Semua Bab Pucking Forbidden Claim: Bab 241 - Bab 250

Kade POVI want to be angry at him. I should be. But anger isn’t easy when I know he’s right.The worst part? I don’t even know why I let it get this bad. I don’t know why I threw myself so deep into helping Nikolai when he had already accepted me. There was no real reason for it, but I did it anyway.Maybe he wanted me to sink into it. Maybe he kept pulling me deeper so I’d get so used to it that I wouldn’t even think before agreeing. But that’s not on him, it’s on me.I could have said no, just like I did this morning. I could have refused all those other times too, but I didn’t.I hate that I don’t even have a fucking answer for why. I switched to part-time in hockey so I’d have more time with Rook and Harlow, but somehow, I spent even less time with them. The extra hours didn’t go to them, didn’t go to the family I swore meant everything to me.They went to him.Every part of me wants to explain, to give Rook a reason, something to justify why I let this happen. But I can’t. Becau

Kade POVI can’t blame him for not trusting me.The weight of everything still hangs thick between us, lingering in the space where trust used to be easy. I’ve said my piece, made my promises, and I meant every fucking word of it.But Rook?He wants to believe me, but I can see it in his eyes, he’s not there yet. And I don’t blame him.Then, out of nowhere, he lets out a fake laugh, dry and hollow. He leans back against the headboard, smirking like this is all some kind of fucking joke.“Hey, look at that,” he mutters. “Our first real argument as a married couple. Think we handled it well?”I don’t react, I don’t roll my eyes. I don’t smirk back. I just watch him.“You don’t have to do that,” I say, my voice quiet but firm.His head tilts slightly, feigning confusion. “Do what?”I shake my head. “Deflect. Act like it’s nothing. Pretend like it doesn’t fucking hurt.”Rook’s smirk falters for a fraction of a second before he catches himself. He holds my gaze, the humor fading from his f

Kade POVNikolai watches me for a long moment before he sighs. “There are ways around this, Kade. Without you having to give it up entirely.”I narrow my eyes, skeptical. “Like what?”“Set a routine,” he says simply. “And stick to it.”I scoff. “Oh, right. Just set a routine, like it’s that fucking easy.”“It’s not easy,” he admits. “But it’s necessary. You want to be home more? You need to be home more? Then you need to make sure your time is structured, controlled, not just reacting to whatever problem comes up next.”I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “And what if I say fuck that and just walk away from all of this?”Nikolai’s expression darkens slightly. “Then you leave a power vacuum that someone else will fill. And maybe that someone won’t be as careful about keeping your family out of it.”My jaw clenches, my grip tightening against the arms of the chair.Because I know he’s right.I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “Rook can take over.”Nikolai lets out a bitter laugh, leaning

Rook POVHe stands still, his breathing hard, his hand still buried in his hair as he stares at the floor like he’s trying to keep himself from exploding.Good, because I don’t give a shit how frustrated he is right now.“She cried, Kade,” I say again, my voice quieter but still sharp. “She cried because you said you’d be back soon and then just… fucking disappeared.”Kade’s jaw clenches, his nostrils flaring as he finally looks at me. “I didn’t mean for it to happen like that.”I let out a humorless laugh. “That doesn’t matter.”“I know,” he snaps, his voice rough, like the guilt is already eating him alive. “I know, Rook.”“Do you?” I take another step toward him, shaking my head. “Because I don’t think you do. I don’t think you get how fucked up it is to sit there and promise her something and then let her down like that.”Kade doesn’t respond, his jaw locked so tight I’m surprised his teeth don’t fucking crack.I scoff, running a hand over my face. “You don’t get it,” I mutter. “Y

Kade POVI got distracted, which is a fucked-up excuse.Not once have I ever told Harlow I’d do something and then not shown up. The plan was simple, tell Nikolai I was done, come back home. That didn’t happen instead… fuck knows.She seems fine now, but it doesn’t take much to see the new doll in her hands, the one Rook obviously bribed her with. It shouldn’t have come to that. I shouldn’t have let it come to that.“You okay?” Rose asks, watching me closely.I nod, even though it’s a fucking lie. She doesn’t push, just sits down as Harlow walks over and hands her a tiny cup like she’s running her own restaurant.“We need to talk.” Rook’s voice comes from behind me, sharp and to the point.I nod, standing and pulling Harlow in for a quick hug before following him.“Not here,” he mutters, already walking toward the door.Great. If he won’t say it here, it means I’m about to get my ass handed to me. I follow him outside, slipping into the passenger seat as he starts the car. He doesn’t