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Twenty
Last Updated:
2025-03-09 17:23:23
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PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-One
The house was dark when we pulled into the driveway, the faint glow from the kitchen window the only sign of life. It felt less like a home and more like a stage—one where I was always playing a role I never auditioned for. Layden killed the engine, but neither of us moved. The silence between us was heavy, filled with words neither of us dared to say. I should have gotten out, walked straight in like I belonged here. Like I wanted to be here. But the weight in my chest told me otherwise. Layden sighed, running a hand through his hair before finally speaking. “She’s been waiting for you.” I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Of course she has.” Eleanor always got what she wanted. I stepped out of the car, the cool night air biting at my bare arms. I hadn’t even grabbed a jacket when I left. Just my purse and whatever shred of dignity I had left. Layden followed, his steps slow and measured, like he was bracing himself for what came next. As soon as we stepped inside, Ele
Last Updated : 2025-03-11PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Two
I swallowed hard, hyper-aware of the silky fabric clinging to my body, accentuating every curve, every exposed inch prickling beneath the weight of a hundred unspoken thoughts. The plunging neckline dipped scandalously low, and the open back left me vulnerable to the cool night air. What the hell was I thinking? Layden was going to kill me. Sandra’s grip tightened around my arm, her nails pressing into my skin like an anchor. “Relax,” she whispered, her voice laced with amusement. “They’re staring because you look like a goddamn goddess.” I wasn’t convinced. I could feel their eyes—lingering, assessing. Some admiring. Others leering. But my mind had already splintered elsewhere, scanning the room for Layden. Or Cassidy. I found them near one of the garden doors, heads bent close, conversation intimate. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to look away. It didn’t matter. Not tonight. I stepped into the sea of bodies, but something shifted. That slow, invisible pull. It coiled ar
Last Updated : 2025-03-11PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Three
A sharp clink of glass sliced through the hum of conversation, silencing the room. All heads turned to the woman standing at the front of the stage—poised, regal. Andrea Dubuton. Even with age etching fine lines into her dark skin, she exuded elegance, her high cheekbones and sharp eyes giving her an air of timeless grace. She was one of my favorite writers—if not the best in New York. She lifted her glass, the crystal catching the light as her voice, smooth and commanding, filled the room. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she began, her gaze sweeping over the glittering crowd, “tonight, we celebrate a brilliant mind—one that has shaped the literary world in ways many of us could only dream of. A man of quiet power. Of undeniable influence.” She paused, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “And so, without further ado, it is my honor to welcome to the stage—Mr. Icarus Adonis Sebastian.” Applause swelled, a deafening roar of admiration, but I barely heard it. My breath caught, my pulse ha
Last Updated : 2025-03-12PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Twenty-Four
Sandra shoved open the grand doors, and the night air hit my skin like a slap. The distant hum of the city stood in stark contrast to the muffled music still seeping from the hall."Where the hell do you think he went?" Sandra asked as we reached her car.I shook my head, arms wrapping around myself. I don't know.Sandra unlocked the car, and I slid into the passenger seat, the silence between us thick. She didn’t start the engine right away. Instead, she turned to me, her dark eyes searching mine."Are you okay?"A bitter laugh slipped from my lips, weightless and hollow. "Do I look okay?"This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go.I was supposed to be with Layden. We were supposed to leave together, hands intertwined, our lives seamlessly stitched together like they had always been but he wasn’t here.And I had no idea where he was.The valet handed Sandra her keys, and we climbed into her car, the silence between us thick.She didn’t start the engine right away. Instead, she turne
Last Updated : 2025-03-12PROPERTY 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-03-19
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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,
