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Chapter 26: Downward Spiral
Last Updated:
2025-03-27 22:57:33
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A Night With Billionaire Playboy, Forever Trapped Chapter 27: Unexpected Revelations
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Selena’s POV"The Baldwin twins?" I choked out, the words a bitter, taste in my mouth. "Gigi and Gia?""Yes, I'm sorry, Selena," Mr. Thompson's voice echoed through the phone, a distant, apologetic hum. "There was nothing I could do. My partners wanted them as replacements. They were very insistent."When I heard ‘The Baldwin twins’, I didn’t have to think that hard to know they were no other than my step-sisters, since they maliciously decided to follow my career path as well. The phone went silent, and my anger grew. Gigi and Gia. They were always doing this. Always messing things up for me.They had the love of their father, and the attention of our mother, yet they still found the time to sabotage any chance of luck I had. I looked at the city lights, each one a reminder of the life I was trying to build, a life they were trying so hard to ruin. I made tiny fists, my nails digging into my palms. How could they? How could they be so… unfair?The front door clicked open, and Haile
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Justin’s POV My phone buzzed loudly, jolting me out of the serene atmosphere of my penthouse. I drew in a sharp breath, my eyes snapping to the screen as my brow furrowed into a frown. Sam's name flashed on the display - Selena's bodyguard. A shiver of unease trickled down my spine. Something was off. He never called me; I always initiated our conversations. My mind began to whirl with worst-case scenarios as I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yeah?" I said, my voice firm, a knot forming in my stomach.“Mr. Blanco, we have a situation at Miss Selena's apartment," Sam's voice was tense, his usual calm demeanor a bit torn at the edges. He sounded composed, but I sensed a simmering tension, a worry that made my insides clench with anxiety."There's a guy inside her apartment, Zayn. He was already there when we arrived." My heart sank, a chill creeping up my spine. "Is Selena okay?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. Sam hesitated, and for a moment, I felt like I
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Selena’s POVMy apartment felt... tainted. Like Zayn had left a gross, invisible film over everything. His cologne, that sweet, metal-y smell I used to think was okay, now made my stomach do this very weird flip. It was everywhere – the couch, the curtains, even the air itself, like he'd left a ghost behind. I shivered, pulling my robe tighter, but it didn't help. The cold feeling was inside me, deep down.My brain kept replaying the scene, like a broken movie reel, each moment sharp and painful. I'd walked in, expecting my apartment to be my safe place, my quiet zone. But he was there, sitting on my couch like he owned the place. Too relaxed, too smug, that smile just... plain annoying."Selena," he'd said, his voice dropping low, all smooth and husky, making my skin crawl."Don't you think this whole 'playing hard to get thing has gone on long enough? I miss you, you know."Before I could even open my mouth, he was on me, his hands grabbing my face, his touch rough, like he owned
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Selena’s POV"What do you want, Gigi?” I snapped, my voice, a bit strained. My hand was gripping the phone so hard, my knuckles were white.“Oh, just wanted to see how my darling older sister was doing,” Gigi said, her voice dripping with that fake-sweet crap she always pulls. “Heard about the design gig. Too bad, huh?”I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my robe, trying to keep my voice even. "Get to the point, Gigi. What's this really about?" She was pulling some kind of stunt. She and Gia never called me, not unless they wanted something. I didn't even know she still had my phone number.“Alright, alright,” she sighed, but then her voice went all sharp and smug. “Gia and I did great with the project. The client loved our designs. Said it was exactly what they wanted.”“Great,” I whispered, my voice flat. “Now, if that’s all—""Oh, it's not, she cut in, her laugh echoing in my ear, cold and mean. “Gia and I are thinking of sending you some pictures. Maybe a video or two.”“Don’
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Justin’s POV The elevator shuddered to a stop, and the sudden quiet was awful. The lights started to flicker, then went completely dark. The only light was this dim, emergency glow, and it made the shadows stretch out, making the small space feel even smaller.I felt Selena stiffen beside me, her breath hitching in her throat."What's happening?" she whispered, her voice thin, like she was trying to hold back a wave of fear."I glanced at the control panel, the buttons unresponsive. "I think we're trapped," I said, my voice calm, trying to mask the unease that was beginning to nibble at me.Selena's breath quickened, her eyes darting around the confined space. "Trapped?" she repeated, her voice filled with worry. "No, no, this can't be happening,” she whispered. I saw the way her hands clenched into fists, the way her shoulders tightened. She looked at me, and there was this... thing in her eyes. A dark little flash, you know? I couldn't quite figure it out, and it kind of freake
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Selena’s POVHis words hung there, heavy and sharp, like a slap in the face. "But I don't know what's really going on with you and Zayn, do I?"My head was spinning, all these feelings crashing together like a hurricane. I just wanted to tell him everything, say it was nothing, just some messed-up thing. But something inside me just slammed shut, like a rusty door I couldn't open.Why should I have to explain myself? I thought, my jaw clenching so tight it hurt. He had no right to question me like this, as if I were some criminal. Besides, I didn't do anything; Zayn did.And then, yeah, there was the other thing. The thing I was pretending wasn’t happening. The way my heart did this sick little lurch in the elevator like I was about to throw up.The way his arms felt, like this messed-up, comforting thing, all wrapped up in concern and… something else. Something I didn’t want to acknowledge. I was falling for him, big time. And that? That scared the hell out of me. Made me want to
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Justin’s POVShe packed up her stuff with this quiet, determined energy like she was holding her breath until she could leave. It made my chest tighten, watching her so eager to go.This morning, I'd been ready to bulldoze in, and apologize for what happened last night, maybe even whine a little about how her short answers had bugged me. But then, she was breathing like she'd run a marathon, and all my snappy comebacks just... vanished.She looked so small, so far away. I'd shut up then, held my tongue. But now, I needed to understand. Why the stairs? All those endless flights, when the elevator was right there? Was it because of... the elevator thing? But it was fixed.I hit the elevator button, and doors slid open with that familiar whoosh. I stepped in, then right back out once I got to the ground floor, and headed for the stairwell. I eased the door open, slipped inside, and closed it gently behind me. The air was cool, a little dusty, and smelled like old concrete. I just... wa
Last Updated : 2025-03-31
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A Night With Billionaire Playboy, Forever Trapped Chapter 62: Accusations and Backlash
Selena’s POV"You're invited to my housewarming." I read the note aloud, the words dripping with a forced cheerfulness that sent a shiver down my spine."Who the heck sends a mystery basket with a housewarming invitation?" I asked, closing the door with a sharp click and turning to Hailey, the basket feeling heavy and ominous in my hands.She practically teleported from the dining table, her footsteps quick and sharp against the tile floor as she yanked the basket from my hands. "How did they even know your favorite cookies and chocolates?" she mumbled, her fingers digging through the basket's contents, the rustling of cellophane and the faint, overly sweet scent of vanilla filling the air."The other day it was flowers, today it's goodies. I had no idea someone had even moved into this neighborhood," I hissed, eyeing the basket with suspicion. The brightly colored candies and perfectly arranged cookies felt like a taunt, a silent, unsettling message."I guess our secret admirers ar
A Night With Billionaire Playboy, Forever Trapped Chapter 61: Shades and Doubts
Justin’s POVThe darkness of my bedroom felt heavy, like a suffocating blanket. I lay there, eyes wide, the day's events replaying in my mind like a broken record, the same scene looping over and over. Helping Selena with the eviction… should have been a relief, a weight lifted. Instead, it stirred a restless energy within me, a burning need to make her life better, to smooth out the rough edges,… without getting too close. Too close meant danger, a constant, gnawing fear, but not forever. I'd deal with the looming issue, and then I'd ask her out. My feelings for her were a force, a driving need, and I was determined to make her life better, to give her the peace she deserved.Then, the idea struck me, a sharp, clear solution. An interior design competition. Prestigious, high-profile. A platform to showcase her undeniable talent, and a substantial financial reward – a prize she would win, I knew it. Selena was a rockstar in the event planning world, a force of nature when she set
A Night With Billionaire Playboy, Forever Trapped Chapter 60: Conflicting Signals
Selena's POV"Why is Zayn texting me?" Hailey asked, her brows furrowed, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and annoyance.I was a bit shocked. I hadn't realized Zayn had Hailey's number, and after our last encounter a while back, I hadn't expected to hear from him again."What does the text say?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.Hailey held up her phone, the screen glowing with the message. "Something about us being 'neighbors soon.' What the heck does that even mean?" she muttered, her voice laced with a hint of disgust.“Let me see.” I snatched the phone from her, my eyes scanning the cryptic message. "Eww, that’s creepy?" I squinted at the screen, the words blurring slightly. "I don't have time for any Zayn drama, Hails. Justin already warned him to stay away from me. I'm going to bed.""What about me then?" Hailey mock-yelled behind me, her voice laced with a playful panic. "Is he going to come after me?" She squealed, trying to stifle a laugh. "I'm blocking his ass right no
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Justin's POV"Alright, gentlemen, let's cut to the chase," I snapped, my voice sharp and decisive, cutting through the static of the conference call. "We're not here to dance around figures. We're here to close this deal." The air in my study was thick with the tension of high stakes and negotiations. "I'm prepared to offer a premium, a significant one, but I need assurances. I need to know we can streamline the integration process, no delays." The stakeholders on the other end of the line shuffled papers, their voices a low hum of agreement. "Good. Then let's finalize the terms. My lawyers will send over the paperwork by EOD."The call ended with a collective sigh of relief, the tension dissipating like smoke. I was determined to acquire this tech company. It was a matter of principle, really. After I lost out on buying out Patel’s father's company because I had to be sure Selena was safe, I wasn't about to let another opportunity slip through my fingers. Especially not one Pat
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Selena’s POV"Selena," Hailey practically shouted, her voice strained with a mix of disbelief and anger. "Want to take a wild guess what lovely 'gift' they plastered on our door?"I blinked slowly, my eyes still adjusting to the morning light. "Maybe... a flyer for a cat pageant?" I teased, trying for a light tone, but Hailey's face was a shade of crimson I'd only seen when she was about to explode."We've been served," she mumbled, her voice low and dangerous. "An eviction notice. We have a few days to get out.""Huh?" I choked out, my brain struggling to process the words. "But... how? We're not even late on rent."Hailey ran a hand through her hair. The movement is a bit frantic. "I really have to get to work," she mumbled, her eyes darting towards the clock."We'll talk about this later." And for the second time that morning, she was gone, slamming the door behind her with a force that rattled the walls.I walked to the door, my bare feet padding softly against the cold tile, and
A Night With Billionaire Playboy, Forever Trapped Chapter 56: Unraveling Threads
Selena's POVHailey’s eyes widened, and she let out a sharp, almost panicked breath before yanking the phone away, her movements swift. “Nosy much,” she mumbled whilst trying to force an unconvincing smile.“Hails,” I whispered, trying to process what was going on, my eyes twitching slightly. “Is there something I should know that you’re not telling me?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.Hailey shifted her weight from one foot to another but still remained silent. “Hailey Claire Thompson,” I called out her full government name, my voice a bit louder this time. “Who texted you and what are you supposed to tell me that you haven’t?”“How are you sure you’re the one being referred to in the message?” she asked, her eyes scanning the entire room but my face."Don't play dumb," I said, my voice hardening. "You snatched the phone away like it was a live grenade. And you're acting weird. Really weird."She sighed a long, drawn-out sound that did nothing to ease the tension. "It's… it's a bit
