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62: LAST MINUTE DEMANDS
Last Updated:
2025-01-10 22:17:51
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The Billionaire’s Regret 63: YOU ARE NOT BREATHING
ELARA'S POV“Everything is set. I even have a cab ready for you when you get to New York,” Jenna smirked, handing me my suitcase.“You can cancel it. I know how to find my way when I get there,” I replied, brushing off her insistence.Unlike the last time I was headed to New York, my chest didn’t feel like it was caving in. There was still a small knot of unease, but it wasn’t unbearable. Maybe it was because Elliot hadn’t protested this trip, and I didn’t feel like I was sneaking off. Or maybe it was because I was looking forward to seeing Mom again.“I can’t cancel it,” Jenna said with a shrug. “It’s supposed to be a surprise. I don’t even know why I told you about it.” She slapped her forehead dramatically.“It better not be one of those cringy welcome signs with balloons,” I warned, narrowing my eyes at her.“It won’t be,” she promised, but the amused twinkle in her eye told me otherwise.“If it is, I’m throwing you into a shark tank,” I teased, though a small smile tugged at my l
Last Updated : 2025-01-10The Billionaire’s Regret 64: THE SURPRISE
NATE’S POVThe first thing I saw on my phone after landing from my trip to Tokyo was a string of texts from Valentina.I thought she’d gotten the message by now, but no. She kept finding new numbers to contact me after I blocked the old ones.With a sigh, I opened the most recent messages. They ranged from annoyingly invasive to desperate.But the latest one stopped me cold.VALENTINA: Did your wife like my surprise?My wife? Surprise And from Valentina. I don’t need anyone to tell it’s not even a good thing. My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. Marcus was calling.“What is it, Marcus?” I asked, trying to keep my irritation in check.“Dude, I just saw Elara is back in the city,” he said, his tone heavy with worry.Elara was supposed to come for the office renovations, but I hadn’t had time tell marcus, I have been in contact with her and Leslie wouldn’t have mentioned it either. So how the hell did he know?“Where did you get that from?” I asked sharply.“It’s on the n
Last Updated : 2025-01-11The Billionaire’s Regret 65: I DON’T THINK I CAN DO THIS
Elara’s POV I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep until I woke up. The first thing I noticed was the unfamiliar room. The walls were painted a soft gray, and the curtains were drawn, letting in only a sliver of light. It was quiet except for the faint buzzing sound of a phone somewhere in the room. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes as I turned toward the sound. My phone. Reaching over to the nightstand, I picked it up and saw multiple notifications lighting up the screen. There were texts from unknown numbers, several voicemails from my mom and brother, and even a couple from Jenna. Then it all hit me, crashing down like a tidal wave. The reporters. The flashing cameras. The panic attack. And Nate. Nate, pulling me out of the chaos, taking me to the car. Shit. I knew it. He must have been the one to bring me here. I jumped out of bed, my heart racing as I clutched my phone. Just as I was trying to figure out what to do, the phone started ringing again. My mom. I hesitat
Last Updated : 2025-01-12The Billionaire’s Regret 66: EAVESDROPPING
ELARA’S POV“We are not rushing into clarifying anything, Elara,” Nate said, his tone soft but firm. “Like I told you, my team is taking care of the pictures and the articles. Once they’re done, it’ll be like none of this ever happened.”I let out a long, frustrated sigh and sat on the edge of the bed.He made it sound so simple, but nothing about this situation felt simple to me. Even if his team managed to scrub the internet clean and silence the public, how would I explain this to my family? To Nico?It wasn’t just one lie anymore. It was a growing web of them. And every time I tried to fix things, I ended up spinning more lies to cover the first one.Running my hands through my hair, I groaned, frustration bubbling up inside me. “How long is this going to take?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.Nate glanced at his watch before meeting my eyes. “A few hours, maybe longer. They promised to handle it quickly, but we can’t rush them if we want it done right.”“Can I have my
Last Updated : 2025-01-13The Billionaire’s Regret 67: DAMAGE CONTROL
ELARA’S POV“I need to speak with you,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. Pushing away the feeling at crept up. My mind was spinning with questions I couldn’t push away.Who was the woman Nate was so determined to protect? And why did it feel like I was falling deeper into a game I didn’t understand?No Elara that’s none of your business. “Go on,” Nate muttered, his tone laced with irritation.“I just had a look at those pictures,” I began, watching his face closely for any sign of guilt. “And I’m curious… how did they get out? Who posted them?”His expression didn’t change, but I could tell I had his attention.“It’s also a little weird,” I added, stepping closer to him, “that in all those pictures, you don’t look even a little bit bothered. And, on top of that, you were the first person to find me at the airport. Convenient, don’t you think?”Nate raised a brow, his jaw tightening. “What are you trying to say, Elara?”“I don’t know,” I replied with a shrug, my tone drippin
Last Updated : 2025-01-14The Billionaire’s Regret 68: I DIDN'T ORDER ANYTHING.
ELARA'S POV. I walked Out of the room and slammed the door shut behind meand hard. I didn’t care. It was my way of telling Nate I didn’t want to talk to him anymore. Hopefully, this time he’d get the message and leave me alone.But, as always, Nate proved to be as stubborn as ever.“Elara,” he called after me.Instead of heading back to the room like I initially planned, I turned sharply, walking toward the other direction, hopefully to the exit to this ridiculous apartment, condo, or whatever this over the top place was.“Where are you going?” he asked, catching up to me as I reached the stairs.“What do you think?” I spat, glaring at him. “I’m leaving. I’m not staying under the same roof as you for a second longer.”I turned to descend the stairs, but Nate grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. A jolt of electricity shot through me. Snatching my hand away, I stepped back, glaring daggers at him.“It’s not safe out there,” he said, his tone firm. “You can’t leave yet.”And th
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Regret 69: THE LINK
ELARA’S POV After a few bites of the meal, I told the lady, who I now know to be Theresa, by name, to take it back. She did so gladly, leaving me with a polite nod and the glass of water on a tray. I took my pills and waited. For what, I wasn’t entirely sure. Maybe for Nate to send someone to tell me his team had finished their so-called “damage control,” or maybe for him to appear himself. Either way, I was stuck. But no one came. The last thing I wanted to do was wander around this ridiculously oversized condo looking for someone to ask. And calling Nate? Not in this lifetime. He’s the last person I want to speak to right now. Eventually, the exhaustion from my earlier flight caught up with me. I don’t even remember falling asleep, but I must have because the next thing I knew, it was morning. Weirdly enough, I woke up in bed, which made no sense because I’m pretty sure I’d dozed off on the couch. Did I sleepwalk? Before I could think too hard about it, a knock l
Last Updated : 2025-01-16The Billionaire’s Regret 70: I’M SCREWED!
ELARA’S POV This has to be a fucking joke! Nate’s words from last night come rushing back into my head: You know how important she is to me. I can’t let this blow up in her face. I finally understand who he was talking about. Her. It’s definitely her. How could I have ever forgotten about her? She should’ve been the first person to come to mind when Nate claimed it was not him who tipped off the reporters. I keep watching the show, despite the rage building inside me. I want to hear what she has to say. At least I should watch it all before jumping to conclusions. “So, Miss Valentina, I heard you’re starting a new business,” the interviewer: Sofia Valesco says, smiling politely at Valentina, who sits there with a smug little curve on her red painted lips. “I wouldn’t call it a business,” Valentina says softly, her voice so sweet and convincing that if I didn’t know who she was, I might’ve believed her sincerity. “It’s more like a passion project. Something I want to
Last Updated : 2025-01-16
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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
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
