Chapter 41Sophie's POV I stepped out of the car, the driver holding the door open with a polite nod, and he collected the food flask i was clutching. I walked into the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the low murmur of voices enveloping me. Julian had been gone for a whole long week, and the ache of his absence was a constant thrum in my chest. Video calls were never enough; they were mere shadows of what I craved. I missed him like crazy. I missed the way his eyes would light up when he saw me, the warmth of his hands on my skin, and the way his voice, rich and commanding, could soothe my most anxious thoughts. I miss his soft lips on mine. Each moment without him felt like an eternity, stretching the time until I could be wrapped in his embrace once more.I often found myself reflecting on how I had come to feel so deeply for someone I once thought of as a devil in disguise. The proposal he had made—inviting me to warm his bed—had initially made me despise him so mu
Chapter 42Sophie’s POV I pulled him away on his chest with all my might and gave him a resounding slap. “Are you crazy?” I said, my voice trembling with anger. “I just want you to know how much you mean to me. I see that you also want me; your lips want—” I didn’t let him finish. With a swift motion, I delivered another sharp slap, the sound echoing in the charged air between us. This one was louder, more forceful than the first. “Do you think this is some kind of game?” I snapped. “You can’t just toy with my feelings like that!” He rubbed his cheek, eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something else—was it regrets? “I wasn’t trying to play games, Sophie. I just thought—” “Thought what?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “That you could just waltz in and out of my life? That I wouldn’t care?” He stepped closer, an intensity in his gaze that made my heart flutter despite my anger. “You’re right. I messed up. But I’m trying to be honest with you now.” I took a deep breath, tryin
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 1Sophie's POV"What did you just say?" I asked, unable to believe what I had just heard."My apologies, Sophie," my manager replied, his expression sympathetic. "The company is facing a serious financial crisis, and we've been forced to make some tough decisions. Unfortunately, that includes letting go of our part-time staff."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're firing me?" I clarified, trying to process the news.He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Your last paycheck will be mailed to you within the next two weeks."Stunned, I gathered my belongings and left the office, wondering how I would break the news to Mom with her health.As I walked out into the crisp afternoon air, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Isabella, my best friend:"When are you getting off work? Let's meet and celebrate your birthday. Don't tell me you are planning on celebrating it with that jerk."I stared blanking at the
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 2Sophie's POV As I arrived at the hospital, I saw Isabella waiting outside the emergency room. "Sophie!" She exclaimed, tears in her eyes. "How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking. "They are stabilizing her, the doctor will come out soon." I nodded, trying to stay calm.Just then, the doctor emerged, looking expressionless. "How is my mom?" I asked, tears threatening to fall."Are you her daughter?" He asked. I nodded in affirmation. "Why didn't you bring her in all these days?" the doctor's tone was gentle, but laced with concern."I...I didn't know it was this serious," I stammered."Your mother has Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. It's aggressive and requires immediate attention."My world crumbled."Doctor, what is to be done?" Isabella asked, her voice cracking "We need to perform a nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney. But it's complex and costly.""Surgery?" I whispered. The doctor nodded.I felt a lump f
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 3Sophie's POV "What?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard and saw in the paper."Be my woman and warm my bed" He said with a smirk. I felt like slapping him. What did he take me for? Do I look like a slut? And here I was thinking he looked like a model.Taah!Fuck those my thoughts!"Don't worry, to people you will be my wife, and it's only for eighteen months as stated in the contract," he added. "Do I look that cheap?" I asked, and tore the paper. "How will you even suggest that type of thing to a stranger?" Julian's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, come now, Sophie. Don't be dramatic. It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement.""Mutually beneficial?" I repeated, incredulous. "You think using me as your sex toy is beneficial to me?"Julian shrugged. "You'll get to live a life of luxury, and your mother will receive the best medical care. What more could you want?""I want respect," I said, my vo
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 4Julian's POV "Hello, Marcus," I said, on the phone with my secretary. "I need you to draft another contract. Sophie seems hesitant, but I'm confident she'll come around."Marcus's voice was smooth on the other end. "Yes, sir. And what about the terms? Should I make any adjustments?""Yes," I replied. "Add that she is to move into my house immediately. And she needs my permission to leave the house."Marcus's pause was almost imperceptible. "Understood, sir.""But do you really have to do this?" My friend, Caleb, said immediately I ended the call. Caleb had been my best friend for many years. We had both met in the organisation as a fellow assassin, I had quit because of an incident a year ago, but Caleb is still in the business. "Yes." I replied curtly."But she's innocent. It's one woman who hurt you. Why are you taking your revenge on the other innocent woman?" he said in a low and urgent voice. I stood, pacing around the room. "You don't u
Behind the Billonaire's Mask!Chapter 5Julian's POV "Missing?" I repeated, my voice low and even. "What do you mean she's missing?"Marcus swallowed hard. "I...I was watching her, sir. I went to the bathroom, before her mother was moved to the operating room and when i came back, she was gone."My eyes narrowed. "What of her mother and her friend?""I haven't seen anyone with her today, and her mom is in the operating room." Marcus said. I nodded and quickly pulled out my phone to dial her number, but she didn't pick up.I turned and walked into the hospital, scanning the area. Where could she be? What's this girl trying to pull with me? "Find her," I ordered, turning to Marcus."Yes, sir," Marcus replied, walking towards the exit.I sat down outside the operating room.As I scrolled through my phone, I heard sobs. I looked up to see Sophie emerging from the operating room, wearing a pair of green scrubs and a surgical mask hanging around her neck. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and te
Behind the Billonaire's MaskChapter 6Julian's POV"Sophie's mother's health has worsened." Marcus said, on our way to my grandfather's house."What do you mean worsened?" I demanded. "The doctor said she's developed complications from the surgery, and they are not sure when she'll wake up."Get the best medical team on it." I ordered. "Already done, sir." We arrived at my grandfather's estate, and I stepped out of the car, my mind preoccupied. Her mother must not die if I don't want her to cancel the contract. Augustine Blackwood, my grandfather, sat behind his desk, his eyes piercing."Julian, I've received disturbing news," he said.This old man is something! No greetings. "Regarding?" I asked, taking my seat."A potential threat to our family's business empire." He said, rubbing his temple. My interest piqued."Explain."My grandfather leaned forward."One of our major investors is considering withdrawal. We need to persuade them otherwise."I nodded."I'll handle it."My g