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Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six – In The Quiet That Follows
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2025-04-26 19:37:57
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Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven – The Weight of Light
LeilaThe first real morning of spring arrived quietly, with a hush so tender it made her ache.The sunlight streamed in through the kitchen windows in rich, golden beams, draping the stone countertops like honey flowing from above. It flowed across the hardwood floors they had chosen together months earlier, every board selected after deliberation and laughter. Now, those very floors gleamed under the morning light, imbued with memories. The windows were cracked open just enough to let in the refreshing morning breeze, carrying the scents of moist earth, budding flowers, and something vibrantly green.Leila stood barefoot at the cooker, wrapped in one of Adrian’s old flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up past her elbows. She stirred a pot of oatmeal slowly, savoring the slower pace. Her body felt differently now—more balanced, a daily reminder of their shared journey. She moved with a newfound grace, as if the earth itself had become a part of her. Every step was intentional, each br
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-28Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One :The Devil's Bargain
The Carter Art Gallery's walls reeked of failure and old paint. Standing in the center of the empty room, Leila Carter clutched the eviction notice so firmly that it crumpled in her fist. The large windows let in sunlight, which left golden striations on the worn wooden floors. This gallery used to be the center of New York's affluent art scene, with its invaluable treasures and the subdued murmur of appreciation. All that remained was a dead, hollow shell. The legacy of her father was reduced to a last-minute deadline.Despite the pressure of reality, she forced herself to breathe. Before the gallery was seized and put up for auction to the highest bidder, she had precisely two weeks. And there was absolutely nothing she could do about it unless she miraculously summoned two million dollars. Leila felt sick to her stomach. She had tried everything. She had pleaded for loans from banks. Rejected. She had made contact with investors. Indifferent. She had looked into every possible
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-18Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Two:Signed in Blood
For Leila Carter, losing everything was the worst thing that could happen in life. She had been mistaken. Selling yourself to the devil, who enjoyed possessing you, was the worst thing you could do. And for the next six months, she would belong to Adrian Blackwell. Under the sleek conference table, she sat opposite him in his glass-walled office, her fingers balled into fists. Their agreement was in a sleek black folder that rested between them, its pages weighed down by her final decision. Adrian's face was unreadable as he observed her.His voice was full of laughter as he replied, "Let's review the terms." As if this were merely business. Leila made herself look into his eyes. "You mean the conditions under which I give up my life?" His lips curled into a slow smirk. "Amazing, but not wrong." She detested him. She detested the fact that he appeared amused, as though observing her wriggling had become his new favorite activity. He was right, and she detested it. However, s
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-18Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Three: Trapped in Wealth
It was the most alienating feeling Leila Carter had ever experienced. As she stood in the opulent lobby of Adrian Blackwell's apartment, she gripped her suitcase handle tightly. The room, like the man who owned it, was frigid, incredibly smooth, and completely cold. A stunning view of the shimmering skyline of New York was provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows that ran the length of the open-concept living area. A sterile glow was cast over the black leather furnishings, glass coffee tables, and sharp steel accents by the city lights reflecting off the immaculately polished marble floors. Everything was carefully set out, too flawless, too managed.It was like entering a billionaire's fortress-- chilly, efficient, and completely soulless She detested it. Adrian drooled from next to her, his voice tinged with laughter, "You're staring." "Are you impressed?" Leila turned to him and exhaled slowly. Here, he appeared relaxed. He did, of course. She was now simply another tool in
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-18Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Four : Unspoken Boundaries
Leila woke up with a start.For a split second, she didn’t know where she was.The sheets beneath her felt too soft, the mattress too luxurious, and the air carried the faintest scent of something dark and expensive. Then it all came rushing back—Adrian. The penthouse. The fake engagement.And the fact that she had fallen asleep in his bed.Her heart hammered as she turned her head.Adrian Blackwell was still asleep beside her.It was disorienting, seeing him like this—at rest, quiet, unguarded. He was always so controlled, so untouchable, but now, with the early morning light casting soft shadows over his face, he looked almost… human.She hated that she noticed.Leila cautiously sat up, observing the distance between them. Last night, she had been very careful to be as far away from the bed as possible, on her side. But she must have moved closer while she was sleeping. His arm was casually extended as though he had grabbed for something or someone, and his body was angled slightl
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-18Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Five :Unwanted Visitors
Leila pressed the button for the lobby as the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. She needed air—space away from Adrian, away from his arrogance, away from the way he believed he could control every part of her life—because the penthouse felt like a gilded jail. A deep, unamused voice pierced the air before she could even enjoy the triumph of daring him. "Are you going somewhere?" Her heart leaped. Adrian was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed and a chilly, disapproving expression on his face when she turned around.Leila did not flinch. "I had no idea that I needed permission." The elevator doors closed behind Adrian as he entered. Smoothly, he pressed another button and stated, "You don't." Mid-floor, the elevator stopped. She gasped. She scowled. "Are you serious?" Adrian's head tilted, his face unreadable. "Now is the time if you have anything to say about last night." Leila's arms were folded. "All right. Let's discuss how you chose to hide the fact
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-18Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Six : Close Quarters
Leila paced the length of the living room, her nails digging into her flesh as she crossed her arms so tightly against her chest. Apart from the faint hum of the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the only sound in the spacious apartment was the repetitive click of her heels on the spotless floor. It was smaller than before. The walls were closing in, enclosing her with the one man who simultaneously made her scream and quiver in rage. Adrian had a tumbler of whiskey in his hand, but he hadn't even taken a sip as he stood close to the bar. His massive shoulders formed a silhouette of silent authority against the faint glow of the city lights, and he stood eerily motionless. His dark, inscrutable eyes were fixed on her like a puzzle she could never solve. Even though Graham and Eliza had left the building an hour earlier, the tension remained. If anything, it had deepened and was pushing down on her like an unseen burden. And she was going crazy because Adrian was being qu
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-06Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Seven: The Engagement Trap
She stood in front of the full-length mirror, the black evening gown sculpting her body like a second skin, liquid silk pooling at her feet. The dim light caught the shimmer of the fabric, casting fleeting shadows that danced across her curves. Her bare shoulders gleamed like polished ivory, the delicate slope of her collarbone accentuated by the gown’s plunging neckline.Her gaze met her own in the mirror—dark, unreadable, yet smoldering with something dangerous, something irresistible. She tilted her head slightly, running her fingers down the smooth fabric that clung to her waist, tracing the shape of a woman, a shape just enough to make a statement.She wasn't sure whether she wanted to make that statement. Her reflection gazed back at her, poised, elegant, and polished. But within? She was stormy. For the first time as a couple, she and Adrian will be in the spotlight tonight. A lie wrapped in diamonds and silk.She inhaled sharply as she reached for the diamond bracelet lying
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-06
บทล่าสุด
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven – The Weight of Light
LeilaThe first real morning of spring arrived quietly, with a hush so tender it made her ache.The sunlight streamed in through the kitchen windows in rich, golden beams, draping the stone countertops like honey flowing from above. It flowed across the hardwood floors they had chosen together months earlier, every board selected after deliberation and laughter. Now, those very floors gleamed under the morning light, imbued with memories. The windows were cracked open just enough to let in the refreshing morning breeze, carrying the scents of moist earth, budding flowers, and something vibrantly green.Leila stood barefoot at the cooker, wrapped in one of Adrian’s old flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up past her elbows. She stirred a pot of oatmeal slowly, savoring the slower pace. Her body felt differently now—more balanced, a daily reminder of their shared journey. She moved with a newfound grace, as if the earth itself had become a part of her. Every step was intentional, each br
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six – In The Quiet That Follows
AdrianHe woke before the sun breached the horizon.The brownstone was enveloped in a stillness that felt almost sacred. Outside, the city seemed to hang in that fleeting, fragile moment between night and day—a time when the world itself hesitated to breathe. Shadows stretched across the ceiling, and the silence felt heavy, like the calm that follows a storm after it has finally burned itself out.Adrian didn't move at first. He remained still beneath the blanket, one arm cradling Leila's as she curled against him, her head resting just above his heart. Her breath came slow and even, rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep, one hand splayed softly over the steady thrum of his chest like she was anchoring herself to his steady pulse.He closed his eyes and absorbed the moment.Not just the sensation of her presence or the warmth of the sheets, but the simple, unassuming peace that accompanied it. A tranquility that didn’t seek recognition but merely existed. For the first time in
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
