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Chapter 53: When Truth Hangs by a Thread.
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2024-12-14 08:58:10Related chapters
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 1: First Encounter
[KRISTEN]I've seen so many of the world's worse sides: greed, lust, anger—almost all the seven deadly sins colliding into my destiny like it was an ordinary day. Not only that, but I've also experienced almost all of it and later destroyed every single piece of me. This made me think about ending my life as soon as possible. "Stop! Why are you doing this to me?!" I could still hear myself shouting those words, crying for help, with no other words to utter but to ask why he would do such a thing. Back in my mind is a tragic event I vividly remember. The sound of the car rushing somewhere, his mad face as he pushed me onto the bed, his rough touches, the way he raped me, and all. "Shut the fuck up and just accept your punishment, whore!" Those words were like a knife digging deeply into my chest—way more painful than how roughly and carelessly he thrust inside me. "Kristen," I heard someone call my name. The soft voice coming from somewhere behind me later became a figure of a wo
Last Updated : 2023-12-17He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 2: Good Luck or Bad Luck?
[KRISTEN] Waking up in the hospital room was a bit of a trip. At first, I thought, "Heaven, maybe?" But nope, the whole sterile vibe and my best friend's perfume hit me. Reality check – not exactly heavenly. Just me, a hospital bed, and a strange mix of scents, trying to figure out how I ended up in this surreal situation. I slowly looked around and saw my best friend sleeping beside me. "Lynn," I called her. She woke up easily, which made me think that her sleep wasn't that deep, maybe because she's worried about me. "Kristen," she uttered with a shaky voice, holding my hand. "I'm really sorry; I shouldn't have taken you to that bar. I should just take you home." I gently tapped her hand for a second and responded, "None of us two would expect that something like that would happen to me again. I mean almost happen. So, please stop blaming yourself. It's my fault for being too unlucky." Lynn shook her head in disagreement, "No. Don't say that. It's just that assholes are sca
Last Updated : 2023-12-17He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 3: We met again
[KRISTEN]"I think you should stop calling names," I responded to her. "Who are you to tell me what to do? Look, you messed up my day by showing up, my gorgeous car almost got a scratch, and now I'm late with my appointment because of you." She pointed her index finger at me, talking in such a loud tone, almost like a shout. "You can never get away with this," she continued. I didn't know if I should get angry or just laugh because of this situation. Maybe earlier, I would have liked to punch her face from continuously doing that annoying hand gesture, where she almost hit my eye with her long nail. But now? I wanted to laugh, annoyed, because of how she overreacted. I mean, she was the one who was driving recklessly on a quiet road and almost hit me, but then she still had the guts to be mad at me for ruining her day? "Look, it's fine, sue me. I wouldn't mind receiving a note from the police station. As a matter of fact, I would take it as an opportunity to report a reckless driver
Last Updated : 2023-12-17He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 4: Interest
[KRISTEN]“Sure, Lynn. See you later.” I dropped my phone as soon as our conversation ended.I'm here sitting on a bench somewhere near the gallery, gathering my thoughts before leaving this place.Thinking how big the world is makes me sigh. All I wanted was to say thank you for the help I got and don't feel indebted by anything and from anyone, most especially with someone like him.But why in the world will he deny it? Is it something that he wasn't proud of? I mean, people like him often brag about what they did right and how big their help impacted people, but why did he say it wasn't him?Maybe he's not that person who saved me before. Maybe I was just mistaken. The fact is, nothing that happened that night was too clear for me. I'm not really sure why I brought that up during the interview.Minutes of thinking along with gathering my thoughts ended like that. I stood up and was about to head straight to my scooter when I heard a familiar voice call me, "Kristen!"I turned around
Last Updated : 2023-12-19He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 5: Out of Options
[KRISTEN]"Hey, Kristen," my best friend's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She leaned in, genuine concern in her eyes. "Are you alright? What's the matter?" I took a deep sigh, meeting her gaze before responding, "Well." I hesitated, wondering if it was right to burden her with my thoughts. "Come on, tell me." "I was pondering if I should still take the job I applied to," I admitted with a hint of uncertainty. "Well, that is for you to decide once you're officially hired." "I am," I informed her. "Woah, wait! You're hired?" Her excitement almost filled the room. "This calls for a celebration, my dear," she exclaimed, rising and heading towards the kitchen in search of something to drink. A few minutes later, she came back, knocking on my door, which initially startled me. It turned out she had brought good news – not from the company, but directly from their CEO. Initially skeptical, I received an email notification, followed by another email specifying that I should commen
Last Updated : 2024-01-05He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 6: Personal Assistant
[KRISTEN]It never crossed my mind that I would be working as someone's personal assistant, particularly under a man. Yet, I later realized that I had already accepted the job because I desperately wanted to keep myself busy and prove that I can stand up for myself without anyone's help."It seems you're lost in deep thoughts," I heard her approach as she sat on a chair beside me."Actually, yes," I responded with a nod."I knew it. Don't worry; he'll be a nice boss. I guarantee that," she assured me. "Though he's strict, his bipolar attitude is quite tolerable.""Does he have that condition?" I wondered. At some point, I felt nervous about how our partnership would work.Mira laughed and said, "No, but it can be compared to that. Anyway, congratulations on your first day in hell, I mean, heaven, or somewhere in between?"I found her words funny rather than scary, maybe because I used to live as if I were in hell for a couple of years? So, being in that situation is not a new thing to
Last Updated : 2024-01-29He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 7: His Fiancée
[KRISTEN]Never did I imagine encountering him again. In the aftermath of that incident, I was convinced he had landed himself in jail. Yet, upon reflection, he struck me as the kind of man who'd defy such circumstances.His parting words that night echoed in my memory: "You will never be happy, not while I'm still alive."The fleeting respite from my struggles to forget that incident crumbled as he flashed before my eyes, reigniting the pain and resentment."Calm down, Kristen. You don't need to panic." I convinced myself with those words, but then, nothing changes and it wouldn't stop me from trembling in fear.Attempting to leave, I felt an unsettling heaviness on my feet, stopping my escape, and despite the urge to run home, I found myself unable to go far.On the brink of stumbling, caught by the edge of the pathway, I was suddenly caught by someone."Hey, are you alright?" he asked.His presence raised questions in my mind. How did we end up here? Does he hold any knowledge? Is h
Last Updated : 2024-02-01He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 8: Lynn's Real Identity
[KRISTEN]While on the way home, riding in Marcus' car, I can't help but stare out the window, somewhere far, as I think about what happened earlier at the party. Believe me, I try not to, but I keep thinking, how did this happen?Why, of all people, would my ex-boyfriend marry my best friend? How did Lynn agree to this, knowing the horrible things he did to me?In between those thoughts, I give Marcus a quick gaze, wondering if he knows something, but I shake my head and forget it. Even Marcus doesn't speak up or ask anything until we finally reach my place."Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it," I say before stepping out of the car.Just when I think he's about to leave, he opens the window and says, "If you need me, just let me know."I nod and flash a slight smile, remaining standing there as I watch him drive away before heading back inside to rest.The next morning, as I'm about to go to work, Lynn runs towards me."What are you doing here?" I fret."Kristen, can you plea
Last Updated : 2024-02-05
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He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 53: When Truth Hangs by a Thread.
KRISTEN's POVThe silence between us hung heavy, but eventually, Marcus broke it. His voice was calm, detached.“About the divorce papers—I’ll have them sent to your address tomorrow. Just text me where, so I’ll know.”“Uhm… Sure. I will. Thank you,” I replied quietly. He didn’t say anything else and hung up.So that’s why he called. Just business. Nothing else.With a sigh, I let the thought go and quickly turned my attention back to Daniel. I replied to his earlier message, letting him know it was fine and that I understood why he had to leave. He texted back almost immediately, asking why I hadn’t picked up when he tried calling earlier. Honesty felt like the easiest route, so I told him the truth.His response caught me off guard. He said he was coming back to the hospital. He didn’t want me to be alone, and I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. The truth was, it would be nice to have someone there—someone to lean on.The timing was perfect. Daniel arrived just as the doctor came by
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 52:The Weight of a Lifeline.
KRISTEN's POVI didn’t know what to feel as I stood in the sterile, echoing hallway. Relief, certainly, that Nathan was alive, but it came tangled with something heavier. Guilt. The man I’d kept at arm’s length—the man I’d fought so hard to shield Nathan from—was the very one who’d stepped forward to save his life without hesitation.Marcus didn’t question or waver. The moment the doctor asked for a donor with B-negative blood, he simply nodded and followed them, as though it was the most natural thing in the world."What happens now? What if he starts questioning why Daniel isn’t a match for Nathan when he’s supposed to be his father?" That thought gnawed at me as I watched Marcus walk away, his silhouette growing smaller until he disappeared from sight.Mom and Dad approached me together. Meanwhile, I stood frozen, staring at the empty space Marcus left behind.Hours dragged by, each one heavier than the last. Finally, the doctor emerged, and we rushed to meet him.“Your son’s condi
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 51: Fate’s Crossroads (A Father’s Lifeline)
KRISTEN'S POV“I’ll give you what you want.” That was the last message he sent before I closed the laptop.At that moment, I didn’t even think about how he might feel when he saw I read his message without replying. To be honest, I was caught off guard.Is it weird that I’m feeling something strange? I expected this message—I knew it was coming. But why does it feel like this?I glanced at Nathan, still sleeping soundly, hugging his pillow tightly.It was still early, so I lay back down beside him, my gaze fixed on his peaceful face. As I watched him, I couldn’t help but admit it—so much of him resembled Marcus. Even his stubbornness, that difficult-to-understand personality, he clearly inherited from his father.I hugged my son tightly, and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep again.When I woke up, it was almost 4 PM. A few minutes later, Nathan stirred awake as well. I planned to get ready and leave after leaving him with Mom, but when I went downstairs, the house was empty. It was
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 50: Buried Truths and Shifting Tides
KRISTEN'S POVOverthinking has a way of draining every ounce of energy from your body. It’s been two days, and my mind has been consumed with one question: why is Dad so fixated on buying back our old gallery out of all the properties he could invest in?I stood by the sliding door overlooking the garden, watching Nathan play by himself. My thoughts were a whirlwind until Mom walked by. At first, I hesitated to call her, unsure if this was the right moment. But my intrusive thoughts won.“Mom, can we talk?” I asked, my voice hesitant but firm.She smiled warmly at me. “Of course, dear. What’s on your mind? Is this about Nathan’s father?”I sighed internally. Of course, she’d jump to that conclusion. But no, this wasn’t about Marcus. Not this time. I was too preoccupied with trying to understand Dad’s actions.“No, it’s not about him,” I clarified. “It’s... about something else. Actually, someone else. Is Dad here, by the way?”Mom’s brows furrowed in confusion as she shook her head. “H
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 49: Fractured Pieces.
KRISTEN's POVLife has a way of playing cruel jokes, and at some point, I stopped fighting it and just went along. Coming back here was supposed to bring me peace, but it feels like I’ve stepped into quicksand. The more I try to settle, the more tangled and suffocated everything becomes.I can’t forget the way Marcus looked at me as the elevator doors remained open, a barrier between us that somehow felt thinner than the air. His frustration was etched into every line of his face, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.That gaze—it was heavy, sharp, cutting through the fragile walls I’d built around myself. For a moment, I stood frozen, my hand hovering over the elevator panel. It wasn’t fear that rooted me in place, but something deeper, something raw.I tell myself it’s all in the past. I tell myself I’ve moved on. But moments like that—moments where his presence feels like an unrelenting storm—bring everything rushing back.But why does he seem so
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 48: Unspoken Wounds.
"Is he your son?"That was the last thing Marcus said before stepping closer to them. Daniel, on the other hand, was immediately on alert, noticing how Kristen froze in place, her gaze glued to Marcus as he approached. But Marcus didn't come too close.He chose to keep a distance, not wanting to cause a scene, even though every fiber of his being was screaming to let loose. Why? Because, for reasons he couldn't quite understand, anger flared up in him once more. His mind replayed the visit from Dylan, his detective friend, over and over again.When Kristen had left, Marcus received a message from an unknown sender. The message claimed that Kristen had been involved with another man during the time they were apart. It accused her of aborting their child long ago because she didn’t love him and leaving him to be with someone else.At first, Marcus didn’t believe it. But for reasons he couldn’t explain, his friend Dylan had come up with the same information before suddenly disappearing.
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 47: A Day at the Park
"I like you." Kristen froze. The words hung in the air between them, unexpected and heavy. She let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush it off. “What? Are you serious? Daniel, stop joking around,” she said, her voice light, but her hands fidgeting nervously.Daniel didn’t budge. His face stayed serious, his eyes focused on her like he wasn’t going to let this moment slip away.“Daniel,” she tried again, her tone quieter now. “Are you… are you serious?”He nodded, slow and certain. “Do I look like I’m joking?”Her heart skipped. She didn’t know how to respond. It wasn’t the kind of thing you could just laugh away.“I…” she started but faltered. She glanced at him, searching his face for any sign that he was teasing her. There was none. Her breath hitched as the truth of his confession started to sink in.Daniel stepped closer, his voice steady and calm. “Kristen, I know things are complicated right now, and I don’t want to add more pressure to your life. But I need you to know that yo
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 46: Knowing Something I Shouldn't.
The ride home was quiet, with Daniel still behind the wheel. Kristen's father sat in the front seat while her mother sat beside her, holding Nathan, who had fallen asleep between them.Kristen's gaze shifted between two things: the road outside and her son's angelic face. Every time her eyes landed on Nathan, a pang of guilt tugged at her heart.Guilt for keeping him away from his father.Nathan was still too young to ask questions or express curiosity about his dad, but Kristen knew that day would inevitably come. And when it did, she would have no choice but to be honest with him.For now, though, she wanted to savor the moments when he was all hers. She wasn’t used to being away from him for long periods, and didn’t want to start now.When they arrived home, Daniel carefully carried the sleeping Nathan to Kristen’s room. Meanwhile, Kristen stayed in the living room with her parents. Her father, exhausted, excused himself to retire upstairs. Her mother, however, remained seated, her
He's Not a Billionaire Chapter 45: Where's Nathan?
Kristen and her parents decided to split up to search for Nathan. At the same time, Daniel informed the hotel staff about the situation before following Kristen to help her look around."Why would he wander off alone?" Kristen thought to herself, her worry growing as she searched for her son.The grand hotel where the mayor—her godfather—was holding the birthday party was enormous. Kristen didn’t even know where to start. She let her feet guide her wherever they might take her."Wherever my feet lead me, as long as I find my son," she whispered to herself."Kristen!" Daniel called out from behind, making her turn quickly."What is it, Daniel?" she asked, her voice laced with tension.Daniel, still catching his breath, took a moment before answering, "Your mom called me. They found Nathan, and he’s back at the lobby."Kristen felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank goodness! That’s such a relief.""Apparently, someone found Nathan and brought him to the lobby. Your mom had told the
