CLAIMED BY THE MYSTERIOUS BILLIONAIRE

BELLE I woke up to a sharp, pounding headache. My throat felt dry, and my entire body felt sore. I winced, reaching out blindly for the water bottle I always kept by the nightstand, when I felt something strange.My fingers didn't meet the cool wooden surface. Instead, they traced over something firm, something warm like... an abs?Before I could take in what was happening, a husky voice broke the silence."Enjoying yourself?" A large hand wrapped around mine, stopping my movements, and I couldn't help the flash memory that popped in my head. It felt familiar... OMG.My heart raced as I snapped my eyes open in panic. Where am I? I took in the surroundings, and it was nothing familiar. It was a large room. Somewhat like an h— hotel room?I squeezed my eyes shut, as my stomach twisted. My pulse was pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears.No. This is just a dream. It can't be real.I wanted to believe that this was just another stupid dream, but the warmth beside me told m

ZALDEN "What the hell is going on here?" My voice cut through the lobby, with irritation dripping in every word. I hated scenes. Especially in my space, when my eyes caught something familiar.My pulse stilled as I saw the pairs of green eyes I'd recognize anywhere.It was her. The woman from that night. The one who left my card in the hotel room without trying to sneak her way into my life. I thought she was different because she never called. She never begged or demanded outrageous things like the other girls I hooked up with in the past.Turns out I was wrong.She stood there, slack jawed, lips parted slightly, unable to move, and I didn't miss the hesitation in her eyes. Then, she took a calculated step back cautiously, as if they were all part of her plans. Just one step, but enough to make my chest tightened with disappointment.It took her five damn years to come back and decide what she wanted."I believe I asked a question," I snapped."Sir... S-she showed up without an appo

BELLE "Tell me you're quitting," Kara demanded as soon as I stepped into my apartment. She wouldn't even allow me to take off my shoes before she exploded.She paced around my living room, raging with fury. "I won't have you go anywhere near that bitchy stepsister of yours. and who did you say your boss is? THAT MAN?!" I sank onto the couch, already too exhausted to argue. "Kara, the pay is good. I can't keep letting Faye control my life.""You think this is just about that bitch?" Kara spun around to face me. "He's already throwing sexual advances at you. You said he looked down on you!"I hesitated before speaking. "It's...complicated.""Not really. You've got two kids to think about, Belle. What happens if he finds out about Jamie and Jordan?"A lump formed in my thraot. For the first time in my life, I regretted telling her everything. "He won't. My kids are never going near him," I said quickly. "And keep your voice down. They're asleep."Kara sighed and dropped to the armrest

BELLE My chest tightened as I left his office, and I could no longer hold back my tears.God! How did everything get this hard?I went into the restroom and regretted it immediately."Look, who finally decided to show up," Faye sneered, her eyes gleaming with a smug smile.I inhaled a deep breath as I stepped inside. One glance at the mirror, and I could barely recognize myself. No wonder Zalden was furious. I looked like a wreck.I rinsed my face while Faye stood behind me, rejoicing in my misery."Looks like I don't even have to lift a finger to get you fired," she chuckled. "You're just a charity case with a fancy job title. You'll be out of here faster than you came in.”I just needed a break. A minute to breathe. To be away from all of this… the humiliation, the constant bullying.It was only my first day and I already felt like I was crumbling."I gave you a week, didn't I?" Faye came to stand behind me, and I didn't miss how she scrunched her nose in disgust. "Maybe I overrate

BELLE “Need a company?” A young man dressed in a designer suit approached me as soon as Zalden left. He looked like he belonged here, while I just wanted to hide.“No, I'm good.” I forced out a smile.“Too bad. Everyone is curious to know where the goddess came from,” he said with a playful smile. Thankfully, he didn't press on. When he noticed my reluctance, he left before I could ask.I looked around searching for Zalden, but he was nowhere to be found. Why would he even bring me here?Everything about tonight felt wrong.The music was too loud. The lights were too bright. The air felt heavy, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that Zalden had brought me here to embarrass me.I sat alone at a round table draped in silk, my fingers clicking against the glass of wine in my hands.I felt left out. I haven’t attended an event like this since my parents died. The last time I'd be surrounded by wealthy people, I was merely a shadow, with Faye stealing the spotlight.It has always been