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Chapter 13: Need Not Know
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2024-12-29 23:48:27
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Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 14: Getting Back What's Mine
Cassandraâs POVâThis isnât what you think it is,â I began, my voice trembling as I searched for the right words, desperate to piece together an explanation that might calm the storm brewing before me. My heart raced, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my chest.âI was choking on my food, and I clearly needed his help. What else was I supposed to do?â I glanced at Nathaniel, hoping my words would sink in. âWould you rather I sit there gasping for air until I black out?â I let out a frustrated sigh and rolled my eyes, but the tension in the air only thickened.Killianâs expression, once animated, hardened into a mask of irritation. His tone was sharp, each word clipped with a cool finality. âYeah, thatâs what happened.â He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as if he were done entertaining the conversation. âNow, since weâre not finished eating, can we just proceed and finish in peace?âBut peace wasnât something Nathaniel seemed willing to grant. âNo,â he said, his vo
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-30Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 15: His Ways
Nathanielâs POVâDrink, huh? Can someone explain why weâre downing strong liquor at this hour?â Hugh grumbled, setting his empty glass on the table with a loud clink before motioning for another. âItâs eight oâclock, for crying out loud, and weâre in a bar like a couple of heartbroken teens.âI barely heard him over the noise of the bar. The place buzzed with lifeâlaughter, clinking glasses, muffled conversations blending into a chaotic hum. But none of it reached me. My focus was on the glass in my hand, its amber contents swirling like the storm inside me. I took a slow sip before leaning closer to him, lowering my voice. âDo you remember the girl I told you about?âHugh looked up mid-swig, his brows furrowing as he tried to recall. âThe one who justâĶ what did you say? Randomly spawned into your life?â He smirked. âLike some NPC character in a game, right? And now sheâs got you all tied up in her little web?âI nodded, tightening my grip on the glass. âYeah. Cassandra Reed.â The nam
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-04Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 16: The Date
Cassandraâs POVâIâm really sorry, Killian,â I said as soon as I saw him waiting downstairs, his tall figure leaning casually against his car. My voice was rushed, laced with guilt. âMy boss was signing papers, and I completely lost track of time. I did set an alarm, but it didnât give me enough time to be with you. Iâm deeply sorry.âKillianâs expression softened, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile. âNo, itâs fine. Iâm just glad I could pick you up.â He paused, stepping forward to take my bag without hesitation. âItâs getting late, and I figured it would be hard to find a cab at this hour.ââThank you,â I said, climbing into the passenger seat. The moment I settled in, his scent filled the airâclean and familiar, mixed with the faint leather smell of the interior. The car itself was sleek and pristine, the kind of vehicle that screamed wealth and privilege, far beyond what someone like me could ever dream of affording.âYou really are something else,â I blurted out, my fingers
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-07Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 17: Two Ends
Cassandraâs POVBefore I could voice my thoughts, Killian filled in the blanks. âShe was Nathanielâs cousin,â he explained, his tone steady but distant, as though he were reciting facts heâd long memorized. âWhich is part of the reason why, professionally, Nathaniel and I work well together. But personallyâĶâ He trailed off, shrugging lightly. âLetâs just say we donât see eye to eye.âThe revelation left me stunned. âWait,â I said, piecing it together slowly. âYou were with her for twelve years. That meansâĶ were you childhood friends with Andrea? Did you grow up close to the Sinclairs?âKillian shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. âNo. Andrea and her family didnât associate much with Nathanielâs side. They shared blood, sure, but their relationship was distant. Nathanielâs family kept to themselves, living a quiet, private life. They only ever showed up for reunions or special occasions. You know, ribbon cuttings for new companies, charity galasâthat kind of
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-14Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 18: I Forgot What A Loving Family Is
âSebastian, darling!âI froze in place as an elegant elderly woman rose from the couch and walked briskly toward Sebastian, planting a kiss on his cheeks. Her movements were fluid, graceful, like she belonged on the cover of a magazine.âMom? What are you doing here?â Sebastian laughed softly, leaning in to kiss her cheeks in return. His demeanor shiftedâwarm, affectionate, sweet. It was so different from the composed and businesslike Sebastian I thought I knew.A strange emotion stirred inside me. Admiration? Curiosity? Perhaps something more complicated. So, this was his mother.She was stunningâradiant, even. Not the typical portrayal of a wealthy mother in movies. No arrogance, no cold demeanor. Instead, she exuded a kind of warmth and sophistication that could disarm anyone. Her beauty was undeniable, but her kindness... that intrigued me most.âI just wanted to see my son. Surely, thereâs nothing wrong with that!â she said with a wide smile that made it impossible not to like he
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-15Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 19: Just A Friend
Cassandraâs POVOuch.I hadnât realized how much hearing him label me as just a friend would sting. I forced a smile and took a bite of pasta to distract myself from the strange ache in my chest.His mother, however, wasnât convinced. âThatâs basically the same thing, Sevi,â she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.âMom,â he groaned, dragging a hand over his face.I couldnât help but smile at their exchange. She was so natural, so comfortable with him, and it made me realize how different our dynamics were. While my relationship with my own mother had always been formal and a little distant, theirs was filled with warmth and teasing.âI noticed you like giving people nicknames,â I said, trying to lighten the mood. âSevi, huh?ââOh, absolutely,â she said, beaming. âI believe nicknames bring people closer. And since youâre practically part of the family now, weâll need one for you too.ââMom,â Sebastian cut in, his tone a mix of frustration and amusement, âsheâs not par
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-18Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 20: Not So Good Alone
Cassandras POVâIâm sorry about my familyâtheyâre a bit messy,â Sebastian said as we drove back, his voice tinged with genuine embarrassment.âWhat? No! You donât need to apologize for them,â I replied quickly, turning to him with a reassuring smile. âIn fact, it was one of the best nights Iâve had in a long time!âHe glanced at me, his brows slightly furrowed. âReally? With all that chaos?âI nodded enthusiastically. âYes! Your family is lively, full of love. It wasâĶ refreshing. Youâre lucky to have them.âHe let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. âWell, if you say so. I just hope Naiomi didnât scare you off.âI laughed. âSheâs adorable. A little bold, maybe, but I can see how much she adores you. Sheâs lucky to have a brother like you.âSebastian raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. âAdorable? That girl is a professional menace.ââHmm,â I teased, tapping my chin dramatically. âYou donât fool me, Sebastian. I saw the way you dragged her upstairsâpure affection.âHe snort
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-18Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 21: I Cannot Compete
Cassandraâs POVShe stood out on one of his posts, looking effortlessly beautiful. Her black dress clung to her in all the right ways, and the birthday hat on her head seemed to almost mock my own insecurities. She didnât look awkward or sillyâshe looked radiant. The kind of woman who could wear a potato sack and still make you stop and stare.I tapped on the picture, curiosity prickling my skin, and began to swipe left.The first image showed her blowing out the candles on a cake, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the flames. She was surrounded by laughter, surrounded by life. And she was beautiful. Not just in the physical sense, but in the way she wore joy so naturally. Her smile was pure, unguardedâsomething I hadnât seen from Killian, not in the brief time Iâd known him.She looked like a goddess.The next slide took my breath away. There she was again, this time with Killian, his lips pressed against her cheek in a sweet kiss. The warmth between them was tangible, and for
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-01-19
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Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 37: In Nathaniel's Defense
Nathanielâs POVâWhere is he going?â I whispered to myself, watching Killian rush out of the room. His face was flushed, his brow drenched in sweat, and there was a tightness in his posture that made my stomach twist. It was clear from the way he was moving that something was wrongâheâd been crying.My jaw still ached, the sting from his punch lingering. I was surprised I hadnât needed a chiropractor to straighten out my face. It was a good thing I wasnât weakâotherwise, that hit wouldâve left me crumpled on the floor. That man... he was definitely stronger than I had anticipated.âI donât know,â his mother replied, her voice calm but tinged with concern. She watched him leave, a faint line of worry etched on her face. âIt looks like heâs needed at the hospital. Heâs always been like this, prioritizing his work above everything else.ââIs that soâĶâ I murmured, glancing at the door he had just stormed through. The tension in the room had thickened, and the last thing I wanted was to st
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 36: One Last Time
Killianâs POVâOne woman was rushed to the hospital after suffering a fatal injury. An eight-wheeled truck reportedly crashed into her, threatening her life. The doctors are still in search of her family, and she is currently undergoing surgery.â The words from a guestâs phone echoed in the room, sending a chill down my spine.I was about to check the news on my phone when suddenly, mine started ringing. Without hesitation, I picked it up, hoping it was someone I knew, maybe someone who could offer some distraction from the overwhelming emotions flooding my chest.âHello?â I tried to steady my voice, but it was hard. My throat was raw from crying, and every word felt like it was being squeezed out of me. I could barely breathe, my chest tight with the weight of it all. My tears had come down in a relentless stream, and now they seemed to have dried up, leaving a cold emptiness.I waited, my heart pounding, trying to focus on the sound of the voice on the other end. It was heavy breath
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 35: You Can't Lose Someone You Never Had
Cassandraâs POVâCassandra, stop!â His voice was louder now, firm and filled with anguish. âYou donât have to listen to her. Donât let her push you away.âI clenched my fists at my sides, summoning every ounce of resolve I had left. âKillian, please,â I said softly, my voice cracking. âDonât make this harder.âHe stepped closer, his eyes locked onto mine. âHarder? Watching you walk away is the hardest thing Iâve ever done,â he said, his voice breaking.Tears blurred my vision, but I shook my head, refusing to let them fall. âThis isnât about what you want, Killian. Itâs about whatâs best for you,â I whispered, my voice trembling.âYou think this is whatâs best?â he shot back, his frustration evident. âLetting her dictate my life? Pushing you away?âHis motherâs voice cut through like ice. âYouâll thank me one day, Killian. Sheâs nothing but a distractionâa liability. Youâll see that Iâm right.âI couldnât take it anymore. Without another word, I turned and walked away, my steps hurried
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 34: Who Hurts The Most
Cassandraâs POVThe sharp sting across my cheek left me momentarily frozen, my mind racing to process what had just happened. My skin burned as though it were on fire, and instinctively, my hand rose to touch the spot, trying to dull the pain.It wasnât just the slap that stunned meâit was the sheer venom behind it.âNone of this would have happened if you hadnât shown up!â Killianâs mother seethed, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. Her eyes were cold, filled with disdain as she stepped closer, pointing an accusatory finger at me. âWhatâs your relationship with Nathaniel, huh? Are you scheming something wicked for my son?âBefore I could even respond, Killian was by my side, wrapping his arms around me protectively. âMom, what the hell are you doing?!â he shouted, his voice shaking with both anger and fear.I could feel his hands trembling as they gently touched my cheek, his eyes scanning the redness that had begun to spread across my skin. âAre you okay?â he whispered
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 33: Inevitable Blows
Cassandraâs POVThe words stung as they left my mouth, but I forced myself to hold his gaze. I couldnât afford to let him see how his persistence rattled me, how his proximity made my heart race in ways I couldnât control.For a moment, he didnât say anything. His eyes flickered with a mix of emotionsâhurt, frustration, something else I couldnât name.I turned away, chugging the rest of my drink in an effort to drown the tension between us. âBesides,â I added, my tone quieter now, âwe both know how this would end. Your family would never allow it. Theyâd see me as nothing but a threat to their perfect little world.âHis brows furrowed, but I didnât let him speak. âYou know Iâm right,â I said, my voice sharpening again. âIâve seen how families like yours operate. Wealthy, powerfulâthey protect their image at all costs. Theyâd make my life hell, Nathaniel. Just like today. Theyâd push me into a corner until I had no choice but to walk away.âI paused, the memories of his familyâs icy di
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 32: Deep In Her Heart
Cassandraâs POVI thought I would finally be able to go home, escape this unbearable atmosphere, but I was wrong. Killian had been called over to his parents' table, leaving me behind. So, there I was, tucked away in a corner, holding a glass of champagne like a lifeline, watching the world around me as though I were a ghost.The Luthers were the picture of unity, gathered in their little circle, speaking in low, sophisticated tones that carried an air of exclusivity. Their laughter rose above the quiet hum of the room, light and effortless, as if the world existed solely for their enjoyment.And then there was me.The outsider.I felt the weight of it settle on my chest, heavy and suffocating. I wasnât just out of place; I was a world away from these people, their conversations about business, legacy, and things I couldnât even pretend to understand. I sipped my champagne, the fizzy liquid doing nothing to soothe the gnawing ache of my loneliness."Lord, if youâre listening," I thoug
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 31: The Shadow Of An Ex
Cassandraâs POVâWho did you come with tonight?â Killianâs voice cut through the tension, his tone light but his words sharp enough to provoke. âHave you finally found yourself someone worth bringing to an event, or are youâĶ lonely?âThe corner of Killianâs mouth twitched, hinting at an inside joke I wasnât privy to. From the way Nathanielâs lips curled into a smirk, it was clear this wasnât their first verbal sparring match.Nathaniel chuckled, a low sound that didnât quite reach his eyes. âLonely? Hardly.â He lifted his glass lazily, taking a sip as his eyes flicked to me, lingering just a second too long. âBut no, I didnât come with anyone. I canât seem to find someone who compares to the beauty of the woman you brought tonight. Quite the catch, isnât she?âHis gaze felt like a spotlight, making my skin prickle uncomfortably. I gripped Killianâs hand tighter, hoping he didnât notice.âIs that so?â Killian replied smoothly, a teasing edge in his voice. âWell, donât worry. Youâll gro
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 30: The Puzzle That Can't fit
Cassandraâs POVEveryoneâĶ they were all so foreign to me. Their polished appearances, the way they moved and spokeâit all screamed wealth and status. It wasnât just the designer clothing or the champagne glasses they held; it was in the way they carried themselves, as though they owned the world. I felt like a misplaced puzzle piece, too dull to fit into their gilded picture.The way they toasted champagne and seamlessly discussed mergers and investments left me in a haze of inadequacy. What could I possibly contribute to this? That I was a secretary for the biggest company in New York City, and their sonâKillianâwas out of his mind for dragging me into this?I glanced at him as he walked confidently beside me, his every move exuding a natural charisma that seemed to command respect from everyone around us. He greeted people effortlessly, exchanging names and smiles with men in tailored suits and women adorned in glittering jewelry. I didnât recognize a single face. These werenât peop
Billionaire's Obsession: Our Scarred Secrets   Chapter 29: The Watcher
Cassandraâs POVI stared at the words for a moment, my pulse quickening. I felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement stir in my chest.I took a deep breath and gave myself one last glance in the mirror. âYouâve got this,â I whispered to myself. No matter what happened tonight, I was ready.I made my way down the stairs, my heart pounding as I approached the door. But when I saw him standing there, my steps faltered for a moment. Killian looked nothing like the man I was used to. He was wearing a perfectly tailored business coat, and his presence seemed to demand attention. His charisma radiated off him, stronger than I had ever felt before. It was as if he had stepped into a whole new version of himself, one I hadnât seen until now.He turned toward me, his eyes locking onto mine. âGod, you look as beautiful as ever,â he murmured, his voice low, filled with admiration. I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, but it was more than just a complimentâit felt genuine, like he tru
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