CHAPTER 20

XAVI’S POVAng katahimikan sa parking area ay tila isang mabigat na pasanin sa dibdib ko habang nakatago ako sa dilim. Malayo sa ingay ng falls at sa tawanan ng team ni Damien, pakiramdam ko ay nilalamon ako ng espasyo. Sumandal ako sa magaspang na balat ng puno ng mahogany, hinahayaang balutin ako ng dilim. My thumb hovered over the booking app sa phone ko, habang ang signal bars ay kumukurap-kurap na parang mamatay na mitsa.I just couldn’t stay. Sa tuwing tinitingnan ko si Damien, pakiramdam ko ay isa akong glass vase na nakalagay sa dulo ng mesa. Isang maling ihip lang ng hangin, isang aksidenteng sagi, at mababasag ako.Then, I heard the flick of a lighter.Ang masangsang na amoy ng sigarilyo ay humalo sa malamig na hangin ng gabi. I crinkled my nose, ang inis ko ay nagsilbing depensa. "Argh! I hate smokers," bulong ko sa sarili.Pero sumagot ang dilim.“Hindi ko alam na may tao,” ang boses na iyon—mababa, paos, at pamilyar na pamilyar.My heart did a painful somersault nang luma

CHAPTER 21

XAVI'S POVThe Mancini private jet was not just a mode of transportation; it was a floating palace of mahogany, cream-colored leather, and the quiet hum of immense power. Habang umaakyat ang eroplano, naramdaman ko ang paglubog ng tiyan ko—hindi dahil sa pressure ng altitude, kundi dahil sa katotohanang kasama ko ang lalaking nagpapagulo ng buhay ko sa loob ng iisang limitadong espasyo sa loob ng labing-isang oras. We are expected to be at the Gala in the next few days with the family. Papa and Mama were already in Italy a week ago for preparations, and our classes just ended yesterday. Silas waited for us to fly with us.This was my first time flying. I had spent all of my life looking at the sky, watching the white streaks left by planes, and wondering where they were going. Now, I was one of those streaks. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching the city of Manila turn into a cluster of tiny, sparkling lights until they were swallowed by the clouds.“F

CHAPTER 22

XAVI’S POVDamien stood up slowly, his height dominating the room. He walked toward me, his eyes scanning the dress—and the skin it exposed—with a deliberate, agonizing slowness. He stopped just inches away, far enough for propriety but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.“The dress is fine,” he said, his voice flat. “But a dress doesn't make a Mancini. It’s the blood and the discipline. Don’t get too distracted by the glitter, Claudia.”“I’m not distracted,” I whispered, looking him straight in the eye. “I’m finally seeing clearly.”Silas cleared his throat, sensing the tension. “Alright, that’s enough. The fitting is done. Damien, Papa said we should take her around the city. I was thinking of the Piazza della Signoria for some lunch.”The rest of the afternoon was a strange tug-of-war. Silas was the perfect companion, pointing out the history of the statues and the architecture. He bought me a leather-bound sketchbook from a local artisan and laughed when I

All Chapters of The Billionaire Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim : Chapter 21 - Chapter 23

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22