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53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Last Updated:
2024-11-21 19:46:48
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A Billionaire's Bargain 54 - Out
Zayn's Pov The day had dragged on longer than I wanted. I was buried in reports, meetings, and a pile of issues I did not give a damn about right now. My mind was elsewhere. It was on the woman and kids I had left at home, on the brother I had spent two weeks trying to ignore, and on the problems that refused to stay buried. Then my phone buzzed. A private number. I frowned, debating whether to answer. I was not in the mood for unknown calls, especially not at this hour. I begrudgingly picked it, muttering something along the line of "this better be important." I exhaled sharply and answered. "Who is this?" A voice came through, steady, cold. "If you care about your brother, meet me at the docks. Warehouse 14. Thirty minutes." I gripped the phone tighter. "Who the hell is this?" I repeated my question. "Someone who knows Caleb better than you do. Someone who knows he is drowning in shit, and if you do not step in, I might be tempted to do something drastic and you will
Last Updated : 2025-04-04A Billionaire's Bargain 55 - Already Mine
Zayn's Pov I stood by my home office window, starring out in the dark. I could see the whole of the estate, the soft glow of the garden lights flickered against the marble pathways, gently lighting up the area. The trees gently swayed as it was not so windy tonight. I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. My jaw clenched as I replayed the conversation from earlier. As much as I would love to turn my back on it, I couldn’t. If that man is serious, Caleb's life might just be hanging on a thin rope. This isn’t the first time I am being dragged into my brother’s mess. It sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. But this time, I was done letting him get it easy. He is a grown up and will be treated as such. A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I turned as Araceli stepped inside, already looking at me with that knowing expression. “You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. I
Last Updated : 2025-04-17A Billionaire's Bargain 56 - Evidence
Araceli's Pov I leaned over Zayn, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He did not stir. His face looked so peaceful when he slept. I smiled to myself and pulled the covers up around him a little more before tiptoeing out of the room. I checked on the kids first. Kamila was wrapped up in her unicorn blanket, her mouth slightly open as she snored quietly. Kamrin, on the other hand, had kicked his covers off and lay sideways on the bed like he had tossed and turned all night. I shook my head and gently pulled the covers over him. He grumbled a little but settled down. Downstairs, I got started on breakfast. The smell of pancakes and eggs filled the air. "Good morning mummy." I turned to find the twins coming downstairs, sleepy-eyed and smiling. "Good morning my love." I rinsed my hand before drying it with a napkin as I walked toward them. "How did my babies sleep?" "I dreamt of princess Elsa, mummy." Kamila exclaimed, smiling like she was given the biggest candy ever.
Last Updated : 2025-04-18A Billionaire's Bargain Miss Me?
Araceli's Pov I opened my eyes slowly. The sun was just rising, painting the room in a soft orange glow. Zayn’s arm was wrapped around my waist, and I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I didn’t move. I didn’t want to. This moment felt peaceful, like nothing else in the world mattered. He shifted behind me and kissed my shoulder. “You awake?” “Yeah,” I whispered, smiling. “Mmm. Good. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” I turned to face him. “You are still going?” He nodded. “Yeah, the flight is in a few hours. I have to be at the airport soon.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Can’t you cancel it?” He chuckled. “Business doesn’t wait, baby.” I sighed. “Fine. But let me help you pack.” We both got up slowly. I pulled on a robe and tied it around my waist. He walked to the closet, pulling out a few shirts and slacks. I joined him, folding things into his suitcase on the bed. “How many days will you be gone?” “Just four days, mi amor.” “Four days is
Last Updated : 2025-04-20A Billionaire's Bargain 58 - Finding Her
Zayn's POV "Sir," my P.A called, stretching my phone out to me. "Your phone has been ringing for over an hour now. I think it's really urgent." I took the phone from her. It was my home line. "How many times do I have to tell you? If there's a call from home, no matter what, give it to me right away." "Sorry, Sir. I didn’t want to interrupt." I clicked on the screen and picked the call. "Yes?" The voice on the other end was shaking. "Mr. Vanderbilt, it's Araceli, Sir. She’s gone." I stood still. My heart dropped. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" "She was kidnapped, Sir. We were knocked out. I just woke up. The kids are here, but she’s not in the house." I didn’t wait for more. I rushed out of the room, ignoring the looks and questions. My driver saw me and didn’t ask questions. "To the airport, now." I said. The ride back felt to the airport was antagonizing. I kept calling Araceli’s phone, but there was no answer. It was switched off. When we got to the airpor
Last Updated : 2025-04-22A Billionaire's Bargain 59 - Finding Her II
Zayn's Pov (Lengthy chapter) After the call, I could not sit still. Araceli's voice stayed in my head. She was scared. The sound of her yelling replayed in my head on loop. She had scream something along the line of her father before the call ended and that's all the clue I needed. That was it, no more guessing. It was not Freya or Caleb. It was Victor, her father. The one she feared and never wanted to speak about. I can still remember the night she woke up after having a nightmare about him. I left my office and walked fast to the security room. My heart was beating hard, and fast. A lingering feeling of fear tried to crawl up my spine but I pushed it back down. When I got there, three men were watching the cameras. "Pull up all security footage from the last three weeks," I said, walking straight in. They all looked up from their monitors. "Right away, sir," said Jerry, the one with the medicated glasses. He always wore them because he had a bad eye from an ol
Last Updated : 2025-04-26A Billionaire's Bargain 60 - Rescue 1
Araceli's Pov The rain hit the windshield as I drove faster. The wipers worked their hardest, but it was still hard to see. I could hear small groans from the back seat. I looked away from the road for just a second. My mom was there, shivering under a blue blanket, trying to stay warm. "Please hang on, Mom. I will get us to a motel soon. I will get you some medicine," I said. Sweat stuck my curly hair to my face. My hands were wet on the steering wheel. I pressed the gas harder, wanting to go faster. "Water..." my mom whispered. "Water, Ara." I leaned over a little, stretching my hand to grab the water bottle on the floor of the passenger seat. My other hand stayed on the wheel. I touched the bottle first with my fingertips, then grabbed it fully. I quickly sat back up and passed the bottle to her while keeping my eyes on the road. In the rearview mirror, I watched her struggle to open the cap. Her hands were shaking so badly, my heart broke at the sight. Tears burned the b
Last Updated : 2025-04-28A Billionaire's Bargain 61 - Rescue 11
Araceli's PovI lost track of how long I have been lying on my back. The floor underneath me was hard and cold, and every inch of my body ached. My hair was a mess, stuck to my sweaty face, and my white robe was no longer white, it was stained with blood, dirt, and something sticky I did not want to think about. It hurt to even breathe. I closed my eyes, wishing the pain would go away. Suddenly, I heard people shouting somewhere far down the hall. Heavy boots slamming against the floors and doors crashing open. "Maybe I'm dreaming."I muttered to myself. But then I heard someone yelling my name. I forced my eyes open, my heart pounding even though I could barely move. The door to my cell swung open so hard it banged against the wall. And standing there, like someone who fought his way through hell to get to me, was Zayn. He looked different. His eyes were crazy wide, his chest rising and falling like he had been running forever. "Araceli!" he shouted
Last Updated : 2025-04-29
Latest chapter
A Billionaire's Bargain 61 - Rescue 11
Araceli's PovI lost track of how long I have been lying on my back. The floor underneath me was hard and cold, and every inch of my body ached. My hair was a mess, stuck to my sweaty face, and my white robe was no longer white, it was stained with blood, dirt, and something sticky I did not want to think about. It hurt to even breathe. I closed my eyes, wishing the pain would go away. Suddenly, I heard people shouting somewhere far down the hall. Heavy boots slamming against the floors and doors crashing open. "Maybe I'm dreaming."I muttered to myself. But then I heard someone yelling my name. I forced my eyes open, my heart pounding even though I could barely move. The door to my cell swung open so hard it banged against the wall. And standing there, like someone who fought his way through hell to get to me, was Zayn. He looked different. His eyes were crazy wide, his chest rising and falling like he had been running forever. "Araceli!" he shouted
A Billionaire's Bargain 60 - Rescue 1
Araceli's Pov The rain hit the windshield as I drove faster. The wipers worked their hardest, but it was still hard to see. I could hear small groans from the back seat. I looked away from the road for just a second. My mom was there, shivering under a blue blanket, trying to stay warm. "Please hang on, Mom. I will get us to a motel soon. I will get you some medicine," I said. Sweat stuck my curly hair to my face. My hands were wet on the steering wheel. I pressed the gas harder, wanting to go faster. "Water..." my mom whispered. "Water, Ara." I leaned over a little, stretching my hand to grab the water bottle on the floor of the passenger seat. My other hand stayed on the wheel. I touched the bottle first with my fingertips, then grabbed it fully. I quickly sat back up and passed the bottle to her while keeping my eyes on the road. In the rearview mirror, I watched her struggle to open the cap. Her hands were shaking so badly, my heart broke at the sight. Tears burned the b
A Billionaire's Bargain 59 - Finding Her II
Zayn's Pov (Lengthy chapter) After the call, I could not sit still. Araceli's voice stayed in my head. She was scared. The sound of her yelling replayed in my head on loop. She had scream something along the line of her father before the call ended and that's all the clue I needed. That was it, no more guessing. It was not Freya or Caleb. It was Victor, her father. The one she feared and never wanted to speak about. I can still remember the night she woke up after having a nightmare about him. I left my office and walked fast to the security room. My heart was beating hard, and fast. A lingering feeling of fear tried to crawl up my spine but I pushed it back down. When I got there, three men were watching the cameras. "Pull up all security footage from the last three weeks," I said, walking straight in. They all looked up from their monitors. "Right away, sir," said Jerry, the one with the medicated glasses. He always wore them because he had a bad eye from an ol
A Billionaire's Bargain 58 - Finding Her
Zayn's POV "Sir," my P.A called, stretching my phone out to me. "Your phone has been ringing for over an hour now. I think it's really urgent." I took the phone from her. It was my home line. "How many times do I have to tell you? If there's a call from home, no matter what, give it to me right away." "Sorry, Sir. I didn’t want to interrupt." I clicked on the screen and picked the call. "Yes?" The voice on the other end was shaking. "Mr. Vanderbilt, it's Araceli, Sir. She’s gone." I stood still. My heart dropped. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" "She was kidnapped, Sir. We were knocked out. I just woke up. The kids are here, but she’s not in the house." I didn’t wait for more. I rushed out of the room, ignoring the looks and questions. My driver saw me and didn’t ask questions. "To the airport, now." I said. The ride back felt to the airport was antagonizing. I kept calling Araceli’s phone, but there was no answer. It was switched off. When we got to the airpor
A Billionaire's Bargain Miss Me?
Araceli's Pov I opened my eyes slowly. The sun was just rising, painting the room in a soft orange glow. Zayn’s arm was wrapped around my waist, and I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I didn’t move. I didn’t want to. This moment felt peaceful, like nothing else in the world mattered. He shifted behind me and kissed my shoulder. “You awake?” “Yeah,” I whispered, smiling. “Mmm. Good. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” I turned to face him. “You are still going?” He nodded. “Yeah, the flight is in a few hours. I have to be at the airport soon.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Can’t you cancel it?” He chuckled. “Business doesn’t wait, baby.” I sighed. “Fine. But let me help you pack.” We both got up slowly. I pulled on a robe and tied it around my waist. He walked to the closet, pulling out a few shirts and slacks. I joined him, folding things into his suitcase on the bed. “How many days will you be gone?” “Just four days, mi amor.” “Four days is
A Billionaire's Bargain 56 - Evidence
Araceli's Pov I leaned over Zayn, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He did not stir. His face looked so peaceful when he slept. I smiled to myself and pulled the covers up around him a little more before tiptoeing out of the room. I checked on the kids first. Kamila was wrapped up in her unicorn blanket, her mouth slightly open as she snored quietly. Kamrin, on the other hand, had kicked his covers off and lay sideways on the bed like he had tossed and turned all night. I shook my head and gently pulled the covers over him. He grumbled a little but settled down. Downstairs, I got started on breakfast. The smell of pancakes and eggs filled the air. "Good morning mummy." I turned to find the twins coming downstairs, sleepy-eyed and smiling. "Good morning my love." I rinsed my hand before drying it with a napkin as I walked toward them. "How did my babies sleep?" "I dreamt of princess Elsa, mummy." Kamila exclaimed, smiling like she was given the biggest candy ever.
A Billionaire's Bargain 55 - Already Mine
Zayn's Pov I stood by my home office window, starring out in the dark. I could see the whole of the estate, the soft glow of the garden lights flickered against the marble pathways, gently lighting up the area. The trees gently swayed as it was not so windy tonight. I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. My jaw clenched as I replayed the conversation from earlier. As much as I would love to turn my back on it, I couldn’t. If that man is serious, Caleb's life might just be hanging on a thin rope. This isn’t the first time I am being dragged into my brother’s mess. It sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. But this time, I was done letting him get it easy. He is a grown up and will be treated as such. A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I turned as Araceli stepped inside, already looking at me with that knowing expression. “You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. I
A Billionaire's Bargain 54 - Out
Zayn's Pov The day had dragged on longer than I wanted. I was buried in reports, meetings, and a pile of issues I did not give a damn about right now. My mind was elsewhere. It was on the woman and kids I had left at home, on the brother I had spent two weeks trying to ignore, and on the problems that refused to stay buried. Then my phone buzzed. A private number. I frowned, debating whether to answer. I was not in the mood for unknown calls, especially not at this hour. I begrudgingly picked it, muttering something along the line of "this better be important." I exhaled sharply and answered. "Who is this?" A voice came through, steady, cold. "If you care about your brother, meet me at the docks. Warehouse 14. Thirty minutes." I gripped the phone tighter. "Who the hell is this?" I repeated my question. "Someone who knows Caleb better than you do. Someone who knows he is drowning in shit, and if you do not step in, I might be tempted to do something drastic and you will
A Billionaire's Bargain 53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
