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Chapter 23
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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.
Trade Breaker Chapter 2
Solo stood outside Dominic’s apartment, the keys he had given her feeling heavy in her hand. The morning sun fought through the clouds, casting a pale light over the city. She paused, her heart pounding. She had spent three years in that apartment, but now, it felt foreign, devoid of shape and familiarity.Her time here was over. The place wasn’t hers anymore. It never was.She sighed.With a steady breath, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She walked through the apartment, her eyes scanning every room. Memories flooded her mind with each step and object she saw.The familiar scent of Dominic’s cologne lingered in the air. Once comforting, the faint scent now wrapped around her as if dragging her into the past.She closed her eyes, letting herself remember—the quiet moments shared when they would sit in silence after dining together, the evenings when he would work late into the night, his sharp voice cutting through the stillness with quick phone commands.He had always been
Trade Breaker Chapter 3
Solo sat in the sterile office, her hands resting at her side. The hum of the ultrasound machine filled the room, the rhythmic beeping of her heartbeat blending with the two tiny lives growing inside her.She stared at the screen, watching the outlines of her twins swimming around like two little coffee beans—a bittersweet smile playing at the corners of her mouth.“You’re carrying two healthy babies.” The doctor's voice was kind but clinical. “Everything looks good.”Solo nodded, her mind wandering. Healthy babies. That was all that mattered. She’d decided not to tell Dominic weeks ago when she first discovered her pregnancy and had wondered how she could break their deal.Dominic must never know about her children. He had made it clear that Sapphire was all he needed. There was no place for Solo or the children in his life, not to mention his cold and distant family. In her opinion, the Hale family was not fit to raise a pet, let alone a child.Their outlook on life was pretty despi
Trade Breaker Chapter 4
Solo sat across from Charles Bellamy, her mentor, the man who had helped launch her career in the jewelry design business years ago. They were engulfed in the buzz of the upscale café, filled with the soft clinks of glasses, cups, dishes, and murmured conversations. Solo’s mind, however, was focused on the opportunity Charles presented.“The event is two weeks away,” he said, tapping the side of his coffee cup. “You’ll be presenting under your new name—Solaire—I expect it to make quite the impact.”She nodded, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety that washed over her. It had been so long since she had immersed herself in the jewelry world. Now, she was returning with a new identity, more at stake than before. Her career had to take off—not just for herself, but for her children’s future.She closed her eyes, steadying her nerves, then snapped and opened them. “I’m ready,” she said, though the words felt heavier than anticipated.Charles smiled, his eyes filled with pride. “Good. I h
Trade Breaker Chapter 5
Solo sat at her workbench, surrounded by the soft melodies from her radio as she worked in her small studio. Her studio was a hall closet under the stairs of the old converted two-story house she was staying in. The stairs led to the upstairs apartment. The sketches and unfinished jewelry pieces Solo had scattered before her were more than designs—they were symbols of the future she was crafting. Charles, her mentor, told her the upcoming event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-establish herself in the jewelry world under her new identity, ‘Solaire.’ She ran her fingers over a bracelet she was working on. Her mind focused on the intricate details, and she became excited and anxious about the event as the time drew near. It wasn’t just about her career—it was about proving to herself she could build a life without relying on Dominic or the world she had left behind. Toward the end of their relationship, she had noticed that she had become too comfortable with having things
Trade Breaker Chapter 6
Solo sat at her workbench, the rhythmic sound of the radio in the background and her tools echoing in the small workspace. The afternoon's soft light streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate jewelry pieces scattered on the dining table behind her.She had been working nonstop on her designs for the upcoming event. Each piece reflected her determination to reclaim her life and career under her new identity, Solaire.Solaire’s creations differed from Solo’s original style. Early designs whispered elegance and were understated yet powerful in their simplicity, capturing the essence of balance and restraint.Her creations have taken on a new energy—bold, daring, and full of life. It's as if each piece tells a story of rediscovery. The past's refined lines have given way to striking contrasts and vibrant textures.Though Solaire’s designs were more daring, they still carried the quiet strength of her beginnings but now reflected a sense of freedom, like an artist unafraid to
Trade Breaker Chapter 7
Solo’s fingers worked over the delicate necklace she was crafting, the tiny gemstones catching the light as she set them into place. The design was intricate, one of her finest yet, and almost complete. She sat back, admiring the piece as quiet satisfaction settled over her.The jewelry event was just around the corner, and her preparations were almost done. Each design she created for the event felt like a step toward reclaiming herself and building a new life for her and her child. Yet, as much as she tried to focus on her work, the weight of her secret pressed on her.Her mentor, Charles, had been the most significant support during this time, helping her navigate the world of high-end jewelry under her new identity. But even he didn’t know the whole truth—about the pregnancy and the life she had left behind.The sound of a knock at the door pulled Solo from her thoughts, and she stood to greet Charles, who entered the studio with a bright smile.“How’s it going, Solaire?” he asked
Trade Breaker Chapter 8
Sensing the strain between Dominic and Sapphire, his mother surprised them with a weekend away at a luxury resort, explaining it would be an opportunity for them to reconnect. Fraught with guilt about his emotions and recent behavior, Dominic accepted.The resort was picture-perfect, the kind of place where everything was designed to invoke peace and relaxation.Sapphire smiled as they stepped out of the car, the cool ocean breeze brushing against her face. She followed Dominic, strolling to the railing of the Cliff Hotel, overlooking the ocean as the waves rolled in, the sun casting a golden glow over the horizon. Beside him, Sapphire leaned on the railing contented.“This is perfect, isn’t it?” she said, glancing up at him.Dominic nodded. His acknowledgment was mechanical.Nothing about this trip felt perfect. The disconnect between him and Sapphire grew like an invisible wall separating them. No matter how beautiful the surroundings, he couldn’t shake the blankness that settled in
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