Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Regret : Bab 101 - Bab 110

NATE’S POVThe silence between us loomed, thick and suffocating. Elara’s expectant gaze was fixed on me, waiting for whatever I had to say.I knew this might sound crazy. Hell, I probably shouldn’t even be asking. But I couldn’t hold it in any longer.I’ve already made my decision: “What if we drop the act?” The words rolled off my tongue, easier than I thought they would. It’s been on my mind for the longest time, eating at me.“Oh, I would love that more than anything.” She tilted her head to the side, taking a sip of her milkshake.For a split second, relief washed over me. I wasn’t the only one thinking about this. Maybe we were on the same page after all.But then, her next words hit me like a truck.“I’m honestly tired of this façade, and I just want everything to be over with already.”My Relief turned to disappointment, sharp and cold. I thought I knew what she meant, but clearly, I didn’t.For a second, I considered holding back, swallowing the truth like I had so many times

ELARA’S POV "Another round!" I protest, gripping the controller. "This time, I'm going to win." Elliot leans back against the couch, a smug grin stretching across his face. "Oh, just accept it, El. You’ve lost your mojo." "I didn't lose my mojo," I argue, crossing my arms. "I won the first round!" "That was beginner’s luck and because I was going easy on you." I narrow my eyes. "Oh, please. You weren’t going easy on me. I bet you were cheating. Did you tamper with the game when I wasn’t looking?" He gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. "Elara! I’m offended. You know me I’m better than that." "You sure?" "Positive. You lost. Just accept it and—" A buzzing sound cuts him off. He glances down at his wrist, where his smartwatch is vibrating. "Shit." "What?" I ask, watching his expression shift. "I forgot I have a meeting with Felix." "A meeting? It’s almost midnight," I point out, frowning. "The investors I’m working with are only free around this ti

NATE’S POVThe city lights blur through the tinted windows of my penthouse. I stand by the floor-to-ceiling glass, a whiskey glass resting in my hand, untouched. The ice has long since melted, the amber liquid swirling lazily as I tilt the glass. But I don’t care about the drink. My mind is still at that damn booth.At Elara.The way her eyes hardened when I asked her for another chance. The way she shut me down without hesitation. I had expected resistance, hell, I deserved it but a part of me had still hoped she’d say yes. That maybe, just maybe, we’d finally start fixing what I broke.Instead, she walked away. Again.But all hope isn’t lost, she’s didn’t exactly say no… right? I run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. I can’t let frustration cloud my judgment. If I want Elara back, I have to be patient. I have to prove to her that I’m not the same man who walked away two years ago.But first, I have something else to handle.Valentina.I place the glass down on my desk and

ELARA’S POV I told myself I wasn’t going to entertain this unknown number. But I couldn’t help it. Not after that text. ME: Who are you? My fingers hovered over my phone as I sucked in a sharp breath, waiting. Three dots appeared. My pulse quickened. Then nothing. The dots vanished. I clenched my phone tighter, my leg bouncing under the table. Just as I was about to lock my screen, the dots reappeared. A new message came through. UNKNOWN: A Good Samaritan just looking out for you. I frowned. Good Samaritan? That was the oldest trick in the book. If they were really looking out for me, why hide their identity? I knew how this went. First, they’d pretend to help. Then they’d ask for something—money, favors, something worse. Or maybe they had something on me. A threat. A warning. Before I could type a response, another message popped up. UNKNOWN: And don’t worry, I have your best interest at heart. I’m just looking out for you. A shiver crawled down my spine. This pro

ELARA’S POV My legs feel wobbly as I walk closer to the gravestone. My eyes itch, and the only thing I can hear is the loud beating of my heart. Even the chirping of the birds tucked in the nearby trees sounds like background noise. Once in front of my father’s grave, I settle onto the grass without a thought about the dirt or the insects that might be lurking here. Because I doubt I will be able to stand any longer. I don’t think my legs would be able to hold me. My eyes settle on the gravestone again. The white lilies and roses my mom had dropped earlier lay beautifully. It feels as if it was just yesterday he died, not three years ago. The memories of all those moments we shared together, every single recital he showed up for, every event. make it feel as if this is all a prank. That maybe… just maybe, my dad isn’t lying six feet under this gravestone. That he’s somewhere else, and one day, he’ll come back to us. That everything will go back to the way it used to be. Even I