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25: YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE
Last Updated:
2024-12-14 23:08:27
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The Billionaire’s Regret 26: WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?
ELARA'S POV.“Have you ever sat and asked yourself how your little company, that hasn’t even made it to the top three interior design firms, managed to catch the eye of my company, let alone convince us to consider working with you?” the smirk on his face gets darker with each passing second. “No,” I said, my voice filled with disbelief. But as the words left my mouth, a thought crept in. Could Jenna have pushed the company to him or someone from his company? No, she wouldn’t. She knows I don’t work with New Yorkers or anything that ties me back to New York.Don’t start doubting her.He’s trying to mess with you, Elara.Don’t let him.“We didn’t push our company to you,” I said firmly, my voice hardening as I met his gaze. “And we didn’t even want the job. You kept pushing when we tried to pull out of it after figuring out it was your company.”“It might be true that you didn’t push for it,” he replied smoothly, leaning forward with an unsettling smirk, “but the chief of police and t
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Billionaire’s Regret 27: CURVE BALLS.
ELARA’S POVA tight knot forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe. Saying no to him feels like signing my name to those legal charges, but I refuse to let him think he’s won. Not now. Not ever.“So…” Nate drawls, leaning back in his chair with that insufferable smirk, waiting for my answer.Curveballs. Always curveballs.If I’d known signing that deal with his company would lead to this mess, I’d have swallowed my pride and asked Elliot for the loan. Hell, I might’ve even let Mr. Harper ruin my company, started over from scratch anything but this.Frustration churns in my chest like a storm. After everything I’ve been through, now I have to deal with this?I let out a long, slow sigh, my chest tight and my head pounding. Turning to face Nate again, I feel my heart racing, as if it’s moments away from exploding. The anger surging through me feels alive, electric. He thinks he can corner me, that his connections will leave me helpless and in jail?As much as I hate to admit it, t
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Billionaire’s Regret 28: THE CRITICISM
ELARA’S POVA small part of me wants to second guess my decision to go with Nate, but I remind myself why I agreed in the first place: I need him to pay me.Besides, what better opportunity to network and look for bigger investors? It’s the perfect place to gain exposure and advertise my company for free.Killing two birds with one stone.“Remind me why you’re here,” my mother says, frowning as she kneads the pasta dough on the counter.“Because I missed you?” I reply, a smirk tugging at my lips.“One year and nine months,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “You didn’t think to come to New York to see me until now?”“What are you trying to say, sweet mother?” I pout, hoping to divert her attention.“Don’t ‘sweet mother’ me,” she snaps. “I get it New York isn’t your favorite place anymore. Not after that showdown, and your…” She pauses, her tone softening as she adds “You don’t call me, and your text replies are always late and dry,” she continues, her tone growing sharper.I want to say,
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Billionaire’s Regret 29: MASKS, MASSAGES AND MISERY
ELARA’S POV It was surprising how, for the past three days, my mother hadn’t criticized my work. But deep down, I knew it was coming.“Mom, we’re different people. Your pace and mine are different,” I said, keeping my tone even.“We sure are very different, dear. When was the last time you even did something to that face of yours? Do you even use the skincare routine I made for you?”And then she pulls her signature move. Changing the topic when she didn’t want to hear the truth.“I do just fine,” I said, forcing a smile.She turned her attention back to the pasta, carefully placing it in the pot before washing her hands. But as soon as she was done, she turned back to me, narrowing her eyes as she studied my face.“You don’t, Elara. Because if you did, your skin wouldn’t look like… this. And don’t even get me started on that meal plan I gave you. You’re clearly not following it. If you keep this up, you’ll look forty in a few years” a frown found it self on her. Honestly, you alre
Last Updated : 2024-12-16The Billionaire’s Regret 30: A LONG RIDE
ELARA’S POV NATE: WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME. I scoff as I read the message, irritation bubbling up inside me. How typical of Nate to barge into my day without any warning. My fingers fly across the screen as I type out a reply, my frustration seeping into every word. ELARA: You should’ve given me a heads up. I need time to pack! The response comes almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for it NATE: BE QUICK. WE DON’T HAVE TIME. Something about his demanding tone sets my teeth on edge. He shows up uninvited, changes plans without consulting me, and expects me to follow along like some obedient lackey? He said Saturday, not Friday. And now I’m supposed to drop everything because he’s in a rush? My annoyance sharpens as I glance at the window. Who does he think he is? NATE: YOU DON’T NEED TO PACK MUCH. WE CAN BUY CLOTHES. IF YOU MUST, JUST BRING ESSENTIALS. NATE: IF YOU’RE NOT OUT IN THREE MINUTES, I’M COMING IN. My jaw drops. The audacity. ELARA: YOU WOULDN’T D
Last Updated : 2024-12-17The Billionaire’s Regret 31: UNBEARABLE SILENCE
NATE’S POVI don’t know what the hell I was thinking when I decided to drive down to the Bellini retreat.Scratch that I know exactly what I was thinking. But the way I imagined it going in my head is nothing like the reality playing down in front of me right now.I take a sharp breath, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.Elara hasn’t spoken more than a few clipped sentences to me since we left. She’s been giving me the cold shoulder, and honestly, I can’t even blame her for it. Every time I’ve tried to start a conversation, she shuts me down with the same dismissive tone, leaving me to sit here in this unbearable silence.But I can’t stop myself from trying.There’s this gnawing urge to say something, anything, just to break through the ice. A huge part of me it feels like all of me needs to know how she’s been. Has she been happy? What’s the latest book she’s read? Does she still laugh at the same dumb jokes? I want to catch even the small
Last Updated : 2024-12-18The Billionaire’s Regret 32: WE ARE HERE!
ELARA’S POV I didn’t realize I had drifted off to sleep until my phone buzzed, startling me awake. I have been desperately searching for a way to distract myself, anyone to talk to, just to escape the suffocating silence with the man sitting next to me. But luck isn’t on my side both of the two people I talk to were too busy to pick up my calls or texts. Jenna, definitely has her hands full. I’ve been away for days now, and the workload had piled up. She is juggling inspections of the Hale project and drowning in paperwork, even though I was trying to help remotely. I know it’s not enough. I sighed, guilt gnawing at me. My phone buzzed again. I thought it’s mom replying to my text about leaving for New Jersey. But It’s just a notification, one from the game I’d been playing earlier. All my lives had been restored. I stared at the screen, unimpressed, and tossed the phone back into my bag. Looking out the window, I noticed the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky
Last Updated : 2024-12-19The Billionaire’s Regret 33: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
my breath hitched at the unexpected contact. “Not so fast,” he mutter, his voice low and commanding. I glared at him, but before I could protest, he grabbed my right hand. His grip was firm, leaving no room for argument. My heart raced. “What are you” I opened my mouth to say something , but the words died on my tongue when he slid a ring onto my finger. I stare at it in disbelief. It is my wedding ring. The same ring he proposed to me with! The same one I had thrown at him in anger the day I signed the divorce papers. The same one I had sworn I’ll never see again. He lifted my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the ring. His touch sent an electric jolt through me, and I hated myself for feeling it. He finally released my hand, his eyes lingering on the ring as it sparkled in the fading light. I know this ring well it has been a part of me for years. Even with the slight changes made to it, the diamond shines brighter than I remembered. “Stay here,” he ordered, his
Last Updated : 2024-12-19
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The Billionaire’s Regret 119: I wanted to
ELARA’S POV“You know, dear, expanding a business in early July is not something I’d recommend,” Mr. Caldwell says, his voice smooth but condescending, his hand lingering on my back a little too long for my liking.I shift slightly, forcing a polite smile, hoping he gets the hint. But instead of stepping back, he inches closer.Men like this are exactly why I avoid socializing at grand events like these. The flashing cameras, the overwhelming crowd, the endless small talk—it’s exhausting. And then there are the men—the ones who mistake common courtesy for an invitation.Elliot had insisted I come tonight as his plus one. I had wanted to stay home, lose myself in work, but I agreed to this because, for the past two days since we returned to Vegas, we hadn’t had a moment alone. And I needed to talk to him.To tell him the truth.But the moment we arrived, it seemed like everyone had someone to introduce to my brother, or Elliot himself had someone he needed to speak with. I quickly grew
The Billionaire’s Regret 118: TRUST OR TROUBLE
ELARA’S POV I made it very clear to her last time. I didn’t want her butting in with this kind of stuff. That’s what we hired the ad team for. That’s what the staff is for. I wanted her to focus on the work laid out for her, nothing more. Is that too much to ask? But then, when I look at her and see that expression. the shift in her face, the subtle guilt in her eyes it makes me rethink. Maybe she really did do this with the company’s best interest at heart. And maybe I’m the one getting sensitive? “I’m sorry, Elara,” she says, her voice a little shaken this time. That surprises me. “I feel so bad now. I shouldn’t have done that, but they seemed like such a good company to partner with. And when I saw the chance, I just thought we’d want to seize it… to take the opportunity to make more.” She exhales sharply before continuing, “But now I know it’s not my place to decide that. I should’ve been more careful.” She blurts the words out like they’ve been weighing on
The Billionaire’s Regret 117: DO THE HONORS.
ELARA’S POV Jenna ends her call with a sharp click, slamming the phone back into place. My gaze flickers to her, my mind still circling the last thing she said. “She won’t notice a thing.” Who is Brick? And who exactly is this person who won’t notice anything? Me? No, that can’t be right. I don’t have the full context of the conversation. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. But if I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, then why is she in my seat, giggling into the phone with some guy named Brick while she’s been ignoring my calls for nearly a week? A tightness spreads through my chest, but I mask it with a slight arch of my brow. I push the door shut behind me, the soft click of it sealing us inside. “What are you doing in my office?” I ask, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. Jenna gasps dramatically, her face lighting up in exaggerated excitement. “Elara!” Instead of answering my question, she jumps up from my chair and rushes toward me. Before I can react
The Billionaire’s Regret 116: A VERY SMART WOMAN
ELARA’S POV My hands feel numb as I stare out the window. White, fluffy clouds with soft, foggy outlines stretch across the sky, staring back at me. On any other day, I would have admired how bright and pure they looked, how their silver linings shined in the sunlight, or how the sky from up here seemed like an endless ocean. But today, I can’t think about any of that. Because no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the image of what I saw last night. Nate and that woman… I don’t know what I was expecting from him, but it wasn’t that. Not after everything he told me. Not after the flowers. Not after the chocolates. Not after the note. FLASHBACK Our eyes met. For a second, I thought I imagined it, something flickered in his gaze, but it disappeared just as quickly. Then my eyes fell to the blonde woman sprawled on top of him, her hands wrapped around his neck. She let out a soft giggle. My stomach twisted. The heat in my chest was unbearable, spreading like wildfire.
The Billionaire’s Regret 115: CURIOSITY
ELARA’S POV Fair enough. I glance to the opposite side of the room, where a woman has now taken a seat at what was an empty table just minutes ago. UNKNOWN: Relax, Goldie. No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me. So go ahead and drink your sorrows away in peace. ME: Who says I’m drinking away my sorrows? I ordered one mojito. And I haven’t even taken a sip of yet. UNKNOWN: Seems I guessed wrong, then. ME: You definitely did. I finally reach for my drink, taking a slow sip. The cool, minty flavor mixed with just a hint of alcohol is exactly what I needed. It’s been ages since I last had a mojito. After what feels like a long time. My screen lights up again. UNKNOWN: I have a gift for you, Goldie. Private rooms. Room B3. I’m sure you’ll love it. A gift? A few chats ago, they mentioned wanting to give me something. And now, suddenly, it’s waiting in one of the private dining rooms? A bad feeling settles in my gut. Obsidian’s private rooms are used f
The Billionaire’s Regret 114: GUARDIAN ANGEL
ELARA’S POV “Nate forgot this last time. He said he’d come back for it, but he never did. Will you give it to him?” My eyes fall to the blue necktie in Sienna’s hand. I think I need to commend my luck, I’m trying to stay away from him, but something always seems to push me right back toward him. “Elara?” Sienna prompts with an arched brow, nudging the tie forward. “I don’t think I can take it to him. He said he’d come for it, right?” “Yes.” I force a smile. “Then I’m sure he will.” “But you guys are together… so I thought it would be easier if you take. Plus if it stays with me, I don’t think that would be a good idea. I can’t have some of the staffs mistaking this very expensive tie for one of ours.” A little part me told me to Just give up and take the tie, it’s just some stupid tie right? I let out a sharp breath, then forced a smile. “You can keep it in your office, then. I’m sure no one will think to use something tucked away in there.” I twist the doork
The Billionaire’s Regret 113: THIS IS FOR THE BEST
ELARA’S POVThe sound I hate the most right now has to be the ringing of my phone.After my call with Nate, I didn’t know what to do with what he sent me. So, I decided to leave it on the counter while I changed out of my wet clothes.Maybe I can think of something for when next I set my eyes on them. I tried calling Jenna again today. Finally, her phone was on, but for some reason, she wasn’t picking up, not even leaving a text. So It could probably be her calling now.I switch off my hair dryer, hoping it’s her.I guess I didn’t pray hard enough because it’s not Jenna. But at least it’s not someone I was dreading. It’s Sienna.Pressing the answer button, I bring the phone to my ear.“Hello, Elara.” Sienna’s voice comes through the line.“Hello,” I say with a small smile, as if she can see it.“Are you busy right now?” Her tone seems a bit off.“No, I’m at home. Is everything okay?” I ask.“Yes… but, uhm, I know this is last minute, but I have the pictures we took a few days ago rea
The Billionaire’s Regret 112: THE GIFT
ELARA’S POV The car stays silent for a second before a smile spreads across my brother’s face. “I know that.” My eyes widen, and my jaw almost hits the floor. Maybe he heard me wrong. Maybe he didn’t understand what I was saying, because if he did, he wouldn’t be smiling. And earlier, he said he hadn’t found any evidence to prove our relationship wasn’t real. He knows? How does he know? “Did you hear what I just said?” I gasp in disbelief. Elliot lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. “That much I know, El. It’s quite obvious. What kind of remarried couple lives in separate houses and only sees each other during the day? I figured as much. Even though you still have your ring on, I know there’s a part of you that’s not fully in this. And to be honest, that’s what’s giving me hope right now that you’ll see through that man and let him go for good.” I don’t even know what to say. This whole remarried couple facade… it’s all backfiring. I should’ve known it was this obvious. So
The Billionaire’s Regret 111: MAKING THINGS RIGHT
ELARA’S POV Once the rain subsides, Elliot and I make our way to the car. My steps are slow as I contemplate whether to tell him everything or not. I know Elliot is just looking out for me, but how much he cares only makes me feel more guilt than I already do. “Elliot.” My voice is barely above a whisper. I’m not sure if I should tell him everything right here, but he’s getting so worked up because of me. The beeping sound of the car signaling that it’s been unlocked stops me. He doesn’t know anything right now. Maybe I should tell him and be done with it. But I can’t, not when he’s already in the car. Mom is probably inside, and I don’t think I’m ready to tell her anything. But when I reach the car, she isn’t in the front seat like I expected. “Where’s Mom?” I ask, sliding into the passenger seat. “She called a cab earlier and left,” he mutters, turning on the ignition. My Hand goes to the door slowly sliding into the car. The drive is quick, just as I thought
