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5: EYES THAT HAUNT
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2024-11-06 05:24:30ELARA’S POV
“Wonderful! I have dresses in the back you ladies can change into,” Mrs. Chelsea beams. Jenna pulls me aside, whispering, “More connections mean more jobs, and more jobs mean more money. Plus, I bet they’ll serve us some expensive wine and delicious snacks” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Fine, whatever.” We walk into the room, where she has an entire rack of elegant evening gowns ready. Jenna doesn’t hesitate. She’s already looking through the dresses, holding up a deep blue one against herself. “Try this,” she says, tossing me a sleek beige gown. I hold it up, admiring the simple yet beautiful design. With a sigh, I change into the dress, touch up my makeup, and glance in the mirror. Jenna gives me a thumbs up, and we rejoin the event, blending into the crowd of socialites all dressed to impress. Mrs. Chelsea finds me quickly, her arm linking with mine as she introduces me to several guests. Making sure to tell them how much of a lifesaver I am. I do my best to keep up, smiling politely and making small talk. After a while, the crowd starts to feel suffocating, and I excuse myself to the side of the room to catch my breath. I take a seat by the seating area, the whole room falls quiet, murmurs spreading through the crowd. I turn toward the entrance to the three men that walked in and freeze.It’s Antonio Mancini, James Leclarc with their plus ones and Nate. My Nate, looking as handsome as ever except his arm is around another woman. She’s stunning, dressed in a sleek red gown, her laugh too loud as she clings to him.
Our eyes meet for a split second, and I instinctively smile, hoping he’ll return it. But his scowl only deepens, and he turns away, focusing all his attention on her. A sharp pain shoots to chest but I brush it away. I’m checking my phone when I feel someone’s gaze on me. Glancing up, I see a man watching me from across the room. Tall, dark haired, and impeccably dressed, he has an air of quiet confidence. When our eyes meet, he gives me a slight nod, as if we’re sharing some private joke. Something about him is oddly familiar, though I can’t place it. He begins to walk over, but before he could get to me he gets intercepted by a lady in a green dress pulling him to the other direction. As the evening drags on, I watch Nate mingle with everyone. Everyone but me. The people who had been so friendly earlier are suddenly distant, as if they, too, noticed his cold shoulder. When he finally stepped away from his group, my gut twists, urging me not to follow. But he has been ignoring my calls and texts, and if I want to tell him about our child, I need to be brave enough to talk to him face to face. Ignoring the voice in my head screaming at me telling me not do it, not to go close to Nate, I take a deep breath and move toward him.Related chapters
The Billionaire’s Regret 6: CRIMSON TEARS
ELARA’S POVI can feel eyes on me as I stroll toward Nate, fighting the urge to turn back and just leave.“Hello, Nate,” I say with a smile when I reach him.He doesn’t respond. His scowl deepens, and he acts as if I don’t exist.He tries to walk away, but I step in his path.“What the hell do you want, Elara?” His voice cuts sharp and cold.“I need to speak with you,” I say, glancing at the curious eyes watching us, which makes me shift uncomfortably. “In private,” I add, keeping my tone low so only he can hear.He scoffs, loud enough for those nearby to catch. “About what? I thought we said everything that needed to be said when you signed the divorce papers.”The room erupts in whispers.I feel like the biggest fool on the planet.“I don’t want to see or hear from you ever again, and whatever it is you have to say, I’m not interested.”He downs his drink in one gulp, placing the empty glass on a passing server’s tray.“Nate,” I try again, but he’s already walking away.With another
Last Updated : 2024-11-06The Billionaire’s Regret 7: WHY DID YOU DIVORCE YOUR WIFE.
NATE’S POVONE YEAR EIGHT MONTHS LATER “What do you mean they don’t want to work with us anymore? You told me they were interested in partnering with us. What changed?” I asked Lesley, my secretary, who stood before me, visibly nervous. She looked like she was one second away from fainting.Lesley was my third secretary this month, and while I was tempted to fire her on the spot, I resisted. I had too much on my plate to waste time with another round of interviews.“Well... uhm, sir, the person I spoke to earlier said all their business partnerships must be approved by their CEO. And their CEO specifically declined, so they had no choice but to withdraw,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.I couldn’t help but let out a humourless chuckle. “This has to be the biggest joke of the year,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.I had turned down every other company because they assured me they would work with us. Now, with the project already underway, it was too late t
Last Updated : 2024-12-02The Billionaire’s Regret 8: FACING THE FALL OUT.
NATE’S POV"Why did you divorce your wife, Nathan?" Marcus’s voice cut through the silence in my office, sharp and direct.I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. "Because…" My voice trailed off, the words hanging in the air like a heavy weight."Because what?" he pressed."I didn’t think she’d go through with it." The admission left my mouth before I could stop it. "I thought Elara would stay. I thought she’d fight for me, for us. But she didn’t."Marcus laughed, the sound bitter and biting. "You’ve got to be kidding me. You honestly believed that, after everything you did, she’d stick around? Man, I’ve always thought I was the delusional one in this family, but you’ve clearly taken the crown."My fists clenched on the desk as the memory of that night came flooding back. The fundraiser. The things I said to her. The way her eyes filled with pain before she walked away. I’d pushed her too far, and she hadn’t looked back."I thought since you were the one who wanted the divorce,
Last Updated : 2024-12-02The Billionaire’s Regret 9: LETTER FROM THE PAST
ELARA’S POVIt has been one year and eight months since my divorce.One year and eight months since I packed my bags and left the city, hoping to escape the pain and heartache that haunted me.When my brother, Elliot, suggested I move to Las Vegas with him, I didn’t want to. The idea of leaving everything behind felt overwhelming. Despite everything, I still held onto hope that Nate and I could work things out. Even with the way he treated me, I foolishly believed there might still be a chance for us to fix things.Why? Because I loved him. I was deeply in love with him, and letting go of someone I love has always been incredibly hard for me. It’s just who I am. I try to find excuses and reasons for people’s actions, even when they hurt me. I cling to the belief that things will get better if I just give it time.But life doesn’t always give you what you want. Sometimes, it takes everything from you, leaving you with no choice but to face reality.Two days after Mrs. Chelsea’s charit
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Billionaire’s Regret 10: LINES I WON’T CROSS.
ELARA’S POV “So let’s hear it Jenna” “Okay, so the secretary for Hale’s Mining, the one who called, she’s the real reason I took the consultation in the first place,” Jenna begins, shifting nervously as she speaks. “At first, she seemed desperate. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you which company it was. I didn’t think it was important because the pay was good. But I should have been upfront, and I’m sorry for that.”I watch her, my arms folded, not saying a word as she continues.“Anyway, ever since you found out and made us cancel the deal, she’s been calling nonstop. The last time she called, I think she was on the brink of tears. Apparently, her boss threatened to fire her if she didn’t get us back on board. She said her family really needs the money she earns.”Jenna pauses, gauging my reaction before continuing.“I don’t think he’s bluffing about firing her, El. She’s the third person I’ve spoken to this month from their office. The other two were let go. I’m just saying… to save he
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Billionaire’s Regret 11: A THREE MILLION DOLLARS PROBLEM.
ELARA'S POV The shrill ring of my phone jolts me out of my thoughts as I make my way to the car. I glance at the screen: Jeffrey (Foreman). My stomach knots instantly. Jeffrey never calls unless something has gone terribly wrong.“Jeffrey,” I say, answering quickly, my tone sharp and to the point. “What’s going on?”“Elara, we’ve got a problem, a big problem,” he says, his voice laced with tension. “One of the workers... well, he broke a custom chandelier at the Harper estate. And it’s bad. Really bad.”I stop in my tracks, dread pooling in my stomach. “How bad are we talking?”“Over three million dollars,” he says, his voice tight. “They’re saying it’s irreplaceable. The client’s losing it and demanding we pay for the damages.”Three million. The number slams into me like a freight train. For a piece of glass and metals, my mind reels as I pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to take a deep breath.“I’m on my way,” I reply, ending the call without hesitation.When I arrive at
Last Updated : 2024-12-04The Billionaire’s Regret 12: ITS HIM.
ELARA'S POVI glance at his usual black suit, the kind he always wears, then back at his face. My heart skips a beat, and I quickly stand up my pulse racing.His lips curl into a smile, a slow and familiar one. that made my stomach do a weird flip, and I don’t know why.This can’t be happening.“Long time no see, darling,” he says, his voice smooth and sure. Any doubts I had vanished in an instant.It’s him. Nathaniel.he is right in front of me, in arms reach!“Elara,” another voice calls out my name, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Nico walking toward me.He’s grinning, like always, his bright smile lighting up his face. He’s just a few steps away now.“Nico,” I say, a smile breaking through my confusion. The anger bubbling up inside me fades. I grab my purse from Nathaniel’s hand without looking at him and hurry toward Nico.“I didn’t know you were back in town,” I say, stopping in front of him.Nico’s been a family friend for years. He’s Mr. DeLuca’s son, and we met
Last Updated : 2024-12-05The Billionaire’s Regret 13: THERE'S STILL HOPE
ELARA’S POV“Elara, my dear!” Mr. Deluca’s warm voice boomed as soon as he spotted me. His white hair seemed even more prominent than the last time I saw him. Without hesitation, he wrapped me in a firm hug, the scent of his cologne mingling with the faint aroma of Italian food wafting through the restaurant.“How have you been?” he asked, his thick Italian accent adding charm to his words.“I’ve been well,” I said with a soft smile.“You’ve grown so much, Bella!” he declared, stepping back to get a good look at me, his eyes twinkling with genuine affection.I chuckled. “The last time you saw me was only two months ago. Do you think I’ve really grown that much in such a short time?”“Oh, come now,” he replied with a wave of his hand. “Each time I see you and your brother, you both look more and more like your father”Nico pulled out a chair for me, gesturing for me to sit beside him. Across the table, Mr. Deluca and Elliot, my brother, were already seated.“But I’m the prettier versio
Last Updated : 2024-12-05
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The Billionaire’s Regret 30: LONG RIDE
ELARA’S POVNATE: 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. 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 DARE.I hit send, daring him to push
The 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
The 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,
The 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
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
The Billionaire’s Regret 25: YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE
ELARA'S POV “How is this my reason to stay?” I raised a brow as I opened the file, skepticism lacing my tone.It was a picture of me and him, a picture I could sue him for taking without my knowledge, because I had no idea it even existed.Was he stalking me?. “How does a picture of you and whoever you had stalking me serve as a reason for me to stay?” I tilted my head, letting my confusion seep into my voice.“Take out the other file,” he stated flatly, his eyes daring.I did as he said, dropping the picture onto the table. This time, it was a call history a stack of three papers detailing between two people, complete with dates, durations, and everything.But I am sure it had nothing to do with me. I didn’t have the time, or money, to spend that long on phone calls, much less every day.After skimming through the papers, my lips parted in disbelief, but he spoke before I could.“Your company has created a problem for me,” he said, his smirk deepening with an air of mischief.“How
The Billionaire’s Regret 24: YOUR REASON TO STAY
ELARA’S POVI walked into the room with my head held high and my shoulders squared. If my suspicions are correct and he was going to fire me, then so be it. But one thing I was going to make clear this time to whoever it is waiting in there is I am not a pushover. And If he wanted me gone, I’d gladly leave, but he wasn’t getting his money back.Lisa knocked twice on the large door standing in front of us. At the end of the hallway, On the second knock, the door swung open to reveal a tall man dressed in a sharp, staff-like uniform. His professional demeanor made my stomach twist.“This is where I’ll leave you,” Lisa said with a tight smile. “Pete here will show you in.”“Hello, ma’am,” Pete said with a polite nod, gesturing for me to follow him.We walked into what appeared to be a private restaurant. My breath hitched as my eyes took in the elegant interiors. The seating arrangements were perfect, and the mix of furniture styles, which would typically clash, came together in perfect
The Billionaire’s Regret 23: WELCOME TO NEW YORK
ELARA’S POV Something felt off the moment I stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport. At first, everything seemed fine. The flight had been smooth, and I managed to get a good nap. Even the massage I had on board was relaxing, meant to prepare me for whatever was to come. But now, I wasn’t so sure it worked. The business-class seat was nice, the meal was impeccable, and the comfort was unmatched. Yet none of it could have prepared me for what I was seeing right now. A woman stood a short distance away, holding a cardboard sign with my name on it and a huge bouquet of flowers in her other hand. It had to be Lesley’s doing. It had to be her. After all, I hadn’t told anyone else about my visit to the city. But another part of me hesitated. Could this be Elliot’s work? My brother wasn’t the type to send flowers or arrange something this grand. Especially when he knew I wanted to keep a low profile until I could leave the city again. I moved closer to get a better look
The Billionaire’s Regret 22: I’LL BE FINE.
ELARA’S POV“We don’t have all morning, Elara,” my brother mutters, trying to keep his anger in check.A few people nearby are already staring at us, their curiosity piqued.I knew it was a bad idea to let him take me to the airport.There are plenty of people here who recognize him from the media.Even though he tries his best to keep a low profile, it’s hard when you’re a multi-millionaire breaking our late father’s records year after year.“Elara, are you even listening to me?” he snaps.“I am, I really am,” I reply hastily.“Then why,” he shrugs, “did you tell me you’re going to New Jersey when your ticket says New York?” He waves the ticket in my face for emphasis.“Well, uhm,” I stammer, “the thing is… I wanted to stop by New York and see Mom.” It’s the first excuse that pops into my head.“Mom?” He raises an eyebrow skeptically.“Yes, Mom,” I say, mostly trying to convince myself at this point.“Mom’s on vacation. She won’t be back until tomorrow,” he points out.“I know,” I li
