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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 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,
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Five
"Padrino, ho trovato qualcosa su—(God father I found something about—)"Alessio."Oi, serpente, stai buono. Sto sistemando la tua regina, (Oi, snake, stay put. I'm handling your queen.)" Icarus said, his voice steady yet unfazed.Alessio froze mid-step. His breath hitched, his entire body going rigid as if something unseen had just wrapped around his throat. Then, as if on instinct, he took a step back."Pardonimi (Forgive me)" His voice wavered slightly.What just happened? What had Icarus say? And how had he known Alessio was coming—had he heard his footsteps, felt his presence before the door even opened?The weight of my situation crashed over me. I was naked. Two men in the house.Heat flooded my face as Icarus moved, his broad frame still a barrier between me and Alessio's gaze. Without looking away, he reached down, fingers finding the towel on the floor. His chest brushed mine as he pulled me with him, the contact sending a dizzying pulse through me—whether from the wine or th
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Four
The hum of the engine filled the silence between us. City lights flickered through the tinted windows, casting brief flashes across Alessio's face, but he remained unreadable. He drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gear shift, as if he hadn't just dropped a man to the pavement without so much as a second thought. My hands curled into fists in my lap. I was still breathing too fast, still feeling the phantom weight of Layden's grip on my wrist. Still hearing his voice, sharp and venomous, curling around my mind like smoke. Alessio didn't look at me, but I knew he was aware. He had been watching me all night. Hell, he was probably watching me now, even without turning his head. I forced my voice to steady. "You didn't have to do that." His fingers flexed against the wheel, but he didn't respond right away. Then, with quiet finality, he said, "Yes, I did." I let out a breath, leaning back against the seat. The scent of leather and something subtly spic
PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE Thirty-Three
I took a deep breath, finally allowing myself to settle in. I wasn’t going to keep waiting for Icarus to arrive. Waiting would mean I had a thing for him—which I absolutely did not.Or you’re just lying to yourself, my subconscious taunted.I ignored it.Lying back on the bed, I stared at the ceiling. The room was silent, pressing in around me. It was unfamiliar yet oddly soothing. Maybe I should start getting used to it—after all, this was home now.My gaze drifted to the suitcase on the floor. Lupe had brought the rest of my bags earlier, stacking them neatly in the corner. I knew I should start unpacking, but the idea of a hot shower was far more appealing. A quiet thrill stirred in me, a flicker of curiosity I couldn’t ignore.I stood, gently undressed, and made my way into the bathroom.It was stunning—simple yet elegant. Soft white tiles stretched from floor to ceiling, reflecting the warm glow of recessed lighting. A deep soaking tub sat against one wall, next to a sleek glass
PROPERTY 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
PROPERTY 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
PROPERTY 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
