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Chapter Ninety-Two - Faulty Lines
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-04 18:03:17
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Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Three—Fault Lines, Part II
Leila awoke to a profound stillness.There were no distant gunshots or whispers from Adrian’s men outside the penthouse. The usual tumult of her life was absent.And so was Adrian.That choice had been hers.She had checked into a high-end hotel room that offered not just luxury but also privacy. There were no digital footprints, no paper trails, and certainly no inquiries to deal with. If Adrian, Connor or Camille attempted to locate her, they would struggle to do so.Not that she was hiding. Not from Adrian.She simply needed space.Space to think. Space to breathe.Recent events had unraveled something vital within her, pulling apart her understanding of her life. Camille’s words had only force her to face the realities she had long ignored.Adrian’s hold over her life was deeper than she had recognized.And even worse—she had allowed it.Leila sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. She had barely slept, and her mind spiraled through endless memories and half-formed doubt
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-05Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Four—Fault Lines, Part III
AdrianThe city was constantly alive.And so was Adrian.He stood in front of the towering floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse, gazing out at the dazzling skyline. The city pulsed with activity—cars navigated the streets below, their headlights casting fleeting golden glimmers on the wet road. Pedestrians drifted beneath the soft glow of streetlights, becoming shadows in the night. It all felt so ordinary.Yet, his life had come to a standstill.Leila was gone.Not lost. Not taken.She had chosen to leave.And that was so much worse.Adrian’s grip tightened around the glass of whiskey he held, though the amber liquid remained untouched. He had poured it out of habit, but drinking felt pointless. No amount of alcohol could ease the ache in his chest or the gnawing realization that, for the first time in years, he was powerless.Twenty-four hours had passed.That was how long it had been since she walked out.In that time, he had come to understand what true silence felt like.His
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-05Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Five - Fault Lines, Part IV
AdrianThe city had lost its brightness.Adrian had always perceived life in black and white—order or chaos, strength or weakness, success or failure. Now, however, everything appeared gray, dull. The lively world outside his penthouse window felt remote, as if it belonged to a realm untouched by him.Leila had taken something with her when she left, but he didn’t know if it was gone for good.He sat in his office, elbows resting on the polished mahogany desk, he stared blankly at the screen of his laptop, displaying a financial report. The words blurred into a jumble of meaningless text that held no weight against the storm in his mind. He hadn’t slept and had barely eaten. The void left by her absence gnawed at him, carving out an emptiness he hadn’t realized he could feel.Connor entered quietly, placing a steaming cup of coffee on the desk with an uncharacteristic quietness.Adrian didn’t look up right away. “Any news?” His voice was raw and strained from fatigue.Connor hesitated
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Six – Fault Lines, Part V
AdrianThe city glowed with neon lights through the rain, every streetlight and car headlight smearing across the windshield in shades of red, gold, and stark white. The storm had persisted all night—the heavy raindrops hit the car's roof like clockwork, rhythmic and relentless. It softened the city's outlines, transforming distinct corners and straight edges into a hazy watercolor filled with tension.Adrian occupied the backseat of his black Maserati, one leg crossed over the other as the leather shifted quietly beneath his stillness. He gazed outside as fragments of the city rushed by. The world moved on without him paying any mind to the frenzy outside.He wasn’t in a hurry.Not tonight.Camille believed she had the upper hand. She thought he was scrambling to catch up. She thought he was desperate.She was wrong.His fingers drummed a slow, deliberate beat against his thigh, the only visible sign of the storm brewing beneath his composed facade. He knew her too well—the games, th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Seven – Fault Lines, Part VI
AdrianRain slithered down the windows in thin silver streams, painting the world outside in long, wavering streaks of neon and shadow. The city pulsed with restless energy, its lights fractured by the downpour into flickering, distorted fragments. Adrian sat motionless in the back seat of the car, the hum of the engine and the rhythmic patter of water against glass the only sound around him.But his mind was anything but quiet.Camille’s words echoed there like a low drumbeat—steady, taunting, unrelenting.“Leila’s gone. And you don’t know where she is. But I do.”He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to breathe slowly through his nose. The emotional response was useless. Uncontrolled reactions were a liability, and Camille was counting on that.Across from him, Connor shifted, his body tense with frustration. He didn’t like this situation—hadn’t liked it since the moment Adrian said they were meeting with Camille. And now that they’d left the café, he was practically vibrating with u
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Eight – Fault Lines, Part VII
AdrianRain ran down the windows in shiny streams as the car navigated the city's main streets. The roads twinkled with the remnants of daylight, now replaced by a rhythmic dance of red taillights and illuminated signs reflected in the puddles below. Adrian remained still in the rear seat, one elbow resting on the door, his fingers lightly brushing the leather armrest. Outside, the city pulsed with bursts of neon, each reflection twisting like a mirage on the glass.But his mind wasn't on the view.It was on Camille.And more specifically—what she had given him.The Ashford Hotel.He replayed the moment she mentioned it, the calm confidence in her gaze as if she were handing him a winning card. But it had come too easily. Too smooth. Which meant Camille believed she had the upper hand.Which also meant she was wrong.“She gave you what you wanted,” Connor said from the other side of the seat, suspicion lacing his words. “But it’s Camille. She never does anything without having her own
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety-Nine – Fault Lines, Part VIII
AdrianAs Adrian stepped inside the Ashford suite, the door clicked quietly behind him, the sound absorbed by the soft ambiance of the room. The air carried the scent of chamomile tea mixed with something distinctly reminiscent of her. He paused at the entrance, allowing the tranquility to envelop him like a gentle shroud over something fragile.Leila remained silent, instinctively retreating a step when he entered, placing a barrier between them despite the emotional distance that had already settled. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest, sleeves pulled down over her hands, a gesture he interpreted not as anger but as self-defense.She was barefoot, dressed in one of those oversized sweaters she favored when she wanted to disappear into herself. He recalled the first time he saw her wearing it, curled up on his couch with a book on her lap, frowning in frustration over misplaced reading glasses. That memory felt painfully distant.His heart ached.She was there. Safe.Yet sti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred – Fault Lines, Part IX
LeilaThe message on her phone screen was like a knife pressed against her skin.Did you really think he loves you? If yes, then why did he allow you to stay there instead of persuading you to leave with him?Leila stared at it, the words burning into her mind, imprinting themselves like a brand. Her breathing became shallow as she tightened her grip on the phone, her knuckles turning white from the strain. The cool surface of the device dug into her palm, yet it wasn’t enough to ground her. Nothing was.She recognized that tone, even though it was associated with an anonymous number.Camille.She could almost sense the smirk in her tone, the casual malice hidden within a harsh reality. Camille had always known how to distort the truth so it could inflict the deepest wounds. And worst of all—Leila felt herself bleeding from it.Because the part of her that had fought fiercely to reclaim her voice now trembled under the weight of that simple claim.Still owns you.Leila exhaled sharply
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
Bab terbaru
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five — When Familiar Comes Home
Gwen's Arrival Gwen arrived on a cloud-covered afternoon, when the world seemed to hold its breath. Leila stood on the sacred-feeling brownstone steps, her pale wool scarf wrapped around her, her coat partially zipped over her gently rounded stomach. The air was infused with the scent of wet stone and lavender, faint traces of the cleaning oil lingering around the house's edges.When the cab arrived, Leila remained still, watching Gwen emerge, carrying a worn canvas bag. Gwen's thin coat appeared more appropriate for warmer weather, and her hair was pulled up in a messy knot, strands flying loose in the breeze.They exchanged silent glances across the distance for a moment.Then Gwen dropped the bag and bounded up the stairs in two swift strides.Leila stepped forward just in time to catch her, and they embraced—tight and sudden, yet utterly right. Gwen's arms wrapped around Leila's back, her breath hitching against Leila's shoulder."You look like spring," Gwen murmured, her voice t
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four — The Spaces We Fill
Few days later, they navigated the renovated brownstone as if they were gliding through the pages of a story they'd once only dared to imagine.The floors, once scattered with splinters and gaps, had been replaced with reclaimed wood that hummed gracefully beneath their feet. The staircase—rebuilt, sanded, and stained—no longer creaked under their weight but instead welcomed them into their newly crafted existence. Each room exuded the lingering aroma of fresh paint, pine wood polish, and lavender oil—an unusual yet soothing blend that lingered in the air like a cherished memory.Leila paused in the entryway, running her fingers along the newly fitted doorframe. Her other hand rested on the slight curve of her belly, subtly hidden under her sweater but undeniable to her. She watched as Adrian moved through the living room, skillfully opening the windows to let in the gentle spring breeze.She smiled slightly. “It feels like it’s alive.”Adrian looked back at her, his gaze softening. “
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three — What we're Building
LeilaThe nausea didn't creep in-- it slammed into her suddenly, like a crashing wave.One moment, she was on the gallery floor, crouched in a patch of warm light, her hands buried in fabric samples she'd been collecting over the past week. She had midnight blue for the reading nook and a muted rose she hoped would work in the nursery—gentle and grounding. This task felt reassuring, providing a rare sense of control amidst the chaos.Then, without warning, everything shifted.The room spun violently, causing her stomach to turn with it. Her hands slipped off the pile of swatches, and she barely managed to get to her feet and rush to the bathroom, gripping the doorframe for support as her heart raced. She felt clammy and disoriented, as if her own body had betrayed her.Nausea struck in relentless waves while she leaned over the sink, gripping the cold porcelain and breathing shallowly through her nose. Her reflection revealed pale skin and heavy, shadowed eyes.By the time Adrian arri
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two: Told in Gentle Light
Pregnancy RevealLeila dialed Gwen from the gallery, her fingers quivering slightly as she made the call.The space was empty that morning, still resonating with the echoes of laughter and footsteps from the other night’s opening. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, creating long, golden lines on the smooth concrete floor. Her latest collection adorned the walls—images that felt like fragments of her heart captured in ink and shadow. Yet none of these works, not even the proudest or most vulnerable work she'd hung there, compared to what she felt within her now.Gwen picked up on the third ring, her voice thick with sleep and that familiar, dry-edged affection.“Hello?” came the croaky murmur.“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Leila asked, slowly pacing between two canvases. She paused in front of one featuring Adrian at the lake, wind tousling his hair and vulnerability etched in every feature. It was one of the few photos she had been unable to let go of.“You did,” Gwen replied w
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One-Laying the Foundation
----LeilaThat morning, their conversation was sparse—not due to avoidance or a lack of topics, but because the weight of what had just shifted between them made words feel.....too small.Silence wrapped around them like a comforting blanket—not chilly or distant, but respectful. It felt as if speaking too soon might shatter the delicate truth lingering between them.Leila retreated to the window seat, captivated by the view even though she barely noticed it. She curled her knees beneath her, a throw blanket resting on her legs, while an untouched cup of tea—over-steeped and cold—sat on the windowsill. Thirst was not her concern; she wasn’t even sure what she felt. Just that something within her was in flux, rearranging.Across the room, Adrian quietly moved around the kitchen, the sounds of a mug clinking, water boiling, and his soft footsteps creating a soothing background. He didn’t press her with questions or attempt to fill the silence, but every so often, she sensed his gaze on
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty – Foundations
The Brownstone Restoration The rhythmic sound of hammering resonated through the old walls, reminiscent of a heartbeat—steady and alive.Leila stood barefoot in what used to be the sitting room, now stripped to its bare frame. The plaster had been removed, exposing wooden beams and weathered brick. The floorboards had been taken up days earlier, leaving an uneven subfloor covered in old nails and bits of insulation. Light streamed through a gap where a windowpane had been taken out, casting long, flickering shafts that danced along the dust-laden walls.The air was filled with the scent of sawdust, earth, and memories.Adrian had kept the crew minimal—just four carefully selected individuals, chosen through contacts Connor trusted—experts in restoration rather than demolition. Skilled craftspeople who recognized when a building was more than just timber and stone; when it carried significance, a legacy, or grief.No one asked questions; they didn’t have to. The house communicated its
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Nineteen – The Letters
AdrianThe envelope in his hands felt incredibly delicate, as if it would crumble if he applied too much pressure. It wasn't just the paper; it was the significance of its contents. The burden of long-hidden truths, something treasured. The past was enclosed in fading ink, infused with the gentle quiver of a woman who hoped her words would eventually reach him.Adrian Michael Blackwell.She had written out his full name in cursive, slightly slanted, demonstrating a carefulness he hadn't seen since he was a child when he used to watch her write grocery lists and school permission slips. Though years had passed since he heard her voice, as he gazed at those letters, he could almost hear it—soft, steady, a bit weary, yet filled with warmth she hadn't dared show too openly.He sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows on his knees, a shoebox of letters resting like an artifact between him and Leila. She hadn't broken the silence since their return home. Instead, she had made tea, draped a
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Eighteen – Echoes
----LeilaThe studio's light always conveyed honesty.Morning light, in particular, arrived gently and contemplatively, filtering through the frosted panes of the warehouse windows and slicing through the dust motes like unresolved memories. Leila stood barefoot on the well-worn oriental rug at the room's center, camera held delicately in her hands, her eyes focused on the framed photo hung on the opposite wall.The lake.And Adrian.He was sitting on the edge of a dilapidated dock, his profile directed toward the horizon, one arm resting on his knee. His expression was difficult to interpret—not because it lacked emotion, but rather due to its complexity. It contained a blend of quiet longing, newfound tranquility, and an underlying hint of regret. She had captured that moment instinctively—without poses or prompts.Simply, it was truth.She couldn’t explain why she kept coming back to that specific photograph. She had many from that trip and countless more that followed. But this o
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Seventeen – The Weight of Quiet Things
The aroma of coffee clung to the penthouse like a lingering memory.Dark roast. Rich. Intense. With just a trace of cinnamon—Leila’s quiet rebellion against his typical straightforward tastes. He’d initially rolled his eyes at her first attempt but now found himself missing it when it was absent.The atmosphere was calm. Not dead still—unlike the oppressive silence that once made him instinctively reach for hidden weapons. This silence—warm and inviting—felt domestic.It came from the freshly brewed coffee and the soft ticking of water in the radiator, accompanied by the sounds of a city gradually waking. The soft sound of bare feet on polished hardwood broke the stillness.Leila.She moved seamlessly—her hair still tousled from sleep, one sleeve of his shirt slipping off her shoulder, a lazy half-smile on her lips as she entered the living room with a mug in hand. She kissed him earlier, instinctively, a gentle press of lips against his jaw, still in a dreamy state. It was spontaneou
