LOGINShare
CHAPTER XVIII
Last Updated:
2025-01-03 19:16:12
Related chapters
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XIX
“If I may, Mr. Rockwell,” Mr. Reyes added, “Kirsten is an exceptional worker, and she’s been handling everything with remarkable strength. I’m sure she’d appreciate any support or kindness during this time.”“Noted,” I replied before ending the call.As I set the phone down, I leaned back in my chair, staring out at the city lights. My thoughts swirled, more complicated than before. Kirsten’s absence now carried a weight I hadn’t expected—a mix of concern and something else I couldn’t quite name.For reasons I didn’t fully understand, I knew this wasn’t the end of it.I stayed seated in my office, the phone call with Mr. Reyes replaying in my mind. Kirsten. So, that was her name. It fit her somehow—simple, unpretentious, and strong, much like the impression she’d left on me.I shouldn’t be dwelling on this, I thought, but the more I tried to push it aside, the more insistent the thoughts became. Her mother’s health. That’s why she was reassigned. The knowledge tugged at something deep
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XX
I ate in silence, the food good enough to satisfy but not enough to distract me from my thoughts. The brief glimpse of Kirsten earlier had stirred something I hadn’t anticipated—a lingering curiosity, perhaps even admiration for how she carried herself despite her obvious struggles.When I finished my meal, I waved over another staff member to settle the bill.“Did you enjoy your meal, sir?” the young man asked politely as he approached.“It was excellent,” I replied, handing him the payment. Then, I paused and pulled out a crisp bill from my wallet. “This is for someone named Kirsten. Please make sure she gets it.”The staff member’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded quickly. “Of course, sir. I’ll make sure she receives it.”“Thank you,” I said, rising from my seat.As I left the restaurant, I cast one last glance toward the kitchen, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But she didn’t come out, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that her absence left behind.Still, I felt a quiet
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXI
The envelope tucked safely in my pocket wasn’t just money; it was acknowledgment. A sign that someone had noticed me—not for my struggles or the weight I carried, but for the effort I put into my work. For the person I was trying so hard to be.As I walked home that night, the noise of the bustling streets faded into the background. My thoughts were consumed by the memory of the man at table seven. He had no reason to go out of his way for me, yet he did. It was such a simple gesture, yet it held so much meaning.For weeks, I’d been surviving, moving through each day like a machine, doing what I had to without question or pause. But tonight, something had shifted. That flicker of hope, fragile as it was, reminded me that my life didn’t have to be defined by hardship aloneI felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude as I handed over the payment for my mother’s upcoming operation. The tip I received from that man—whoever he was—had made all the difference. For the first time in a while,
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXII
I shook my head, though my chest felt lighter from their words. “You’re all too much. I’m just doing my job.”Jason tilted his head, studying me. “Maybe, but not everyone does their job with as much heart as you do. And don’t think we don’t notice. So, whatever’s weighing you down, just remember—you’re not alone.”His words struck a chord, and I felt my throat tighten. “You’re really good at this pep talk thing, huh?” I teased, trying to lighten the moment.“Hey, I have my talents,” he said, grinning. “But seriously, if you ever need anything—or just someone to talk to—you know where to find me. We’re all rooting for you, Kirsten.”I nodded, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thank you, Jason. Really.”As he walked away to tend to another table, I took a deep breath. For a moment, the weight on my shoulders didn’t feel so heavy. Maybe, just maybe, I could get through this—one step at a time.“Kirsten, table four needs their bill!” one of the waiters called out, snapping m
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXIII
The sounds of clattering plates, sizzling pans, and the steady hum of voices kept me focused.For a brief moment, I stole a glance at the clock. Hours had passed, and I could feel my energy beginning to wane, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. The team needed me, and more than that, I needed them."Kirsten, we don’t have enough staff to handle the delivery to Rockwell! What should we do?" Jason shouted, his voice laced with panic.I paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. The tiredness from the day was starting to catch up with me, but I didn’t let it show. I had a job to do, and complaining wasn’t an option. Deep down, I knew I had to push through. I hadn’t even had time to eat lunch, surviving on just a cup of coffee this morning. Maybe that was why I was feeling this drained. But giving up wasn’t in me. Not now, not ever.Sighing, I wiped my hands on my apron, trying to ignore the faint dizziness creeping in. "I’ll do it," I said, more firmly than I felt. "I’ll han
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXIV
The last thing I remember before the darkness took over was the soft brush of the man’s hand as he steadied me, his touch warm against the coolness of my skin. The feathered pin caught the light once more, and then everything went black.I don’t know how much time passed, but when I finally started to regain my senses, I was no longer standing. Instead, I was laying on a bed, my head resting against something smooth, my breath coming in slow, controlled gasps. The air felt different—cooler, fresher. The bustling noise of the office had faded, replaced by the soft murmur of distant voices.For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My mind was clouded, still foggy from the dizzy spell. Then I realized—there was someone beside me. I turned my head slightly, and my gaze met Sansa's worried eyes."Oh my, Kirsten! I’m so glad you’re awake!" She rushed to my side, her voice trembling with worry, and her eyes glistening with unshed tears.I blinked, trying to gather my bearings, my head still
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXV
I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. My mind was too full of the image of my mother—her worried face, her frail hands reaching for me, calling my name in the silence of the night, and I wasn’t there.I should’ve been there.I should’ve stayed.But now... now I had lost her. And I didn’t know how to live with that.The tears kept coming, relentless, but it didn’t change anything. She was gone. My mother was gone, and I had nothing left but this crushing emptiness. And the painful knowledge that I could never go back and make it right.I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, lost in the chaos of my emotions, but I could feel the numbness creeping in. As if my heart had been torn from me, and all I had left was the hollow ache of what could never be again."W-Where's my mom...?" I asked weakly, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked around, still disoriented from the shock and pain that weighed heavily on me. My chest ached, and every part of my body felt as though it was being held
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER XXVI
"Mom... please," I begged again, my voice barely above a whisper, as though speaking louder would somehow make her come back. "I’ve always needed you. I can’t do this on my own. Don’t leave me, please..."Sobs wracked my body as I cried harder, my emotions finally spilling over. Everything I had kept inside for so long—my fears, my doubts, my frustrations—came rushing out in a flood of tears. I felt like I was drowning in them, suffocated by the reality of what had happened.Sansa stood quietly at the door, watching from a distance, giving me the space I needed to grieve. But I could feel her pain too, her sympathy, as she stood by and allowed me to mourn. She didn’t say anything; she didn’t need to. She understood the depth of what I was going through.And yet, despite everything, I couldn’t stop. The anguish clawed at me, and it felt like my whole world was crumbling. I had just been with her not that long ago, and now she was gone."Please, don’t leave me alone. I don’t know how to
Last Updated : 2025-01-03
Latest chapter
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 111
Anton reached for my hand, his fingers curling around mine in that reassuring way that always made me feel safe. “I’m right here with you.” Together, we made our way to the venue—a small, private room in a government building. It wasn’t extravagant, but it felt right. The judge greeted us warmly, and after a few moments of formalities, we stood facing each other, the weight of the moment settling around us. Anton’s eyes never left mine as the judge began to speak. I could feel the anticipation building in my chest, my emotions swirling. This was it. This was the beginning of everything. When it was time to exchange vows, Anton went first. “I promise to love you, cherish you, and stand by your side in every moment, no matter what comes our way. You are my heart, and I am yours.” Tears welled up in my eyes as he spoke, his words so genuine, so full of meaning. I could feel the sincerity in his voice, and my heart swelled with love for him. When it was my turn, I took a deep breath,
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 110
As we stepped through the door, our hands still intertwined, the world outside seemed distant. The comfort of our home wrapped around us like a warm blanket. Anton pulled me close, his arms slipping around my waist as he held me from behind. I could feel his breath against my neck, soft and warm, as he kissed me slowly, tenderly."Mrs. Rockwell," he whispered, his voice teasing, sending a shiver down my spine. His words were full of promise, of a future that, no matter how uncertain, felt like it was finally within reach.I let out a soft laugh, the sound light and carefree. "Not yet," I replied, glancing back at him, my eyes meeting his with a playful glint.His lips curled into a mischievous grin, the kind that made my heart race. "Oh, you will soon," he said, his voice low and intimate, as he tightened his hold on me just enough to make my heart flutter. "And I want you to practice a new signature with my surname in it soon."His words hung in the air, heavy with significance. It w
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 109
I smiled, a warm glow spreading through me. "I'm glad we took the chance. I can't imagine my life without you now."As we shared a tender kiss, the fire crackled once more, as if celebrating our newfound love. The sofa, witness to our passionate encounter, seemed to sigh contentedly, its cushions inviting them to stay a while longer. And so they did, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in a world where only they existed, a world filled with love, passion, and the promise of a future together."When did you fall in love with me, Anton?" I asked, my voice soft as I looked up at him.He smirked, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my arm. "I fell for you when you were just a delivery girl," he admitted with a chuckle.I giggled, remembering those days. "I was so naive back then. I only wanted to get your attention so you would hire me. That’s why I started sending those special meals to your office. I thought if I impressed you enough, you’d give me a job."Anton smiled as if recallin
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 108
I stopped, turning my head slightly, but I didn’t let go of Anton’s hand. “Yes?”He hesitated, his lips parting and closing as though he couldn’t quite find the words. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter now. “Do you think I even deserve peace? After everything I’ve done to you… to both of you?”I sighed, glancing at Anton, who gave my hand a small squeeze. He didn’t intervene, allowing me to face Vincent on my own terms. “It’s not about deserving it, Vincent,” I said gently. “It’s about whether or not you want it. Whether or not you’re willing to change and work toward it.”He leaned back in his chair, his cuffed hands resting heavily on the armrests. His gaze fell to the floor as if searching for answers in the patterns of the tiles. “I don’t know if I can live with the guilt. Every time I think about what I’ve done… it’s like it’s eating me alive.”“Then stop running from it,” I said firmly. “Face it. Own your mistakes and make amends where you can. That’s the only way you’ll ever
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 107
He looked down at his cuffed hands, his voice lowering to a whisper. "So, I took advantage of it. Out of jealousy, out of spite. I wanted to take away something he cared about, something he might love, just to prove I could. I wanted to hurt him the way I thought he had hurt me... and you became the collateral damage."His words hit me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. All this time, I had thought Vincent’s actions were about me, about control, about possession. But now I realized—it was never about me. It was about his insecurities, his bitterness toward Anton, and his need to win a game only he was playing."You used me..." I whispered, the hurt evident in my voice.Vincent’s eyes met mine, and for the first time, they weren’t filled with arrogance or anger. They were filled with regret. "I did," he confessed. "And I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.""I can’t believe you..." I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief and pain.Vincent nodded slowly, h
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 106
"Anton..." I hesitated, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap as I searched for the courage to voice what had been weighing on my mind. "Can I meet him?"The room fell silent, the air suddenly thick with tension. Anton’s jaw tightened, his usually soft eyes hardening as they locked onto mine. "Why do you want to meet him, Kirsten?" His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Because I feel like I need to," I said softly. "To free myself from him completely—for real this time. I need closure, Anton. I need to look him in the eyes and tell him that we’re done. And... I want him to ask for forgiveness."Anton’s gaze didn’t waver, but I could see the conflict brewing behind his eyes. For a moment, I thought he’d argue, tell me it was unnecessary, that I didn’t need to reopen that chapter of my life.But then, to my surprise, he nodded. "If that’s what you need," he said quietly, his voice firm but filled with understanding, "I’l
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 105
The days passed like a dream—soft, fleeting, and almost unreal. I hadn’t been counting them because, for the first time in years, I was truly happy. But that happiness was laced with an edge of unease, especially when Anton told me what had happened.Vincent had been captured. By Anton’s men.The news left a strange weight in my chest, and though I tried to push it aside, it lingered."What are you going to do to your brother, Anton?" I asked, my voice quiet but firm as I sat across from him in the spacious living room.Anton leaned back in his chair, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the chandelier. His brow arched slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You sound like you’re worried about him."I hesitated, unsure how to answer that. Was I?Despite the cruel way Vincent had treated me, a part of me couldn’t deny that he had once been a significant part of my life. But worry? Love? Those feelings had long since faded."I’m not worried about him," I said, shaking my h
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 104
I learned from him that Vincent had resorted to sending death threats, demanding Anton leave the country. My stomach turned at the revelation. It was a side of Vincent I hadn’t fully understood until now. Anton, however, seemed unfazed, stating firmly, “He’ll pay for that. I’ll make sure he does. Threatening me gives me the leverage I need to put him behind bars.”The thought of Vincent—once the man I thought I loved—going to prison left me torn. A part of me felt justice was inevitable, but another part still struggled to reconcile this side of him with the man I had once known.And then there was Anton. The man who had been a stranger not so long ago but now felt like a lifeline. It was surreal to think back to the days when I would deliver lunches to his company, never once imagining that the CEO himself was aware of me. And now, here I was, living under the same roof with him."Can you believe this?" I murmured to myself one evening as I stood by the window, looking out at the exp
Claiming What's Mine: A Billionaire Romance CHAPTER 103
His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But instead, he turned away, laughing bitterly. "We’ll see about that," he muttered, disappearing into his bedroom and slamming the door behind him. I exhaled shakily, my entire body trembling. This wasn’t living. This was survival. I picked up my phone and opened Anton’s message again. Without overthinking, I typed: Me: I need your help. I hit send and waited, my heart pounding in my chest. Within seconds, his reply came. Anton: I’ll be there in the morning. I stared at the message, a mix of relief and fear washing over me. Tomorrow, things would change. Whether for better or worse, I didn’t know. But one thing was certain—I couldn’t keep living like this. The morning light filtered through the curtains, and I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor. My heart felt heavy, weighed down by everything that had happened the night before. Vincent’s words still echoed in my mind—his possessiveness, hi
