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186: I MESSED UP

last update Last Updated: 2025-05-13 02:09:23
ELARA’S POV

“The kidnappers… it’s not random, El. It’s because I have enemies. People lurking around,” Nate said quietly.

“Clearly, I don’t,” I shot back.

“I thought I had everything under control, but… I left some loose ends. And now they’re back. They want things from me that I can’t give, so they’re coming after you to get to me.”

My knees weakened, my breath hitching. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Nate. Make it make sense.”

“It’s a long story, Elara…”

“I have all day.” My voice was firm. If I’m in danger, I need to know what’s really going on and why this is happening.

“I know you probably didn’t think much of it when I first told you, but it’s the same dangerous people from before. The main reason I had to stay away from you. I thought I dealt with everything before—”

“Oh, I remember now,” I said bitterly. “Your so-called criminal friends? The ones that led to our divorce?”

“Yes.”

A dry chuckle escaped me. “This has to be a joke. Tell me you’re joking
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  • The Billionaire’s Regret    186: I MESSED UP

    ELARA’S POV “The kidnappers… it’s not random, El. It’s because I have enemies. People lurking around,” Nate said quietly. “Clearly, I don’t,” I shot back. “I thought I had everything under control, but… I left some loose ends. And now they’re back. They want things from me that I can’t give, so they’re coming after you to get to me.” My knees weakened, my breath hitching. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Nate. Make it make sense.” “It’s a long story, Elara…” “I have all day.” My voice was firm. If I’m in danger, I need to know what’s really going on and why this is happening. “I know you probably didn’t think much of it when I first told you, but it’s the same dangerous people from before. The main reason I had to stay away from you. I thought I dealt with everything before—” “Oh, I remember now,” I said bitterly. “Your so-called criminal friends? The ones that led to our divorce?” “Yes.” A dry chuckle escaped me. “This has to be a joke. Tell me you’re joking

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    185: IT'S MY FAULT.

    
ELARA’S POV 
The piece of egg I swallowed felt a little hard as it went down my throat. 

“Excuse me?” I asked, arching a brow. Maybe I heard him wrong. NO- I had to have heard that wrong. 

“This house is not safe, El. I can’t let you stay here all alone,” his tone was serious. “You have to come with me.” 

Just when I thought we were having a civil interaction. 

I forced a smile. “Thanks for the offer… but I think I’ll pass.” 

“What do you mean you can’t?” He arched a brow like my answer was the last thing he expected. 

I know yesterday was a lot. Someone tried to kidnap me, and maybe he’s feeling a little bad, especially since he was the one who saved me. But I won’t go with him. I can’t. 

“Elara, what happened last night wasn’t a prank. It was real, and it can happen again.” 

“I was the one who got carried out of my house like I was some doll,” I snapped. “I had to push through a headache to try and save myself, so of course I know it’s not a prank.” 

“If

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    184: ITS BETTER THIS WAY

    ELARA’S POV The dream felt too real. Hands. Rough, calloused. Grabbing me. Dragging me across the gravel. My throat burned from screaming, but no sound came out. Hands shoved me into a van, and I couldn’t do anything. The cold metal floor pressed against my side, making me feel helpless. Trapped. Weak. I woke up gasping. My chest heaved as I scrambled upright in bed, heart racing, fingers trembling. A dark shadow moved and for a second, panic surged again. Then I heard his voice. “Elara,” Nate murmured. “It’s just a dream. You’re okay.” He was by my side, still in the same clothes as last night. His hair was a mess. His eyes looked tired. But he was here. “Breathe… El,” he said, but I couldn’t. My heart was pounding too fast. Nothing felt right. The thought of the hooded man kept circling in my mind. Even though he didn’t take me just like Nate said. I was safe. I was in my room. But it didn’t feel like it. I couldn’t shake the crippling fear. I shouldn’t

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    183: YOU’RE SAFE.

    NATE’S POV With every sob that tore from her throat, the fire in my chest burned hotter. My fists clenched, the need to destroy the bastards who did this nearly choking me. But I couldn’t leave her. Not like this. Not when she was shaking in my arms. That snake tattoo— it’s enough for me to find them and the plate number on the van. “There, there…” I murmured, cradling her gently. “You’re okay. You’re safe now, El.” Another sob escaped her, ragged and broken. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” I whispered, pressing my lips against her temple. Her trembling hands clung to my shirt, her tears soaking through the white fabric like guilt I couldn’t wash away. “He was… he was going to take me,” she choked out. “But he didn’t,” I said firmly. “He didn’t. I’m here now. Everything’s going to be fine.” But the words were more for me than for her. Because the truth was… if I had arrived even a minute later, they would’ve taken her. They weren’t bluffing. Even if the d

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    182: NOT ON MY WATCH.

    ELARA’S POV “New architect?” “Yes.” “Congratulations,” I say, my voice pitched a little too high. “Thanks el” “I’m going to show, him around the apartments, so he could get some insight on the place- you should come along” “I’m afraid I can’t today, i need to find new, lamps and vases and I have somethings to take care of” I leave without, waiting for a response. The thought of nico being the new, artichet felt a little odd but I don’t think much of it. ***** The first store I went to had nothing I wanted, The second is worse. By the time I’m walking into the third vintage shop, the sky has turned a dark, angry grey. I hadn’t even noticed how long I’d been searching how long I’ve been trying to distract myself from the fact that Nico is likely going to start working with me. But I don’t have time to dwell on it. The sharp slaps of rain start just as I’m walking back to my car. Within seconds, I’m soaked. Water trails down my back, my pants cling t

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    181: NEW ARCHITECT

    ELARA’S POV The drive to the site is quiet, no music, no calls. Just the hum of the engine and the slow, sharp creep of the headache pulsing behind my eyes. “You’re late,” Kyle greets me the second I step inside, his usual frown in place. “Again.” I almost smile. His grumbling’s basically part of our routine now. We don’t even have a fixed schedule for my visits here, but he complains every time, and I let him. Maybe because I find it a little amusing. Maybe because he hasn’t been around much lately, thanks to the whole architect mess. These days, it’s mostly me and the new designer… or Rob. “Good morning to you too, Kyle.” “It’s twelve in the afternoon.” “It’s all the same, Kyle.” I roll my eyes with a small smile. “The items you ordered were already delivered.” “Already? I thought they weren’t coming until twelve-thirty?” “Well, they turned out to be efficient and punctual—unlike somebody else.” “Somebody else has other jobs to handle, you know.” I follow him through the e

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    180: I'M FINE

    ELARA’S POVIt’s been a week since I last saw Nate— or heard from him.It’s nothing new. We’ve gone years without talking before.So going a week without his appearance should not feel like this.It's not new to me, plus all the times I've seen him, I couldn’t stand being around him; I always end up getting mad at him for the stupid things he does. but its not his first time going MIABut this time… this time feels different.Maybe it’s because of how we left things.After all he said, I knew I was wrong for once, but then again, I was frozen in place. His words echoing in my head, repeating like a broken recordI couldn’t shut off. I couldn’t stop.And I couldn’t even bring myself to text him.Or call.Or try to clear things up.It was like my whole body locked up.I couldn’t.I just couldn’t.And for the rest of the week I culd even search up his name on my contacts.“El?”Elliot’s voice cut through the silence, snapping me out of my haze.“Yes?” I blink, sitting a little straight

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    179: IS HE WORTH IT?

    Silence takes over, and then only thing I can hear is my beating heart and the sound of cars, passing through the streets. “I checked into the guys,” he said quietly breaking the silence. “It seemed they got the wrong house. And… well, they aren’t any threat. In the end, it was just like you predicted.” I couldn’t utter a single word. Only stared — like something had gotten hold of my tongue and refused to let go. “I guess my mess-ups were worse than I thought,” he let out a chuckle, but it came out hollow. Sad. His face didn’t show much, but his eyes… his eyes gave him away. “I’m sorry for the inconveniences I’ve caused. I know there are a lot of them,” he continued. “There isn’t anything I can do to make it up to you… right?” I swallowed a lump I didn’t even know was there. My mouth had gone dry. I was out of words. Heck could even think of anything to say “Nate…” “No. El, you don’t have to say anything. I understand.” But you don’t’ I wanted to say but I co

  • The Billionaire’s Regret    178: THERE'S A MISUNDERSTANDING

    ELARA’S POV He stood there like everything was fine. I didn’t know what made me angrier: the fact that he was still smiling after what he did, or the fact that a part of me still reacted to him. Still felt something when I saw that smile. I wanted to turn around. I wanted to walk right past him and pretend he didn’t exist. But I couldn’t. Not this time. I stepped closer, heels clicking against the pavement like warning shots. He straightened up when he saw me coming, and I swear, he had the audacity to look relieved. Relieved! I stopped just short of him, eyes locked onto his. “El,” he waved. “Why are you here, Nate?” I snapped. “Did your minions tell you I found the tail you sent to follow me, and now you’re doing it yourself, or what?” “Minions?” “Don’t play dumb with me, Nate. I know you sent that guard or whatever to tail me,” I spat, running my hand through my hair with zero care who might be watching. “I don’t know why I keep thinking you’ll ever chang

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