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Unsteady steps
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In the Billionaires' Web Refusal
ASHER.The dinner table had never felt more like a prison as it does today. The only noise to be heard was from the clanking of plates and the distant footsteps of maids who carried trays around for our enjoyment. Aside that, everyone's lips had been sealed shut.Father was directly opposite me in his position at the head of the table while Mom and Axel sat next to each other. Being in the same room as he was infuriated me so much, and the only way I knew how to distract myself was by stuffing food in my mouth. I could barely taste the seasoning, and the mashed potatoes felt like biting into wet foam.The air was thick with tension, and the expectancy for impending doom to dawn on us, just as it had always done. Like robots, we were, munching thoughtlessly. Anything to completely ignore the elephant in the room. I stifled in my seat and coughed slowly when Axel stretched his hand to my side, not for anything but to grab more food.I rolled my eyes and continued eating with so much int
In the Billionaires' Web Decisions
EVANGELINE.Day two of being pregnant, and nothing got better. The decisions didn't get easier to make, and the thought of being rejected didn't hurt less. It was all the same. The pain got renewed by the second. I took a break from work, and it was allowed, although it was surprising.My conclusion was Asher had something to do with it. Harper didn't go to work either, because of me. She wouldn't take her eyes off me and asked "How are you?" every five minutes like she was set on replay. I appreciated it, but it didn't help how much of a burden I was becoming.I was a pile of mess on the couch, wearing a bonnet and a bowl of chocolate ice cream on my lap. I stuffed my face like my life depended on it. My eyes were glued to the Television. I'd been consistently trying to follow the Asian drama that was airing.A teenage girl fell in love with an ancient man— a goblin, and even as far-fetched as that seemed, she had it better than me. At least he seemed to love her back, and she wasn't
In the Billionaires' Web fuel in fire
EVANGELINE. Asher didn't say anything, nor did Harper, but I was sure they heard me. It was impossible not to. I'd given it so much thought from different aspects, and raising a child was no joke. Harper rose from her seat and ventured into her room.I was sure it was to give us some privacy, but I wasn't sure any of that was needed. She knew way more than he did and I needed her there but didn't bother to call her back, she was doing what she thought was best for me.I didn't want to raise a child who grew up resenting a person who was supposed to be her father figure. Why would I do that to a child? I sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. The gravity of the situation weighed on my shoulders as seconds slipped by, and that lump in my throat was replaced by an even bigger one.I blinked back tears as I stared at Asher, cleaning the corner of my eyes to avoid the tears from spilling. At this point, he probably remembered me as a crying face emoji. Asher has always been there at my mo
In the Billionaires' Web Trying.
AXEL.This was the third time in two days that I found myself at the front of Evangeline's apartment building. I popped open the bottle of gin and took a sip; feeling that burn race through my throat made me feel like I was in control, at least a little bit.I simmered in the car, choked by my own emotions because I knew I wasn't the only one around her. Asher was rebellious with his want for her, even in her condition. How could he be so disgusting? I'd watched him prowl into the apartment with two bags of what seemed to be groceries.He walked in with a full, wide smile, and the security even acknowledged him. That never happened to me… A part of me was relieved that Evangeline had someone to stay by her side, but not Asher. Harper was more than enough.I didn't know how to pull Asher away from her. I had heard that he'd openly told our parents that he wasn't going to get married to Mercury. His audacity was beginning to seem like a threat to me. Asher wasn't meant to be that audaci
In the Billionaires' Web Unforseen
ASHER. It's been three days since I confessed to her, and I haven't gotten any response from her. I was going to pretend like I wasn't waiting for her to say something since she was going through a lot at the moment and all I wanted to do was be there for her in any way that I could. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I parked my car in the driveway and exited, prowling into the main building. It was a beautiful Monday, and for some reason, Mondays carry a lot more burdens than every other day. I just hope I was able to concentrate since I had a lot of activities lined up for the day. I should put the sentiments aside for now.I was met by my PA at the revolving door, and he took my suitcase with a smile. He looked extra smiley today for some reason, and I guess I was the only one that woke up on the wrong side of the bed. As we sauntered it, I couldn't help but notice the giddiness in the atmosphere.Most of the workers had their eyes on me the moment we walked in, and those tha
In the Billionaires' Web Pain
EVANGELINE.I flung my phone to the chair after I read the article twice. It was confusing, although I didn't have an opinion on it yet. Asher was getting married, and the news spread all over the internet. I didn't know how to react after he'd just confessed his feelings for me.Although I was relieved that I wouldn't have to give him a response, it still stung a bit because it happened so fast. Today was just another day where I sat by the window while the thought of a child growing inside of me haunted me. Harper had gotten me the pills to take it away.It should be easy for me to do, right? But I'd held the pills countless times today; still, I couldn't find the strength to open my mouth and toss them inside. I didn't know what I was waiting for yet. My work leave would be over soon, which meant I should get it done quickly.I sighed tiredly, and the headache set in. Harper was in the room. She left work earlier these past few days because of me. She said she hated having to leave
In the Billionaires' Web Failure
AXEL.I was kicked out, and three days have passed after that. Evangeline still wasn't picking up my calls or answering my short texts. I could only make them short, at least a sentence or two sentences long. She still didn't respond. I wondered if she'd seen the news of Asher's wedding. At least that way, he was out of the picture.And I was trying, too, to be something other than the one who tipped the family over. Regardless of my dyslexia, I should be able to do something, anything, to appear reasonable before Evangeline.I didn't know what else to do or who else to reach out to. I could easily use this as an excuse to let go of her and think to myself that I tried, but I couldn't seem to do that with Evangeline. She made me want to try harder, and I'd never felt this way with anyone before.It hurt. It stung. No one told me developing feelings of this kind would hurt so much. The next move that came to my head was the reason I was packed outside a fashion house. I had been there
In the Billionaires' Web Done
EVANGELINE.It was time, and I had to do what had to be done. What kind of fool would I be if I let things be this way? I coated the pills in my hand and breathed heavily; it'd take just one movement to swallow it and get it all over with.Why was it so hard, though? I felt chills crawl up my arms all of a sudden. Who knew making this decision was going to be so hard? I checked the pack of drugs again, and the pharmacist's instructions rang in my head. I'd gone to get it last evening with Harper, and she'd asked me to wait, that we could do it together, but at the end of the day, it all boiled down to it being something I had to handle alone. I couldn't keep making people worry this much about me. My heart ached, and it seemed to break more every single time. Would I make this easier on myself if I just forgave Axel and told him I'd take him back?Would keeping the child guarantee some kind of superficial happily ever after with him? Could he love me the way I wanted? I was scared t
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In the Billionaires' Web How our story ends.
AXEL. (Final)Asher would get married tomorrow, although it doesn't seem like he's planning on it. He'd vanished into the thin air, and our parents had been worried for a few days.It wasn't like they hadn't realized he really didn't want to do it. He'd told them several times. Now, I was charged with the responsibility of finding him, but to no avail. I barely even knew where he used to be, not to talk of successfully guessing his hideout.I had one last place in mind, and I'd made it my last because a part of me never wanted to believe that it was possible. He couldn't be with Evangeline, right? She'd specifically told us not to contact her anymore.I still did, as frequently as I could, to make sure she knew I was still waiting. I didn't know what to do, and I very much wanted to respect her decision, too. It would be so wrong of me to intrude. Still, I thought about her every day.Every minute, she was on my mind, and I kept wondering how she was doing. If she was fine, if she ate
In the Billionaires' Web Going
ASHER.It's been a few days. The doctors only told me that Marcus had been discharged although when I reached out to his teachers, they confirmed that he hadn't resumed school yet, which meant he was with Evangeline here.I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want me close to him, but I did want to know how Marcus was doing. We had left the hospital in a hurry on Evangeline's request, so I didn't have the chance to be there for him the way I wanted to, and that hurt so much. I dropped my suitcase on the chair and fell onto the couch. It was a long day at work today and it was even worse because I couldn't concentrate on the things I had to do. It was almost as though I had detached from the world around me. It terrified me so much.It hadn't been up to a minute since I walked in when the door opened again. The low creaking sound forced me to open my eyes, and I saw Mercury and my mother walk in. I sighed tiredly, already frustrated by the discussion that hadn't even begun yet.I didn't
In the Billionaires' Web Moving
EVANGELINEMarcus was now conscious. I was the first person he saw and recognized after he opened his eyes yesterday. There was no greater joy. The moment I realized that he was fine, half the stress I had been feeling melted into nothing.Now, he was asleep, and I was back to the unfortunate hospital chair, swallowed by my thoughts again. It wasn't a bad thing sometimes. I couldn't help but imagine what I'd have been like if Marcus hadn't opened his eyes.I was dotting my 'Is' and crossing my 'Ts,' doing everything that needed to be done before I began a new chapter. Closure might seem far, but it was worth the try.I informed Harper about the accident last night but told her not to bother coming since Marcus was getting better. I could handle that much by myself now. I already sent the brothers off yesterday, seeing as their presence did my heart more harm than good.Asher was more reluctant to go, judging from the kind of relationship he had with Marcus, and I couldn't blame him.
In the Billionaires' Web close ending
EVANGELINE.Asher and I were on the same hospital chair, waiting for the results from the blood transfusion. Axel was still in, and waiting for him was the most tortuous thing I'd ever had to deal with.We sat in silence. I was so overwhelmed with sadness, and it gnawed at my chest. Asher, being a person who always read the room, stuck with the silence. My legs wouldn't stop shaking, and I couldn't seem to stop shedding tears either.My palms were pressed together in a prayer. I broke the silence by speaking first. "They said…it was on the football field…""Hm-hm," Asher nodded, his gaze was fixed in the empty space."He—" I took a pause to catch my breath. "He slipped and fell and—" hit his head. I was supposed to add that, but my mouth wouldn't make the words. I couldn't seem to believe that it was Marcus and he'd ever go through something this terrible."I…called him the night before," Asher said, "And…we had this…chess tournament after which he told me…"Do you think I should try
In the Billionaires' Web Marcus
EVANGELINE"Where is he!?" I shouted again, and Asher was looking just as perplexed as I was. I turned to him. "Haven't you seen him since you got here?""I haven't, Evangeline," He responded tersely. "They didn't let me.""What do you mean they didn't let you?" Axel intercepted. "You haven't seen him, then why are you even here? What did the doctor say?"Asher huffed, "Well, I guess I should have barged into the fucking room then! They didn't let me see him! It had barely been fifteen minutes since I got here. All I know is the ward he is!""Can you two shut up and just show me the ward?!" I shouted as I walked down the hallway at an increased pace and they followed me. This was the worst time for them to be arguing. Asher overtook and led the way, then pointed to a ward as he continued down the hall. "This one."Oh god! Oh god! I was panicking, and my entire body shook on its own. What did the poor child do to deserve something like this happening to him? What exactly happened? Ho
In the Billionaires' Web The unexpected
EVANGELINE.We were meeting at a restaurant not very far from my apartment. I texted to meet up and scheduled it for today. Sitting in the restaurant had been a chore of its own. I seem to be the center of attention for no reason at all.Then I remembered that there was an art ik about me flying around. One that somehow hadn't seen the light. I wondered if Asher bothered to deny the rumors or if he just left them to linger and cause more hurt.It was weird how I had earlier thought something could work out between all three of us. I'd been hesitant to let go of my relationship with them, but I have decided what I thought was best for us. There wasn't a way I could be with Axel if Asher still harbored those feelings. His drunken call last night terrified me.I hadn't taken him to be the kind who drank. I figured I should draw a line and fast, no matter how much it killed me.Aside that, I'd been hurt way too much by Axel that I couldn't see past it. People didn't just spring up with a
In the Billionaires' Web Drunk
ASHERAfter hearing of the impromptu meeting Axel had set up with the shareholders, I couldn't hold back the anger I felt for him. As the acting head of the organization, I had the right to be aware of any meeting to take place.It was as though he'd gone behind my back to do it on purpose, and somehow, Axel had also managed to incite pity in their minds. Rumors about him spread like wildfire in the office. A lot of people were on his side, and they felt sorry for him since he'd been in the shadows for so long.Do they even know what he'd been doing in the shadows or how much I'd cleaned up after him? I doubt he mentioned any of that. I doubt he mentioned how he got wasted, got into trouble, and had fights that landed him in police custody on late nights. He must have forgotten to tell them that.He must have left out the part where I wasn't given the chance to be a child all so I could fill in for his inefficiency. How I was made to grow up earlier than I should, so I could jump into
In the Billionaires' Web Steps closer
AXELThe sun had just begun its ascent into the morning sky as I strode into the headquarters of the company. I'd spent the whole of last week getting settled in last week. It was finally time to do something differently, to set the path I wanted.I've had this thought, but it got worse since the article about Evangeline and Asher hit the net. The amount of affluence he had that made people so interested in his business— I wanted to have it, too. A part of me believed it was possible with the right amount of work.I just hoped Evangeline took me back when she noticed my effort. She hadn't been responding to my texts, nor had she returned any of my calls. It took all my willpower not to camp outside her apartment like I always had since she'd already warned me against it. I missed her so much. It felt like there was a hole in my chest.Each step I took echoed through the polished marble floors of the grand lobby, a stark contrast to the weight that pressed down on my shoulders. Today m
In the Billionaires' Web Haunted
EVANGELINEMy patience wore thin as Axel's mother continued to push me to accept her offer and disappear from her sons' lives. The condescension in her tone and the dismissive way she spoke of my feelings for Axel grated on my nerves.Unable to contain my frustration any longer, I leaned forward and said through gritted teeth, "Can I let you in on a little secret, Mrs. White?""Oh, please!" She rubbed her forehead, frustrated. "There's more to this!? The whole thing makes me so uncomfortable already!" "Hm," I nodded reluctantly, ready to burn everything to the ground with a smile planted on my face. "I'm pregnant, and it's for Axel." It didn't take me too much to spill the words since I was already tired of her insensitivity. "Before you say the next thing on your mind, I think it's imperative for you to know that I did try to get rid of the child…my child for your son's happiness, but…that didn't work out for me, just like everything else!"Her reaction was instantaneous, her eyes w
