Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Forbidden Truth: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Chapter 11: Business TensionsMarcus's fingers drummed against his mahogany desk as Stanley Chen, head of legal, droned on about shareholder concerns. I watched from the corner office's leather couch, pretending to review quarterly reports while stealing glances at the man who'd turned my world upside down."The board is... uncomfortable," Stanley said carefully, "with recent rumors about your personal life."Marcus's jaw tightened – the only indication that the words had landed. "The board's comfort isn't my priority.""Perhaps it should be." Stanley adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses. "Victoria's been making calls."Of course she had. My hand instinctively moved to my still-flat stomach. Two months of morning sickness and stolen moments had led to this – my ex-future-mother-in-law weaponizing gossip against her own husband."If that's all?" Marcus's voice carried that dangerous edge I'd first heard at the bar, before I knew who he was. Before everything.Stanley hesitated. "There's ta

James's phone screen felt like a ticking bomb between us. Marcus's hand tightened on mine as the footage played on loop – his tender touches, my vulnerable moment, all our careful secrets exposed in harsh fluorescent light."Interesting morning routine," James said, his voice deadly quiet. "Tell me, Father, do you hold all your employees' hair back when they're sick?""Get out." Marcus's voice held that dangerous edge I'd first fallen for in the bar. But James didn't move."Or what? You'll fire me? Disinherit me?" He laughed, bitter and sharp. "Go ahead. Give the board another reason to question your judgment."My stomach lurched again, but this time it wasn't morning sickness. It was fear. Pure, cold fear watching everything we'd built start to crumble."What do you want?" I managed to ask.James's eyes snapped to mine, and for a moment I saw the man I'd almost married – hurt, betrayed, but also calculating. Always calculating."The truth would be nice.""The truth?" Marcus stepped f

Chapter 15: Victoria's GameThe exclusive restaurant Victoria had chosen hummed with power. Every table hosted someone who mattered in our city's hierarchy - politicians dining with donors, celebrities with publicists, business titans with ambitious protégés. The perfect setting for her ambush."Sophia, darling. You look..." Victoria's eyes performed a calculated sweep of my appearance as I approached her corner table, "...tired."I smoothed my dress, suddenly conscious of how I'd selected it to accommodate my still-hidden pregnancy rather than for style. "Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Henderson. Though I admit I was surprised to receive it.""Victoria, please." Her smile never reached her eyes. "We're practically family, aren't we?"The waiter materialized with practiced invisibility, pouring water and reciting specials. Victoria ordered without consulting the menu – evidently a regular. When he recommended wine pairings, I declined with a simple "just water," noting how Victori

Chapter 17: Unexpected AllyI never thought I'd see Rachel Winters on my doorstep again."You look like hell," were the first words out of her mouth. Same Rachel—designer jeans, cashmere sweater, and the brutal honesty that had once made her my closest friend before she became the woman I caught naked with my fiancé."What are you doing here?" My hand instinctively rested on my stomach, a protective gesture I hadn't realized had become habit.Her eyes dropped to the movement, widening slightly. "So it's true.""If you're here to gloat—""I'm not." She pushed past me into the apartment, the familiar scent of her perfume bringing back unwanted memories. "Trust me, this is the last place I want to be."I shut the door, watching as she scanned my living room with those appraising eyes that had always made me feel just slightly inadequate. "Then why are you here?""Because James is a lying piece of shit, and you deserve to know why." She dropped onto my couch, crossing her legs with casual

Chapter 19: Family TiesMy heart plummeted as I stared at the photo of Emma's ransacked office. "We need to go. Now." Marcus's voice was taut with controlled panic as he grabbed my overnight bag."I need to call Emma," I said, fingers already dialing her number. Each unanswered ring sent my anxiety spiraling higher."Straight to voicemail," I whispered after the third attempt. "Marcus, if Victoria's hurt her—""She wouldn't dare." His jaw clenched as he took my phone, texting Emma with swift, deliberate movements. "Victoria's cruel, but she's calculating. This is intimidation, not violence."I wasn't convinced. "We need to check her apartment.""First, we get you somewhere safe." His hand pressed protectively against the small of my back, guiding me toward the door. "Then I'll find Emma.""I'm coming with you," I insisted, digging my heels in.Marcus turned to face me, his expression softening despite the tension radiating from his body. "Sophia." My name on his lips still sent shive