Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Roman’s POV

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Lily started squirming and I set her down. She took two steps, dipped to her knees, and crawled toward the couch.

“So do it while she plays. She’s pretty independent.” Elena walked over and scooped Lily up, then tried to hand her to me.

I stepped back. “No.”

Elena followed. “Yes.”

“Elena, I’m serious.”

“So am I.” She thrust Lily toward me again.

I dodged around the couch. “This is insane.”

“You’re being dramatic.” Elena chased after me, Lily giggling in her arms like this was the best game ever. The sound of her laughter was infectious and lit up the room.

“I’m being realistic. I can’t watch a child.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Both.”

We did another lap around the living room, Malia watching with poorly concealed amusement. Even she knew this was ridiculous.

Finally, Elena stopped, slightly out of breath. “Okay, fine. Let me just explain a few things and then I’ll go.”

“Elena.”

“She likes fruit for breakfast. Berries, bananas, that kind of thing Cut them into small pieces so she doesn’t choke. She takes a nap around eleven, usually for about two hours. She likes her bunny when she sleeps.”

Elena pointed at the stuffed toy Malia was holding. “She’s potty training but still wears pull-ups. If she starts pulling at her diaper, take her to the bathroom.”

“I’m not…”

“Her favorite show is the one with the singing dogs. I don’t know why, but she loses her mind for it. Oh, and she’s learning colors right now. Everything is either ‘boo’ for blue or ‘wed’ for red.”

Lily was watching us now, sucking on her thumb, her eyes tracking back and forth like she was watching a tennis match.

“She’s recently started this thing where she hides behind furniture and jumps out to scare people. It’s adorable. Just act surprised and she’ll be thrilled,”

“Elena, I’m not doing this.”

“And whatever you do, don’t give her juice after three or she wo sleep tonight. Water only.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

Elena finally stopped talking and looked at me. Then her expres on turned calculating.

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Chapter 140

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“What if I told you this meeting could change everything for my company? That this investor could help me expand internationally?”

“I’d say congratulations, but it doesn’t change my answer.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“I’m being practical. I don’t know how to take care of a kid.

“You don’t hate kids, Roman. You’re just scared of messing up.”

That hit a little too close to home, and too close to the truth I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“I’m not scared. I’m just not equipped.”

“Bullshit. You’re one of the smartest people I know. You can figure out watching a toddler for a few hours.”

“A few hours?”

“Four. Five tops.”

“Elena!”

She suddenly waved her right hand in the air as she spoke, and that was when I caught it. The glint of light on her finger.

I grabbed her wrist. “What the hell is that?”

Elena’s face broke into the biggest smile I’d ever seen. She held up her hand, wiggling her fingers. A diamond ring sparkled on her fourth finger.

“That’s what I wanted to tell you last night!” she squealed. “Tom proposed. Three days ago. We’re engaged!”

I stared at the ring, then at her face. A mix of emotions churned in my gut. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment.

“You’re engaged.”

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing? We’re thinking of a spring wedding. Maybe something small and intimate, or maybe big. I haven’t decided yet, but…”

“I’m sorry,” a soft voice interrupted. “I hope I’m not interrupting

We all turned to see Anna standing in the hallway, looking uncertain. She had changed out of last night’s clothes and into one of my old T-shirts and a pair of shorts.

It was clear she had raided my closet to find something to wear. The shirt was oversized, hanging off one shoulder and reaching mid-thigh. But the shorts looked like they fit perfectly wondered how she had found those, or if they were hers somehow.

“Not at all!” Elena practically bounced over to her, all that nervous energy finding a new target. “You came at the right time. I was just about to leave.”

Anna’s cheeks flushed pink. “Oh, I… we didn’t…”

“Anyway!” Elena thrust her hand out, showing off her ring, “I was just breaking the news to Roman that I’m engaged. To Tom. Lily’s father, Look!”

Anna’s face immediately lit up. “Oh my God, congratulations! T

beautiful.”

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She leaned in to examine the ring. “It’s

16:05 Tue, Mar 10

Chapter 140

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E55 vouchers

“Right? I’m obsessed with it. I keep staring at it like a crazy person.”

The two of them started chattering about wedding plans and ring details, their voices overlapping in excitement.

Elena was gesturing wildly. Anna was nodding and asking questions.

1 stood there watching them, totally annoyed that they both spoke as if they’d known each other for years instead of seconds.

I should be happy for my sister. Congratulating her. Celebrating with her.

But all I felt was anger.

Tom was the guy my company hired to be my sister’s assistant. He got her pregnant within six months. He dragged his feet for over a year before finally proposing. A dead-end job with no mbition. He thought showing up was the same as being a good father.

“Roman?” Elena was looking at me now, her smile shaking slighty. “You okay?”

“Fine,” I bit out.

“You don’t look fine,” Anna pointed out, her brow furrowing with concern.

“Not to worry, Anna,” Elena said with a knowing smile. “Roman hates Tom. He thinks Tom isn’t good enough for me.”

I couldn’t hold it back anymore. “Because he isn’t.”

“Well, Big Brother who always acts like my father,” Elena shot back, her hands on her hips, “there’s no man I’ve introduced to you that has ever been good enough. You always find a fault.”

“Because you have terrible taste!” The words came out harsher than I intended. “You always choose men you have to get out of trouble. And it’s always me who has to fix it. Me getting them ut of whatever mess they’ve made, Bailing them out of jail. Paying off their tickets. Booking emergency flights from wherever they left you stranded. Dealing with the aftermath when they cheat.”

“Roman!” Elena’s face had gone red. “That’s enough! We get the point!”

She took a breath, visibly trying to calm herself.

“Thomas is different. And I really do believe he loves me. For real.”

I scoffed at my sister’s naivety. “He loves only one thing.”

“I wouldn’t respond to that because I’m late,” Elena cut me off. She checked her phone. “The meeting is at one. So I have to leave now and get prepared.”

“I haven’t agreed to babysit, Elena.”

“Isn’t there an emergency daycare we can book? Rent one out to give special attention to Lily?”

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