All Chapters of A Billionaire’s Hidden Affection : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The sound of the heavy oak door slamming shut echoed through the grand foyer, but the silence that followed was even louder. Maximilian stood motionless, the letter in his hand shaking slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was anger, fear, or something far more dangerous that flickered in his storm-gray eyes. “What is it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. My hands clutched the fabric of my dress, nervous energy radiating through me. He didn’t respond. His jaw tightened, and he turned his back to me, pacing to the nearest window. The sharp lines of his silhouette were bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, but nothing about him looked warm or inviting. “Maximilian,” I tried again, louder this time, stepping closer. My voice quivered despite my attempt at composure. “Who was that? What’s in the letter?” He pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose, exhaling harshly. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.” His curt dismissal stung, but it wasn’t unexpected.

The weight of Maximilian’s words from earlier still clings to me like an unwelcome shadow. I’ve made mistakes… but losing you would be the worst of them. I should feel reassured, perhaps even touched, but instead, I’m left unsettled. For the first time, I’m forced to confront a truth I had been avoiding—there is a part of Maximilian I may never fully understand. And maybe, I never will. His study door remains shut, a barrier between us that speaks louder than any words ever could. I pace the length of the living room, the hardwood creaking softly beneath my bare feet. My thoughts churn like a storm at sea, unruly and relentless. “Maximilian,” I whisper aloud to no one, tasting the weight of his name on my tongue. Who is the man behind the fortress he’s built? The man who holds so much power yet seems to be fighting demons no one else can see? The sound of heavy footsteps echoes from the hallway, pulling me out of my thoughts. I spin around to see him emerging from the shadows, h

I hadn’t expected it to be like this.The air between Maximilian and me felt different. Tense. Too heavy for even the most delicate of conversations. We were standing in his office, staring out at the city below, but my mind was far from the view. I couldn’t shake the weight of the moment. The secrets. The lies. All of it.Maximilian had been distant for days. Even colder than usual. And it wasn’t just the business, not just the threats from his past that were clawing their way back into his life. No, something had changed between us. I could feel it. There were cracks in the fragile truce we’d managed to forge, and I was afraid that with every passing moment, they were deepening.“You don’t need to get involved in this, Eliza,” Maximilian said, his voice low but strained. “It’s too dangerous. You have to stay out of it.”I shook my head, my heart pounding. “I don’t have a choice. You’ve dragged me into this, Maximilian. This isn’t just your battle anymore. I’ve seen what’s at stake.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the massive window of Maximilian’s penthouse. The city lights glittered below, mocking the chaos that swirled inside me. My chest felt heavy, my mind reeling from our last conversation. Maybe love isn’t enough after all. My own words haunted me, but deep down, I wasn’t even sure what love meant to Maximilian—or if it meant anything at all.The door creaked open, and I turned sharply. Maximilian’s silhouette filled the doorway, his presence as commanding as ever. His tie was gone, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He looked exhausted, but his eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my heart ache.“Eliza.” His voice was low, hesitant. It was rare to hear him like this—uncertain, vulnerable. I straightened, folding my hands in my lap. “What is it, Maximilian?” He stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. “I wanted to talk… about earlier.” I exhaled sharply. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to justify your actio

The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of the Grey estate, casting a golden glow across the room. Maximilian sat at the edge of the bed, his back tense, his head resting in his hands. I stood across the room, leaning against the doorframe, watching him. He looked vulnerable—raw, even. The man who once seemed impenetrable now sat before me, his armor cracked.“You’re unusually quiet this morning,” I said softly, breaking the silence.He looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking with mine. “There’s a lot to think about.”I crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed beside him, close but not too close. “Want to share? Or are you planning to brood all day?”A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Brooding is my specialty.”I nudged his shoulder lightly. “Well, you’re married to a woman who has a knack for making brooding men talk, so you might as well get used to it.”His smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. “Eliza… about yesterday—about ever