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Chapter 165

Author: Lia's Ink
last update publish date: 2026-03-18 06:31:14

[GRAYSON'S PRIVATE HOLDING FACILITY - UNDERGROUND SECTION, SAME TIME]

The heavy metal door opened with a deep grinding sound. Grayson walked down the concrete stairs. Each step echoing in the enclosed space.

This facility was not on any official records. Not registered with any government agency. Not known to the police or FBI or anyone in law enforcement.

It was completely private. Completely off the books. The kind of place that did not officially exist.

The guards here were different from th
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  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 177

    Ruby and Ricardo arrived exactly on time.She waddled through the front door. One hand on her lower back. The other on her enormous belly. Ricardo hovered beside her.They brought even more gifts. Apparently Ruby could not stop shopping for baby Madonna. Every time she went anywhere, she bought something new.Clothes in every size imaginable. Toys. Blankets. Books. Stuffed animals. Everything a baby could possibly need and then some."You need to stop buying things, Rubbes," Shayla said. Laughing. Looking at all the bags. "Madonna has more clothes than I do now. She is going to outgrow half of them before she even gets a chance to wear them.""I cannot help it!" Ruby said. Already emotional. "Everything is so cute! I see tiny baby clothes and I have to buy them! It is a compulsion! I cannot stop myself!""Pregnancy hormones," Ricardo explained. Shaking his head. "She cries in the baby section of stores now. Just stands there sobbing over tiny socks. It is a whole thing."Everyone laug

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 176

    [ONE WEEK LATER - GRAYSON CROSS MANSION, AFTERNOON]The black SUV pulled smoothly into the circular driveway. The engine purred quietly as Luke put the vehicle in park, turned the key. Everything went silent.Grayson opened the back door. Extended his hand to help Shayla out. She took it gratefully. Moved slowly and carefully.She was doing much better now. A week of rest had helped tremendously. But labor and delivery took a serious toll on the body. It would be weeks before she felt completely normal again.Ayven did not wait for help. He opened his door and jumped out. Stood there on the driveway looking at the mansion with the biggest smile on his face.His eyes were bright. Shining with happiness and excitement. He was finally home."Home sweet home!" he announced loudly. His voice carried across the lawn. Full of joy and satisfaction. "I missed this place so much! Every single room! Every single corner!"He spread his arms wide. Spun in a circle. Taking it all in. The beautiful

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 175

    Later that night, the family were fully settled, Angel and Ayven were sharing one of the big beds. Angel had wanted to sleep near her brother. She wanted to be close to him after so many months apart.She was already asleep now. Curled up on her side. Facing Ayven. One hand tucked under her cheek. Breathing soft and even. Her glasses were on the nightstand beside the bed.Ayven was lying on his back. Sleeping soundly after so much exhaustion.Grayson and Shayla were in the other bed. Lying close together. Baby Madonna was in her bassinet right beside them. Close enough that Shayla could reach over and check on her.The room was dim now. Just one small lamp on in the corner. Providing enough light to see but not enough to keep anyone awake. Soft and gentle.Shayla turned on her side to face Grayson."How are you doing?" she asked softly. Keeping her voice low so she would not wake the kids or the baby. "Honestly. Really truly. How are you feeling about everything that has happened?"Gr

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 174

    Ruby's arms came around both of them. Pulled them close.And immediately burst into tears. Just started sobbing. Her whole face crumpled up. Tears streamed down her cheeks rapidly. Creating wet tracks through her makeup."My dynamic duo is awake!" she said through her sobs. Her voice was thick and choked. "Oh my God! I cannot believe it! This is the best day ever!"She was crying and laughing simultaneously. Making those weird hiccupping sounds that come from trying to do both at once.She squeezed the kids tighter. Kissed the tops of their heads. Left wet tear marks on their hair.Ayven pulled back first. Looked up at her with his eyebrows raised high. His expression was genuinely confused. Baffled even."Why is she crying?" he asked. His tone was so sincere. Like he truly could not comprehend what was happening. "Did someone die? Is something wrong? Why would you cry about me being awake? That is a good thing."Grayson started laughing. He could not help it. The sound burst out of h

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 173

    The hospital had moved them all to a bigger suite. Much bigger. Grayson had insisted.He had not even asked how much it would cost. Had just signed whatever papers they put in front of him. Handed over his black card. Told them to make it happen immediately.This was not a regular hospital room anymore. This was luxury accommodation that happened to be inside a medical facility.Two massive beds dominated the space. Not hospital beds with rails and plastic mattresses. These were king-sized beds with premium mattresses and soft expensive linens. The kind of beds you would find in a five-star hotel. White sheets. Fluffy pillows. Comfortable and inviting.A full sitting area took up one corner. Leather couches. Matching chairs. A coffee table. Everything arranged like someone's living room.The bathroom was enormous. Walk-in shower with multiple shower heads. Deep soaking tub. Double vanity. Marble countertops. Heated floors.There was a kitchenette along one wall. Mini fridge. Microwave

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter 172

    [RECOVERY ROOM - VIP SUITE, TWO HOURS LATER]Shayla had been moved to a private recovery suite. The nicest room the hospital had. Because Grayson had insisted.The room looked more like a luxury hotel than a hospital. Big comfortable bed. Private bathroom with a shower. A sitting area with a couch and chairs. A mini fridge. A TV.And it had been decorated. Pink balloons everywhere. Pink ribbons. Fresh flowers. Roses and peonies and gardenias. The room smelled amazing. Looked festive and cheerful.Shayla did not even know when Grayson had arranged all this. But he had. Somehow managed to do it.Baby Madonna was in a clear plastic bassinet beside the bed. Sleeping peacefully. Wrapped in soft pink blankets.Angel was standing beside the bassinet. Just staring at her new baby sister. She hd not looked away in over an hour. She was humming a lullaby softly. Gently. Her face was full of wonder and love.Grayson was sitting on the edge of Shayla's bed. Petting her hair gently. Looking at her

  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter Sixty Nine

    [OUTSIDE ZENITH]Shayla stood outside the glass doors of Zenith, her hands fidgeting with her purse strap as she waited. For the past five days, Ruby had not answered a single call or text. The silence had been deafening, each unanswered message adding another layer of guilt to the weight Shayla alr

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-24
  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter Sixty Three: HIGH HEAT

    Grayson's eyes went dark the moment the words left her lips.He stood frozen in the doorway, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths, his hands still fisted at his sides like he was using every ounce of willpower not to pounce on her immediately."Say that again," he growled, his voice

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-24
  • The Bet That Ruined Us    Chapter Seventy

    [OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT]Ricardo pulled up in his sleek black Porsche just as Shayla and Ruby walked out of the restaurant. Ruby's eyes were still red from crying, but there was a lightness to her step that had not been there in days. Shayla felt it too, the peace of having your best friend back."

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-24
  • The Bet That Ruined Us    CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT

    [7:30 PM - Grayson Cross Mansion] Ayven had just returned to his room after dinner. Shayla sat on the couch in the living room, staring at her phone with a dejected expression. Her finger hovered over Ruby's contact for the twentieth time that evening, but she could not bring herself to call again

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-24
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