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Chapter 17
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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 24
On his previous trip to Tuscany, he had taken a commercial flight to chase Solo. This time, he had ordered his private jet to be ready. He would follow Jake to Florence and see for himself.He ordered the plane to be prepared in four hours. However, he had to finish some business before leaving. He’d given himself three days to find her. If this trip proved unsuccessful, he would give up. If Solo didn't wish to be found, he would stop looking.The quiet hum of the jet filled the cabin, but his thoughts were anything but quiet. He had been on flights like this countless times—across continents, chasing deals and high-profile clients—but this was different. This time, he wasn’t chasing a deal. He was chasing something far more elusive.Solo.He leaned back in his seat, staring at the endless dark sky. His phone buzzed on the seat next to him. It was Jake again."Everything set,” Jake said when Dominic answered."Good," Dominic said, his voice thick with expectation. "I’ll be landing soo
Trade Breaker Chapter 25
Tension filled the room as Inigo entered the hotel's lounge, hosting the event. His usual confident demeanor was replaced with something more serious. Solo closed the distance between them, trying to steady her nerves. She could sense something on his mind. After all, this was a social gathering for the House of Ricci, but there was something more to his presence tonight."Inigo," she said, her voice soft, "what's wrong? Why do you look so concerned?"Inigo glanced around the foyer, his eyes lingering on the people scattered around in the background. His expression was unreadable, but the flicker of concern in his eyes deepened and didn’t go unnoticed."let's find somewhere quieter where we can talk," he said, returning his gaze to her and pulling her toward a quiet corner of the room. "I know the event is about to start, and with everything you’ve been handling...I just wanted to make sure you’re okay."Solo offered a small, reassuring smile. "I’m fine. Just...busy, there’s a lot to
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Trade Breaker Chapter 66
Charles flew through the hospital corridors, his footsteps echoing on the polished floors. His heart pounded in his chest, and the immediacy of the situation was sharp in his mind.He hadn’t even stopped to drop his luggage at home, instead heading straight to the hospital after the call from one of the nurses. Solo had gone into labor, and all he could think of was being there for her.He paused outside her door, running a hand through his messy hair. His reflection in the glass of a nearby cabinet revealed the toll of sleepless nights and long flights, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was her.Gathering his composure, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The soft sound of rustling blankets greeted him, along with the faint cry of a newborn settling into sleep. The sight before him stilled his breath.Solo lay propped up in bed, her face pale but serene, her hair framing her tired yet glowing features. Beside her, one of her twins rested in a bassinet, his tiny hand c
Trade Breaker Chapter 65
The soft, sterile hum of the hospital room felt suffocating. Aralise lay in the center of the made bed, her head propped up by stiff, firm pillows. An overhead light illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced along the edges of the walls. She glanced toward the crib beside her, where the baby slept, her delicate features visible under the pink blanket.Aralise’s fingers tapped on the hospital sheet as she tried to compose her expression. She didn’t dare look at the baby too long. The longer she stared, the more a strange discomfort grew within her—as if her body rejected the child, as though the entire situation threatened to unravel.The sound of approaching heels snapped her out of her thoughts. The door swung open to reveal the midwife, her sharp, calculating eyes scanning the room. She carried a clipboard under one arm and a handbag hanging from her shoulder.Her movements were brisk, purposeful, and unyielding, like someone accustomed to cleaning up messes.“Well, Miss Wat
Trade Breaker Chapter 64
The café hummed with life, its cozy atmosphere warmed by the afternoon sun as they sat outside and more people arrived. Solo pushed a piece of lettuce around her plate, lost in thought, while Kirael sipped her soup and stole curious glances at Aralise, who consumed a salmon dish with gusto and sipped her double espresso unphased.“So,” Aralise said, setting down her coffee cup. “What’s the news with your twins, Solo? Any updates?”Solo glanced at her, smiling. “The doctor said they’re doing great, but they’re planning to induce me after my next checkup. They don’t want me going too far past six weeks because you know—twins.”Aralise’s eyebrows rose in mock surprise. “Oh, that’s sooner than I thought! How exciting. My baby’s due around that time too. What about you, Kirael?”Kirael's fruit cocktail juice in hand froze mid-sip, her glass hovering in the air. Her eyes flicked to Solo, then back to Aralise, a flicker of suspicion flashing across her face.“Really? My baby’s also due then.
Trade Breaker Chapter 63
Solo shifted on the examination table, the crinkling paper beneath her amplifying her discomfort. The clinic room was sterile, the faint hum of medical equipment filling the air. Across from her, having finished her prenatal examinations, Kirael sat in a plastic chair, thumbing through a magazine. Her brows furrowed, but her mind seemed elsewhere.“I wish they’d just get this over with,” Solo muttered, one hand protectively cradling her rounded belly.Kirael looked up, offering a small smile. “Relax, these things always take forever. It’s routine. You and the twins are fine.”Before Solo could respond, the door swung open, revealing a young trainee. Her movements were awkward, and the nervous energy of someone new to the job was evident in how she adjusted her stethoscope.“Miss Dale,” the trainee greeted with a polite smile. “We’ll be listening to the babies’ heartbeats today.”Solo nodded, reclining as the trainee prepared the Doppler. The steady thump of the first heartbeat filled
Trade Breaker Chapter 62
The afternoon sun filtered through Aralise’s small apartment, casting a warm glow over the furniture. Her baby bump lay discarded on the sofa. As she paced the room, her frustration bubbled beneath the surface. She glanced at her phone, waiting for it to ring.The silence in the apartment was oppressive, amplifying the sound of her restless movements. She paused by the window, staring at the bustling street below. Families strolled together, their laughter drifting upward like a cruel reminder of the distance between her and her goal. The world—oblivious to the tangled web of lies she was spinning.She sighed, ran a hand through her hair, and then tapped her nails against the window frame, her impatience growing with each passing second.Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a familiar name.“Mother,” she said, snatching up the phone and answering. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call.”Her mother’s voice came through, smooth and calm. “Darli
Trade Breaker Chapter 61
Dominic paced the living room of the Hale estate. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he marched back and forth. His jaw clenched tight, and his keen and sharp gaze was clouded with frustration.“You called her, didn’t you?” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. His posture screamed God alone knows what I would do to you if you weren't my mother?Seeming unphased sitting on the plush sofa, Isabella raised an eyebrow and sipped her tea with feigned calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, though the slight upward tilt of her chin betrayed her guilt.“Don’t lie to me, Mom.” Dominic stopped pacing and faced her, his voice growing louder. “You’re the only person who would have done this. Do you want me to believe Sapphire just happened to show up at the house right after I told you what happened? Please, don’t insult my intelligence.”Isabella set her cup down with deliberate precision. “Dominic, you’re overreacting. Sapphire needed a chanc
Trade Breaker Chapter 60
After the call ended, Sapphire stared at the screen, her mind racing with frustration and disbelief. Her nails tapped against the coffee table in sharp, erratic rhythms. Her lips curled into a humorless smile, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She tossed her phone onto the couch, a sharp huff escaping her lips. "That stupid old hag." The thought struck her with venom as she leaned back on the sofa and drummed her nails on the armrest. Does she even know her son? If she did, she'd know that just showing up at the house wouldn't fix anything—her plan was doomed to backfire. Dominic doesn’t cave under pressure—he digs in deeper. Her stupid suggestion would only make things worse.Sapphire sighed, stood, and began pacing the room. Her frustration simmered, fueling the calculations running through her mind. She couldn’t let this slip through her fingers. Dominic was the key to everything she’d worked for—everything that defined her ambitions rested on keeping him within her grasp. Yes,
Trade Breaker Chapter 59
Despite her mother-in-law's warning, she didn't want to give up on having Sapphire as her daughter-in-law. The conversation she had with Madam Hale the other day had left Isabella's mind spiraling.She sat in her private sitting room, stirring her tea. Her gaze was distant, filled with memories she hadn’t revisited in years. Watching Sapphire maneuver her way into Dominic’s life had sparked an unusual sense of camaraderie, though she’d never say it aloud.Sapphire reminded her of herself in her early years—young, ambitious, and willing to secure her future by any means necessary. That’s how Isabella had won her place in this family, though she’d learned too late that the empire wouldn’t pass to her husband.Her musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She looked as the housekeeper entered, her expression tight, eyes filled with concern, her usual composure ruffled.“What is it?”“The young master is here, but his posture is strange. He looks ready to explode.”I
Trade Breaker Chapter 58
Dominic strode through the front door of his mother’s house, each step echoing his tumultuous thoughts. The cool night air had done little to calm the storm within him, and with each breath, he felt the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on him.I was so stupid, he thought, slamming the door harder than he intended. How could I let my guard down like that?He tossed his keys on the small table by the entryway, the clatter sounding loud in the quiet of the early morning. He was supposed to be the strong one, the unshakeable Dominic Hale, who kept his composure at all costs. Yet there he was, feeling anything but composed.As he moved through the darkened hallway towards the kitchen, his mind replayed the night’s events—a vortex of anger, confusion, and a deep-seated violation that he couldn’t shake. Sapphire’s touch, her weight against him, the way she’d tried to manipulate his vulnerability made his skin crawl.He poured himself a glass of water with hands that weren’t q
