Semua Bab The Billionaire's Mask (A Dark Steamy Romance): Bab 101 - Bab 110

ALAYNANothing is more shocking for Mom than seeing me come home with Jason and Khal late at night after having spent vacation at home two months ago. I pull her into a bear hug the moment she opens the door.“Mom!”“Alayna?” her tone is almost questioning. “You’re here.” She looks back and forth from me to Jason. “And Jason? I’m glad you two found each other again,” her gaze shifts to Khal. “Khalid Turner, is that you?”“Hello, Mrs. Hart,” Khal smiles.“Hey, Mom.” My brother embraces her as well.“My darlings!” She grins. “I’m surprised! You didn’t tell me you were coming.”Jason releases Mom. “Yes, uh, Mom, listen to me. I don’t have much time to explain, but can you wake the kids?”Her smile fades, and she frowns. “What is going on? Oh, my goodness, J! Are you injured?” Mom’s eyes dart to Jason’s arm. The blood on his bandage is more visible now.“I’m okay. It’s just a scratch,” Jason says, using the same words as before. “But you have to listen to whatever Laynie’s going to say.”

BRANDON“... How do you feel?”Pauline takes a sip of water after swallowing a capsule the doctor prescribed for her. It isn’t advisable for her to travel by plane with her wounds, so we have to wait a few more days.“I feel like I’m dying, Brandon,” she complains, then wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “But I want to go. I want to leave this place and go home.”“You can’t leave yet.” I sit on the edge of the bed.“Are you coming with me?” she says hoarsely.“Did you call your parents?” I ask instead.“They said the same thing. But they are more concerned with my engagement to Silvanus than my wellbeing. Dad’s always like that. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t born in that kind of family. Screw all these rules.”I smile. “I understand. I don’t agree with the rules either.”“So I told him,” she goes on. “That I wasn’t really pregnant and that I was only lying so that Silvanus would let me go. I’m happy because Dad’s so furious. I like making him angry.” She shakes her head and exhale

It was afternoon when Ollie and I return to the suites; an express delivery arrives that turns out to be a game console for my siblings. An Xbox. I’m sure it’s Brandon’s doing because he’s in our living room with everyone.Kit is on Brandon’s lap, holding out a joystick. My heart aches again, seeing how beautiful he is and how well he is getting along with my siblings.“Do you like it?” he asks my brother, flashing a breathtaking smile.Kit beams. “Yeah! I’m playing this with Alvin. He’s my friend next door, and he’s playing with this blue car and ka-boom! And when the red car speeds toward me—it goes baam!” He giggles and makes more sound effects.“I’ll just talk to your sister for a moment. Go play with your siblings, okay?”Keaton nods and jumps out of his lap, sprinting toward the TV. Brandon strides over to Oliver and me. He gently takes hold of my elbow. “Where have you been? I was looking for you.” He doesn’t even bother looking at his cousin.“Is everything okay?” Mom suddenly

The restaurant closes at nine every day during weekdays and at ten o’clock on weekends. So far, the revenue has exceeded our expectations. La Mia Cucina offers a wide range of Italian dishes for all ages. My partners and I are very keen on business planning, and while I’m the head chef, I am mostly in charge of the menu.Mom is in the living room in front of the TV when I return home. She will usually wait for me while the kids are already in their beds. Her condition is getting better through continuous medication too. To be honest, despite all the loneliness, everything is falling into place. I’m a co-owner and the head chef of my dream restaurant, all my siblings are in school, and my mother’s health is improving.But there’s still a hole in my heart that can’t be filled with all those things alone. I still can’t move on, or better yet, I’m not ready to fully let go.Mom has fallen asleep on the couch with the TV on. I carefully approach to wake her up, but she opens her eyes even

ALAYNA“Mom? I’m home,” I call as we enter the house, and my mother instantly gets up from the couch in utter surprise to see Brandon.I know she’s livid at the sight of him, but she’s got the wrong impression. I fed that to her. I loathed him in front of her because I assumed that he wouldn’t be back. That was stupid of me; I just thought it could be one of the ways to move on and forget.“Mr. Lucien.” Her brows crease in surprise, but her voice is guarded.“Good evening, Mrs. Hart. I’m sorry for barging in, in the dead of night,” Brandon says, but my mother doesn’t move.“Mom?” I wave a hand in front of her face, and she snaps back to reality, then shoots me a glare.“What is going on? Why are you bringing this married man into our house, Alayna?” she asks angrily. Of course, she’d assume that too.“Mom, it’s not what you think, and this man is right here listening to you. Besides, he’s not married.” I sigh and glance at Brandon, who looks slightly uncomfortable.“All I know is that