LOGINShare
29: MASKS, MASSAGES AND MISERY
Last Updated:
2024-12-16 23:53:42
Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-12-19The Billionaire’s Regret 34: I’M LOST
ELARA’S POV “Nathaniel,” the old man greeted in a thick Italian accent, his voice deep and warm. “You made it.” “As always,” Nate responded with his signature charming smile. “And you brought her too.” Martino’s gaze shifted to me, a hint of surprise flickering in his sharp eyes. “I did,” Nate replied smoothly before turning to me. “Sweetheart, I’d like to reintroduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Bellini.”Nate turns to me. Something about him calling sweetheart felt a little strange. “Oh, cut the formalities, Nate,” the old man interjected with a playful wave of his hand. “I’m Martino, and this is my wife, Rosa.” He gestured to the elegant woman standing beside him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” I say, returning their warm smiles with one of my own. “The pleasure is all mine, dear,” Rosa exclaimed, her tone full of genuine warmth. “You must be Elara.” “Yes, ma’am,” I replied, feeling a strange comfort in her presence. “Oh, Martino, she’s even prettier in person,” Rosa nudged h
Last Updated : 2024-12-20The Billionaire’s Regret 35: CRUMBLING WALLS
Elara’s POV“El, it’s really you,” Nico says, walking closer until he’s standing right next to me.The smile on his face widens as though he’s genuinely happy to see me.This can’t be happening. It can’t be him.Why is Nico here of all places?Shit. This is bad.“It’s me,” I say, forcing a chuckle, though it sounds awkward even to my ears.“Let me guess, you got lost?” he asks, tilting his head with a teasing smirk.“Yes,” I reply, laughing nervously. “One second I was in a room full of people, and the next, I’m out here admiring the place. I didn’t even realize I’d wandered so far, and now I can’t seem to find anyone.”“That’s Villa Felicità for you,” he says with a shrug.“I can see that,” I respond lightly, though I’m not really in the mood for small talk.“It’s dinner time already. Everyone’s in the dining room. Come on, I’ll take you there.”Before I can protest, he pulls my hand and links it with his. The gesture catches me off guard, but I try my best not to let it show.Things
Last Updated : 2024-12-21The Billionaire’s Regret 36: WALKING IN WITH THE ENEMY.
NATE'S POV She walked in with Nicholas DeLuca. Of all the people in the world, she chose him. And to make it worse, her hand was linked with his filthy one.I couldn’t focus on anything else. The cheerful chatter around me faded into a dull hum, like white noise. My gaze was locked on her and that smug bastard beside her.Didn’t she tell him she was with me? Or did she blow our cover and spill the truth about us? Could it be that she invited him here to expose everything and make me look like some pathetic liar?No, she wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t. We’d both be ruined if Mr. Bellini found out that we were faking this entire arrangement.But then the memory of how close she looked with him back in Vegas replayed in my head. The way they stood together there was unsettling. And now, seeing her this close to him again... it feels like too much of a coincidence.Elara isn’t the type to let men get close to her. At least, the Elara I knew wasn’t. The old Elara kept her distance, she nev
Last Updated : 2024-12-22The Billionaire’s Regret 37: THE FIRST DANCE.
NATE'S POV Dinner ends in a blur. Elara and I haven’t spoken a word to each other since our little argument. The silence between us feels heavy, like an invisible wall keeping us apart, even though she’s sitting right next to me.As the plates are cleared, soft music starts playing in the background. Elara stays seated beside me, her hazel eyes focused on the people dancing.A small, smile finds its way to her lips, and for a moment, I wonder what she’s thinking. She seems calm, even happy, like she’s forgotten the tension between us.Meanwhile, Nicholas keeps stealing glances at her, his gaze lingering far too long for my liking. It’s as if he thinks he has some sort of claim on her, and each time I catch him looking, it feels like a dagger twisting in my chest, sharper and deeper every time.More couples step onto the dance floor, swaying to the gentle beats of the song. Even Mr. Bellini is dancing with his granddaughters, their laughter blending with the Italian music fills the ro
Last Updated : 2024-12-22
Latest chapter
The Billionaire’s Regret 172: MAYBE I’M A FOOL
NATE'S POV Every part of me wanted to stay. Fight a little harder. Maybe if I had, she would’ve let me? Maybe. But she made her choice. And the last thing I ever want to do is make her uncomfortable in her own home. She’s mad at me — she has every right to be. Hell, I don’t deserve a damn thing from her. I messed up. When I had her, I took her for granted, thinking it was the only way to protect her. But I thought wrong. I should’ve known better. I should’ve been better. I’ve been screwing things up for a long time now. But this time, I swear I’m going to be different. Elara doesn’t need me bulldozing my way back into her life. My eyes flick to her house. The lights are still on. She’s no longer standing at the window. It’s been a little while since I sent the texts, She hasn’t replied but she read them. And for now... that’s enough. At least she knows she’s not alone. Even if she doesn’t want me close. Even if she can't trust me yet. When she s
The Billionaire’s Regret 171: I’LL CHANGE
ELARA’S POV He takes a breath, trying to reel in his temper. “If I leave, we leave. I’m not going unless you come with me. I can’t imagine you staying here all alone and no security” he states with finality in his tone. We? that just didn’t rub me the right way, he can’t come in here and demand that I leave with him. I arch a brow. “We? There is no we, Nathaniel. There never will be.” He messed up the ‘we’. Now there can never be one not again. He can’t be reliable, and I don’t think I can trust that he won’t try anything. It might all start with him staying over. Then he’d probably decide to make this an every night thing. Or come up with reason to stay close. I know Nate and this is how it starts with him. Then, I’d probably start making excuses for him. Then I might let my guard down. And I can’t let that happen. I still have the scars he left me with even though I’ve been shoving them far away, trying my best to forget they’re there. I can feel them. I remembe
The Billionaire’s Regret 170: PLAYING HERO
ELARA’S POV “What do you mean they were trying to bug my house?” The words tumble out of me in disbelief as I stare at the truth, the two tiny cameras in his hands. I don’t think I have any enemies. Well… maybe I’ve made a few along the way, but I don’t think they’d stoop as low as spying on me. why would someone even decided to spy on me? my life isnt that eventful. Nate’s jaw tightens as he turns to me from where he was surveying the area. “This is very obvious, El. Someone is trying to keep tabs on you.” “Okay, it might be a silly mistake. Maybe they were looking for another house—” “I don’t think so. That van has been out there since I got here.” “How long have you been here?” I couldn’t help but ask, did he stay long before he knocked? “A long time. A very long time. And they were here even before I was.” I think I also saw that black van when I came back from work. But I don’t want those thoughts to be true. It can’t be. “Still—” “These aren’t cheap knock-off
The Billionaire’s Regret 169: THE ONE PERSON I CARE ABOUT
ELARA’S POV I don’t know what I’m doing as I reach for the doorknob and step out of the house. The cold air bites at my exposed skin. I shouldn’t open the door. I should leave him standing out there in the cold until he gets the message. But I open it anyway. And I see him, standing outside the gate. The moment the entrance creaks open, his eyes find mine. And for a second, we just stare at each other. He looks rough. Tired eyes. Ruffled hair. Wrinkled shirt like he’s been pacing for hours or didn’t even bother changing after work. “What do you want?” I ask flatly, not stepping aside to let him in. “I needed to see you,” he says. My grip on the door tightens. “Congratulations. You’ve seen me. Now leave.” “El…” he lets out a sigh. “I’m afraid I don’t have anyone for you to beat up today, Nate.” The street is quiet. No one’s out here except him and me. A black van is parked a few steps away. I think I saw it there earlier when I came home probably belongs to one
The Billionaire’s Regret 168: CAN I SPEAK WITH YOU?
ELARA’S POV The rest of Rob’s conversation fades into the background as a strange unease creeps up my spine. “Elara?” His voice tugs me back to the present. “Are you okay?” he asks again, eyes narrowing as he studies me. “You’ve been staring out there a lot.” I blink and take a quick sip of my drink, masking the sudden chill running down my arms. “Well…” I hesitate. Should I say it out loud? Would I sound crazy? "well..." he repreats leaning closer. Maybe I should ask... “Okay, this might sound weird, but… I think someone’s watching us.” His gaze follows my discreet point toward the glass wall of the café. The street is a little quiet, as the warm orange glow of the evening lights is in the distance. Rob frowns. “Where?” “I don’t know exactly. But it’s from that angle,” I say, motioning to it. “It’s like… I can feel it. And it’s making me really uncomfortable.” He’s quiet for a beat. Then, “I think I feel it too.” Relief washes over me. See? I’m not imagin
The Billionaire’s Regret 167: EYES ON ME.
ELARA’S POV “You finally decide to show up,” Rob said, turning to Kyle as he strolled into the elevator, his usual scowl etched on his face. Kyle hit the button and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Do I have a choice?” “Someone’s grumpy,” Rob muttered, nudging me with a smirk. I didn’t laugh. My gaze stayed a second too long on Kyle, his jaw clenched, shoulders seem tense. His eyes caught mine, and my chest tightened. I looked away quickly.As a deafening silence bang creeping in rob spoke. “Where’ve you been all weekend?” “Busy.” Kyle didn’t even open his eyes. My thoughts flashed to Saturday. To Nate. The tension. Kyle’s disappointed look in his eye before he left, it still weighed heavy. Rob’s voice faded into the back ground. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped out like the hallway was on fire. “I don’t think we’ll manage that tour today,” Rob said, eyes glued to his phone. “Something’s up with my a project.” “What’s the issue?” Kyle ask. “the Italian
The Billionaire’s Regret 166: FIRST DAY
ELARA’S POV “Is that all we have to discuss?” I ask, to no one in particular. I’m currently in the conference room for the staff meeting. Normally, I’m good with it excited for it, even, sometimes. But today? Not so much. Even though it’s just, me the operations team, a few from sales, and finance. Plus the meetings never take long because well we have a small company. It’s a few minutes in and I’m already tired. For one, I’ve been staring at screens way too much lately, because all I’ve been doing after my very eventful Saturday is burying myself in work. I decided to forget everything that happened and just focus, but that came with consequences. Every time I glance at the screen in front of me, it feels like torture. And honestly, the last place I want to be is the office. But then again, I don’t have a choice. “Well, ma’am,” Olivia, who’s standing in front of the projector begins, “the reports are in order, and this is the rundown we have for last month’s operation
The Billionaire’s Regret 165: ROOM TO BREATHE
NATE’S POV As much as I wanted to believe he was bluffing, and this was just some twisted way of him trying to make me invest in his business, but then again, there was a high chance he wasn’t. That look in his eyes, the smug smile and the confidence he had as he spoke, its making me rethink it. I need to be sure for safety reasons I stood frozen in the middle of the room, Jake’s words replaying like a broken record in my head. “The records.” That was the hint he’d left me with. That smug bastard never played fair, and the fact that he wasn’t bluffing this time sent a chill down my spine. I looked around my penthouse, feeling more trapped than safe. It was silent, save for the ticking clock on the wall, and suddenly, even that sound felt too loud. My hand throbbed from the earlier injury, a dull ache pulsing through the bandage, but I couldn’t focus on the pain right now. I needed to get to a phone. Fast. My eyes scan the living area, then it lands on my office. I moved to
The Billionaire’s Regret 164: I PITY YOU
NATE’S POV “Took you long enough to finally get home, huh?” Jake turned to me, a smug smile on his face. “Jacob Hales,” I muttered. “What the heck are you doing in my house?” It had been a while since I laid eyes on my cousin. A while since he’d tried anything to ruin my image or take the company from me. And even though it meant fewer things to deal with, I always knew he hadn’t given up. I knew he’d try to pull something again. Whatever it was, though, I didn’t think I was interested at least, not right now. “How have you been, big brother?” he asked, completely ignoring my question as he dropped onto one of the couches. “Well, from that wrapped hand, I’d say… not very good, right?” he taunted. “Why are you here, Jake? I’ve had a long day, and you’re the last person I want to entertain right now.” “Oh, well, I came to congratulate you on the success of the branch.” “Oh, cut the crap. We both know that’s the last thing you want to do. Besides, Marcus is going to be
