All Chapters of Mr Kingston, It's Too Late: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

55 Chapters

Chapter 21: The Puppeteer

The ride back to the penthouse was completely silent.Raphael didn't interrogate her anymore. He didn't ask about Daniel Hayes. Instead, he kept Claire’s hand firmly gripped in his own resting on his thigh, his thumb drawing slow, absent-minded circles on her skin.He looked exhausted. The adrenaline from his sudden trip to Ellis Designs was wearing off, and the physical reality of his fractured ribs and healing concussion was catching up to him.When the private elevator doors finally opened into the penthouse, Raphael let out a heavy sigh."I need to lie down," he admitted, his voice rough. He let go of her hand to rub his temples. "My head is pounding.""I'll get your medication," Claire said instantly, slipping her heels off in the foyer. "Go get in bed."Raphael leaned forward and kissed her forehead. It was a soft, lingering kiss. The absolute, blind trust was still right there in his dark eyes."I'll be in the bedroom," he murmured.Claire watched him walk down the long hallway

Chapter 22: The Sound of the Rain

Claire did not sleep a single wink.She lay perfectly still in the dark, trapped under the heavy weight of Raphael’s arm. Every time she closed her eyes, the words echoed in her head like a warning bell.I remember what the rain sounded like.It had been pouring rain the night they had the fight. Thunder had shaken the penthouse windows while she screamed at him, while she pulled the diamond ring off her finger and threw it at his chest.If his brain was starting to unlock that specific night, the illusion was over. Sophia’s threat would become a reality. He would wake up, look at her, and the warm, devoted light in his eyes would be replaced by the cold, empty stare that had haunted her for three years.By the time the morning sun began to peek through the curtains, Claire was physically sick to her stomach with anxiety.Raphael stirred beside her. He let out a low groan, shifting his weight.Claire quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.She felt the mattress dip as he slo

Chapter 23: The Liar's Tell

The top floor of Ellis Designs was dead silent on a Sunday.Claire sat in her massive leather chair, staring blankly at the dark screen of her computer. She hadn't turned it on. She hadn't looked at a single file. She had just been sitting there for three hours, staring at her own faint reflection in the monitor.The heavy glass door pushed open.Maya walked in, holding two steaming cups of coffee. She wore a pair of oversized sweatpants and a messy bun, looking completely miserable to be at the office on her day off."I brought espresso," Maya grumbled, setting a cup on Claire's desk. "And a loaded bagel. You look like a walking corpse, Boss.""I feel like one," Claire whispered, wrapping her cold hands around the warm paper cup.Maya slumped onto the sofa across from the desk. "I thought you were playing the happy housewife this weekend to keep the billionaire's brain intact. Why did you call me in for a fake emergency?"Claire closed her eyes. Her chest still ached from the look on

Chapter 24: Five Years Too Late

The kiss was everything she had missed for the last three years.Raphael’s lips were warm, demanding, and entirely focused on her. His large hand gripped the back of her head, holding her in place while his other arm wrapped securely around her waist. For a few seconds, Claire forgot where they were. She forgot about the office, the lies, and the cold reality of their broken marriage.She just melted into him. Her hands gripped the lapels of his dark coat, pulling him closer.But then, the harsh voice of Sophia echoed in her mind.If you let him fall, the shock of the divorce papers will completely destroy his brain.Claire gasped. Her eyes snapped open.She planted both of her hands flat against his chest and pushed."Stop," Claire gasped out, tearing her lips away from his. "Raphael, stop. Please."Raphael stumbled back half a step, letting her go instantly. He looked completely dazed. His chest was heaving, his dark eyes wide and confused."Claire?" he breathed heavily. "Did I hurt

Chapter 25: The Unforgivable Act

The private elevator doors opened into the penthouse. It was completely dark, save for the faint city lights spilling through the massive windows.Claire stepped out first, tossing her keys onto the console table. The metallic clatter echoed loudly in the quiet space.Raphael followed her inside. He moved slowly, his hand instinctively resting over his bruised ribs. He looked exhausted, but his dark eyes never left her."I'll order us some dinner," Raphael said, his voice soft in the quiet room. "You didn't eat anything at the office. Do you want Italian? Or that Thai place you love?"Claire kept her back to him. She slipped off her heels, the cold hardwood floor grounding her.Show him the cracks, Sophia’s voice whispered in her head. Prove you are untrustworthy."I'm not hungry," Claire said, keeping her tone completely flat.She didn't walk into the living room. She walked straight down the hallway, heading directly for the master bedroom.Raphael frowned, following close behind he

Chapter 26: As Long As You're My Wife

Sunlight hit the empty side of the king-sized bed.Raphael lay flat on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling. His fractured ribs throbbed with a dull, heavy ache, but it was absolutely nothing compared to the sharp, twisting pain in his chest.She was gone. She was sleeping in the guest room at the end of the hall.Last night, he had kicked her out of his room. The sheer rage and betrayal of hearing another man’s name had completely blinded him. Daniel Hayes. The architect. The man who kneeled on the floor holding her hand.But as the long, quiet hours of the night ticked by, Raphael’s anger had slowly burned out. What was left behind was a cold, hard clarity.“When I was lonely... Daniel actually listened to me.”Her words echoed in the quiet bedroom.She didn't say she loved Hayes. She didn't say she slept with him. She said he listened.Raphael closed his eyes, a wave of intense self-loathing washing over him. If his brain had blocked out the last five years to protect him, it m

Chapter 27: The Art of War

"He said what?"Daniel Hayes set his coffee cup down on Claire's desk so hard some of the brown liquid sloshed over the rim. He stared at her, completely floored.Claire rubbed her temples, leaning back in her heavy leather chair. "He said he’s going to fight for me. He told me he doesn't blame me for having feelings for you, because he pushed me away. And then he just... walked out of the kitchen."Daniel let out a long, heavy breath and sank onto the office sofa. He ran a hand through his hair, looking at her in sheer disbelief."I have to admit," Daniel said, shaking his head. "I thought the guy was just a ruthless, arrogant billionaire. But that? That is a terrifyingly smart move.""It's not a move, Daniel," Claire whispered, her chest tightening painfully. "He actually meant it. He looked me dead in the eye and took all the blame. I was ready for him to yell at me. I was ready for him to hand me a divorce lawyer’s card. But instead, he forgave me for an affair I didn't even have.

Chapter 28: The Takeover

Claire stared at her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen.Raphael was sitting completely relaxed at the head of the table. He took a bite of his noodles, chewing slowly, his dark eyes watching her every move. He wasn't glaring. He wasn't raising his voice. He was just waiting.It was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen.With shaking hands, Claire typed a quick, blunt reply to Daniel.I’m fine. Eating dinner. See you tomorrow.She hit send and placed the phone face down on the glass table."Satisfied?" Claire asked, her voice tight.Raphael picked up his water glass. "Very. Eat your food, Claire. It’s getting cold."Claire grabbed her chopsticks and forced herself to eat. The spicy noodles tasted amazing, but her stomach was completely tied in knots. Raphael didn't say another word about Daniel. He didn't ask her where she had been all day. He just quietly finished his dinner, asked a few polite questions about the weather, and then helped clear the table with his good ha

Chapter 29: The Corporate Traitor

Claire stared at her phone screen as the call disconnected. Her heart was beating so fast she felt like she might pass out."Who was that?"Raphael’s deep voice made her jump. He was still standing in the doorway of the beautiful, custom-built home office, watching her closely.Claire quickly shoved her phone into her purse. "It was just Maya. A scheduling issue for tomorrow."Raphael looked at her. His dark eyes scanned her face, picking up every single ounce of panic she was trying to hide. He knew she was lying. She could see it in the slight tightening of his jaw.But true to his new promise, he didn't push. He didn't interrogate her."Okay," Raphael said softly. He took a step back into the hallway. "I'll let you get some sleep. Goodnight, Claire.""Goodnight," she whispered.Claire practically ran to the guest room and locked the door. She spent the entire night staring at the ceiling, dreading whatever trap Sophia was setting for her.At seven o'clock the next morning, a sleek

Chapter 30: The Billionaire's Checkmate

The executive elevator doors slid shut, cutting off the view of Sophia’s completely pale face.The glass box began its rapid descent to the lobby.Claire stood frozen, staring down at the blue folder in her hands. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like a bird trapped in her ribcage. She looked at the aggressive, looping signature at the bottom of the page.It was real. He had actually signed it."You didn't even read the clauses," Claire finally whispered, breaking the heavy silence in the elevator.Raphael was leaning against the glass wall. He looked exhausted. His face was pale, and he was holding his injured ribs, but he still managed to look entirely unbothered."I read enough," Raphael said casually."Raphael, it is a twenty-million-dollar asset transfer!" Claire spun around to face him, her voice echoing in the small space. "You just gave away an entire logistics network. You don't just hand that over without consulting your board!""I own the majority shares. The board can

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