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20. I HATE YOU
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2025-01-31 22:30:49
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From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    21. SLEEPING PRINCESS
ISABELLA I stormed out of Victorâs house, my heels clicking against the pavement, my blood boiling with rage. My hands clenched into fists as I struggled to keep my breathing steady. This was not how things were supposed to go. Victor belonged to me. I had worked too hard, spent too many years by his side, molding him into the man he was today. The accident had ruined things for me. I had thought he would never wake up again but now that he had, no one was going to take him away from me. However, Victor's mother wasn't a simple woman. Victor was a grown man, yet Evelyn still made decisions in his life. The fact that she left her own house, moved into Victor's house and made herself the boss without Victor having a problem with it, did not sit well with me. And Sophia? That pathetic girl was nothing but an obstacle standing in my way. I had underestimated her once, but not anymore. I climbed into my car and gripped the steering wheel so tightly as my mind spun with pos
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-31From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    22 HELP ME!
SOPHIA The moment I received the text message confirming I had gotten the job, my heart swelled with relief. Finally. After weeks of rejection, after struggling to even afford a meal, I had an opportunity. I didnât care that I was pregnant, I was willing to work. I needed to stand on my own two feet, and no one, not even Victorâs family, would stop me. I quickly typed out a reply, confirming my attendance, and rushed to get dressed. As I stepped out of my room, I nearly bumped into Evelyn. âWhere do you think youâre going?â she asked, crossing her arms. I forced a polite smile. âI have something important to do. I wonât be long.â Evelyn frowned. âThe doctor warned you not to stress yourself. You need to be careful.â âI know,â I said, keeping my voice calm. âAnd I care about this child more than anyone.â Evelyn studied me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to stop me. Finally, she stepped aside. I nodded. âIâll be back soon.â Without another word, I wa
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-31From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    23. DRUGGED
CALEB**Weeks Earlier** I stared at the plate of food in front of me, but I had no appetite. The rich aroma of home-cooked meals filled the air, and I knew my mother had gone out of her way to have this prepared for me. Still, I couldnât bring myself to eat. Across the table, she watched me expectantly, a hopeful smile on her face. âI spoke with the cook and told her to make this especially for you,â she said gently. âItâs been so long since you came home. I wanted you to have your favorite food today.â"Where's my jacket, mom?" I asked. "You took it away earlier and did not return with it."She smiled, "Don't worry, your jacket is safe." I sighed, picking up my fork and stabbing at the food. âMom, you know why I avoid coming home.â Her smile faltered, but she quickly masked it. âLetâs not talk about that now,â she said. âTonight, I just want to spend time with my son.â I didnât argue. It wasnât worth the fight. So, I started eating. She poured me a glass of wine, a
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-31From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    24. FIND HER
CALEB I sat in silence, my fingers pressing into my temples as my assistant paced the room. He had no answers. I had no answers. The woman from last nightâwhoever she wasâwas a complete mystery. I hadnât even looked at her face. I couldnât remember what she looked like. I clenched my jaw. How could I have been so careless? The only clue we had was the hotelâs security footage, so we went straight to the manager and demanded to see it. The moment the footage played, I leaned forward, my eyes locked on the screen. The camera showed a woman walking down the hallway, hesitating before my door. She knocked. Once. Twice. Then again. A few seconds passed before she finally stepped inside. I frowned. She knocked first. That meant she had walked into the wrong room. But why the hell hadnât she left when she realized that? Something wasnât adding up. I turned to my assistant. âWhy didnât she leave when she realized she was in the wrong room?â He shook his hea
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-31From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    25. AN ANGEL
SOPHIA A soft beeping sound pulled me back to consciousness. My eyelids felt heavy as I forced them open, blinking against the bright light. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nose, and as I turned my head slightly, I saw the IV drip attached to my arm. Where am I? My body ached all over, but I wasnât in pain...just weak. Then it all came rushing back. The fire. The ropes around my wrists. Victorâs cold eyes as he kicked my chair over, leaving me to burn. A gasp escaped my lips as my breathing quickened. My chest felt tight, my heart pounding. I should be dead. I remembered the flames creeping closer, the suffocating heat pressing against my skin. I had been sure that was the end. But I was here. I was alive. Tears pricked my eyes, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. âDo not cry, okay?â The deep voice startled me. I turned sharply, my body tensing as I saw a man sitting beside my bed. He was a stranger. Strong features. Sharp jawline. D
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-31From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    26. MARRY ME
CALEB I sat quietly, watching her. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I could see it in the way her fingers trembled slightly, in the way her eyes carried a weight too heavy for her to bear. Now that I had found her, I couldnât let her go. But I couldnât tell her the truth, either. Not yet. She looked up at me, her brows slightly furrowed. âWhy donât you want me to go?â I leaned forward. âWell....because...because you need help, Sophia.â She shook her head. âI appreciate what you've done for me, Caleb. Truly. But I canât accept your help any further. I donât want to be a burden,â she continued. âIâll be fine in the countryside. Iâll find a way to take care of myself and my child.â I clenched my jaw. âSophia, you can barely stand on your own. The doctor said you need complete bed rest for at least a month. Youâre lacking the proper vitamins, and if you push yourself, youâll lose the baby.â She flinched slightly, her hand instinctively moving to her
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-03From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    27. WHY?
SOPHIA Everything felt surreal. Nothing made sense. Why would a man like Caleb...a man so handsome, so kind...want to marry me? I wasnât naive. From his clothes, his expensive watch, and the hospital he had brought me to, it was obvious he wasnât poor. Maybe he wasnât as wealthy as Victor, but he still had enough to live a life of comfort. And with his looks? He could have any woman he wanted. Women would surely throw themselves at him. So why me? A woman with baggage. A woman who had been abandoned, humiliated, nearly burned alive by her own husband. A woman carrying another manâs child. It didnât make sense. I clenched my fingers against the bedsheet, trying to make sense of it. Maybe he truly needed my baggage. Maybe thatâs why he wanted to marry meâto convince his mother and everyone else that I was pregnant with his child. But even that didnât seem like a strong enough reason. If all he wanted was a baby, there were other options. He could marry an
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-03From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    28. FIANCEE
SOPHIA A few minutes later, Caleb returned to my hospital room. âThe doctor has discharged you,â he said gently. I nodded, gripping the blanket on my lap. I wasnât sure why I felt so nervous. Together, we quietly walked out of the hospital. As we stepped outside, Caleb led me toward his carâa sleek black luxury sedan. It was nothing like the simple taxis I had been taking for the past few weeks. As we got inside, I noticed his assistant standing by another car. He smiled and greeted me politely before leaving in a different vehicle. It feltâĶ strange. I wasnât used to people treating me with kindness. Caleb drove in silence, and I found myself lost in thought. I had no idea what my new life with him would be like. Was I making a mistake? Was I being foolish to trust him so easily? I had nothing left. No home. No money. No family. I convinced myself that I had no choice but to follow him. When we finally arrived at his house, my jaw dropped. It wasnât a house.
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-03
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From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    EPILOGUE
MONTHS LATER The early morning sun filtered through the cream-colored curtains of Sophia and Calebâs bedroom, casting a soft golden glow over the room. It was quiet, peacefulâtoo peaceful for what was about to happen. Sophia stirred in bed, her brows furrowed slightly as a sharp wave of discomfort ran through her lower back. She shifted, thinking it was just the usual pregnancy ache sheâd been dealing with for weeks now. But then, a second wave came... stronger, more distinct, and she gasped, her hand flying to her belly. âCalebâĶâ she whispered, a mixture of nervousness and urgency in her voice. He stirred beside her, his eyes opening in slow confusion. âSoph? You okay?â âI thinkâĶâ she breathed, pausing as another contraction hit, this one more intense than the last. âI think the babyâs coming.â That was all Caleb needed to hear. He jumped out of bed in a flash, suddenly wide awake, his mind scrambling to recall everything they had planned. He rushed to grab the hospital
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    20. VOWS, LOVE, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
The day finally came for Ezekiel and Irene's wedding.. The venue was a grand, open-air estate draped in soft white fabrics and adorned with cascading flowers in shades of blush, ivory, and gold. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh roses through the air, while violins played gently in the background. The crowd was large, filled with dignitaries, friends, family, and loved ones who had gathered to celebrate the long-awaited union. Irene looked breathtaking in a flowing, pearl-white gown that hugged her frame perfectly, her veil trailing behind her like a waterfall of lace. Ezekiel stood at the altar, his face a mixture of nervousness and joy, dressed in an impeccably tailored tuxedo. Alina sat in the second row beside Zander, her fingers laced through his as they both watched the ceremony unfold. She wore a pale pink dress that shimmered softly in the light, her hair pinned in soft curls. A few people from Zanderâs family had shown up too....his mother, glowing with pride, and
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    19. FINALLY ACCEPTED
After Zander and Alina left Ezekiel, Irene went back home with him, and for the first time in days, she felt true relief. Finally, the storm had calmed. Ezekiel had taken the first step, and even though it wasnât a full embrace, it was a beginning. That was all she had ever wanted. Later that day, after they returned home, Alina and Zander were greeted by a surpriseâZanderâs grandfather was waiting for them in the grand living room. He sat on his usual armchair, a newspaper resting on the table beside him and a cup of untouched tea growing cold. What surprised Alina most was the soft expression on the old manâs face. âAlina,â he called gently, waving her over. âCome sit.â She glanced at Zander, who gave her a reassuring nod. Alina walked over, heart steady but expectant. Zanderâs grandfather had barely spoken a kind word to her since sheâd entered the mansion. But ever since the incident with Annaâthe exposed plot, the video, the fall down the stairsâhis demeanor had changed. Hi
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    18. SHATTERED BONDS
Zanderâs grandfather was seething when he was away from Alina and Zander. His cane trembled in his grip as his voice echoed through the room. âHow dare she?â he thundered. âHow could Anna try to harm Zanderâs mother like that? In our home!â The anger in his voice silenced the whispers around him. Everyone, still stunned from the video Alina had shown, stood quietly as the weight of Annaâs betrayal settled over them. Zanderâs mother turned toward Alina, her eyes glossy with emotion. She reached out and pulled her into a hug, her voice soft but full of gratitude. âYou saved me,â she whispered. âI donât even want to think about what could have happened if Anna had succeeded. Thank you, Alina.â Before Alina could respond, Zander stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, drawing her into his chest. âYou saved my mom,â he murmured, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head.After a while, Zander's grandfather called for Alina and Zander's mother to see him.
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    17. THE FALL OF A SCHEME
The scent of disinfectant filled the private hospital room where Anna lay on the bed, her head bandaged, her arm in a sling. Seated beside her was Danielâs mother, her lips twisted in frustration as she leaned closer to Anna. "This is not how it was supposed to go," she hissed under her breath. âYour foolish stunt only made things worse. And that stupid son of mineâDaniel let Zander record his confession. Now, not only does Zander have the upper hand, but weâre both walking on thin ice.â Anna groaned and sat up slightly, wincing at the pain in her ribs. âStop blaming me. Grandfather would never turn on me. Iâm the one he loves most. Iâm the only one whoâs always been by his side.â âLove or not,â Danielâs mother said with narrowed eyes, âyouâre lying here, and that woman....Alina...is still walking around like a queen.â Annaâs expression twisted with pain and jealousy. âWhat hurts the most is that Zander hasnât even visited me. Not once. I did everything for him. All I wanted w
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    16. A HOUSE DIVIDED
When Zander and Alina returned home, Zander didnât let her walk. He cradled her gently in his arms and was carrying her toward their bedroom when a sharp voice interrupted their peaceful moment. âZander, put her down and explain yourself right now!â Standing in the hallway was Danielâs mother, her face twisted with fury. Beside her stood their grandfather, stone-faced and silent, while Daniel trailed behind them, his face swollen and wrapped in white gauze from the bruises Zander had given him the night before. Zander stopped, but he didnât set Alina down. He kept his arms firmly around her as his gaze met Danielâs motherâs accusing eyes. âThis is unacceptable!â she spat. âHow dare you beat up my son for your characterless wife? What sort of example are you trying to set in this family?â Their grandfather stepped forward, his cane tapping the tiled floor. âWe demand an explanation, Zander,â he said in a deep, gruff voice. âYouâve become reckless...beating family, creating sc
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    15. TERMS OF PEACE
Despite her doubts and the warning that her brother would never approve, Alina gave a quiet nod and agreed. There was a strange sense of calm in her decision now. âHonestly,â she said softly, âbeing married to you feels a lot better than going back and letting my brother choose someone else for me again.â Zander didnât say anything immediately, but the softness in his eyes said everything. A few seconds later, Alina added, âStill, I want to see him. Ezekiel knows the truth about Matt now, and I think I owe it to both of us to try one more time to talk to him.â Zander reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. âThatâs not a problem,â he said, his tone gentle. âIâll take you to see him. I just hope he keeps his hands to himself this time. If he ever lays a finger on you againâĶâ Alina smiled faintly and touched his chest. âHe wonât. Not now.â Zander nodded, then leaned back slightly and glanced at her. âCan I make a suggestion?â âSure.â âI was thinking,â he
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    14. THE GIFT OF LETTING GO
The sound of running water had faded, and a hush fell over the room as Zander stepped out of the bathroom. Steam followed him, curling like mist around the sharp angles of his body. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, his dark hair damp and clinging to his forehead. The tension that had gripped him earlier had dissolved beneath the warm shower, leaving him quieter, calmerâbut no less conflicted. Alina, seated on the edge of the bed, looked up as he entered. Her gaze locked on him, her lips parting slightly in surprise at the sight of him. There was a long pause, a silence that crackled between them, filled with all the things neither had said. Zander reached for the towel around his neck, rubbing it through his hair, and then paused. His eyes met hers, and he spoke in a voice that was low but steady. âI never doubted you,â he said. Alina blinked, unsure of what he meant. âEarlier, when I asked if what that idiot said was true,â he continued, his tone soften
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms    13. WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?
Once they entered their bedroom, Alina didnât waste a second. She pushed Zander gently onto the bed and climbed onto his lap, cupping his face as she captured his lips in a deep, lingering kiss. Her actions were bold, deliberate, and had one very specific goal. Just as their kiss deepened and Zanderâs arms found their way around her waist, the door creaked open behind them. Anna stood in the doorway, frozen, eyes wide with horror. A second later, her face crumpled, and she turned and ran away, sobbing. Alina pulled back slowly and rolled off Zander, a sly smile curving her lips as she lay beside him. Zander looked at her, slightly breathless. âWhat was that smile for?â Alina sat up and brushed her fingers through her hair, still smirking. âWell, she came to my face and warned me earlier tonight. I just thought Iâd return the favor... in a way she wonât forget.â Zander blinked at her. âSo this was for Anna?â âPartly,â she replied calmly. âDonât get me wrong, I enjoyed it. B
