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Twenty-Four
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-12 17:18:35
Bab terkait
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Five
I sucked in a shaky breath, my fingers trembling as they pressed against the floor, the sharp sting of shattered glass pricking my palms. But none of it compared to the pain in my chest, the way my heart felt like it had been ripped out and stomped on. Still, I looked up at him. At the man I had built my world around. "Layden... please," my voice came out raw, barely above a whisper. "I—I can fix this. We can fix this." I reached for him, my bloodied hand brushing against his leg. He stepped back instantly, like I was something filthy. Behind him, Cassidy scoffed, still draped in the damn bedsheet, her blonde hair a tangled mess. "Oh, come on, Janice," she drawled, amusement laced in every syllable. "You look so pathetic right now. Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?" I ignored her. I had to. "I'll try harder," I whispered. "I'll be better. I'll do whatever you want, just—" Layden's hand shot out, gripping my jaw with cold, unrelenting fingers. My breath caught as he forced
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Six
"How about we go to my place first?"I blinked at Andra, still feeling the ghostly weight of the ring I had just discarded. She leaned forward, her gaze softer than usual."You can relax, maybe take a long shower, and we’ll get ready there. No pressure."For a moment, I considered saying no. Going to her place felt like another step away from everything I had known. But wasn’t that the point?I exhaled. "Okay."Andra smiled as she stood, stretching her arms dramatically. "I’ll give you a minute—go get changed."With that, she exited the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.I turned toward the mirror, rummaging through my wardrobe until I found a random pair of old baggy pants and a loose shirt. As I lifted the shirt, my gaze landed on my right side. Most of my bruises had faded, almost as if they had never been there. But the deepest one—the one on my ribs—had left an ugly scar.A permanent mark. A reminder of what I had been to Layden.A piece on his chessboard.Resentment curled
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Seven
The ride home was quiet. Not because there was nothing to say—Sandra had plenty to say about Louis and his peacock arrogance—but exhaustion had settled deep in my bones, clinging to me like a second skin. All I wanted was to scrub it off Sandra, however, had other plans. The moment we stepped into the apartment, she led the way straight to her room, still yapping as she kicked off her heels with a relieved groan. "First of all," she announced, "I deserve financial compensation for putting up with that man." I peeled off my coat, my body already screaming for a hot shower. "You mean Louis? Or Icarus?" Andra shot me a 'really?' look as she unfastened her earrings. "I like Icarus. He didn't try to rename me like some colonial overlord." She yanked out a bobby pin, letting her braids fall loose. "That pompous peacock, however? If I ever see him again, I'm putting salt in his coffee." I huffed a tired laugh, rubbing my temples. "As long as you don't poison him. I'd rather not bail you
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Eight
I hadn't even realized when the evening bled into night. One minute, we were unpacking, talking about Icarus; the next, we were laughing about that time we tried baking in college and nearly set my apartment on fire.Outside, the sky had darkened, swallowing the city whole"I think it's time we call it a day," Andra said, stretching at the doorway. "You'll probably feel better in the morning."I nodded, offering a small smile before pulling her into a life-threatening hug. "Good night."She snorted but squeezed me back before disappearing down the hall.Once she was gone, I turned to the mirror, catching sight of my reflection.I was still in the #breakuppackage pajamas from last night, looking an absolute mess. I can't believe I let Cassidy see me like this. My hair was still in a lopsided bun, stray curls escaping in every direction. I groan, running a hand down my face. A shower. I need a shower.I took my time under the warm water, letting it wash away the exhaustion clinging to m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Nine
The door clicked shut behind me, but I still felt him on my skin.I exhaled slowly, adjusting my grip on my bag. The air outside his office was cooler, quieter, but no less heavy. Like stepping out of a storm only to realize I was still soaking wet.A sharp sound pulled me from my thoughts.Layla.She stood a few feet away, polished and composed, a folder in her outstretched hand. Her smile was professional—warm, but with an edge of unreadability that reminded me she worked for Icarus. That she had likely seen dozens of people walk out of that office before me, though perhaps not in my position."Welcome aboard," she said, handing me a folder."Thanks," I murmured, gripping it tighter than necessary.She didn’t waste time. "Come with me. I’ll show you around."Without waiting for a response, she turned briskly toward the elevators. I hesitated only for a second before following, matching her pace.We stepped inside, and she pressed a button."This building has ten floors and three ele
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty
After the call with Icarus, I sat there for a moment, staring at my phone like it had personally offended me. Andra, still buzzing from whatever that conversation was, flopped onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh."Alright, Miss Special-Assistant, what are we eating?"I rolled my eyes, setting my phone down. "I don't know, you pick.""Say less." She grabbed her phone, scrolling through the takeout options. "Burgers or Chinese?""Chinese," I said absentmindedly, my thoughts still spinning."Good choice," she nodded, placing the order before tossing her phone onto the couch. "So, you gonna tell your parents about your new fancy job?"I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I guess I should."I dialed my mom’s number. She answered on the second ring, her voice warm and familiar. "Janice, baby! How are you?"I smiled, leaning back against the headboard. "I'm good, Mom."There was a pause, then her tone softened with concern. "Are you still having those dreams?"I hesitated, my
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-One
The blaring alarm jolted me awake. A quick glance at the clock—just past six. Andra was probably already getting ready for work.I wasted no time, jumping into the shower and brushing my teeth. For a brief moment, I considered leaving my hair in its natural state, but one look in the mirror confirmed that was a terrible idea. With a sigh, I stretched, then gathered my hair into a messy bun, letting a few strands frame my face. A touch of makeup later, and I looked somewhat presentable.My gaze flickered to the shopping bags still sprawled on the floor as I contemplated what to wear. Rummaging through them, I finally settled on coffee-brown pants and a dark brown bodysuit, pairing them with simple blue-lens glasses. Satisfied with my reflection, I grabbed my laptop, phone, an extra copy of the divorce papers, and my new office bag from yesterday’s chaotic shopping spree.Black flats. Silver accessories. An eternity necklace, matching earrings, and a bracelet.Just as I was about to hea
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Two
I left work early—per Icarus’ instructions, of course. A few minutes after I walked out of his office, he sent Layla to deliver the message.And I quote: "Tell Ms. Janice she’s excused for the rest of the day so she can get her things in order."The audacity.It was just a move-in, not a life-altering event. It wasn’t like we’d be sharing the same bed.Still, the whole situation felt entirely too personal for my liking. I wasn’t thrilled about it, but there was no point in dragging my feet. I’d pack my things, get this over with, and remind myself—this was strictly professional. Nothing more.It couldn't be that bad, I tried to convince myself—but I knew better. My mind drifted back—to the time we were assigned as project partners in college. We spent almost every moment together, and somehow, those moments always ended in stolen kisses and tangled limbs. I jammed the key into the door, twisting it in frustration before pushing it open. Icarus had said the driver would arrive by 5pm
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25
Bab terbaru
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Forty-Four(Explict scene!!!!)
The car coasted to a stop, and I blinked, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. We weren't in the heart of New York anymore. The city's chaos had been replaced with the scent of saltwater and the distant sound of crashing waves. I turned to Alessio, but he only nodded toward the door."We're here," he said quietly.I didn't question it. What was the point anymore? The world felt like it was spinning too fast for me to grasp onto anything. I just followed him, my feet dragging across the ground, my mind too clouded by everything to care.He led me up a stone pathway, the ocean breeze tugging at my hair. The path curved gently toward a secluded beach house, its whitewashed walls glowing in the late afternoon sun, shrouded by sea grass and weathered wood. When we stepped inside, my breath hitched.Warm light spilled through gauzy curtains, casting golden patterns on the honey-toned floorboards. The air smelled faintly of salt, like sandalwood and citrus. Worn linen couches framed a
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Forty-Three
“From both,” he said finally, the words gravel-rough, torn from somewhere deep. Like admitting it scraped bone.“I don’t care,” I snapped, my voice a lash in the air. “Andrés? Olthur? They weren’t in the family profile I was given. And yet—your uncle, your cousin? How does that even work?”His reaction was instant, visceral—a sharp inhale, a flicker of something almost primal in his gaze. For the briefest moment, I thought he might lash out. Instead, he steadied himself, like a storm barely chained."Some things," he said, voice cold as marble, "are better left unknown."He stepped back, adjusting the lapels of his suit like armor reforged. His gaze was an iron gate slamming shut.“And whatever you’re doing—stop.” His words were final, absolute. An executioner’s decree, not a suggestion. “Alessio will come for you in an hour. And don’t forget to dispose of your device.”He paused. Not out of hesitation, but detachment. His gaze slid right past me, like I was already out of the room, o
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Forty-Two
His hand closed around my wrist, warm and steady, and I froze."Jay-jay," he murmured, his voice low, like I was the last thing tethering him to this earth.But I was tired of this. Tired of the games, tired of my life crumbling over and over again because of the men in my life. I wasn't going to break again. No, not again."Don't," I whispered, my voice hoarse. I pulled away weakly, but his grasp wasn't rough - it was pleading, desperate. My chest tightened, a knot of fury and longing twisting deeper than I could bear.I forced myself to meet his eyes, and it nearly unraveled me. His grey orbs blazed, molten and wild, like he had been chasing me through storms and finally caught me."You think I haven't burned enough?" His voice splintered something fragile inside me. "You think I can survive the fire you leave behind?"What is he talking about?"Icarus-" I whimpered, his name cracking in my throat like a fracture that wouldn't heal.Then his mouth found mine.My breath seized, sharp
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Forty-One
This was no longer about my reputation.This was about annihilation.Piece by piece, they were tearing my life apart-dissecting every decision, every moment, until there was nothing left but fragments of a person they thought they knew.I stared at the screen, my eyes burning. The headline cut deeper with every second.‘Corporate Climber or Common Slut?’The words pulsed like a wound.My temples throbbed. I forced my eyes shut, drew a breath that caught halfway down my throat, and held it there, like holding my own panic at bay. It didn't work.The bile still rose.I hadn't signed up for this.I never wanted this spotlight, this spectacle. I was supposed to build a career, not become tabloid fodder.And yet, there he was too-Icarus Adonis Sebastian-entangled in the scandal like a character in a story he himself had written. His name splashed across headlines, his face beside mine in every brutal frame.But he wasn't here.He wasn't here.Layla's voice broke through, measured but firm.
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Forty
Andra slipped back into the room so silently I didn't hear her until she spoke."What are you doing?" she asked, her voice low, almost curious.I yelped, startled, slamming my laptop shut as if I'd been caught doing something far worse than research. My pulse thudded in my ears. "Nothing," I said quickly, too quickly. "You scared me.""Hmmm," she hummed, nonchalant, as she peeled off her dress in one effortless motion. The silk pooled around her ankles like liquid shadow. She reached for a robe, tying it loosely around her waist.I tried to sound casual, playful even, grinning like a child caught snooping through Christmas presents. "So... what have you and Alessio been up to? You've been gone for hours, and"—I tilted my head, teasing—"I heard you laugh."She chuckled, but the sound was thin, a little too nervous. "Oh, please," she waved her hand dismissively, though her cheeks were tinged pink. "Nothing scandalous. We just... had more wine. Talked. About family, mostly."Her eyes sof
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Nine
I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my own brain. There I was, trapped in the damn car while Alessio and Andra had some kind of silent, sexually-charged staring contest that would put a telenovela to shame. The tension was so thick you could choke on it. Alessio's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his stupidly perfect jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. And the way his eyes kept darting to Andra in the rearview? Please. He might as well have had "I WANT TO KISS YOU STUPID" tattooed across his forehead. Andra wasn't any better. Miss Ice Queen herself was actually fidgeting. Fidgeting. Her fingers kept playing with the hem of her dress like she was contemplating hiking it up right there in the backseat. The silence was killing me. "Should I just jump out now," I said, "or are you two waiting for a more dramatic moment?" Alessio's grip tightened. "What?" Andra shot me a death glare, but her cheeks were pink. "Shut up, Jan." "Oh, so now you acknowledge I exist?" I
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Eight
The ladies' room door slammed open before I could catch my breath.There you are!" Andra's voice cracked through the room like a champagne cork. She prowled toward me, her white dress liquid fire under the chandeliers. "I've been hunting you all night, and what do I find?" She braced one manicured hand against the marble counter beside me. "My best friend doing the devil's tango with Icarus Adonis Sebastian." Her smirk could have powered the city grid. "Do you need me to call a priest, or an exorcist?"I grabbed the chilled flute of champagne she was holding and pressed it hard against my burning cheeks. "I will murder you.""Oh no, darling." She plucked the glass from my grip and drained it in one swallow. "Let's review your crimes." She ticked them off on fingers adorned with razor-sharp gold nails. "One: You ghosted me the moment you arrived. Two: You're wearing that dress—which violates at least three international treaties. Three:" Her voice dropped to a purr as she leaned in, "Y
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Seven
Icarus had been insufferable today—condescending, controlling, and, worst of all, completely unreadable. If he thought he could push me around without consequence, he had another thing coming. By the time we arrived, the high-end boutiques on Avenue Montaigne gleamed in the afternoon sun. I stepped out of the car with confidence, smoothing my dress and sliding on a pair of sunglasses I found in my purse. Alessio fell into step beside me, ever the gentleman. "Stay close," I told him lightly. "I might need an extra pair of hands.""Naturally, ma’am," he replied, amusement dancing in his voice. And so, the spree began. I moved through the stores with precision—silk dresses, designer heels, exquisite jewelry—each item swiped onto the black credit card with satisfaction. The attendants were eager to please, their tones hushed with reverence as they recognized the name on the payment method. Alesso trailed behind me, hands tucked casually in his pockets, his sharp eyes scanning th
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Six
I pushed into one of the stalls, closing the door behind me as I heard the soft shuffle of footsteps in the restroom. My breath hitched, my body stiffening instinctively.I couldn't let anyone see me like this.Not Layla. Not some stranger.Not even Icarus.Especially not Icarus.I pressed a hand over my mouth, swallowing down the emotions threatening to spill over. The tightness in my chest was unbearable, but I forced myself to stay silent, to breathe through it.Just a few minutes.Just long enough to pull myself together. Then I'd walk out of here like nothing had happened.The restroom door banged open, laughter spilling in like a cruel, creeping poison. I barely had time to stifle my breath before the voices followed."God, I still can't believe it," one of them sneered, her voice sharp, slicing through the quiet like a blade. "I mean, we knew she was shameless, but this? She's an actual slut."“Not even a high-class one,” another voice chimed in, dripping with mockery. “I mean,
