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39 - Lines In The Sand
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2024-11-04 16:09:28Related chapters
A Billionaire's Bargain 40 - A Silent Goodbye
Araceli’s POV “Araceli, are you sure you are ready for this?” Doctor Michael’s voice cut through the silence, his face drawn with worry as he adjusted his black tie, eyes lingering on me with concern. "You can come say your final good-bye tommorow." I looked up, exhaustion dragging down every word I forced out. “Does it matter?” The words came out brittle, rougher than I meant. “She’s gone. Ready or not, today, tomorrow, what difference does it make? This… is all that’s left.” We stood on the funeral ground, a bleak stretch of fading grass and cold headstones under a slate-gray sky. My legs felt like stone, my body slumped with a tiredness I couldn’t shake. I haven’t slept more than an hour in days, and the dark smudges under my eyes felt like bruises against my dull skin. The black dress clung to me, sleeves almost swallowing my hands as I clutched a tissue that had long since gone useless. Doctor Michael shifted beside me, saying nothing at first, but his face gave him a
A Billionaire's Bargain 41 - Echoes Of The Past
Araceli's Pov "Zayn," I say softly, catching his gaze before he steps out. He's halfway to the door, but he pauses, his hand resting on the handle as he turns back to me. There's a slight frown on his face, like he’s already prepared for whatever I have to say to sting. "Yes?" His voice is low, almost cautious, but his eyes meet mine, searching, like he’s hoping I will offer something other than a polite brush-off. I swallow, fighting the urge to reach for him and pretend everything is fine. "When are you going back? To the state, I mean. Your company, your life... it's waiting for you. It's been a month." He sighs, and a shadow flickers in his gaze. "My life is here," he says, and the words feel heavier than they should. "You and the kids are my life." I force a smile, a small nod, not daring to show the cracks he probably already sees. "I know, but it’s just... this isn’t sustainable. I can manage things with Kamrin and Kamila. I’m used to it. You are staying for us, and..
A Billionaire's Bargain 42 - A Tropical Truce
Zayn's Pov The air feels lighter somehow, different even as we are still packing up at the house. Kamrin and Kamila are practically vibrating with excitement, their laughter bouncing down the hall as they dart from one room to the next. They are piling random toys and snacks into their tiny backpacks, no regard for what they will actually need. It’s pure chaos. I catch Araceli watching them, her expression soft. I know she’s seen them like this before, but maybe it’s hitting her differently today, like she’s seeing the effect I want this trip to have on all of us, the break we need. For a moment, her gaze settles on me, less guarded, almost… hopeful. I want to believe that look is for me, that she sees the effort I’m putting into this, into fixing the mess I made. She approaches, her gaze flickering to the guards as they load the large bags into the cars, her eyes shifting to the added security measures I have arranged. “Zayn… you are sure this isn’t too much?” she murmurs. I
A Billionaire's Bargain 43 - A Mole
Zayn's Pov After two months away from the company, the city's sun felt harsh. Any trace of relaxation vanished the moment I entered the office and noticed the uneasy glances aimed my way. Valerie barely managed a tight smile at the reception desk, and even the elevator ride up to my office was tense. I could feel it under my skin, that unsettling sense that something wasn’t right. And it took exactly three minutes after sitting at my desk for all hell to break loose. I leaned back, brows drawn. “Explain that again,” I said, my voice cold, hardly recognizing it myself. The head of finance, Thomas, shifted on his feet, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. “Sir, it appears…your wife, Mrs. Vanderbilt, accessed company funds.” “Appears?" Accessed?” I repeated. Incredulous. “Are you not certain of what you are saying, you make it sound like she may or may have not taken pocket change. How much are we talking?” “Ten million dollars,” he said, barely above a whisper. Ten millio
A Billionaire's Bargain 44 - Veil Of Deception
Freya's Pov I slid the spare key into the lock, the soft click echoing louder than it should in the silence of Caleb’s house. Inside, the air felt stale, almost deserted. My heels echoed as I walked through the foyer, my eyes scanning the open living room. A few furnitures were missing, there was an odd emptiness in the kitchen area. My gaze fell on a blank wall where a painting used to hang. I narrowed my eyes, looking around. A few framed photos were also gone, and his grandfather’s antique clock wasn’t on the mantle. Was he moving or selling things off without my knowledge? Caleb’s words ran through my mind, over and over again, gnawing at my nerves. “Lay low Freya.” That was all he had said to me after Zayn got to know of our affair, he had brushed me off like I was some temporary problem he needed to brush under the rug. “Are you okay, Freya? We can't be seen together. Has it crossed your mind what Zayn might do to us, we need some time away from each other.” His wor
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
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 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
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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
