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30: A LONG RIDE
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 23:59:22
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The 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 : 2024-12-22The Billionaire’s Regret 38: TENSION AND TANGO
NATE’S POV “You’re unbelievable, Nate,” Elara says sharply as my hand settles on her waist, guiding her onto the dance floor. “Am I?” I reply, smirking as I raise an eyebrow at her. Her cheeks flush slightly more from frustration than anything else and I can’t help but admire how stunning she looks when she’s angry. I spin her in time with the music, keeping her close. “It’s true,” she snaps, her voice low but firm. “Why would you do that?” “Do what?” I ask, feigning innocence. “You know what—” she starts, but I twirl her before she can finish, cutting off her words and leaving her breathless when she faces me again. She exhales sharply, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t want to make a scene.” The song ends, and she pulls away from me so quickly it’s like my touch burns her. I don’t like it, but I let it slide for now. Then the music changes, and my chest tightens as the unmistakable rhythm of a tango fills the air. I glance at Elara. She freezes as soon as the firs
Last Updated : 2024-12-23
Latest chapter
The Billionaire’s Regret 125: RETURNED RING
NATE’S POV“We just got feedback from some of the investors, sir,” Dave said, placing a file on my desk. “They’re happy with the way things are going.”Of course, they’re happy.The diamond sets we had for preorder, that is supposed to launch at the Vegas grand opening next week, sold out in less than twenty-four hours. From that alone we’ve already made back the cost for production, and if things go as planed at this rate we will be able to make back the investment for the vegas office within months. For the past few days, I’ve been buried in work, making sure everything is going as planned.While planning for the next shipment thats coming in soon. The Vegas branch is going to bethe last project I’ll be personally involved in before stepping back. So I want everything to perfect. “Your flight has been settled, and Mr. Marcus said he’ll meet you at the airport,” Dave added.I nodded.For the first time in a while, Marcus and I are going to be traveling together. Even though, hes
The Billionaire’s Regret 124: BUSINESS IS BUSINESS
ELARA’S POVThe moment my eyes landed on him, my breath hitched.He kept his words. We are actually meeting again. I try my best to keep my face straight, biting the little smiles that kept trying to takeover. “This is mr, Robert powers” Jenna says introducing us. Robert? His name is Robert powers? I could’ve nerve guessed that. “Its nice to meet you mr Robert” I say with a smile. “Its nice to meet you to miss Westwood” he says with a knowing smirk. But then when my eyes fall to the man sitting across the table… my smile vanished, the last person I was expecting to see here. Kyle freaking Sinclaire. He worked with my father years ago, on a project. And the last time I saw him.… No. I dont even want to relive those times.Kyles expression didn’t change when our gazes met. If anything, he looked completely unfazed like he was not the scum bag I knew, like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.I should be the last person he would want to partner up with. Judging the fact
The Billionaire’s Regret 123: I KNOW HIM
ELARA’S POV The car ride home was calmer than I imagined it to be. Elliot wasn’t as angry as he was before, but judging by the way he kept slamming the brakes and taking sharp turns, I was seconds away from asking him to let me drive. Because the hospital is the last place I want to be right now. Elliot slammed the brakes and the car jerked. “We’re home” he mutters. I put a hand to my chest. “Was that necessary?” I ask with a frown. But my brother only shrugged smugly stepping out of the car. I rolled my eyes as I follow at her into the house. I brace myself, because for the next few days that attitude is what I’m probably going to be dealing with. For the next few days. *********** The next morning I did even see Elliot when I got ready for work, and I don’t receive any texts or calls from him sef he didn’t respond when I tried calling. But Later that evening, when I got home I could tell he was in a better mood when he ordered takeout for us. Not just any t
The Billionaire’s Regret 122: ITS WAS ALL A LIE
ELARA’S POV I take a slow breath, exhaling through my mouth. “I know it’s too late to be telling you this, and it probably doesn’t even matter anymore because it’s all over now, but I just need to get it off my chest—” “Elara, just go straight to the point.” Elliot’s voice is firm, his patience already wearing thin. I swallow hard, gripping the edge of my seat. “Nate and I were never really giving each other a chance,” I confess, breaking the silence that had started to settle between us. Elliot lets out a chuckle, “why are you picking now of all times to joke around I thought we’ve already sorted this out, I know You’re just engaged. ” he says later of factly. “I’m not” I state. He narrows his eyes at me for a few seconds. Elliot doesn’t respond right away, but I feel the shift in his smile had vanished. “The whole engagement, the entire relationship… it was all fake. We didn’t do it because we were in love or because we wanted to try again.” He blinks at me, his brows d
The Billionaire’s Regret 121: DON’T GET TOO ANGRY
ELARA’S POV As much as I want to turn around and steal one last glance at him, I don’t. Because I can feel him. The burning intensity of his stare follows me as I make my way in the opposite direction, toward where Elliot is standing. For the first time tonight, he’s alone. Finally. “You having a good time?” he asks when I reach him. “Not as good as the one you’re having,” I mutter, a little smile tugging at my lips. “Is that so?” He glances at his watch, distracted. My eyes wander, searching the crowd. And then I find him. Powers. That’s what the man from earlier called him. His emerald eyes are locked on me. I don’t think Powers is his first name. But somehow, it fits him. With the way he carries himself, confident, commanding, completely at ease in a room full of people. He exudes power. And that name, Powers, wears him like a second skin. Elliot’s voice pulls me out of my trance. “Ready to go?” What? Right now? I blink, turning to Elliot. “Now?”
The Billionaire’s Regret 120: I’LL SEE YOU SOON
ELARA’S POV I should walk away. I should say thank you for the save and disappear into the crowd, back to my brother or my car or anywhere that isn’t here standing in front of a man I don’t even know, feeling like I should. But I don’t move. Because there’s something about him. Something about the way he watches me, not with expectation, not with amusement, but like he already knows I won’t leave just yet. “I take it you have a habit of stepping in where you’re not needed?” I arch a brow, tilting my head slightly. His smirk doesn’t falter. If anything, it deepens. “I don’t know… Were you going to handle it?” I narrow my eyes. He’s playing with me, testing me. And I don’t like it. “I was two seconds away from pouring my drink in his lap,” I say smoothly, waving my now empty glass. “But I suppose your approach was more… effective.” A little smile tugs at my lips. I was actually planning on doing it, but only if Mr Caldwell had followed me after I left. His ey
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
