All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Mistress Contracted Wife: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Drake’s POVI woke up to my head pounding and with a weight in my chest that equaled my guilt. The headache due to last night's boozing persisted, but it was insignificant compared to the ache in my heart as the memories of how I’d treated Charlotte came in flash floods. I was cold, and distant, saying things I could never again take back. It made me want to get sick.I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to shake the fogginess of my head. My apartment was dead silent, and the quietness brought into focus just how much the absence of Charlotte weighed on me. I couldn't even recall if she'd stayed over that night. Groaning, I sat up and grabbed my phone, no missed calls, no texts from her. It was as though she'd vanished.I swore under my breath. I wanted to apologize, to explain that it wasn't her fault, that I’d been overwhelmed by everything, the pressure, the accusations, my insecurities. But now, it seemed as though it might be too late. Stumbling out of bed quickly, I tossed some clot

Valerie’s POVThe dirty fluorescent lights above the store shimmied slightly as I was behind the counter, tidying the register. It was a quiet day so far, with only a few customers wandering in, most of them not uttering a word. I was thankful for the quiet. The store felt almost like a haven, though I couldn't say I enjoyed working here. But the old woman, sharp-tongued and judgy, always sat watching, never able to truly relax, but it was a lot better than nothing.I was staring at the shelves ahead when the bell above the door rattled once more. My shift was far from over, and I turned back to see three rough-looking men strutting in, loud and jovial. They were dressed in leather jackets, and their faces were smeared with a layer of stubble and arrogance. One of them cast a look in my direction, it remained on me for an uncomfortable moment.I stiffened as they approached the counter, trying to focus on the register. My instincts told me these were customers I would have preferred n

Drake’s POVMy eyes didn't leave the old woman as she worked her way around the shop. Her movements were deliberate, almost practiced. There was something about her, something I couldn't shake off. My mind fluttered with fleeting memories, and faces of people from my past, but none seemed to fit.I couldn't take it anymore, my voice breaking the thick silence between me and Charlotte.Excuse me," I said, taking a step forward and with a cautious yet inquisitive undertone, "You… you look familiar."The woman paused mid-step and glanced toward me. Her eyes seemed as sharp as daggers, flicking over my face before dismissing me utterly."Never seen you before in my life," she replied shortly, her voice reeking of indifference. "And I don't care to know you either. Now, if you're not buying anything, get out of my shop."I opened my mouth to say a word, but before I could utter another word, she had already turned her back on me, resuming her work with finality.Standing beside me, Charlot

Drake’s POVI started to rub at my temples, hoping the sharp, stabbing pain would fade away that had taken root inside my skull. What at first had been just a minor headache had been growing over the past days into something unbearable. And each time it flared, flashes of fragmented memories came with it, fragmented images I couldn't quite seem to piece together, so familiar faces, vague emotions, and unsettling scenes that slipped away the instant I tried to focus on them. My mind was in turmoil, and the pain did not help.I had ignored it at first, thinking that it was work stress or perhaps the fallout with Charlotte. But when the flashes started getting stronger and more often, I knew something deeper was wrong. Then finally, it reached a point where, in a meeting, I just could not focus because searing pain shot through my head, I got up, excused myself, and left early, finally deciding to take the long overdue trip to the hospital.I sat in the sterile waiting room, the hum of

Drake’s POVI opened my eyes, and for a moment, the world around me was fuzzy. My head seemed to have taken a sledgehammer blow, sharp pain throbbed around my skull and made me wince. I saw more clearly now that Valerie was crouched beside me, wide-eyed with concern. She was biting her lip, her hands shaking, hovering near me as if she wasn't sure if she should touch me or pull back. She was so close, so concerned, and it brought a surge of conflicting emotions inside him."Drake, are you okay?" Her voice was soft, tentative.A few times I blinked, just to shake off the remnants of whatever had knocked him out. The flashes, the overwhelming surge of images and feelings, they were still so alive in my mind. I could see fragments of faces, places, and memories that did not belong to me. Yet, they were like intruders, real and so invasive."Drake?" Valerie's voice cut through the fog inside his head.I sat up more slowly, muscles tense as I pushed myself off the floor. I glanced around t