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Chapter 41
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Trade Breaker Chapter 42
It was a peaceful afternoon in Florence. Solo relished the moment. She and Charles sat across from each other at her small dining table, enjoying lunch. The soft hum of conversation, laughter, and the occasional clink of crockery set the perfect backdrop. Charles made every meal feel like an occasion.His humor and warmth added color to the simplest moments.Solo sipped her iced tea, relaxing back in her seat. “You know, days like these make me grateful I came here.”Charles grinned, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m glad to be a part of it.” He raised his fork in a mock toast before biting into his pasta.Solo’s phone lit up with an incoming call—it flashed once before routing straight to Charles’s phone, a feature they’d set up in anticipation of Sapphire’s persistence.Charles glanced at his phone and saw the caller ID. “Well, well,” he said, setting his fork on the plate with exaggerated care. A devilish grin spread across his face as he glanced at Solo. “And now the fun
Trade Breaker Chapter 43
After the laughter from Sapphire’s call faded, and the meal was almost over. Solo leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression settling on her face. She placed her hand on her growing belly, her mind wandering to something that had occupied her thoughts for a few weeks.Charles noticed the change in her expression, his brow lifting in curiosity.“All right, you’ve got that look,” he said, grinning as he reached for his glass of water. “Out with it.”Solo bit her lip as she traced gentle circles over her belly. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, Charles. Something unusual…about the twins.”Charles set his glass on the table, leaning in with intrigue. “Go on.”She took a breath, her gaze still fixed on her belly. “It's going to sound strange, but I think they…understand me. Almost as if they’re aware of what I’m saying.”Charles’s eyes widened, but he didn’t interrupt, sensing she had more to say.“Sometimes,” she continued, her voice soft, “when I talk to them, they
Trade Breaker Chapter 44
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow across Solo’s hand as she sat in a plush, comfortable armchair in Charles’s villa, her sketchbook on her knee. She was focused on the delicate lines and curves of her latest design.The necklace she imagined seemed to come to life on the page—an intricate piece representing strength and elegance, qualities she remembered she would need in abundance soon.She felt a flutter in her belly and placed a hand over it, feeling the familiar movements of the twins. A smile spread across her face as she whispered to them. “Okay, little ones. If you stay still for a little longer, I’ll tell you a story…a story about your dad.”Their movements quieted, almost as if they understood. She chuckled, charmed by how much they seemed to respond to her voice and words.With her pencil in hand, Solo resumed sketching, savoring the peace and freedom that had settled over her. It was a relief to have distance from Sapphire’s demands and Hale Enterprises’ constant pest
Trade Breaker Chapter 45
Sapphire set her phone down, frustration clawing at her insides with each new numbered dialed. They seemed to be no way to speak to Solaire direct—each number called redirected her to a different and even bigger rude asshole than the one before. Her manicured fingers tightened over the screen as she processed her frustrating call with Charles Bellamy—he’d been the worst—that pretentious little prick. The device made a slight creaking sound under her grip, and she forced herself to relax her hold before she cracked another screen protector. His rudeness was astounding. He had brushed off her every attempt to reason, persuade, and even pressure him. Each word he'd spoken had been like a paper cut—seeming insignificant but irritating and painful. Solaire's refusal, delivered through Charles and others, was a clear rejection, but she wasn't about to let that stand. Her throat constricted around the bitter pill of denial.Alone in her office, she paced in front of the wide windows, whic
Trade Breaker Chapter 46
It was time to implement her plan before she overthought things and returned to square one. Sapphire picked up her phone and dialed a number, her fingers drumming on the surface of her desk as she waited.The voice on the other end answered after a few rings. “Isabella Hale speaking.”“Isabella, darling, it’s Sapphire. How are you?” she said, her tone as sweet and smooth as honey.“Sapphire!” Isabella’s warm voice filled the line. “I’m doing well, thank you. I trust you’re ready for tonight’s dinner?”“Absolutely,” Sapphire replied, settling back in her chair. “I wanted to discuss something with you before we meet this evening.”“Oh? Does it have anything to do with Hale Enterprises?” Isabella asked. Her interest was piqued, as Sapphire had hoped.“Yes,” she said, allowing a hint of frustration to enter her voice. “I’ve been trying to work out the deal with Solaire, but her answer is a firm ‘no.’ It’s such a shame—she’s one of the best designers in the market right now. She would have
Trade Breaker Chapter 47
Dominic sat in the back seat of his car, staring blankly out the window as the city lights flickered past. The familiar streets held no warmth or comfort for him—they were the same cold, monotonous pathways he traveled every day.Since he’d decided to stop looking for Solo, life had become nothing more than a series of motions—a hollow routine he followed without thought, without purpose.And even though he knew it was the right thing to do, it still pinched at his heart. Solo didn’t want to be found. She made it obvious, and the person backing her had enough power to make her invisible even from him.Given how he’d treated her in the past, he had to acknowledge her wishes and stop looking. If they were meant to be, he would meet her again. But knowing this didn’t relieve the emptiness that had settled in his chest—since he’d made that choice, it seemed to grow heavier with each passing day.It was as if some essential part of him had shriveled and faded, leaving a cold, hardened shell
Trade Breaker Chapter 48
Even though he held a lot of resentment toward his situation, there was guilt, too. Sapphire had sacrificed three years of her life for her family. He was unable to help her situation—and had promised to wait. And he did, or so he thought. He’d waited patiently through the years with Solo at his side.Solo, his contracted mistress, and an impossible match. She was someone who sold herself for money, someone he would never fall in love with. Yet, over the three years, something shifted feelings he never imagined crept to the surface after she was gone.And though he didn’t want Sapphire now, he owed her. He had an obligation—a weight he couldn’t shake, and the thought clawed at his gut and rendered him impotent. He hadn’t felt the slightest movement down there for weeks.Dom Junior wasn’t just sleeping—he was comatose.He turned to his mother, eager to shift the focus. “So, Mother, what else did you and Sapphire discuss before I arrived?” From the guilty look on their faces when he cam
Trade Breaker Chapter 49
The elevator chimed as it arrived at the top floor, and Dominic stepped out, his movements slow and unhurried. Sapphire followed close behind, radiating excitement, a triumphant smile on her lips.She clutched her purse, her gaze sweeping over the quiet luxury of his penthouse as if to say, at last, I'm in. The confidence she once held on her return and visiting Dominic's apartment had long since dwindled.He had made her feel like a stranger more and more each time she visited. Even though he had initially allowed her to sleep over, he had removed that privilege months ago. His actions were intentional, as her possessiveness over him and his possessions irked him, along with her constant badgering to change things in his apartment.The apartment felt like a shell to him—a curated space of minimalism and precision. Its sterility, its starkness, reminded him of all he had lost. In every empty corner, he saw her absence. Every neatly arranged object emphasized the void she had left behi
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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
