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The harsh reality
Last Updated:
2024-12-04 16:56:42
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The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The bitchy step-mum
|Aria’s POV|My father and my stepmother.My father doesn’t even know anything about acting or producing, so I wonder what he was up to. His eyes flickered at mine for a second and I held his gaze. He looked pained, but that was for a millisecond, before looking at the producer.“Oh, I see you’ve made the announcement,”“I am Zane Winchester and here is my lovely wife.”Pushing her chest out, my step-mom smiled sweetly, “I am Mrs Winchester.”“Does that mean that Aria is your daughter?” Brandon asked curiously.My spine stiffened, and my heart raced, swallowing the lump in my throat, I gave a firm nod. “No, we just happened to have a coincidental name”. I sighed.My father’s head whipped in my direction while Allison looked at me with disbelief. Like she couldn’t believe I would deny my family in front of them. They didn’t matter anymore to me, so what was the point?I could feel Zion’s piercing gaze on me, but I dared not meet his eyes. As I looked at them again, my heart throbbed wi
Last Updated : 2024-12-05The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The proposal
It's been three days since I saw my stepmother and father. Although, I would love to say they didn't affect me so much. But that would be a fucking lie.I bawled my eyes out when I got home. I guess I expected too much from a father who didn't care about his daughter. I wanted him to ask me if I was fine and how I had been and how he was sorry for not checking up on me.But, I expected too much.I knew a part of me would break when the children asked about their grandparents because the school I enrolled them in is an elite school for kids.A lot of children talk about their tales in their houses, including their newest toys and their family gatherings or picnics. But I know Mr Jimmy would cover up. They call him Papa because he was that old man who always spoiled them with gifts and food.“Mama, are you going out?” Zachary questioned.My eyes flickered to his reflection in the vanity, watching as he placed his hands on his hips. I placed my hands on my lips go stifle the laugh that t
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The fifty shades of grey feeling
|Aria’s POV|My legs were stuck to the ground and the only thing I could do was stare at him. Penelope’s screeching was getting to my head, but there was nothing I could do but stare at the signboard.‘Will you marry me?’‘Will you marry me?’I felt jittery and wanted to scream ‘yes’ but I couldn’t find my voice. The excitement pulsing in my veins could rival someone who just took a drag of weed in her lungs.The bands singing and the trumpet blowing made me feel like the happiest girl in the world. For a moment, I felt like Anastasia Steele.I never knew what it was like to be proposed to because Ace and I barely had a proper wedding. I was just given a ring and escorted to his house, which was the reason few people knew about our marriage.Memories of the day Ace gave me the ring assaulted me:"Don't think because you are wearing my ring, that automatically means you are my wife. You just happened to get pregnant, and I have to be responsible for the baby or your father will ruin my
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love Seeing the old friend
The soft sound of utensils clanked in the silent room. The silence was as grave as if news of death had just been passed.And that was not the case. Zoe and Zachary refused to eat their food and were only stabbing the plate because I said something came up, and we couldn’t go to their amusement park anymore.But a promise is a promise, right?It would make me a bad mother if I didn’t keep my word, and I am supposed to be their role model, so I picked up my phone to call the producer. He answered the call almost immediately.“Ari, is there any problem?” He asked.I nodded my head before I realized that he couldn’t see me. “Uhmm… Yes. I have a little problem. I might not be able to come to set today,”“It’s crucial, a life or death situation. I need to be somewhere,” I finished.I couldn’t quite tell him that I had kids, not yet. Not when I knew they would rat me out and that’s the last thing I wanted right now. I want peace for my babies and if it means keeping their lives private, I w
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The evil intentions
|Ace’s POV|I’ve never raised my voice at a woman, but I’m so tempted to pay a baddass female gangster to rough Gabriella up.“Babe, listen to me. You need to unfreeze my card,” She whined.My eyes narrowed into murderous slits as I looked at her now. I wondered what I saw in her before that made me dump Aria for her.But she was simply what you’d call Beauty without brains, and a Bimbo without sense.All she wanted to do was spend my money. One of her attractive qualities used to be the fact that she was really hardworking, but over the years, she became more dependent on my money.Don’t get me wrong; if Aria forgives all my atrocities today, I’d spend billions on her because she’s worth it.Over the years, the only thing that Gabriella was worth was her face card and high libido.“Gabriella, shut up for once. I have been wanting to do this since you started misbehaving,” I snapped.All she did was pout her lips and blink her eyelids like a malfunctioning robot, but she didn’t know t
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The mysterious gifts
“Good day,” I greeted casually and walked past Mr. Zane Winchester.“I expected more than a ‘good day’.” I did not want to respond because I didn't want to. However, I needed to set the rules straight.“Excuse me, Mr Winchester. What else was I supposed to say?” I said as I turned back around.Throwing up his hands in exasperation, “Stop calling me Mr Winchester! I am your father!” He whisper-yelled.“You stopped being my father six years ago when you heard I got divorced and had nowhere to go to. Yet you didn't reach out.” I spat, venomously.He flinched and took in a deep breath shakingly while massaging his temples. “Aria, I'm sorry that I didn't reach out to you. I also had my reasons.” He mumbled.My heart tightened, and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping not to say anything too harsh because I'd regret it later on. “Whatever your reasons were, I hope it keeps holding you down because I'm doing well without you.”I took a long pause before finishing my statement. “Everyone thinks I
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The suspicious nanny
I looked like a deer caught in the headlight and my mind raced with different questions. ‘How did he know where I was shooting?’‘What do I tell Zion.’‘Who do I tell him it's from?’“Aria? What are those?” He questioned again.My heart raced and I didn't know what to say “Ummm…it’s a package.” I mumbled.“I am not dumb. From who?”“Just a crazy fan that wanted to express her love for me,” I chuckled nervously, hoping he wouldn't see through my lie.“Do I have to be worried about some crazy fans snatching my fiance or do I need to step up the game?” He mused, tapping his chin.I laughed heartily and strode in his direction to embrace him while squeezing the card lightly and chucking it in the bin. We walked together hand-in-hand back to the set.Johnny walked in our direction and stood in front of us, staring at our joined hands. It wasn't exactly a secret that we were in a relationship but his stare still made my cheek ting with a red shade.“Wow, I didn't peg y’all for the public d
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love Don't let it go down the drain
|Aria's POV|Patience was a virtue.But that doesn't exist in my dictionary right now. My gaze flickered at Zion and the boys. He was going to drive me home but with the situation right now, I had to change my mind.I clutched my bag and walked in their direction. Their heads turned in my direction as they heard the soft clank of heels on the marble floor.Zion’s gaze roamed around my body, and he quickly dropped what he was holding and strode towards me.“Babe, are you okay?” he questioned.“Y-yes I am,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Clearing my throat, I gave him an apologetic look. “I need to go home now. I would have loved to go home with you, but an emergency came up.”He gripped my shoulders. “Are the kids fine? Is there anything I can do to help?” He muttered.My eyes stung with tears at how concerned he was for my kids, “They are fine. I just need to check up on them.” I assured him.He pecked me on the lips and instructed me to call him when I got home. I walked
Last Updated : 2024-12-16
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The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The smirking evil sister
|Ace’s POV|My chair squeaked as I turned it around, my focus shifting from planning my office layout change to Harper, who had just barged in. At first, I assumed it was one of his usual visits, but the way he paced, chewing on his lip, told me otherwise.Then he spoke.I regretted asking what was wrong because this was not the kind of news I expected.“What?!” I yelled, disbelief washing over me.My head tilted slightly, and a smirk tugged at my lips. “She’s marrying Richard Banks? Damn, that’s a bold move.”“But hey, she’s marrying rich. I guess her personality suits her husband—at least she won’t take nonsense from Richard.”Harper’s jaw tightened. “You’re missing the point. It’s not about the marriage. Penny is pregnant—with my baby.”My breath hitched. I whipped my head toward him, blinking. “Wait… are we still talking about Penelope Collins?”His tone was gruff. “No, Alison Herbert.”"hahaha.. funny." I snickered but the expression got wiped when I saw how serious he looked.I
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love My miracle baby
|Aria's POV|“Ughhhh… I can't believe him.”“He doesn't mix business with pleasure.”“I'm marrying her, and that's final?”These men have lost it. They're clearly out of their senses—assuming they had any to begin with.“Aria, calm down. You're letting these people stress you more than they should. You have your own things to look after.”“Bri, you weren't there. That old bastard threatened my kids and said he doesn't give a damn if Penny goes missing.” I reported.“I understand you, and I know how much you care for her. But don’t you think she wouldn’t approve of the stress you're going through now because of something you can both change?”“I thoug—”A sudden knock on the door interrupted me. I exchanged a glance with Brianna, suspicion creeping into my mind.“Are we expecting anyone?” I asked, my gaze locked on the door.Could it be the same person who dropped that letter last week?Without thinking, I strode to the door and yanked it open. My breath hitched when I saw Penny standi
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love A request for a new manager
|Zion’s POV|“Are you out of your goddamn mind, Zion? What the fuck is wrong with you?”“Have you been sniffing something weird that’s making you act like an uncultured animal?”“Why would you talk to your fiancée like that? What has she done to deserve such cruel words from you?”“Dad,” I tried, my voice barely above a whisper.“Don’t call me that until you screw back the bolts that have clearly loosened in your head. You have no excuse.”I swallowed hard. “I met her ex-husband.”His gaze didn’t waver. “Okay? And how does that concern me or justify your actions?”“He told me I was just wasting my time. That he has every right to get her back whenever he wants because technically, she’s still his wife.” My fists clenched. “And she’s been acting like my existence irritates the hell out of her. She won’t even let me hold her.”Dad scoffed. “Trust me, if I were her, I wouldn’t let a crazed man like you hold me either. Look, son, I understand what it feels like to be insecure, to fear tha
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The devil in suit
|Aria’s POV|"Not because your ex-husband has broken off his engagement with your sister and is acting like the perfect daddy?"I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the words that had been haunting me for the past twenty-four hours. No matter how hard I tried, Zion’s voice still echoed in my head, circling me like a vulture waiting for its prey to drop.I sniffled and lightly patted my cheeks to ensure no more tears were falling. My throat was dry, my face blotchy, but I needed to be strong—for Penelope.Maybe I’d been making reckless decisions lately. That thought was confirmed the moment I received a message an hour ago, confirming my appointment with Richard Banks.Penelope didn’t know about this meeting. She had no idea I was about to face the man she was being forced to marry. But I intended to surprise her with good news—because there was no way I would let her be married against her will.As I pulled out of my compound, my eyes flickered to the rearview mirror, catching sig
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The sudden changed personality
||Aria’s POV|“Aria!!!” Mr Jimmy yelled and barreled into my arms as I climbed the patio.“Big man, how are you doing? You haven’t aged a day!” I grinned, wrapping my hands around him.His smoky, coffee-scented aroma filled my senses as I buried my face in his chest. A sigh escaped my lips as I relaxed into his embrace. He smelled like home and felt like the comfort I needed for everything I had gone through these past few days.“I know right, you have just abandoned me. Where are those little munchkins?” He asked while patting my back and searching for my kids.“They’re right—”“Papa!!!!” Zoe yelled as her little pigtails bounced in the air while she ran in our direction. Zachary let go of Zion’s hand and immediately ran after Zoe. My eyes became blurry, and my heart swelled with pride. Everything felt complete seeing my children have people who love them and always want to see them around.I rolled my eyes at the trio that refused to leave themselves, especially when their papa star
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The last wish
|Aria’s POV|A snort slipped past my lips and I quickly placed my hand on my mouth to muffle the unladylike sound.“Girl, what the hell are you on?” I pondered out loud.“Nothing. I’m getting married babe,” She repeated.This time, I couldn’t help but bellow in laughter while clutching my stomach. Tears gathered at the corner of my eyes and my belly hurt from laughing so much but I couldn’t bring myself to stop.This was exactly the joke I needed to get out of the terrible mood I was in. By the time I was done laughing, I cleared my throat.“Thanks for making me laugh bestie. That was exactly what I needed. Your impeccable sense of humour.” I complimented.Taking in a deep breath, she whispered shakily. “I know right, just that I’m goddamn serious and I have two weeks left before I become a baby machine to someone who is of the same age as my father.” The huge grin slipped off my face and I sat up quickly. “Penny, this humour is going too far. What the hell? How didn’t I realize tha
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The strange letter
|Aria’s POV| A groan escaped my lips when the blaring sound of my ringtone resounded, I curled deeper into the blankets that smelled like home. The annoying alarm wouldn’t stop, so I reluctantly opened my eyes slowly and reached for the phone to turn it off. A sad smile crossed my face when my eyes adjusted to the room, a side was painted in blue while the other was in pink. I sat up and a genuine smile crept on my face when I remembered how I had gotten here in the first place. Although, my hands itched to check up on the children but I was pretty sure I would ruin their fun. Especially since Zachary had asked if they stay over at their father’s place every weekend. Because his father owned a private jet and his mom didn’t. Well, that wasn’t really hurtful, was it? As much as I wanted to lay down and stare at the ceiling, I decided against it because I didn’t want to afford to be the depressed mother who secretly wishes for the children to not be so cosy with their father who th
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love Having you all to myself
|Aria's POV|Shaking my, I blurted immediately. “No”His face fell and the smile he held earlier was wiped off his face. “Why? I thought we both agreed on co-parenting and you said you will allow them to spend time with me.”“Yes, not without me. Or worse, even the weekend at your place.”“Why are you so sceptical about me taking them? I won't hurt them.”“I know, but this isn't the best time right now.”“Because of what happened three days ago?”“Yes, that is one of the cases. But you don't just expect me to give the kids to you on your demand.”“Aria, I am not fighting or quarrelling with you. I just want to take things off your shoulders and make your burden less.”“Thank you for your help, but I don't want it. If I wanted the children to go and spend some time with someone, I could have asked Penelope.”’“I hate to say this and I know she would turn up for you but don't you think she needs a break also? She has been in this house with you for three days. You both need your time, b
The Billionaire's regret: a second chance at love The yellow hideous Benz
|Aria’s POV| My eyes were sore from looking at the same interior for the past three days, but I couldn't bring myself to step outside. Shame and self-awareness of how my life almost got ruined still flashed after my eyes but Penelope and the kids had been the only sane people keeping me here. Zion had asked Harper what happened when he brought me up and I looked like a corpse, my body was cold and my eyes were lifeless, except that I was breathing. My gaze met his as he snapped his mouth open to tell Zipm about it, I shook my head and it was funny how he effortlessly lied. “Aria, let's take a walk. As much as I hate that cocky Harper, he is undeniably good at his job, so if he said that he took the video down and the people tagging you were just programmed to and not as if they saw anything, then stop cramming yourself inside.” Penelope whined, taking my hands into hers. My eyes slid over her and my lips tugged into a tired smile. All she said was through but I couldn't he
