Lahat ng Kabanata ng Legally Bound : Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 150

Alex stepped out of the bathroom, towel draped loosely around his shoulders, steam still clinging to his skin. He was midway through drying his hair when he looked up and forgot what he was doing entirely.Lily was standing by the mirror.For a second, his mind stalled.She was already dressed, completely transformed from the woman he had left moments earlier. The gown she wore caught the light effortlessly; a sleek, shimmering dinner gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the fabric glinting softly with every slight movement. It wasn’t loud or overdone; it was elegant, confident, and undeniably her.Her hair was pulled into a neat, graceful bun at the nape of her neck, exposing her shoulders and collarbone. A few delicate strands framed her face, softening the look. Silver jewelry adorned her subtly, a fine necklace resting just above her collarbone, matching earrings that caught the light when she moved, and a slim bracelet hugging her wrist. Her heels, equally polished, added the f

For a split second, Alex couldn’t breathe.The room was alive, too alive. Phones were already up, screens glowing, red recording dots blinking. Cameras flashed from different corners, brief bursts of white light catching his stunned expression from every angle. Laughter rippled through the space, warm and loud and unmistakably real.Alex stood frozen at the entrance, heart pounding hard enough that he felt it in his ears.“What” he started, then stopped.His brain scrambled to catch up.Then suddenly“Alex!”The twins came flying at him.He barely had time to brace himself before they wrapped their arms around his waist, laughing, shouting over each other.“Happy birthday!”“We finally got you!”“You didn’t suspect a thing!”He laughed breathlessly, instinctively hugging them back, still dazed. “You, how, when did..”“Surprise!” one of them yelled again, as if saying it louder would explain everything.Hands gently guided him forward. Someone clapped him on the back. Someone else laug

The room gradually settled as plates were cleared and the low hum of conversation softened into expectation. Someone tapped gently against a glass. Another followed. Slowly, attention shifted toward the head of the room where Alex sat, still trying to reconcile the fact that this night, this entire room existed because people had chosen him.His father rose first.Mr. Cromwell did not rush. He adjusted his jacket, resting both hands lightly on the back of his chair before turning to face the room. For a man who had commanded boardrooms for decades, there was something unusually personal in the way he looked at his son now.“When Cromwell & Partners was founded,” he began, voice steady, “it was built on one belief, that integrity outlives profit.”He paused, eyes briefly finding Alex’s.“Over the past year, that belief was tested in ways I never imagined. We faced loss. Doubt. Public scrutiny. And there came a point where I was no longer in the position to hold everything together the

Alex was still standing near the table he’d been at moments earlier, a glass of water in his hand, Lily beside him, when his father caught his eye.“Alexander,” Mr. Cromwell called, his voice calm but carrying that familiar authority that always meant something was coming. “Come with me for a moment.”Alex blinked, already overwhelmed from the night, and let out a small breath. “Dad… what is it?”His father’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “I have one final gift for you.”Alex frowned slightly. “Another one?” He shook his head, half-laughing. “You’ve already done more than enough tonight.”“This one,” his father said, already turning, “is just between us.”Lily squeezed Alex’s hand gently, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. “Go,” she said softly. “I’ll come too.” The others on seeing them leave also followed. They followed Mr. Cromwell out of the ballroom, past the quieted corridors of the hotel, until they reached a private elevator reserved for executive access. No one else w

Alex woke just after 8:30, the city already alive beyond the tall windows. For a moment, he stayed still, taking in the unfamiliar quiet of the hotel suite and the familiar comfort of Lily beside him. Her hair was loose against the pillow, her breathing slow and even. He turned slightly to look at her, a small smile settling on his face.She stirred not long after, blinking sleepily when she realized he was already awake.“Morning,” she murmured, voice still soft with sleep.“Morning,” he replied. “We should probably get moving if we want to make breakfast at home.”She groaned lightly. “Your mother will never forgive us if we’re late.”“That’s exactly my fear,” he said, amused.They moved through the morning with practiced ease and no unnecessary delays. By the time they walked out of the suite, both of them were fully awake, the weight of the night before giving way to the rhythm of a new day.At the front desk, the receptionist immediately recognized Alex and straightened with a po