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CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
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2024-11-04 04:37:46Related chapters
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Thalia's POV I stood outside Cassie's hospital room, pressed tightly against Alexander as he held me from behind. It was like he couldn't bear to let me out of his sight. His fingers traced gentle circles against my arm. Callum and Nolan had already left, likely to manage the police and FBI investigation still ongoing. Sierra sat silently with Patrick's arm draped around her, while Zach leaned back against the wall, with his arms folded. Liam was motionless on a chair near the door, his hands clasped between his knees. And his face lost to whatever pain he was holding inside. My heart twisted at the sight of him, usually so gleeful and confident, but now...broken.The door to Cassie's room remained closed, the doctor had said they suspected internal bleeding in her stomach. And now a team was working to stabilize her. The echo of hurried footsteps pulled us from our collective silence.Lorraine and Anthony hurried toward us, worry etched into every line on their faces. Lorraine's e
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV I woke up the next morning in the hospital. None of us had wanted to go home, so Alexander had gotten us rooms for the night so we could all stay close. I slipped out of bed quietly, hoping not to wake him, and made my way down the hall to Cassie's room. She lay sleeping on the hospital bed, her hand entwined with Liam's as he sat beside her, both of them sleeping. For a moment, seeing them like this, they looked peaceful, but I knew better.I lingered at the doorway, not wanting to disturb them, then turned and went outside, needing some air. As I walked toward the benches facing the sunrise, my hand touched my stomach. Alex had told me that Cassie had already lost one child, a miscarriage. She hadn't even known she was pregnant, and here I was, once so quick to get rid of mine... Letting my hand rest lightly on my abdomen, I sighed. That child had been mine too, even if its father didn’t want it. But there was no use in sulking about it. The decision had been made, an
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Thalia’s POV "Thalia?" He whispered his tone gentle yet searching. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. “Before you say anything, I need to ask you something" I tried to keep my voice calm though questions burned on my tongue.His brows furrowed, concern etched into every line on his face. "Go on" he said turning me to face him. "Did you know who... who the man was, the one who broke into the house that night?" Alex's gaze faltered, and he sighed, nodding slowly “Yes, I did. Patrick told me before you left, I... I didn't have time to explain" His voice was low and filled with regret.I nodded, piecing his words together "I just met his 'dear friend,' Alex's entire body tensed."You met him? Here? Why were you out there alone?" "I just needed a walk" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady "It's a hospital and I thought it would be safe plus he didn't do anything...just approached me and gave me a hint for the riddle" His brows shot up, a flash of surprise i
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Alexander's POV I walked down the hall, glancing around until I caught sight of Patrick leaning against the wall, arms crossed. That usual smug grin on his face as he spoke to Sierra. She was looking anywhere but at him, forcing a smile I could see was thin, uneasy. She turned the moment she noticed me, her eyes instantly avoiding mine. "I'll be with Thalia” she said quickly, brushing past me without another glance "Good news," Patrick drawled, drawing my attention back to him, he pushed off the wall, running a hand through his hair. "Brandon's Sphinx Project has failed miserably, and he’s lost two major partnerships already" He chuckled under his breath I kept my face impassive, though satisfaction flared within."I'm aware" I said casually, but Patrick raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my nonchalance. "Brandon had to face some consequences, I was done playing safe. Hiring people to torture information out of Thalia was a massive mistake on his part""Yes, because you're th
Last Updated : 2024-11-05The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY
Thalia's POV Sierra slipped back into the room after leaving to speak to Patrick to try to persuade him to make their relationship official, although in secret."So what did he say?" I asked excitedly as she entered the room but she had a frown on her face "What did he say?" I asked again less excited this time as she sat beside me. "I couldn't speak to him. Alex and Father were there" She muttered groaning lightly. "Oh... then text him later and say you want to meet up" "I told him I had plans with Zach and Nolan, he's gonna find me for sure" She said confidently "Really?" I asked"Yeah, I let him tap into my phone, it's weird but letting him do that was what gave them a head start at finding us" "Hmm" I said thoughtfully "Seems possessive if you ask me but who am I to judge?" "He is possessive, but I love that about him" she said dreamily.And I smiled at her, I had found another little sister, not a replacement for Lilith of course. But I planned to love her the same "What
Last Updated : 2024-11-07The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Thalia's POV I forced a small, bitter chuckle "I know, but it hurts because he's right, in a way, sometimes I feel like a walking bad omen" He shook his head firmly, his voice soft but steady"None of that, Thalia, you are as auspicious as they come, and I never want to be parted from you, no matter what" I let a small, grateful smile break through as I tightened my hand in his"Thank you, Alex. It means more than you know" I whispered, as we stepped into the elevator together. As the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, we were greeted by Sierra, Zach, and Nolan, each holding a cup of latte."Hey, we were just coming up to see you" Zach said grinning "And we were just on our way out" Alexander replied dryly, though I caught a smirk tugging at his lips "Where are you both headed?" Nolan asked, his brows raised"My place" I answered casually "Where?" Zach chimed in "The Asplundh Manor" Alexander clarified Sierra's face lit up with excitement "Oh, that's where you're goi
Last Updated : 2024-11-09The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Thalia's POV I nodded, tracing the faded ink thoughtfully. Alex met my gaze and said "Looks like we're going to St. Augustine's" I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, this was the best moment of clarity I have gotten since all this hassle started. "Yeah, it looks that way” I murmured as I handed him the photograph "Hold this for me" I closed the box and thought about whether to take it, after a moment, I decided."I'm taking the box" I cast a quick look around at the other boxes scattered around the gallery "Is there another one you want to bring along?" he asked, noticing my glance.I shook my head "No, just this one will do." He passed the photo back to me, picked up the box, and together, we left the room, closing the door behind us. As we descended the stairs in silence, I noticed Gladys at the bottom, standing by the landline with a phone pressed to her ear.Her expression was tense and worried, she hadn't noticed us coming down until she saw me, and then
Last Updated : 2024-11-09The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY -THREE
Thalia's POVAlex drove us through the close-packed trees until we finally reached a secluded stretch of beach, just as twilight began to settle over the horizon.We'd made a few stops at roadside diners for coffee and snacks, making it a long but peaceful drive, the hum of waves against the shore grew louder as he parked the car just off the sand. And I stepped out, my eyes immediately drawn to his 'humble abode' It was stunning: a modern beach house, with white walls that gleamed faintly in the dim light, balanced by large glass windows and blue edging that mirrored the sea itself. The house stood tall, strong yet unassuming, right on the point where the sand met earth."This is it?" I asked, the awe apparent in my voice as I glanced from the sea to the house.Alex smirked, catching my gaze "Yes, this is it, thought you could use a day away from everything"I chuckled, brushing off the soft feeling rising in my chest "Very considerate." Teasing him felt safe, and natural, yet some
Last Updated : 2024-11-10
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Thalia's POV Some were fully open, their petals catching the golden morning light, while others were still tightly rolled up waiting for their time. The sight stole my breath.Lilith knelt among the flowers, a watering can in hand as she moved with quiet purpose, her hair catching the sun's rays and glowing like something out of a dream. She hadn't noticed me yet, and for a moment, I didn't want to disturb the scene either, but my gasp slipped out before I could stop it.Lilith froze, her body tensing like a cornered animal, slowly, she turned to look at me, the caution in her eyes softened as recognition dawned, and she smiled."Like what you see?" she teased, her voice light but carrying the warmth of someone who wasn't just upset with me. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief "It's beautiful," I admitted, stepping further inside. Kirill, who stood a few steps behind her, shifted immediately, his body language protective and his piercing gaze locked onto me, though
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY
Thalia's POV The silence in the room felt thick, pressing on my chest with an overwhelming weight. Lilith's voice cut through the tension, her tone sharper than I'd ever heard it before. "It's fine" she said, her eyes flickering between Tobias and me. "Let them maim each other if that's what they want" Her words carried a bitterness I had never heard, and I flinched inwardly, she turned, her expression unreadable as she crossed the room to Kirill, who was still glowering at Tobias… and me."Let's go for a walk" she said quietly, tugging at his arm. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Tobias before he gave in.Together, they moved toward the coat hanger, I watched them put on their jackets, the door creaked open, and their footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path outside, crunching against the stone. Tobias and I sat, rooted in our places, locked in a silent battle of control, his jaw clenched, his eyes burning with something between anger and resolve. I swallowed the l
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Thalia's POV After breakfast I was done eating breakfast I found myself wandering toward the living room, the decor had changed a little, with new touches here and there but the main parts still remained.My eyes caught on the familiar photos lined up there, and my feet moved instinctively toward the mantle. I traced the edges of the frame with my fingers as I studied the images. There was one of Lilith, Tobias, and I on the lake, Tobias and I were taking a swim while Lilith stopped and was talking to someone out of the frame, the cool glass oddly soothing. My lips twitched at the faint memory of it. Next to it was a more recent photo. Lilith stood with Kirill, his arm slung over her as they posed in front of wide stone steps irradiated by bright lights— Santorini, I guessed. They looked… happy. Very happy My eyes fell on another frame, this one was all of us, Lilith, Tobias, our parents, and me, posing in the anteroom at the manor.My throat tightened as tears stung my eyes befor
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Thalia's POV "You are engaged to the assassin?" My voice rose higher than I intended, unable to contain my shock. Lilith didn't flinch, instead, she interlocked her fingers with Kirill's, a gesture that felt too intimate."Not engaged either," she said softly, her gaze steady on mine.I froze, the weight of her words sinking in, if they weren't dating and they weren't engaged, that left only one possibility. "You married the assassin?!" The words burst out of me, my voice louder now, vibrating with incredulousness. Kirill remained seated at the table, completely unbothered, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp features emitting a mask of disinterest as he folded the newspaper with deliberate precision."Yes, we're married" Lilith said slowly, her tone calm, almost pleading, as if waiting for my reaction was the hardest part of this conversation. Her eyes searched mine, flickering with a nervous sort of anticipation. What did she expect me to say? I was still grappling with the
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV "But we're here now" Lilith said, her voice wrapped with warmth, like she was coaxing me into forgiveness.My gaze snapped to her, sharp and unrelenting "You can go back to whatever Tartarus-like hole you came from" I spat, my tone laced with venom. Her smile faltered, the warmth draining from her features, she looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if she couldn't believe the words I was saying. I couldn't believe them either. Lilith had been my best friend, we were opposites in many ways—her a dreamer, me a realist... but our souls had always tangled, I used to imagine what it would feel like if she ever came back, alive and whole. I would have run to her, embraced her, and never let her go. Yet now, with her standing in front of me, breathing and real, her presence felt suffocating."We're here to stay, Thalia" Tobias said gently "It was wrong of us to leave, and we know that, we're sorry. Incredibly sorry. But we're here now, and we're not going anywhere. Ev
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Thalia's POV The first thing I felt was the warmth of sunlight, filtering through the cream-colored curtains, brushing my face, as if to lure me back to reality. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of petrichor, tinged with cinnamon and vanilla.It was so familiar, so achingly familiar, my chest tightened, and my body felt heavy, the remnants of unconsciousness still clinging to me as I sat upright, clutching at the sheets. This place... I knew this place. The jug of water on the bedside table gleamed under the beam of sunlight, condensation trickling down its surface. My throat burned with thirst. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I poured myself a glass. The water was cool and soothing, but the simple act of drinking it couldn't calm the typhoon brewing inside me.I staggered to the window, its glass slightly fogged, with shaky hands. I wiped at the pane to clear my view. My heart sank as I took in the sight, of the pristine lake surrounded by pines, their leaves still
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV The door to the tech lab clicked shut behind me, and the hum of machinery filled the air, my shoulders were taut as I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand through my hair. Outside, Nolan and Liam were in the main space. Liam was flipping through a flyer he'd found on the desk, his lips pursed in thought.Nolan, on the other hand, paced with a phone pressed to his ear, his free hand gesturing sharply as he spoke, the sight of them was oddly grounding; their restlessness mirrored my own.I crossed to the water dispenser, grabbed a cup, and filled it, needing the coolness to steady my nerves, the water slid down my throat, but it did little to soothe the growing unease nagging at me.Liam caught the movement and looked up "So? Is it done?" he asked, setting the flyer down and crossing his arms. I crushed the empty cup in my hand, tossing it in the nearby bin with more force than necessary"Seven days" I said "Maybe nine, that's how long it'll take to decrypt
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The car hummed steadily as it sped through the darkened streets, the glow of the city fading in the distance. It was already nightfall, and the board meeting earlier today had been postponed at my father's insistence—he'd wanted to be present when it took place.Beside me in the backseat, Liam glanced out the window "Where exactly are we headed?" "To the safe house" I replied, my hand resting firmly on the briefcase on my lap. Inside it, the hard drive felt like a ticking bomb."We can't risk decrypting this anywhere near Croft HQ. Not yet. Not until we know exactly what's on it and how dangerous it is" Nolan was driving, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, Liam nodded before returning his gaze to his phone. The safe house was my property, located on the city's outskirts, it was unassuming: an old warehouse on the surface but equipped with top-tier security and everything we'd need for the task. Liam turned to face me, his dark eyes burning with concern."You do
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
