Semua Bab Tangled Destinies : Bab 51 - Bab 60

In the kitchen, Dominic focused on making a simple, familiar dinner—spaghetti with a mild tomato sauce and homemade meatballs, suitable for both the kids and Lila. He chopped fresh basil and sprinkled it into the sauce, stirring until the aroma filled the room. It was easy, quick, and one of the kids’ favorites. Winnie, who had a fussier palate, would at least eat the noodles if the mood struck her, and Aaron always loved rolling the spaghetti onto his fork like a pro.Meanwhile, in the living room, Lila sat with Aaron on the floor, sorting through Dominic’s impressive DVD collection of animated children’s films. It was a surprisingly massive selection; with nearly every popular kid’s movie she could think of—and many she hadn’t even heard of. It felt like a small treasure trove, like Dominic had quietly built up his own library to keep Aaron and Winnie entertained."How about this one?" she suggested, pulling out a bright gree

But as the movie approached its end, Lila’s smile began to fade. She noticed that something seemed off. A subtle shift in tone crept in—a quiet, haunting sense of melancholy that lingered just under the surface. It was almost unnoticeable, and Aaron and Winnie, still engrossed, didn’t seem to notice. Elara and Finn eventually reached a tower hidden by fog, where, they were told, an evil witch had imprisoned their mother. The children, with the help of the friends they’d made, bravely faced the witch, banishing her and freeing their mother at last. But when the mother embraced her children, the animation took on an odd, faded quality, the colors dulling slightly, though the characters’ joy remained. The final scene showed the three of them reunited, a snowy landscape stretching out behind them.Then came the twist, so subtle that only an adult could catch it: a soft voiceover from Elara, whispering to her brother that everything would be okay now,

Annabelle’s mind was a storm as she drove home, the quiet hum of the car’s engine doing little to settle the chaos raging inside her. She couldn’t stop replaying the kiss with Andre. Her body still remembered the heat of it, the sharp edge of his hands on her skin, the firm press of his lips against hers. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to forget how quickly it had ended—how swiftly she had pulled away from him, shoving aside any budding feelings as if they were a distant and irrelevant threat. She had told him it meant nothing. She had forced herself to believe it.The kiss had been a mistake. There was no way around that. She knew better than to indulge in anything that could cloud her judgment. Andre Winters had the power to make or break her family. And for all the chemistry that had crackled between them, for all the ways he had made her feel seen and wanted, it was dangerous. His interests were tangled in business, in a world where emotions didn’t belong.The nagging voice i

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at it absently—it was a message from one of the servants, asking if she wanted tea before bed. She quickly sent a polite decline. Tea wouldn’t fix the turmoil in her chest. Instead, she sent Lila a short text, telling her she might come and see her this weekend. Right now, Sea’s Edge seemed more inviting than ever.She sat down at the small vanity by the window, staring at the moonlit reflection of the garden outside. Her mind wandered again to Andre. What was it about him? She hadn’t intended to let the kiss happen. She was confused and unsure of her own emotions. But then, his presence had been so consuming, so undeniable. And now she was left trying to piece together what that kiss meant. Why had she let it happen? Why had she felt so drawn to him? Her thoughts were spiraling. She knew she shouldn’t have kissed him. She didn’t even know him, not really. He was just another complica

Her father’s silence was telling. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he paced to the side of the desk, his movements deliberate.Annabelle shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “You’ve spent so much time strategizing, trying to control everyone around you, that you’ve forgotten people aren’t pawns. Lila isn’t coming back, not for James, not for you, not for this company.”“That bridge will be crossed when we find her,” David said at last, his tone brooking no argument. “But if there’s even a chance of repairing the damage James caused, Rachel has to be gone first. She’s a distraction. Worse, she’s a liability.”Annabelle let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “And how exactly do you expect me to make that happen? Rachel isn’t going to just pack her bags and leave because I ask her to.”“That’s why I&