All Chapters of Your Lips to Mine #2: The Billionaire's Secret Garden: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The ringing of my phone interrupted the silence of the room, and before I even checked the screen, I knew it was Marissa again. I hesitated for a moment, my fingers hovering over the screen, unsure if I was ready to hear what she might have to say. My thoughts from earlier still weighed heavily on me, swirling with confusion and doubt. But this call... something in me felt like it was going to be different. My instincts told me I needed to answer. Taking a deep breath, I tapped the screen, accepting the call. “Sophia, listen to me carefully,” Marissa’s voice crackled through the line, and there was something about the urgency in her tone that sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t the calm, reassuring voice I had come to expect from her. No, this was different. This was fear. “What’s going on?” I asked, my heart starting to race. “Something is happening, something bigger than I thought,” she began, and I could hear the tension in her voice. “Sophia, the Kanes... they want someth

The night stretched on endlessly, oppressive and silent, as I paced back and forth in my small living room. Marissa’s words rang in my ears like an echo I couldn’t escape. Her insistence, her worry, her urgency—they were now impossible to ignore. But what truly shook me was the realization she planted in my mind: Alexander had asked me so many questions about the Midnight Flame tulip before. At the time, I had thought nothing of it. I’d chalked it up to simple curiosity. He was a man of many interests, always intrigued by the world around him, always asking questions. When he’d asked about the Midnight Flame, I’d been flattered. No one had ever shown much interest in my garden before, let alone in the rare tulips I had spent years cultivating. His fascination had felt genuine. But now? Now I wasn’t so sure. I sank onto the couch, burying my face in my hands as the weight of doubt pressed heavily on my chest. Why had he been so interested? Why so persistent in learning about the

The bell above the door jingled softly as my last customer of the day exited the shop, their arms filled with fresh blooms from the garden. I smiled after them, my heart swelling with pride as I watched them walk away. This shop—my little sanctuary—was a labor of love, and each satisfied customer was a reminder of why I worked so hard to keep it alive. As I turned back to tidy up the counter, the sound of footsteps pulled my attention. Another customer had entered, though I hadn’t heard the bell this time. The man who stood near the door wasn’t like my usual clientele. His presence was commanding, almost oppressive, as if the very air in the room had thickened. He was elderly but far from frail, with a sharpness in his gaze that made me feel as though he could see right through me. He wore a tailored suit that screamed wealth and power, and the slight lift of his chin exuded confidence bordering on arrogance. Something about him unsettled me. But I was not one to be easily

When Marissa called me that evening, I didn’t hesitate anymore. The fear that had taken root in my heart over the past few days had grown too large to ignore. Emmanuel Kane’s words had carved themselves deep into my mind, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. It wasn’t just my safety that worried me—it was the legacy my parents had left behind. The thought of it being destroyed because of my connection to Alexander was unbearable. “I’m ready, Marissa,” I said quietly, my voice trembling as I spoke into the phone. “Book the ticket. I’ll leave the country.” Marissa let out a small sigh of relief on the other end of the line. “Good. You’re making the right choice, Sophia. I’ll take care of everything. Just pack what you need and be ready to leave in a few days.” I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Thank you,” I whispered. After we ended the call, I felt a strange mixture of emotions—relief, sadness, and a lingering sense of dread. I stared at my phone, lost

When I got home that night, the stillness of my small house wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. The beach, the stars, and Alexander’s heartfelt words should have brought me comfort, but instead, they left me feeling more conflicted than ever. The lingering scent of the ocean in my hair and the cool sand that had clung to my shoes served as painful reminders of the perfect night I had shared with him. I dropped my bag by the door and leaned against the wall, staring blankly into the dimly lit living room. My mind was racing, replaying every word Alexander had said, every look he had given me, every moment we had spent together. His sincerity, his warmth, and the way he looked at me as if I were the only person who mattered in the world—it all felt like a cruel twist of fate. I wanted to hold on to that night forever, to freeze time and stay in that bubble of happiness where it was just the two of us, far away from the threats and expectations of the Kane family. But reality h