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23 - HELP
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A Billionaire's Bargain 24 - His Kids
Araceli's Pov. "Araceli, I need your help." His voice sounded anxious, pained almost. I know I shouldn't care but a part of me couldn't help it. "Zayn," I called, my voice mirroring his. "What's wrong?" "I know I am in no position to ask anything of you, but my baby girl is in the hospital, and I need someone to watch over her while I go home to pack an overnight bag," he replied, taking a deep breath. "Can you please come? I really need someone I can trust with her, and you are the only one, mi amor." I let out a shaky breathe, "What hospital is she?" Half an hour later, I found myself walking towards Zayn, who was busy on his phone and hadn't noticed me yet. A little boy sat beside him, his eyes a striking shade of blue, a clear resemblance to Zayn's. I tried to focus on the smell of the antiseptic to distract myself from the man who I was eventually going to talk to. "Hey," he said, standing up and reaching for me. I took a few steps back, my lips pressed togeth
A Billionaire's Bargain 25 - Flour Attack
Araceli's pov I watched as the kids bounced out of the hospital doors, their laughter echoing through the dimly lit car park. Kamila, now healthier and more energetic, was leading the way, her tiny hand gripping her father's. She was cleared to go home and despite it being a bit late in the evening, she had insisted on leaving the hospital as she didn't want to spend another night there. Zayn had agreed to her request, we packed our bags and checked out. As we drove to the house, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I sat at the front seat of the car while the kids sat at the back. Their subtle chatter peaking at my ears. "Are you okay?" Zayn's voice startled me out of my thoughts. "Yes, I'm good." "Araceli, if you don't want to come to the house, that's fine. I can tell the kids you had serious business to take care of and will see them next time." He whispered so only I can hear him. I slightly turned my head to look at the kids. Kamila gave a little wave, her
A Billionaire's Bargain 26 - Goodbye
Zayn's Pov I awoke to a chilling silence. We had all retired for bed at 3 AM, the kids having kept Araceli and I up all night. I padded barefoot to her room and knocked, but there was no answer. "Araceli," I called, knocking again. "Can I come in?" Still no response. I turned the doorknob and stepped inside. The bed was cold and empty, the sheets unwrinkled. A note, tucked at the edge of the pillow, caught my eye. "Zayn," it read, "By the time you read this, I will be gone. Gone for good. It was wonderful meeting your kids. They are so full of life and joy. Their laughter and smiles are something I will never forget. You have raised them well. Leaving wasn't easy, but it had to be done. Thank you for the time we spent together." I stood rooted to the spot, my hands crumpling the paper as the meaning of the note sank in. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. Why had she left? How long had she been gone? Could she have left because of my marriage? A pang of fear sho
A Billionaire's Bargain 27 - Mummy?
Araceli's pov As I settled into my seat, I glanced around the cabin, my eyes scanning the faces of the other passengers. Families, couples, and lone traveler, a blur of strangers. But none of them mattered right now. All I could think about was Zayn. My mind raced back to the early morning hours when I had made the impulsive decision to leave. Sneaking out of the house, my heart pounded with a mix of adrenaline and longing. I missed his kids already, I yearn for the warmth of his embrace and the familiar scent of his cologne. Without him, life felt empty. With a burst of energy, I stood, grabbed my carry-on, and stepped off the plane. Stares followed me as I hailed a taxi, but I ignored them. The heart wants what it wants. "Elysium field estate," I told the driver, who gave me a skeptical look. My joggers and oversized shirt didn't exactly scream affluence. "What are you waiting for?" I snapped, annoyed. He keyed the engine and we began the journey. As we drove, I nervou
A Billionaire's Bargain 28 - Feeling Lost
Freya's Pov I sat in the sterile office of Dr. Ambrose, the walls a washed-out blue, the scent of antiseptic filling the air. It was a place I had visited few times, but today felt different. The familiar atmosphere felt suffocating. The ticking clock on the wall seemed to mock me with each second that passed, and I could barely breathe. “Freya, everything looks good,” Dr. Ambrose said, his voice calm but lacking the warmth I once found comforting. He smiled, his signature masculine cologne —something I had always liked—now felt nauseating and unpleasant. “You are pregnant.” The word hung in the air like a heavy fog. I blinked, trying to process what he had just said. The reality of it twisted inside me, panic rising. I felt sick. Pregnant. I could only think of Caleb and the truth I had buried deep within my conscience. “Freya?” Dr. Ambrose’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you alright?” I nodded, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Yes, I just… I need
A Billionaire's Bargain 29 - Wanting Everything
Caleb's Pov I stood by the window, staring out at the darkening sky, the sun was long gone and the moon and stars filled the sky. I tried to breathe, to gather my thoughts, but they scattered like autumn leaves in a gust of wind. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else. Freya sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting in her lap, eyes fixed on me, waiting. Expecting something from me. But what? What could I possibly say? I had lashed out at her, vicious, cold, like I always did when cornered. “What do you want me to say, Freya?” I asked, my voice flat, emotionless, as if I was disconnected from it all. But inside, I was reeling. I turned from the window and leaned against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest, creating a barrier between us. “Are you serious?” she whispered, her voice trembling, yet thick with disbelief. She blinked rapidly, as if she could ward off the tears gathering in her eyes. “What do I want you to say? Since I told you I'm pr
A Billionaire's Bargain 30 - Not Mine?
Zayn Pov I sat in the living room, trying to concentrate on the papers spread across the couch. My mind, however, kept wandering as laughter drifted down from upstairs. Kamrin and Kamila were at it again, their playful energy filling the house. I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. Araceli had gone out on a date with Rilly, and won't be back anytime soon. I tried to not worry about the kids and finish up with the documents in front of me, but before I could refocus on my work, the sound of hurried footsteps caught my attention. I glanced up just in time to see Kamrin and Kamila flying down the stairs, practically racing. My stomach dropped. "Hey, stop running!" I called out, the words sharp, but they barely registered as a blur of motion passed by. In an instant, I saw it happen. Kamrin's foot slipped, his ankle twisting awkwardly on the edge of the step. Time slowed, and I could only watch in horror as he lost his footing. His body tumbled forward, hitting each step with a
A Billionaire's Bargain 31 - Night Terrors
Araceli's Pov The sound of laughter echoed through the penthouse, mingling with the scent of freshly grilled turkey and mashed potatoes. The kids were sprawled out on the floor, their fingers coated in sauce from the turkey. Zayn leaned against the kitchen counter, a smile breaking through the tension that had settled in his shoulders. He caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but return the grin, my heart swelling at the sight of him so relaxed. “Araceli, here!” Kamrin yelled, holding up a turkey piece. “I saved you this piece!" I leaned down, and he presented it to me with pride, his little hands gripping the meat piece. “That’s… that’s definitely something,” I replied, stifling a laugh. I took the meat from him, placing it in my mouth. “I love it. Thank you!” He beamed, and I felt warmth spread through me. Moments like these, chaotic and messy, filled me with a sense of normalcy that I hadn’t expected to find in Zayn’s penthouse. The kids were energetic and sweet, thei
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A Billionaire's Bargain 53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
A Billionaire's Bargain 52 - Coffee and Chaos
Araceli's Pov I tugged at the hem of Zayn's sweatshirt, peeking out the window as Rilly’s car rolled into the driveway. She wasn’t even out yet, but I could already hear her chatter through the windshield, loud, unapologetic, and very much needed after everything that had gone down these past few months. The car door slammed shut, and in seconds, my best friend was at the door. I barely managed to open it before she tackled me into a hug. “Look at you!” Rilly said, pulling back just enough to scan my face. “You are glowing. And don’t you dare tell me it’s the tears from last week’s funeral, this is man glow, Ara. Admit it.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the grin forming on my lips. Rilly always had a sense of dark humor. “It’s moisturizer. Stop making stuff up.” “Yeah, sure,” she teased, tossing her purse onto the couch as she walked in. “That moisturizer sure made you this much of a star. My best friend is hot gossip, trending on every damn media platform. ‘Wh
A Billionaire's Bargain 51- A Gift
Zayn's POV Ultra texted earlier. Cryptic as ever, he claimed he had leads on the media circus surrounding Araceli, insisting it had to be discussed in person. Typical. Instead of sending an email or making a simple phone call, he wanted me to drive halfway across the city. But Ultra wasn’t normal. Brilliant? Yes. Strange? Absolutely. And exactly the kind of person I needed in my corner right now. The café was quiet when I arrived. Dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, a perfect cover for a discreet meeting. Black shades shielded my face. The media was still buzzing with my name, and I wasn’t in the mood to give them more fodder. Ultra sat at a corner table, his laptop open, blue light illuminating his sharp, almost hawkish features. Surrounding him was an array of gadgets and wires that made his table look like a tech shrine. He didn’t even glance up when I approached. “Mr. Vanderbilt,” he greeted, fingers flying across the keyboard. His voice carried that usual d
A Billionaire's Bargain 50 - Family Feud
Zayn's Pov My phone buzzed, shattering the quiet tension of my office. Louis’s name flashed across the screen. "Man, have you seen the news?" His voice was tense, almost breathless. I frowned, reaching for my tablet. "No. What’s going on?" "Just… check it," he said, the urgency clear. Then he hung up. I opened the tablet, and there it was, headlines plastered across every news outlet, my face at the center of it all, larger than life. A viral circus of headlines scrolled across the screen, each one worse than the last. Billionaire Zayn Vanderbilt's Baby Mama Drama Secrets Unveiled: Divorce, Cheating, and a Mysterious Stripper Lover Tragedy Strikes: Did Zayn Vanderbilt Murder His Brother's Child? Blood Feud: The Vendetta Between Brothers Vanderbilt. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settled on my tongue as I took it all in. They had managed to pull Araceli into this, dragging her through the mud alongside my name. I hadn’t wanted this for her, any of it. I reac
A Billionaire's Bargain 49 - Investigation
Zayn's Pov I sat back on the couch as Araceli rested her head on my thigh, talking about the twins, she was dressed in one of my shirts, her flawless legs stretched out on the cushions, my fingers running through her hair. "They want a dog," Araceli said, smirking. "Kamila has this whole plan mapped out, food schedules, playtimes, she thinks it’ll teach them responsibility." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Last I checked, Kamrin’s terrified of the neighbor’s poodle. Are they ready for that?" "She says he’s only scared because he hasn't had a dog of his own." She laughed, leaning closer. "Kamila's convinced you will say yes if they push hard enough." "They know my weaknesses too well," I murmured, pulling her close. "But they will have to try harder than puppy eyes and promises." The quiet between us feels warm and intimate. I’m about to tell her just how much these moments mean to me when a sudden, sharp crash sounds from outside the penthouse door, followed by muffled voice
A Billionaire's Bargain 48 - In The Woods
My phone buzzed on the passenger seat as I turned down the winding road leading toward the house. It was my wife. I picked up, her soft voice slipping through the speaker, wrapping around me with that warmth only she could bring. “Did you get the milk, babe?” My lips curled in a smile, this time, I didn't foret. “Yeah, I got it, I also have you bag of chips with me." In the rearview, I could see my son, earbuds in, staring at the game on his phone without a care in the world. “I will be home soon love.” I hung up, but another message pinged almost instantly. The name that flashed on the screen wasn’t one I’d wanted to see. Freya. I think I’m miscarrying Caleb, it's...the baby. I need help please, I'm in pain. I stared at the text, my pulse kicking up, frustration and dread colliding. We hadn’t talked much since Zayn finding out about our affair, I had told her to lay low, but that was just my way of gradually cutting her off. I didn't want her having a child for me,
A Billionaire's Bargain 47 - Her Anchor
Araceli's Pov (A lengthy chapter) The soft morning sun drapes over the penthouse, dressed in a loose silk set, I moved from the sink to the stove. Today, I decided on a light breakfast, a spread of grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and crispy fried mushrooms, topped with just a sprinkle of herbs. Suddenly, familiar arms snake around my waist, pulling me back into a firm embrace. I gasp as Zayn’s fingers find my sides, tickling me, and I squirm, letting out a laugh that he silences with a gentle kiss, his lips brushing against mine in a way that leaves me warm all over. I catch sight of the maids moving around the kitchen, a wave of embarrassment hitting me as I try to pull back, searching for a bit of space. But Zayn holds me closer, sensing my urge to retreat. “Don’t,” he murmurs, voice low near my ear. “Let them look if they want.” One maid quietly sets a plate on the counter, glancing between us before quickly looking away, hiding a small smile as she turns back to h
A Billionaire's Bargain 46 - My Girl
Zayn's Pov A quiet knock sounded at my office door. Aaron stepped in, holding a flash drive between his fingers. “Sir, here’s the drive you requested, I'm sorry I couldn't get it across to you last night." He said, placing it on my desk like it might shatter if he held on too long. Aaron is one of my most hard working staffs, so I knew he had put his best foot forward in delivering this drive to me. I nodded towards a seat and he sat down, his eyes darting between the drive and my face. I leaned back, eyeing him. “Any leads?” “No, sir,” he admitted. “Whoever is involved is careful, almost too careful. There is no obvious access point or trail… but maybe it’s in there somewhere. If we look hard enough.” “Thanks, Aaron,” I said, grabbing the flash drive. I turned it in my fingers, letting it catch the light. “I will go through this today. Keep an eye on things in the meantime. And Aaron… I don’t want anyone knowing about this yet. If they are as careful as you say, they wi
A Billionaire's Bargain 45 - Unbroken Threads
Zayn's Pov I walked into the house, leaving the day’s tension at the door. Kamrin and Kamila were sprawled on the floor, tangled up in a world of crayons and construction paper, their laughter filling the room like a balm I hadn’t realized I needed. “Daddy!” Kamila dropped her crayon and ran toward me, arms open. Kamrin wasn’t far behind, grinning as wide as his sister. I scooped them up, letting their weight anchor me, grounding me in the simplicity of this moment. No billion-dollar deals, no mole hiding in the walls of my company, no betrayal siphoning ten million away, they all melted away. Araceli was lounging on the couch, casual and at ease in one of my shirts and a blue shorts. This was quickly becoming her favorite thing to lounge in and I definitely enjoyed seeing her in the oversized outfit. I have seen her in those countless times, yet every time, it looked like something fresh. Her head turned slightly, the book she had been reading temporarily forgotten, as she
