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Chapter 39: FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP
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2024-11-13 16:35:30Related chapters
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 1: AN ECSTASY NEVER TO BE
With the ice melting, I gazed into the bottom of my nearly empty bourbon glass. I looked up from my glass to the window a little distance away, watching as the sun set beyond the bar. I felt so alone in my self-pity, watching life move on around me with only the faint clinking of glasses and soft chattering of voices. My life's worst day had been that one. Ethan, my fiancee— ex-fiancee, had betrayed me in the most heinous way. Memories of him with his secretary smoldering in the background, The man I'd been in love with for three years, the man I had imagined spending the rest of my life with, his tongue fighting another woman, his lies disentangled like a thread I had failed to pull sooner. I was hurt and broken like never before, I felt a sting of tears threatening to fall again but blinked them away, resolving not to cry anymore. Not for him. Not here. I felt uncomfortable; I'd adjust to my seat severally; it did nothing but make me comfortable, or maybe it was just the burde
Last Updated : 2024-10-13The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 2: A HIGHLY RISKY IDEA
I sat firmly in the passenger seat, my heart pounding more quickly than the engine's faint hum. Jay, the Billionaire, had offered to give me a ride. His name alone seemed to draw attention and power. It was astounding to consider that I never would have envisaged myself on this day, much less sharing a seat with him. My night had taken an unusual turn, and I noticed him out of the corner of my eye. Even though the city lights were blurring as we went by, the tension in the car was unmistakable. Jay exuded mystery partly because of his sharp features and calm manner. My mind was racing with everything that had transpired that day, including the heartache and Ethan's adultery. Why would someone like Jay Sinclair stop to help me?I couldn't get the feeling that everything in his universe had a reason, thus nothing was adding up. "Why did you stop?" I finally broke the silence, but my voice sounded forced. While his gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, I observed his fingers beco
Last Updated : 2024-10-14The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 3: THE DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
Even when the car's tires skidded to a stop outside my apartment building, my mind continued to race. The bombshell that Jay Sinclair had just dropped had destroyed all pretense of routine in my life. A union based on contract? It was nonsensical. However, as I cast a sidelong glance at him, his expression serene, I couldn't help but feel the oppressive weight of my reality. Ethan had betrayed my affection and my confidence. My life was disintegrating. For some strange reason, Jay Sinclair had entered my life and promised me a way out, but at what price? I clenched my fingers around the passenger door handle, my knuckles becoming white from strain. I was breathing. I needed air. I pushed the door wide and whispered to myself, "I need to go." Jay remained motionless, observing my every move as I got out of the car with his eyes. The weight in his emotionless, calm voice, "I'll give you time to think, Arielle," shot a shiver down my spine. "Don't take too long, though. The timer i
Last Updated : 2024-10-14The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 4: WALKING INTO THE LION'S DEN
I felt unprepared for the situation as I stood in front of my wardrobe, staring at the rows of clothes. How was one to dress for a meeting that had the potential to alter our whole life? Already, I had thrown half of my clothes onto the bed, and nothing fit. I ran my fingertips over a sleek black dress that hung toward the back. It was an understated, stylish outfit that I'd worn to formal occasions with Ethan. The memory turned my stomach. It wasn't about him tonight. Our history was unimportant. It had to do with the man who was holding out for me at the Saint Claire Hotel and my future. Jay Sinclair. I felt my heart race thinking about him. Ever since our first meeting, his dark, secretive eyes have followed me around. He had an alluring quality that made me wonder if I was getting into a good deal or falling victim to a scam. The breakup, Ethan, Jay Sinclair's offer—everything happened so quickly, and it all made no sense. I shook my head, pushing away the nagging misgi
Last Updated : 2024-10-15The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 5: A SINCLAIR'S TERMS
JAY SINCLAIR'S POV I was standing in front of my penthouse office's tall glass windows, staring out over the vast city that extended beyond. Though the world below was bustling with life, and the lights from the skyscrapers twinkled like stars, my thoughts were far away from it all. With the Sinclair name being associated with riches, power, and influence, my empire was booming. However, when I looked out at the city, I didn't care about any of it right now. There was just one thing on my mind: Arielle. That night, I watched her from a distance rather than expecting to run into her. She had seemed almost too perfect, sitting helplessly next to her wrecked car, had been almost flawless. She held the secret to the carefully thought out plan I had created, one that would fulfill my desire for revenges as well as my commercial interests. I tightened my hands behind my back, remembering the term I detested the most. Ethan. A snarl curved my lips. The individual who had betrayed me yea
Last Updated : 2024-10-15The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 6: SAND SHIFTING
My heart pounded with a mix of relief and fear as I left Jay's office. The signed contract, which would change my life completely, weighed down on me like a shroud. As I stepped down the marble steps, the cool evening air struck my skin and the door clicked shut behind me. A beautiful black automobile was waiting for me by the curb, just as Jay had promised. With a gesture of recognition, the driver got out and opened the rear door for me. I paused, letting my gaze stray up to the tall structure behind me. I now understood what I had just consented to for the first time: a marriage in name only, but one that was far more nuanced on the inside. I slid into the car with a deep breath. My phone buzzed in my purse as the car left Jay's office. When I pulled it out, I discovered a text message from Evelyn, my mother. —We must speak. I scowled. Especially with the urgency I sensed in those four simple words, my mother rarely made contact. But I really didn't want another headache aft
Last Updated : 2024-10-24The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 7: THE DAY OF THE WEDDING
A FEW DAYS LATER...My gaze followed the elaborate lace trim on my bridal gown as I stood in front of the large mirror. The ivory fabric of the gown shimmered softly in the light, and it fit me like a second skin. Even though it was elegant, it felt alien to me, like armor for a conflict for which I hadn't properly prepared. Today was about a contract, a legally binding arrangement that would link me to Jay Sinclair, a guy I hardly knew but who already controlled my life, rather than love.I tried to regulate my breathing while adjusting the veil, my fingers shaking. There was an uncanny surrealness to the entire day. I would marry a billionaire in a few minutes, and his world would be full of danger and power. I had now navigated a world.I was jolted back to reality by a gentle rap on the door. My mom came in. As she took in the image of her daughter wearing the wedding gown, she gazed at me with a mixture of pride and worry, her lips pressed into a thin line."You look stunning," H
Last Updated : 2024-10-24The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 8: THE PAST THAT LURKS IN THE SHADOWS
It had been oppressive two days ago—more than oppressive. Jay and I had driven silently back to his massive penthouse after the ceremony. The ceremony had been a lavish event, with flashing cameras, visitors, and clumsy remarks. Jay was even more silent when we eventually got there. He led me to the master bedroom before disappearing into his study, leaving me alone with a maid I had never encountered before and my racing thoughts. No nice night. There was no discussion of the day or even recognition that we had recently tied the knot. The whole day seems to have been a transaction, a simple business deal. He left me alone as if I were a non-important afterthought. For crying out loud, it was our wedding! My subconscious let out a cry. However, what had I anticipated? Love? A delightful moment of intimacy? In actuality, it had always been obvious that this marriage was a contract, a need brought about by external factors. Feelings and love had never been a part of the agreement.
Last Updated : 2024-10-26
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The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 39: FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP
With my heart racing and the weight of my family's betrayal bearing down on me, I drove to Jay's apartment. Feeling as though I were drowning in quicksand, I repeatedly reenacted my chat with my mother, causing the streets to blur past. I couldn't continue to hide this from Jay; I knew what I had to do. Regardless of the repercussions, he had a right to know the truth. Jay was already there when I got there, leaning against the wall and looking anxious. As I got closer, he stood up straight, his eyes piercing and wary. He must have noticed the struggle in my eyes because, for a brief moment, his normally guarded demeanor softened. Despite my internal emotional maelstrom, I said, "We need to talk," in a firm voice. He crossed his arms across his chest and said, "Go ahead." His sharp, unwavering gaze never left mine. I forced myself to look him in the eye and inhaled deeply. "What happened to your family was due to my family. Everything that led to your father's demise was planned b
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 38: EVELYN’S BETRAYAL
My thoughts were racing as I walked down the hallway, repeating all of the things my mother had said to me in our most recent talk. Although her evasions and half-truths had infuriated me, I couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that she knew much more than she was admitting. I had to stop ignoring it. I needed her to come clean if she was really involved in the Sinclair family's demise—to provide me with the answers that would allow me to escape this web of lies and betrayals.I discovered her seated in the sunroom, staring out into the yard with a detached expression. My wrath flared up again when I saw her sitting there so composedly while my whole world was being upended."Mother," I exclaimed, my tone so piercing that she turned startled. "We must speak. And I want the whole truth this time."She instantly composed herself by blinking, but something—guilt, perhaps—flitted in her eyes. "Arielle, sweetheart, what's going on?"I balled my hands and tried to speak steadily, my eyes st
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 37: UNRAVELING JAY’S PAST
THE NEXT DAY....As I searched through every document I had once gathered from my father's study, the air felt heavier around me, stifling with questions and secrets. This was about far more than Jay and me now; it was about years of history between our families. Victor's cautions and the wary expression in Jay's eyes when he cautioned me that some realities were "dangerous" remained with me. I needed answers, whether they were hazardous or not. And until I got them, I wouldn't give up. My first destination was the attic, which was overflowing with old trunks and dusty boxes containing artifacts belonging to my family. I spent hours searching through old letters and pictures before discovering a leather-bound journal at the base of an antique wooden trunk. Based on the handwriting scribbled within, it was my father's. As I cautiously turned the delicate pages, I noticed notes mentioning the Sinclair family name, which made my heart race. I was particularly interested in one entry:
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 36: JAY’S CONFESSION
It was a blur on the way home. Each of Victor's remarks rang louder than the last as they replayed themselves in my mind. Jay may or may not be in love with you. In any case, he is concealing more than you can ever comprehend. As I tried to force the image of Victor's arrogant face from my mind, my hold on the steering wheel became more firm. But every time I turned off his warning, it reverberated more loudly. What if Victor had been correct? What if Jay, behind his meticulously crafted façade, had been taking advantage of me all along?In the distance, the black silhouette of the mansion seemed more ominous and chilly than normal. After parking, I inhaled deeply and entered, my shoes clicking on the marble floor as I searched for Jay. It was too quiet in the house. Every room I went into was filled with shadows, as though every area of this opulent home was a part of the lies and secrets Victor had alluded to.At last, I located him in his study, standing with his back to me and his
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 35: PERVERSE BENEFIT
It seemed as though there were secrets hiding around every corner and unsaid statements filling the space. Opposite me, Victor Reyes stood with his arms crossed and an angry composure. He was relishing every moment of my bewilderment and mounting mistrust. "Victor," I spoke once more, trying to sound as calm as I could despite my internal turmoil. "Be honest with me. In all of this, what is your actual role? How involved are you in the conflict between Sinclair and Vandenberg?" His lips curled into a smile as he cocked his head. "Why do you think I'm the one stirring things up, Arielle? I haven't done anything—well, nothing unnecessary, anyway." "So why is it that you are at the center of this mess?" With a strong voice, I shot back. "It appears like your shadow is connected to Jay, his family, and the business conflict. And I'm curious as to why." Victor's eyes were unreadable as he stared at me for too long. As if he were weighing each word, he answered slowly, "I think you're o
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 34: THE LETTER
With the weight of the letter like a stone in my chest, I sat back in my father's former study and stared at it. Each letter in the worn script was a hint at secrets I had never been told, whispering to me from the past. My father's comments, which were tinged with mystery and remorse, sounded like a last-ditch effort to communicate across time. Every line contained shadows that I had never noticed before, waiting to draw me in."It was a betrayal that neither Evelyn nor I could have predicted." The Sinclairs. The handwriting was shaky and erratic in spots, as though the writer had been unsure about how much to divulge. The reference of a contract—a deal gone wrong that somehow tied us to the predicament we were in today—was then written in ragged letters.My mind was racing, and my heart was pounding. Evelyn, my mother, had never discussed my father's business or anything related to his history. However, this letter suggested that she was far more knowledgeable than she had previousl
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 33: THE SCARRED MAN
When I returned to my family's estate, the night air was heavy with anxiety. Memories came flooding back to me when I heard the house's familiar creaks and smelled the smell of old wood. Parts of my past, both treasured and gloomy, were preserved here. The house felt strange tonight, though, as though its worn walls were concealing secrets as well. I had explained to Jay that my mother was ill and needed me here, but in reality, I just needed time to myself, to reflect and look for hints. I had a gut feeling that this house held answers that were just waiting to be discovered. I couldn't sleep, so I explored the dark hallways until I ended up outside my father's former study. My hand lingered on the door handle as I hesitated. He used to passionately guard this chamber, which had been his haven. But tonight, I pushed the door open and went inside because I needed answers. The study was just as I remembered it: a solid desk strewn with papers, a dark mahogany bookcase lined with vo
The Billionaire's last Offer chapter 32: UNCOVERING SECRETS
I woke up the next morning feeling more determined than ever. Jay's scathing remarks from the night before reverberated in my head. The magnitude of the truths he had yet to divulge tormented me more than his treachery. Under the surface of our families' relationship, there was something sinister and unresolved, and I was eager to find out what it was. I got out of bed with steely determination, my gaze straying to the dim light of morning peeking through my curtains. Eager to explore the history my father had left behind, I hurriedly put on pants and a sweatshirt. I was now more certain than ever that the key to comprehending Jay's hatred and Victor's vendetta lied in my father's old laptop, which I had with him and valued because it was the only thing I had him. The records and documents I had looked at last night had hardly touched the surface. As I carried my laptop to the study for some peace and quiet, my pulse raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The silence in the roo
The Billionaire's last Offer Chapter 31: SUSPICION GROWS
As Jay confronted Victor Reyes across the polished marble floor, the room's atmosphere was heavy and tense. The unspoken but profoundly felt weight of years of hostility, dishonesty, and treachery hung between them. My heart was racing as I stood by Jay's side, feeling like an unwanted bystander to a conflict that had begun long before I was even involved.A gleam of triumph flickered in Victor's eyes as he grinned. He snarled, "You think this is over, Sinclair?" "You're not nearly as smart as you think you are." His voice fell to a poisonous whisper as he stepped closer. "You're exactly like your father—a man who would sacrifice everything to preserve a small portion of his pride."As Jay struggled to maintain his calm, his jaw tightened and his hands curled at his sides. But I could see the anger simmering just beneath the surface, the fissures in his armor. I put a light hand on his arm in the hopes that it would help him feel more grounded, but he didn't even acknowledge it. With
