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Chapter 48: Charlotte’s POV
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-06 20:35:24
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The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 48: Claire’s POV
I watch from the window as Leo speaks on the phone with the leading detective of Matthew’s case. The conversation seemed like it went on for hours as I waited in anticipation. I check the clock as I hear him hang up. Seven minutes. It had only been seven minutes.Lei opens the door for me and motions for me to accompany him to the town car. He opens the door for me and we sit in the parking lot for a moment. He hadn’t wanted to tell me the results of his call in public. This couldn’t be good.“Claire, I spoke with my old friend Mason and he says there’s a lot of things that don’t make sense about this case. The first is that the anonymous tip was very specific, the second is that the drugs amounted in over one hundred thousand dollars, and lastly; Matthew never touched those drugs. There’s no evidence to prove that he ever has.” He states as he places a hand on my thigh to keep me grounded.“So they’ll let him go?” I ask desperately. Matthew would be a father soon and he’s changed. H
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-06The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 49: Leonardo’s POV
I couldn’t help but mention our son. I knew it wasn’t the right time but I felt there would never be a suitable moment. I never knew how much he had meant to her just as she didn’t know how much I would have wanted him. A lack of perspective on both our parts. I offer to start over and give her another child and for a moment, I thought it would make her happy. But that’s not what I witnessed as I watched her stare out into the trees passing by as we drove back to Jasmine’s. The rest of the drive was accompanied by our emotional silence. I only decide to speak again as we sit in the driveway. “Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” I ask quietly. I wanted to impose and demand to be by her side but it wasn’t my right and it was a mistake trying to control Claire. I Had learned that first-hand. “It’s okay, I’m sure you need to get back to Charlotte.” She had made a dig at me with that one. “I don’t, actually. How about I go home, freshen up and grab some things and I come bac
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-07The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 50: Claire’s POV
“Is everything okay?” I hear Jasmine ask as she brings me some water.“Someone’s framed Matthew. They planted drugs in his apartment and made an anonymous tip to the police and he’s expecting a baby . .” The last part shocked me and saddened me more than the rest. Matthew would be a father soon and he had turned his life around, only to be put in jail and I couldn’t help but shake the feeling that this was all my fault.“He’s having a baby?” Jas was just as shocked. “Did it bother you to hear that?” I knew what she meant.“In a way, it did. I was excited for him but I felt this heavy feeling in my chest. It made me think about all I had lost. And the grief I never allowed myself to experience.” I look down at my hands as I feel the lump in my throat becoming larger. I was happy for him but part of me would always wonder what it would have been like to have my son.“It’s okay, babes. You can always try again. Maybe it just wasn’t your time yet.” She always said that God’s time was neve
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-08The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 50: Leonardo’s POV
I quickly send a link to my private investigator from Claire’s tablet and within minutes, I receive a call.“Hello?” “Hey boss, I got the picture you sent me and I’ve got some news.” He says as gravely.“What is it?” I feel the anger rising.“That’s our guy. I got the CCTV footage from when he fled the scene and got a good look at the guy. I was going to send you a picture in the morning but I see Claire has beaten me to it.” He remains silently waiting for my response.“Do you have a name?” I need more than just an ID.“Still working on it. I think all the attacks he committed on Claire, you and Charlotte were all connected but I still haven’t pieced them together. I did, however, find out that he is considered a hitman for hire.” That gave me an idea. If he was a grunt worker who considered money over morals then that’s just how we can find him - money.We just had to plant seed and see where it goes.“Put out a word to all known grunt workers that I have a job needing to be done.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-09The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 50: Charlotte’s POV
I hear the ringtone I had set for Leo when we had first began dating and rush to untangle myself from Francisco and the sheets. Francisco was fast asleep and knew not meddle in my affairs with Leo. I pick up. I knew he couldn’t forget about me. “Hi Leo, I’ve been waiting for your call.” I make sure to sound concerned and relieved to hear from him. Hoping he’d feel guilty about leaving without a word a few days ago. “Hey Charlotte, I’m surprised to hear that, especially since I’ve seen that you haven’t been home lately.” Shit. He did go home. I’m sure that little cleaning lady told him of my absence. I’d make her nothing but a fond memory once Leo and I are back together.“Oh. I had left to keep myself busy from worrying about you. The house feels empty while when you’re away.” I play innocent.“Well there’s something I’d like to call you about if you’re not busy.” He sounded serious and I didn’t like the way this was going.“I’m never too busy to talk to you.” That part was genuine
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-10The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 51: Claire’s POV
I allow myself a moment to breathe as I shower and try to wash away the image of my attacker’s face. Why had he attacked me? Why did he attack Leo and Charlotte all those years ago? Who was he? Who was he working for?I try to wrap my head around every possible answer but I’m left stumped. I knew Charlotte was no saint after what she’d done to me but she was also attacked by him so it couldn’t have been her - especially with what Leo told me had happened that day. Leo was the target and Charlotte saved him. It explains why he always chose her - guilt. She sacrificed herself for him.I turn the water off and as I exit the shower, I find Leo has taken Jasmine’s place and was standing there shirtless.“You think I can get a quick shower in? I don’t particularly like smelling like jail.” His attempt at a joke made me smile ever so slightly. Making light of the situation was better than sobbing with me.“Don’t drop the soap.” I retort softly as I move away from the entrance of the shower.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 51: Leonardo’s POV
I hear the softened defeat in Claire’s voice as she agrees to move back into our home - with me. I want to say that I felt victorious but that would be a stretch considering the circumstances. Claire wasn’t ready to come home nor was she ready to come back to me. It was simply an arrangement to ensure her protection.I would be lying if I said I wasn’t the slightest bit excited to see her move back in. With Claire there, the house wouldn’t feel as empty as it has these last few months and maybe after these ordeals are dealt with - she’d choose to stay. Maybe, she’d let fix what I had broken in her.I step out the shower and put on my boxers and find Claire practically hypnotized by her own reflection in the mirror. I make my way towards her and watch carefully as she doesn’t move. It was almost trance-like.“You may feel like a disaster but you’re still a brilliant woman.” I say as I kiss the top of her head and grab her hand. She follows in soft and silent foot steps as I lead her to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-12The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 52: Claire’s POV
I wake up after the peak of the morning sun touches my face. Entangled in Leo’s arm and feeling at least a bit more at ease with the events of the last few days. Nothing had happened since my attacker had fled in that cab and the idea of Matthew’s innocence eased after Leo had spoken with Mason, the lead detective on my brother’s case.I sit up and think back to last night. I had given into the comfort of Leo and we had sex. He shared so much passion and I missed the feeling of his touch but I didn’t want him to believe this was an act of my forgiveness and return to him. We were in a good place and I might have ruined it with what I had done.Pushing my thoughts to the side, I decide it’s best to finish some blueprints in my suite and send them out for delivery. Work was a great distraction from everything that’s happened and I still had much to do. I feel Leo stir behind me.“Good morning” I hear from behind my shoulder in a rasped tone.“Sorry if I woke you.” He needed rest after t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13
Bab terbaru
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 58: Claire’s POV
I think back to my first encounter with Charlotte. She had expressed her feelings about Leo right before the incident with her wheelchair and she had made it clear that there was no competition between her and myself. She claimed to be the only woman Leo had time for and at that time, it seemed true. I remember the feeling of hearing that he was asleep in her bed. He hadn’t admitted that to me but part of me believed it. He stopped at nothing to be by her side - once upon a time. He had even shoved me in rage of what happened on our anniversary. Looking back, I do feel as though that incident could’ve been staged. I examined her wheel being stuck and found nothing wrong, I was shoved right before she descended down the hill and met with cowering once she saw Leo approaching. Charlotte wasn’t as innocent as she portrayed herself to be and it was evident that she didn’t particularly like my company or existence for that matter. But Charlotte wasn’t aware of my pregnancy, or so I’d lik
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 58: Matthew’s POV
It had been a couple days since I’ve seen Claire and Leo. Being here in jail has given me time to reflect on so many things and I feel awful for Starla, who waiting for me at home but even worse, I feel horrible for Claire. When you have nothing but time, you start to think about what you’ve done and what you could’ve done better. I could’ve been a better brother, I could’ve behaved and treated her better and I was ashamed.I decide to call Claire to express my gratitude to her and apologize for my shortcomings.I wait a few seconds and hear Claire accept the call.“Hello?” I say excitedly.“Are you okay, Matthew?” She was worried for me.“Yeah. Well, Kind of. I’m still in jail but I have faith. How are you?” I genuinely wanted to know that she was okay and doing better than I was.“Well, I’m in the hospital but I’m okay.” She quickly adds reassurance. That was classic for Claire. She’d diminish the importance of her own words to make anyone feel comfortable and I knew by that, alone
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 57: Charlotte’s POV
Francisco had planned for a surprise to arrive at my house. In all honesty, I had hoped that it would be Claire’s dismantled body, but I was unpleasantly surprised by the man who stood on my doorstep as Francisco answered the door. The first thing I notice is his suit. A black Italian brioni suit, one of Leo’s favorite brands. I had accompanied him shopping when he had bought his first one. He had just entered a contract worth millions and became the youngest multimillionaire on the west coast. I remember his smile as he purchased the suit. A moment of pride and a mark of success. I also remember the diamond tennis bracelet he gifted me that day - a tribute to my loyalty to him. The simplest of times where he and I were genuinely happy and together. It wasn’t long until it became nothing but a distant memory. My father and his plots made sure of it.“Charlotte?” I must’ve zoned out as Francisco is standing in front of me with a look of confusion.“Who is this?” I ask abruptly. My anno
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 57: Leonardo’s POV
Claire called me to share the details of each attack. She found that she was able to remember more and I was proud of her.After finishing our conversation, I turn to Mason in the back of my town car.“We have a problem.”“Is everything alright with your wife?” “Yes. She tried to visually take herself through both attacks and was able to remember a few things.” I see his face become even more stern as he waits for me to share Claire’s discoveries.“The first guy was waiting nearby for a cue. Someone close had to give him that cue for him to pose as the driver and kidnap Claire. She said he couldn’t have been there the whole time because I would’ve seen him. Which is true considering I usually speak with my driver privately through the front door window. The second attacker is a bit more serious. She said he wore a black Italian brioni suit. She recognized it because that’s the brand of my favorite suit. The other thing she noticed was that when he was leaving her suite, he had a blac
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 57: Claire’s POV
While Leo was away, I tried to piece everything together. Elena had made sure I ate, assisted me in cleaning myself up and sat down with me as I closed my eyes and tried to remember any information that might be useful in finding my attackers. Elena held my hands as I try to visually take myself back to that day.I had gone to the elevator in a haste, there was no one in the lobby and the elevator didn’t seem to be tampered with, the hallways from the elevator to my suite was empty and quiet as usual and the door to my suite looked completely fine. It wasn’t until I was inside that he had made his presence known. He must’ve been posing as a potential client and was able to slip by the other occupants of the building that way. He would’ve been suspicious if he hadn’t been wearing a nice suit.I keep trying to find anything that may have seemed off but nothing was tampered with or at least to the point where I would notice. I change my focus to the man and hold my breath as I jog throug
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 56: Leonardo’s POV
I must’ve dozed off when comforting Claire because I’m still in her hospital bed when I awake. I decide to make use of this quiet time and text Elena. I request that she make some food for Claire and I and that she ready herself to be dropped off here. I can feel the excitement as she responds with breakfast options and asks if Claire would like anything else. I then text my driver, letting him know that I would like Elena to be dropped off here at the hospital. I then send a message to Mason and ask to speak with him in person today. If I wanted to protect Claire, we needed to pick up our pace and find out who did this to Matthew and her. I set a time where I can have Elena here to comfort and watch over Claire so that I could put more of my efforts into finding her attackers and freeing her brother.I drop my phone onto the bed and continue to cuddle Claire as she sleeps. Every so often, I find myself passing a glance at her hand. The doctor planned to remove the bandages after for
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 55: Leonardo’s POV
After Emilia’s stunt and my mother’s audacity, I was emotionally drained. How dare they ask that I abandon Claire and continue to overlook their distaste in her? I had overlooked it in the past because I knew they held a special space for Charlotte but I see now, how wrong I’ve been. They didn’t love Charlotte. She was just a status that paired well with my success. A purebred paired with another purebred, but they didn’t know the truth. Or maybe, my truth just wasn’t important to them.I wasn’t happy with Charlotte. She was beautiful and cunning but I didn’t love her in the way she loved me and I had planned on ending things with her prior to her accident. Charlotte had no ambition in our relationship and had become clingy, expecting me stay by her side and abandon my responsibilities. I had lost interest in her - the same way I’d lost interest in them all until Claire came along.Claire was different. She’s beautiful was ambitious, innocent, kind and caring. She would make sure I’d
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 55: Claire’s POV
I wake up a few hours later with a dull pain my hand. The morphine had helped but I could still feel the aftermath of today’s events. According to the clock on the wall, I had slept for eight hours. I look over to find Leo sleeping on the couch beside my bed and two duffel bags on the chair. Not only has he decided to stay but he had brought things for us as we would be staying here for a few days as they reexamined my hand to ensure the proper healing took place.I use the call button to request a nurse as I had to use the restroom and see Leo jump up immediately as the nurse responds over the speaker. I hear him as he notifies the nurse that I’m fine.“What do you need? I’ll help.” He was adamant on helping.“I just have to use the restroom.” I whisper softly.“It’s okay. I’ll help you.”“But you were sleeping? It’s okay. I can just ask the nurse.” “No, I was just waiting for you to wake up. Come on, I’ll help you.” He extends a hand and gives a soft smile. I knew refusing would on
The Billionaire Husband’s Betrayal Chapter 54: Leonardo’s POV
I exit Claire’s hospital room on a mission. I call Mason first to recount Claire’s story of today’s attack.“Officer Mason.” I hear him speak clearly.“It’s Leo. I asked Claire what happened. She said the man was already in her suite when she arrived. He was dressed in a suit with his black hair combed back and he had green eyes. He was sitting at her desk. He said ‘boss’ orders’ when he attacked her with the trophy.” I make sure to leave no details unsaid. This was crucial to catching who did this to my wife.“Okay, I thought the trophy may have been the assault weapon so u had sentTo the lab for DNA testing. I’ll have my guys search for DNA forensics. I have some news on Matthew’s case as well, if you’re up to hear it.” Truth be told, I had forgotten about Matthew these last few days. “Any news is good news, I suppose.” I reply.“Well we checked the stamps, bags and origin of those drugs and our hunch was right. They came from a mafia group we’ve been following for years. If we ca
