Claimed by My Bestie's Alpha Daddy novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Richard stood just inside the entrance of the restaurant, as composed as ever, his suit tailored to perfection, every gesture efficient and unreadable. The hostess blinked like someone had slapped her.

“King…?” she stammered.

The woman at his side didn’t even acknowledge the hostess-just slipped her arm through his, her laugh low and practiced. She leaned in close and whispered something that made Richard’s mouth twitch into a faint

smile, the kind that felt private and polished.

He looked in my direction-just for a second-but it was long enough to know he’d seen me. His eyes landed on

mine and slid past like I was nothing more than furniture. No recognition. No tension. No hesitation. Just the

blank, practiced gaze of someone who had no intention of making a scene.

Then he turned back toward the table, the woman still attached to his arm, like I had never been there in the

first place.

The hostess turned back to us, visibly flustered. “I’m so sorry, there’s been some confusion. We accidentally

gave your reservation to another party-”

She didn’t need to finish. Her eyes flicked toward the table—my table-then dropped to her tablet. There was no getting it back. Not with Richard sitting there. Not with the woman so perfectly settled beside him. Not with

the way Richard had just erased me with a blink.

They weren’t going to move. Not for me. Not for anyone.

“No worries,” I said, cutting her off, the words sharp enough to sting my own tongue.

Simon looked at me. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” I said, already rising. “We’ll try somewhere else.”

He nodded. Calm as ever. “Honestly, this place always felt a little too stiff. I know a better one nearby—no

reservations, just real food and quiet booths.”

We walked out without another word. I kept my gaze straight ahead.

But once we hit the curb, I turned.

The warm golden light inside spilled out like an invitation. Inside, people laughed, leaned into each other,

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unreadable. He didn’t look up.

It felt like a different world. And I was done pretending it could ever be mine.

I told myself I didn’t care. That it didn’t matter.

That resolve lasted exactly until the next morning.

The image of the Elder collapsing looped in my head. Even though Simon had cleared me, even though the crowd had moved on, I couldn’t. I kept replaying it-his body hitting the ground, the stunned silence, the way the press had turned toward me like they’d been waiting for someone to blame.

So I brought flowers-simple, respectful. I’d called ahead. I’d gotten approval.

But when I arrived at the hospital, a man I didn’t recognize stood at the door to the Elder’s room.

“You’re not welcome here,” he said, arms crossed.

“I-I’m sorry?” I blinked. “I had an appointment. I called yesterday.”

“Plans changed.” His tone didn’t shift. He didn’t move.

I waited, thinking maybe he’d blink. Acknowledge how ridiculous this was. He didn’t.

My fingers tightened around the bouquet as I slowly bent down and placed it on a small table nearby. I turned to leave, throat burning.

The door opened behind me.

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