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Chapter 8 A Happy Family
Last Updated:
2025-01-13 18:24:35
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Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 9 Torn
(Lila)I couldn’t stop staring at James across the dining table. He picked at his food exactly like Ethan did—pushing things around, making little piles.Nine years old. That’s what Grace had said.“So tell us,” Grace gushed, breaking the silence, “how did you two meet?”Nick put his hand on my knee under the table. “At the charity gala last month. One look at her in that red dress and I was done for.”“Really? Just like that?”“Yes, and I’ve never been surer,” said Nick as he tickled my knee. “Right, darling?”I forced myself to smile. “Right.”The room spun slightly. Morning sickness—or afternoon sickness now—was getting worse. I hadn’t been able to keep anything down all day.“I hear congratulations are in order,” Grace said sweetly, and my breath caught. Did she know I was pregnant? “The merger between your companies will be quite the event.”“We haven’t discussed business yet,” Nick replied easily and I exhaled with relief.“No?” Old man Baldwin raised an eyebrow. “That’s not lik
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(Lila)I drifted in and out of consciousness, aware of being carried upstairs but unable to protest. Ethan’s arms were too familiar, too comfortable. I could feel his heart beating right there against my ear just like it used to during our lazy Sunday mornings.“I’ve got her,” Ethan said.“Like hell you do.” Nick snapped me back to reality. “Give her to me.”“She needs to lie down.”“Then I’ll take her to lie down.” Nick’s footsteps followed us up the grand staircase. “She’s my fiancée!”Ethan’s arms tightened. “And she just fainted in my hallway.”“Your hallway?” Nick laughed harshly. “Last I checked, this was Father’s house.”My stomach lurched again as we reached the landing. I tried to open my eyes, but everything was too bright.“The blue room’s closest,” Ethan said, and he changed his direction.“I know where the damn blue room is.” Nick’s voice got closer. “I grew up here too, remember?”They led me into what looked like a bedroom. Ethan laid me on something soft—a bed, probabl
Last Updated : 2025-01-13Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 11 A Warning
(Lila)Nick had barely driven us off the Baldwin estate when my phone started ringing. Grace’s name flashed on the screen.“Don’t answer it,” Nick said with his eyes fixed on the road.“She’ll just keep calling.”“Let her. After what she pulled back there—”“I have to know what she wants.” I hit accept before he could stop me. “Hello?”“Meet me at Le Café Rouge in thirty minutes,” Grace said without preamble. “Come alone.”“Or what?”“Or I start making calls to every gossip columnist in the city. I’m sure they’d love to hear about the Montgomery heiress’s…complicated relationship with both Baldwin men.”My hand instinctively went to my stomach. “Fine. Thirty minutes.”“Lila,” Nick protested as I hung up. “You can’t seriously be considering—”“Take me to Le Café Rouge.”“No way in hell am I leaving you alone with her.”“Nick.” I touched his arm. “Please. I need to handle this.”He cursed under his breath but made the turn toward the café. “I’ll wait in the car.”“She’ll see you.”“Good
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(Lila)I was still shaking when Nick’s car pulled up to the café. He took one look at my face and was out of the driver’s seat in seconds.“What happened?” He cupped my face in his hands, thumbs brushing my cheeks. “Did she hurt you?”“Not physically.” I leaned into his touch without meaning to. “Can we go home?”His hands stilled. “Your home or mine?”“Yours.” I couldn’t face the Montgomery mansion right now. “Please.”The drive was quiet, but Nick’s hand found mine across the console. He didn’t let go until we reached his penthouse.“Want to talk about it?” he asked as we rode the elevator up.“She knows. About the baby.”The elevator dinged. Nick pulled me into his arms as soon as the doors closed behind us.“I’ll handle it,” he said into my hair.“You can’t.” I pushed away enough to look at him. “She’s threatening to expose everything—the pregnancy, my relationship with Ethan, this engagement…”“Let her. We’ll survive the scandal.”“It’s not just about the scandal.” I broke away,
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(Lila)The ballroom of Montgomery mansion looked amazing for the engagement party. My red dress—another one my mother insisted on—made me feel like a warning sign among all the pastels and neutrals.“You look beautiful,” Nick whispered in my ear as we greeted another group of well-wishers. His hand never left the small of my back.“You don’t look so bad yourself.”I smoothed his black tie, letting my fingers rest there. We’d been careful since that kiss, not wanting to risk getting close lest things got out of hand again.“Ms. Montgomery. A word?”Ethan stood behind us, looking dashing in his bespoke suit. The same one he’d worn the first night we met—I wondered if that was intentional.“Actually—” Nick started, but I squeezed his arm.“It’s okay.” I forced myself to smile. “I can handle this.”Nick tried to figure out what I was thinking. “You sure?”“Positive.” I stretched up to kiss his cheek, making sure everyone watching got a good show. “Save me a dance?”“Always.” He shot Ethan
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(Ethan)Caroline Montgomery’s words kept repeating in my head like an old nightmare I’d remembered again. Eight years old. An accident. Lost memories.My glass nearly slipped from my fingers as decades-old memories rushed back.“Are you alright?” Grace touched my arm, but I barely felt it. “You look pale.”“I need air.” I set the glass down harder than necessary, ignoring the champagne that spilled from it.“Ethan—”I ignored her. I was already moving, pushing through the crowd toward the terrace where I’d seen Nicholas lead Lila. My mind’s eye saw fragments of a past I’d tried so hard to forget.A summer fair. Cotton candy. A little girl’s laugh.And then…darkness.The dates matched. The age matched. Even the way Lila had always felt familiar somehow, from that first night at the bar...“It can’t be,” I muttered, gripping the stone railing. “It’s impossible.”But was it?I’d spent years searching for that little girl after it happened. I’d lost track of her completely afterwards. No
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(Lila)Nick led me back into the ballroom from the terrace. The band was playing something classical, and most of the couples were on the dance floor.“A necklace? What was he talking about?”I rubbed my temples as Nick led me toward the bar. The pain behind my eyes wouldn’t stop.“He’s trying to get under your skin,” he said. “Don’t let him.”“But how did he know about it? I never told him about any necklace from my grandmother.”“Lila.” Nick turned me to face him. “Stop. Whatever game he’s playing, it doesn’t matter.”“But—”“There you are!” My mother joined us. “The photographer’s been waiting ages. We need shots for the media reports.”I glanced at Nick. “Mom, I’m not feeling—”“Nonsense.” She grabbed my arm. “This is the social event of the year. The Montgomery-Baldwin engagement must be shown properly.”Nick jumped in front of me. “Mrs. Montgomery, maybe if we—”“The fountain.” She pointed toward the huge centerpiece. “The lighting there is perfect.”She practically dragged us t
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(Lila)Old Mr. Baldwin barked orders at security while guests split up and ran everywhere, shouting James’s name.“Lock down all exits!” The head of security spoke into his radio. “No one leaves until we find the boy.”“Call the police,” someone suggested.“No!” Grace grabbed the man’s arm. “No police. He was just here, he has to be here somewhere.”My mother came at my side, grabbing my elbow. “Darling, you look awful.”“I’m fine.”“You’re not. Look at you, you’re shaking.” She waved desperately. “Jonathan! Come look at her.”Dad rushed over, leaving his conversation with the security team. “Princess? What’s wrong?”“Nothing.” I tried to pull away from their hovering. “We need to help find James.”“You need to sit down.” Mom put her hand on my forehead. “You’re burning up.”Alexander pushed through the crowd toward us. “Give her space to breathe, Mother. She doesn’t need you smothering her right now.”“But she—”“Is perfectly capable of telling us if she needs help.” He squeezed my s
Last Updated : 2025-01-13
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Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 34 Aftermath
(Lila)I sat hunched in the hospital waiting room’s plastic chair, watching Nick pace. His suit was still covered in dirt and blood from the basement, but he wouldn’t leave to change. None of us would leave, not with James being examined behind those doors.“Sit down before you get even more tired,” I said, but Nick kept walking.“Can’t. How long does a basic examination take?”“They’re being thorough.” My hand touched my still-flat stomach as if on its own accord. “After what James said about Grace…”Ethan hadn’t moved from his position against James’s door since we arrived. His clothes were as ruined as Nick’s. Dried blood crusted the collar where Robert had split his lip.“Mr. Baldwin?” A nurse approached Ethan. “We need to document your injuries too.”“I’m fine.” Ethan didn’t look away from the door. “Focus on my son.”“At least let us clean that cut—”“I said I’m fine.”The nurse retreated, shaking her head. I understood her frustration, but I also understood Ethan. None of us co
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 33 Breaking Free
(Lila)Romy stood over Robert’s fallen body, having pulled back from Alexander. Her hands shook slightly, but she kept her eyes on her fallen husband and watched for any sign of movement. His blood spilled on the floor.“Secure the scene!” A detective said as police checked every room and arrested all the thugs who hadn’t managed to escape. “Check all exits! Medics, stand by!”Nick’s fingers found mine. I couldn’t take my eyes off James and Ethan. Grace had quietened for now, but the boy still clung to his father like a lifeline.“Sir, we need to examine your son,” a paramedic approached them cautiously. “Standard procedure after a hostage situation.”“No.” James pressed closer to Ethan’s legs. “Please don’t make me move.”“It’s okay, buddy.” Ethan stroked his head. “They just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”“But what if she comes while they’re checking me?” James whispered. “What if Mom tries to take me?”Grace glared at him, but said nothing. A female paramedic knelt beside them
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 32 Father and Son
(Lila)Nick’s fist connected with the last thug’s jaw with a sickening crack. The man fell on the basement floor, joining his unconscious partners. Blood was dripping from Nick’s face as he leaned against the wall, breathing hard.“We need to go,” I touched his arm gently. “Your wrist looks bad.”“I’ve had worse.” Nick tried to straighten but winced. “Robert’s still out there somewhere. He ran upstairs when he heard cars approaching.”The basement felt different now with the thugs unconscious and Robert gone—less threatening somehow, but the symbols on the walls still made my skin crawl. My own desperate carvings from fifteen years ago, and the ones copied and twisted into something cruel.The silence broke with a yell—high-pitched, terrified.“James!” I grabbed Nick’s sleeve. “That came from outside. It was James!”We ran up the narrow basement stairs together, his arm shooting out to hold me when my foot caught on a broken step.“Wait.” Nick pulled me to a stop near the top. “Listen
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 31 History Repeats
(Ethan)“They found him!” Detective Dale burst into the station’s waiting room. “James is safe.”My heart nearly stopped. “Where? How?”“Romy Leroy brought him in.” Dale checked his notes. “Former model, apparently—”“Romy?” Alexander’s head snapped up from where he’d been coordinating with his security team. He went completely pale. Ashen. “How did she—”I barely registered his reaction, already grabbing my coat. “Is James hurt?”“Asleep in the break room. Seems physically unharmed, but—”I was running before he finished speaking. Behind me, I heard Alexander’s frenzy.“Tell me everything about Romy,” he demanded from Dale. “Where has she been? Is she okay? What—”His voice faded as I ran through the station. Officers jumped out of my way as I rounded the corners, following signs to the break room.And there he was.James curled up on a worn couch, his small body covered with someone’s police jacket. Beside him sat Romy Leroy, exactly as I remembered her from magazine covers years ag
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 30 Four Against One
(Nick)Robert’s men advanced while James sobbed in the tunnel. I kept myself between them and Lila, scanning for anything I could use as a weapon. There were some rusty pipes there, but most were bolted down tight. The old chains on the floor were too far to reach.“Get him,” Robert commanded, adjusting his cufflinks.The first man rushed me and tried to punch me. I sidestepped, grabbing his outstretched arm and using his attempt to slam him into the concrete wall. My martial arts training kicked in instantly—block, counterstrike, dodge the follow-up. The second man came to my left, pulling a wicked-looking knife from his jacket. Behind me, James cried harder. “Help! I’m stuck!”“James, honey?” Lila pressed herself closer to the tunnel entrance. “Can you hear me?”“I can’t move! The walls are closing in!”“Yes you can,” Lila said calmly despite everything happening around us. “Remember what we practiced? In for four counts, out for four. Do it with me now.”The knife-wielding thug s
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 29 The Escape
(Lila)“Hurry!” I urged.Romy fumbled with a ring of keys she’d managed to retrieve from her purse, trying them one by one in Nick’s chains. Just like before, I kept hold of James’s ankle as he climbed into the tunnel entrance, making sure he was safe.The stairs creaked above—Robert would come any moment.“There’s too many,” Romy whispered, her fingers shaking as she tried another key. “I don’t know which—”“Try the brass ones first,” Nick said to her even as his eyes never left my face. “Most high-end locks use brass keys.”I still held James and guided him deeper into the tunnel, urging him to go on. “Remember what I told you? About being brave?”James clutched my hand. “Yes, I remember, but…but what if I can’t get to the police?”“You can.” I leaned toward him, touching his head. “Because you’re so brave. Count your breaths with me. In for four, out for four…”His small hand found mine in the tunnel. “You’ll stay until I’m out, right?”“The whole time.”“Promise?”“I promise. And
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 28 Confessions
(Lila)“Grace? What does Grace have to do with this?” I fought my rope hard, trying to catch Romy’s eye, but she wouldn’t look at me.“We need ropes for the boy. Maybe chains for Little Lila.” Robert checked his platinum watch and then looked up at Romy, staring hard enough to make even me uncomfortable. “I can’t stay all day, and clearly, they can’t be trusted.”He grabbed James’s arm, dragging him back toward me. James stumbled, falling against my legs.“Careful!” I tried to cushion his fall despite my bound hands.“Sit.” Robert shoved us both against the wall. “Don’t move.”James pressed his small body closer to me, as if he’d find an escape there. I wished I could hold him properly, protect him from all this.“I wish…” James whispered so quietly I almost missed it. “I wish you were my mom.”My heart squeezed painfully. I thought of the baby growing inside me—James’s sibling, though he didn’t know it. Wouldn’t know it, if we didn’t get out of here.Nick’s eyes found mine and we kep
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 27 Hidden Motives
(Nick)The huge man shoved me harder against the pipes, checking my chains while Lila struggled against her own ropes as she sat beside me.My wrists ached, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Lila and James. The man had tied her here as soon as he’d grabbed her and James from the tunnel, leaving only James free.“Leave her alone!” I yanked at the chains as the man moved to Lila and grabbed her chin, examining her face.“The mighty Montgomery princess.” He smiled cruelly. “Not so high and mighty now, are you?”I pulled against the metal uselessly, trying to get to Lila somehow. “Get your hands off her!”“Robert. Darling.” The blonde woman—I knew her from somewhere, but I couldn’t place it—touched the big man’s arm. “Perhaps we should give them some space?”Robert released Lila roughly. “Check their restraints again. Make sure they’re secure.”She moved to Lila first to check the rope, but I could see her shaking.“I’m sorry,” I heard her whisper. “I never wanted this.”“Save it.” Lila jer
Billionaire, I'm No Longer Yours Chapter 26 Revelations
(Ethan)“Trace that call now!” I slammed my hands on Detective Dale’s desk. “Nick said they’re near freight tracks, didn't he? In a basement. That’s something, isn’t it?”“Mr. Baldwin.” Dale barely glanced up from his computer. “We have every available unit—”“Every unit isn’t enough!” I yelled and made myself even hoarser than I already was. “My son is out there. Lila’s out there. And you’re just sitting here typing!”Dale stayed behind his desk, watching quietly as phones rang constantly. Officers rushed past with papers, barking into radios, but nothing ever happened fast enough!“My baby girl…my poor baby girl…”It was Caroline Montgomery sitting in a corner chair. She had not stopped weeping since the police had informed her of Nick’s call. Her sobs got louder with every minute, and they made my head hurt.Jonathan Montgomery paced nearby, his phone pressed to his ear while his teeth ground together.“You understand how I feel? No, Senator, you clearly don’t understand! This isn’
