Chapter 13 He handed me the bouquet , then wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close . Without warning , he leaned in and kissed me deeply . The kiss was passionate and lingering , leaving me breathless . The café fell silent , the shock palpable . Loriks face turned a deep shade of crimson , his anger evident . I had never seen him so furious . What the hell is this ? Loriks voice was a low , dangerous growl . Maurices gaze remained steady , his voice calm but firm . It means Shirley deserves more than the deceit and manipulation shes faced . And Im here to make sure she gets it . Lorcia , seething with jealousy , spat , Youre just a replacement ! I met her gaze with resolve . No , Lorcia . Ive found someone who truly cares about me . Maurices eyes locked onto mine , his expression intense . Shirley , theres so much more you need to know . And I intend to show you . As the tension in the room reached a fever pitch , I could feel the weight of unspoken secrets hanging in the air . Loriks anger , Lorcias envy , and Maurices hidden truths created a storm of emotions . And as Maurices kiss lingered , I couldnt shake the feeling that this was only the beginning . Loriks gaze was a storm of fury as he stormed up to me , his presence commanding the entire rooms attention . Who is this man ? he growled , his voice tinged with possessiveness and anger . I looked at him , confused and somewhat irritated . Why do you care who Im with ? Were in the process of getting a divorce . Why should it matter to you who I choose to be with ? Loriks face hardened further . Were not officially divorced yet . Until thats settled , you have no right to move on . I raised an eyebrow , a smirk playing on my lips . And what about Lorcia ? I gestured towards her , who stood by the window , her expression one of smug satisfaction . Lorik hesitated , his face twitching with irritation . Its different , he finally muttered , but his words were unconvincing . After I Let Go My Alpha , He Knelt in Regret 12.7 % hapter A Lorcia , clearly enjoying the spectacle , snickered . This bouquet of roses isnt worth much . The new man youve found is obviously poor and pathetic . I barely flinched at her jibe . Maurice , however , seized the moment . He leaned in , his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was both tender and defiant . Look inside the bouquet , he whispered against my lips . I glanced at the bouquet , noticing for the first time a small jewelry box nestled among the roses . My hands trembled slightly as I opened it , revealing an opulent necklace . The jewels sparkled with a brilliance that was almost blinding a rare , collectors item that had recently been auctioned for an astronomical price . The intricate design and dazzling gems left everyone in awe . The room fell silent , except for the gasps of amazement . Lorcias eyes widened in greed , her gaze fixed on the necklace with an almost predatory intensity . Maurice , wrapping his arm around my waist protectively , spoke with a smooth , confident tone . This necklace doesnt even begin to match her worth . I could feel Lorcias envy burning a hole through me , but Maurice shielded me from her gaze with his body . Shall we get out of here ? he asked softly , his tone inviting . I nodded , unable to resist a final , mocking glance at Lorcia as I left with Maurice . He guided me out of the cafe , the scent of roses and the sound of muffled arguments lingering behind us . As we reached the door , Loriks fury erupted . You think you can just flaunt your new man in front of me ? How dare you ! Dalia , Loriks sister , stepped forward with a scowl . You deserve this , Lorik . Our family supported you through everything . You abandoned us when trouble came , and now youre left watching as she finds someone who actually cares . Daria opened the door for us . No matter what the Alpha decides , you will always be our Luna in my heart . Her words were a soothing balm to my wounded spirit , and I thanked her with a heartfelt nod before stepping out with Maurice Back at the piano shop , Maurice was contemplative . Ive heard of Alpha Lorik , he said casually . I didnt realize you were his Luna . I was slightly embarrassed by the public knowledge of my entangled past . Seems like everyone knows our drama . Maurice frowned . Its surprising that someone as remarkable as you was overlooked for someone So … hollow . After I Let Go My Alpha , He Knelt in Regret 12.9 % hapter His words were oddly comforting , providing a balm to my bruised self esteem . Soon , I was mmersed in teaching my first piano student , a precocious six year old girl whose enthusiasm and alent made the lesson a joy . The satisfaction I felt as her parents and she left the shop , smiling and satisfied , was unparalleled . After the lesson , while I was tidying up , a clerk approached me with a concerned look . Theres a man downstairs claiming to be your husband . Hes been waiting for a while . In the ongoing romance novel "CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back" by CrushReel, Cassandra finds herself in a seemingly perfect marriage with a loving husband and adorable stepchildren. However, her troubled past looms large, raising questions about the true stability of her newfound family. As she navigates the complexities of blending her past and present, Cassandra must confront the shadows that threaten to disrupt her blissful facade. What secrets lie beneath the surface, and how will she protect her newfound happiness from the ghosts of her past? This modern tale delves into themes of redemption, family dynamics, and the intricate balance between love and secrets. The unique blend of billionaire romance and office drama adds layers of intrigue to Cassandra's journey as she strives to keep her personal life from unraveling. With a compelling narrative that intertwines sweet romance with contemporary challenges, "CEO's Twins Want Mommy Back" stands out as a must-read for fans of heartfelt stories set against the backdrop of corporate intrigue. Experience the emotional rollercoaster of Cassandra's quest for love and acceptance in this captivating novel. Available to read online at CrushReel, immerse yourself in a world where past mistakes collide with present desires, promising a gripping narrative that will leave readers yearning for more.