All Chapters of The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Lila's POV My eyes fluttered open in the faint morning light streaming through the curtains. The familiar ache of sorrow settled in my chest, a weight I’d come to recognize but could never grow accustomed to. My gaze drifted across the bed to Damian, who lay on his side, still lost in the peace of sleep. His features, relaxed and serene, offered a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me.For a brief moment, I let my eyes linger, taking in the slight rise and fall of his chest, the way his lashes rested gently against his skin. A part of me felt comforted by his presence. He had been my rock these past days, never wavering, always there when I needed him most. Yet, the ache in my heart refused to be soothed.I turned my head away, my eyes staring into vacancy, but my thoughts had travelled on a journey, revisiting every possible family moment it could catch from my memory.My thoughts spiraled even more to the endless pit of worry and grief. No matter how much Damian tried

Damian's POVI hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, letting my Dad pull me into a hug. His embrace was strong, steady, and for the first time after such a long time, I felt a flicker of the connection we’d once shared.“I forgive you,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.As we pulled apart from the hug, a faint smile lingered on my father’s face. For a moment, the tension between us seemed to dissipate. Then, he straightened his posture, the air of a seasoned businessman returning to him.“Before I went into hiding,” he began, his voice carrying the weight of authority I remembered very well now, “I was Monroe Corporation’s biggest shareholder.”I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where he was going with this. “You never told me that.”He chuckled, a low sound that hinted at pride. “I had to keep some secrets, didn’t I? Even during my time away, I maintained my shares through… let’s just say, unconventional means.”His smirk carried the same self-assuredness I’d often tried t

Lila's POVI sank to the floor, frantically sifting through the scattered documents, willing the missing file to appear. But it didn’t. It was gone.The reality of the situation hit me like a freight train. My proof—my only claim to Monroe Corporation—was missing.I forced myself to my feet, my legs shaky and unsteady, and stumbled back to the conference room. The air felt heavy as I re-entered, and every eye turned to me expectantly. I felt naked under their scrutiny, my failure laid bare for all to see.Nicholas leaned casually against the head of the table, his smug grin growing wider when he saw the empty look on my face. “Well?” he asked, his voice dripping with mockery. “Where is this proof you spoke so highly of?”I swallowed hard, willing my voice not to crack. “I… I can’t find it.”His laughter rang out, loud and full of condescension, reverberating in the silence of the room. “You can’t find it?” he repeated, shaking his head. “How convenient. It seems the current CEO is n

Lila's POVI woke up with a fire in my chest that morning. A fire of determination that I hadn't felt in days. It was as though the night had given me a second wind, and I decided that no matter what, today would be better. It had to be.Sliding out of bed, I went through my morning routine with a sense of purpose. My reflection in the mirror seemed to echo my resolve, though the shadows of yesterday’s troubles still lingered faintly in my eyes.“I’ll fix it,” I whispered to myself as I smoothed down my blouse. “I’ll fix everything.”With a quick glance at the clock, I realized I needed to hurry. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, mentally rehearsing the things I planned to say to Nicholas and the board. Today, I wouldn’t let them walk all over me.Just as I reached for my car keys, my phone buzzed. Pausing mid-motion, I fished it out of my bag and glanced at the screen. Unknown Number.I frowned. It wasn’t often I got calls from numbers I didn’t recognize, but something

Lila's POVThe weight of the day bore down on me as I slumped onto my couch, kicking off my shoes with a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of my soul. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, willing myself to think of nothing for just a moment. The chaos of the boardroom, Damian’s betrayal, and the suffocating despair of my family’s situation all swirled together in a storm of emotions I couldn’t control.Yet, even amid the mess, one small sliver of joy flickered in my heart. My family was alive. I might not be able to hold them right now, but knowing they were still breathing gave me a glimmer of hope.As I sat there, trying to sort through the rubble of my day, a knock echoed from the door. I froze, my mind racing. I wasn’t expecting anyone. For a brief second, fear crept into my heart, and I wondered if the anonymous caller had come to make good on his threats. But then, I heard his voice.“Lila, it’s me. Please, open the door.”Damian.I clenched my jaw and stared at t