Home / Romance / A Billionaire's Bargain / Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

All Chapters of A Billionaire's Bargain: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

53 Chapters

31 - Night Terrors

Araceli's Pov The sound of laughter echoed through the penthouse, mingling with the scent of freshly grilled turkey and mashed potatoes. The kids were sprawled out on the floor, their fingers coated in sauce from the turkey. Zayn leaned against the kitchen counter, a smile breaking through the tension that had settled in his shoulders. He caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but return the grin, my heart swelling at the sight of him so relaxed. “Araceli, here!” Kamrin yelled, holding up a turkey piece. “I saved you this piece!" I leaned down, and he presented it to me with pride, his little hands gripping the meat piece. “That’s… that’s definitely something,” I replied, stifling a laugh. I took the meat from him, placing it in my mouth. “I love it. Thank you!” He beamed, and I felt warmth spread through me. Moments like these, chaotic and messy, filled me with a sense of normalcy that I hadn’t expected to find in Zayn’s penthouse. The kids were energetic and sweet, thei
last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-15
Read more

32 - Familar Pair Of Blue Eyes

Zayn's Pov I sat in my car, eyes fixed on the hospital entrance. The soft hum of the engine was the only thing keeping me grounded in the suffocating silence of the parking lot. I glanced at my phone again—another ten minutes gone. Ambrose had been cryptic, saying it was important, but offering no details. Maybe he just wanted to check-up on my mental state? It made sense, given everything that had happened. I scrolled through the documents Valerie sent, barely focusing. My mind was back home—with my kids and Araceli. I had hesitated to leave her alone with them after getting a call from Doctor Ambrose, but she insisted she was fine. Lately, though, she has been off. Ever since that nightmare jolted her awake, she has been jumpy, nauseous, and on edge. Something's bothering her. I can feel it. A sudden knock on the window jolted me out of my thoughts. I turned and saw Doctor Ambrose standing there, looking worn out, his hair was tousled, and dark eyebags lined his eyes.
last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-16
Read more

33 - An Apology Demanded

Araceli's Pov The sun was barely up when Zayn left for the hospital. Doctor Ambrose had called, and the tension in Zayn’s shoulders told me everything I needed to know. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. He hadn’t said much, just kissed me quickly, eyes distant, like he was already halfway out the door. “I will be fine here with the kids,” I had reassured him, even though he was hesitant to leave us. He didn’t need any more worries weighing him down. I kissed him again, softer this time, whispering, “We will be okay.” He gave me a strained smile before heading out, and I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching him disappear. Now, standing on the balcony of the penthouse, I took a slow sip of my coffee, hoping it would warm the coldness gnawing at my chest. The view was breathtaking, beyond the infinity pool that shimmered in the early light, the gardens stretched out, perfectly manicured. Tall trees framed the property, and in the distance, a small lake reflected the soft p
last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-17
Read more

34 - Traped In Shadows

Araceli's Pov My luggage rolled beside me, its weight dragging with every step I took. I could feel Zayn’s gaze burning into my back, his presence a solid reminder of everything I was leaving behind—at least for now. “I still think a vacation would be better,” Zayn’s voice broke the quiet, calm yet carrying an undercurrent of tension. “You don’t need to leave us to clear your head.” I stopped, gripping the handle of my suitcase tighter. We had already gone over this, but the weight of the conversation hadn’t lightened. “It’s not about leaving you. I just need space,” I said, my voice quiet, eyes drifting around the room. “I need to breathe, Zayn. Away from this house… from Shasha, from everything.” He let out a long breath, his hands moving to his hair. “I know Sasha’s been tough lately, but it’s not worth running from.” “This isn’t about her.” My voice cracked, the emotion rising despite my efforts to tamp it down. The truth sat heavy in my chest, too tangled to unravel now
last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-18
Read more

35 - Torn Apart

Zayn's Pov The kitchen was silent, save for the soft hum of the fridge and the faint ticking of the clock overhead. I stood by the kitchen island, flipping through pages of the company's financial records, something was off, the figures weren’t adding up. Beside me sat a plate with half-eaten toast slathered in avocado. The toast had gone stale, untouched for the better part of an hour. The coffee next to it was cold, forgotten as I allowed my eyes scan through the numbers again. Then came the quick, unmistakable sound of feet pattering down the hallway. I glanced up as Kamila dashed into the kitchen, her face bright with excitement. "Dad! Zara’s here!" she called out, breathless. She and Kamrin had spotted Zara’s car pulling up from the front window, and it was all the signal they needed to come flying in with the news. I turned just in time to see my little sister, Zara, standing in the doorway, a bright smile on her face. Her long, raven hair was haphazardly tied into
last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-30
Read more

36 - Unmasking Secrets

Araceli's Pov I sank into the plush couch, feeling the cushion press against my back. My fingers tangled in each other, thumbs circling, picking, digging at the same spot like they could somehow unearth everything I had buried deep. The therapist sat across from me, waiting, silent, and patient. Her eyes held a kind of knowing, unhurried but unwavering, a gentle prodding without saying a word. “Do you want to tell me about the nightmares?” she asked eventually, her voice soft, like she was coaxing something fragile from a hiding place. I swallowed, feeling the words crawl up my throat, so quiet I barely heard them. “Every night…it’s him. My father.” I felt her watching me, her gaze gentle but steady. She didn’t interrupt, didn’t fill the silence. Just gave me space. “It’s like…he’s there, laughing. Watching me, like he used to,” I murmured, my hands clenching. “Sometimes, I’m back in my room—like it’s my childhood again. The doors are locked, but he’s pounding on them. I
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-01
Read more

37 - Shattered Trust

Zayn's Pov The leather of the steering wheel felt rough against my palm, my knuckles were quickly turning white from the grip I had on it. Last night, I had lay awake for hours, tormented by images of Freya and Caleb together. They twisted like a knife in my gut. My wife and my brother. It was unthinkable, yet here I was, miles from the estate, knowing that everything I thought I could trust had shattered. I dialed Zara, my voice barely contained as she picked up. “Is he still there?” “Yes… Caleb’s here,” she replied, quiet and careful. I didn’t need her caution. I only needed answers. "Is everything okay Zayn?" I hung up without giving her a response, all I needed was for her to shut her mouth and not tell anyone I was on my way there. When I finally pulled up outside the mansion, I took long strides to the door. Inside, I didn’t need to search. Caleb was sprawled out in the living room like he had all the time in the world, his face relaxed, unbothered, as if he had
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-02
Read more

38 - Gone

Araceli's Pov The office hummed with activity as I moved from one department to the next, clutching the stack of folders tighter than I needed to. Zayn had practically tossed at me this morning. Not even a second glance. Just a quick "Distribute these" and he was gone, disappearing back into his office with barely a word. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. I have been through worse and learned to keep moving, no matter what. Bills didn’t pay themselves, and I couldn’t let one bad day or his words tear me down. But as much as I tried, my stomach twisted, frustration bubbling up. His voice still echoed, sharp and cold, “You are just a stripper and an employee... You don’t get to tell me how to act.” The words stung, replaying like a broken record in my mind, no matter how hard I tried to silence them. I have never seen him so harsh, so unreachable. And after all we have been through together, the laughter, the late nights, the gentle way he touched my cheek, it fel
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-03
Read more

39 - Lines In The Sand

Zayn's Pov A knock sounded on my office door, pulling me from the haze of numbers and projections I have half-heartedly been studying for the last three hours. I cleared my throat, straightened up, and glanced at the clock. Another late night. “Come in.” It was Eric, my project manager, stepping in with a folder tucked under his arm. He gave a quick nod and moved forward, flipping open the folder as he sat down across from me. “So, the Westfield contract?” he started, pointing to a few bullet points on the sheet. “We managed to pull it off despite the competitor's last-minute price drop. They actually tried to undercut us by nearly twenty percent, but they went for us anyway, thanks to the projections Araceli worked on last month. Those figures are solid as hell. I think they just couldn't ignore the ROI, even with a higher price.” I forced a nod, though the mention of her name stung. “Good. And for the PR launch?” “That’s been handed off to the marketing team, just waitin
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-04
Read more

40 - A Silent Goodbye

Araceli’s POV “Araceli, are you sure you are ready for this?” Doctor Michael’s voice cut through the silence, his face drawn with worry as he adjusted his black tie, eyes lingering on me with concern. "You can come say your final good-bye tommorow." I looked up, exhaustion dragging down every word I forced out. “Does it matter?” The words came out brittle, rougher than I meant. “She’s gone. Ready or not, today, tomorrow, what difference does it make? This… is all that’s left.” We stood on the funeral ground, a bleak stretch of fading grass and cold headstones under a slate-gray sky. My legs felt like stone, my body slumped with a tiredness I couldn’t shake. I haven’t slept more than an hour in days, and the dark smudges under my eyes felt like bruises against my dull skin. The black dress clung to me, sleeves almost swallowing my hands as I clutched a tissue that had long since gone useless. Doctor Michael shifted beside me, saying nothing at first, but his face gave him a
last updateLast Updated : 2024-11-05
Read more
PREV
123456
DMCA.com Protection Status