyes told him she already knew. There was no reason to deny it.“Yes,” he admitted, his voice low. “I went to look for her.”Sapphire’s lips trembled, but she recovered, her voice rising with fury and heartbreak.“I endured for three years! So we could be together.” Her hand rose to pat her hair as though tidying imaginary loose strands. “I could only make this sacrifice because of our promise to each oth
Trade Breaker Chapter 18
Chapter 18Months had passed since Solo began her new existence under the Italian sun. The bright sun and gentle mountain breeze filtered through the curtains in Solo's apartment, shimmering its golden light over the comfortable living space.She stood in front of the full-length mirror, her hands caressing the subtle curve of her growing belly. At four months pregnant, the reality of impending motherhood, a journey she anticipated, became more tangible every day."You're doing great," Charles said from the doorway before pushing forward into the room, a supportive smile on his face. “Are you ready for your appointment?"Solo turned to face him, grateful for his presence. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said, smiling back at him. His grin widened at her poor attempt at humor."Don't worry, everything's been fine so far," Charles assured her. "Plus, Dr. Moretti is the best in Florence. You'll be in good hands."Holding hands, they left the apartment and stepped into the bustling street
Trade Breaker Chapter 19
Dominic paced his office, the city skyline stretching out behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. The crumpled paper clenched in his fist—was a lead that had seemed promising hours before."You're certain?" he spoke into the phone, his tone edged with frustration."Positive," Jake said on the other end. “The woman our contact identified as Solo Delaney isn't her. She has a different background, and she’s a different person."Dominic exhaled. "Keep looking.""Dom, maybe it's time to consider that she doesn't want to be found," Jake said."I can't accept that," Dominic said. "There's got to be something we've missed.""Alright. I'll keep digging."Ending the call, Dominic sank into his chair, running a hand through his hair. His gaze drifted to an invitation on his desk—for a charity gala he would attend with Sapphire.Recalling three years ago, Solo had nagged him. She wanted to accompany him to this gala. It was a charity close to her heart that she had sponsored, but she had never been
Trade Breaker Chapter 20
Sapphire closed the door behind her. Her composed expression slipped as soon as she was out of sight. Dominic continued to pull away despite her efforts to turn things around. The emotional distance between them was growing wider and wider, and she was determined to find a method to bridge the gap.Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number she knew by heart. "Mother," she said when the call connected. “I need some advice.” She began to walk forward."Sapphire, darling," her mother said, her voice cooed. "What can I do for you?""It's Dominic. He's hung up on some girl he met after we broke up. I told you we should have waited to see if he could turn things around.”There was a pause on the other end. “Who knew he would find a way to replace you? He reluctantly let you go and promised to wait. So what changed, and why wasn't we informed? "“I don’t know," Sapphire said. All I know is that he is no longer the trained puppy I left behind.” As she headed toward the elevators, her hand ro
Trade Breaker Chapter 21
Solo leaned her head against the cool glass of the car window, watching the streets whiz by in a blur as she rode back to her apartment. Charles sat beside her, his fingers scrolling through his phone. Now and then, she could feel his concerned glances, but she didn't have the energy to reassure him. All she wanted was to be back in her apartment, alone with her thoughts."Everything alright?" Charles asked, breaking the comfortable silence."Yeah," she smiled as she rubbed her stomach. "Just…a lot to process.""Understandable," he said, his tone gentle. "You're handling all of this well. Most people in your situation would fall apart.""I don't know if 'handling' is the right word," Solo mused, her thoughts trailing back to the appointment earlier. Her children's heartbeat still echoed in her mind—steady, strong, and undeniable. She had made peace with her future, but the past still lingered in her mind.The look Charles gave her was half teasing, half serious. "You're stronger than
Trade Breaker Chapter 22
The drive back from the address felt like the longest of Dominic’s life—another lead, another dead end. The frustration was becoming unbearable, but what stung most was his growing acceptance that Solo was hiding—her erasion from his life had been thorough. That knowledge cut deeper than any of his failed searches."Maybe Jake’s right. She doesn’t want to be found, not by me,” he muttered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. That thought didn’t sit well with him. He had to believe that if she understood the regret gnawing at him, things would be different if she knew what he felt.How did he feel?He wasn’t sure if he knew the answer to that question either. He just knew he wanted her back.Pulling into his driveway, he cut the engine and sat there, staring ahead. He had forwarded the information the old lady had given him to Jake.The world outside seemed calm, but inside, a storm was brewing.His phone buzzed. It was Jake."Anything?" Dominic asked, answering the call. His tone was
Trade Breaker Chapter 23
The evening air in Florence carried a light chill as Solo adjusted her dress in front of the mirror. The upcoming House of Ricci event loomed large in her mind, but her thoughts were elsewhere—in the email she had received about the impending arrival of an investor from New York. It gnawed at her, a creeping sense of unease that she couldn’t shake."New York," she whispered, her knuckles turning white as she tightened her grip on the vanity chair. Even after all this time, the city's name was a minefield of memories—too many remnants of her life with Dominic. Florence was supposed to be her fresh start, but the past always sneaked back when she least expected it.As Solo stepped out onto her balcony, the sounds of Florence at night enveloped her. The distant hum of Vespas, the laughter from nearby cafes, and the smell of fresh pasta wafting through the air should have brought her peace. But tonight, it only served as a reminder of how far she had come and how fragile her new life was.
Trade Breaker Chapter 1
Dominic sat across from Solo, his face stoic. Like a mask still and unmoving, his eyes were cold and distant. The silence between them—thick. All Solo could hear was the ticking of the wall clock. He spoke, his voice devoid of any warmth."Solo, what we have between us stops today. She's back."His words cut through the silence in the room like a knife through butter, sharp, deliberate. Solo's breath hitched, but she didn't let it show.She'd been preparing for this moment. Still, the blow landed harder than she expected. Sapphire. The girl who Dominic loved had left him three years ago, cheating on him and abandoning the relationship they had built. Now, she was back.Despite the storm raging within, Solo swallowed, and her expression remained neutral. Dominic, the man who had been everything to her, sat across from her like a stranger."Okay," Solo said, her voice quiet but steady. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break. Not here. Not now.Dominic didn't flinch.
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