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67: DAMAGE CONTROL
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-14 23:59:37
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The Billionaire’s Regret 68: I DIDN'T ORDER ANYTHING.
ELARA'S POV. I walked Out of the room and slammed the door shut behind meand hard. I didn’t care. It was my way of telling Nate I didn’t want to talk to him anymore. Hopefully, this time he’d get the message and leave me alone.But, as always, Nate proved to be as stubborn as ever.“Elara,” he called after me.Instead of heading back to the room like I initially planned, I turned sharply, walking toward the other direction, hopefully to the exit to this ridiculous apartment, condo, or whatever this over the top place was.“Where are you going?” he asked, catching up to me as I reached the stairs.“What do you think?” I spat, glaring at him. “I’m leaving. I’m not staying under the same roof as you for a second longer.”I turned to descend the stairs, but Nate grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. A jolt of electricity shot through me. Snatching my hand away, I stepped back, glaring daggers at him.“It’s not safe out there,” he said, his tone firm. “You can’t leave yet.”And th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Regret 69: THE LINK
ELARA’S POV After a few bites of the meal, I told the lady, who I now know to be Theresa, by name, to take it back. She did so gladly, leaving me with a polite nod and the glass of water on a tray. I took my pills and waited. For what, I wasn’t entirely sure. Maybe for Nate to send someone to tell me his team had finished their so-called “damage control,” or maybe for him to appear himself. Either way, I was stuck. But no one came. The last thing I wanted to do was wander around this ridiculously oversized condo looking for someone to ask. And calling Nate? Not in this lifetime. He’s the last person I want to speak to right now. Eventually, the exhaustion from my earlier flight caught up with me. I don’t even remember falling asleep, but I must have because the next thing I knew, it was morning. Weirdly enough, I woke up in bed, which made no sense because I’m pretty sure I’d dozed off on the couch. Did I sleepwalk? Before I could think too hard about it, a knock l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16The Billionaire’s Regret 70: I’M SCREWED!
ELARA’S POV This has to be a fucking joke! Nate’s words from last night come rushing back into my head: You know how important she is to me. I can’t let this blow up in her face. I finally understand who he was talking about. Her. It’s definitely her. How could I have ever forgotten about her? She should’ve been the first person to come to mind when Nate claimed it was not him who tipped off the reporters. I keep watching the show, despite the rage building inside me. I want to hear what she has to say. At least I should watch it all before jumping to conclusions. “So, Miss Valentina, I heard you’re starting a new business,” the interviewer: Sofia Valesco says, smiling politely at Valentina, who sits there with a smug little curve on her red painted lips. “I wouldn’t call it a business,” Valentina says softly, her voice so sweet and convincing that if I didn’t know who she was, I might’ve believed her sincerity. “It’s more like a passion project. Something I want to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16The Billionaire’s Regret 71: ITS NOT HER FAULT
ELARA’S POV “Elara Lilith Westwood, do you mind explaining that nonsense I just watched on Wake Up NYC?” my mother’s sharp voice cut through the quiet morning air, her rage radiating from her. The driver, oblivious to the growing tension, casually carried my suitcase to the front porch of the house. A small part of me wanted to call out to him, to tell him not to bother going past the gate because there was a good chance I wouldn’t be staying long. My mother might disown me before I even set foot inside. But I didn’t. I simply stood there, frozen, as my mother shifted slightly to let the driver pass, her piercing gaze never leaving me. “Are you even listening to me?” she snapped, her frown deepening as I stayed silent. “Mom, the thing is… I— uhm…” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “What? Speak up, Elara!” she demanded. “What you saw on TV was… a lie,” I finally managed, though I wasn’t sure she believed me. Her eyes narrowed as she launched into the rant I’d bee
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17The Billionaire’s Regret 72: THE TRUTH DESTROYS PEOPLE
ELARA’S POV “I’m the last person you’d want to listen to, and I know I don’t even deserve for you to listen to me,” Nate said, his voice calm and gentle, almost sincere. “But, Mrs. Westwood, I’m asking you to please hear us out.” I noticed the faintest shift in my mom’s demeanor, a slight softening in her posture. Her arms were still crossed tightly, but she no longer looked like she was ready to rip someone’s head off at least not entirely. “I was—” Before she could finish her sentence, the ring of her phone interrupted her. With an annoyed huff, she fished it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. “I need to take this,” she muttered, stepping a few feet away to answer the call, though her glare warned us she wasn’t done. As soon as she was out of earshot, I turned to Nate, my voice a harsh whisper. “What the hell are you trying to do right now?” “Clear up the mess we’re in,” he whispered back, his gaze steady as it met mine. “And you plan on clearing it up
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-18The Billionaire’s Regret 73: YOU’RE NOT WELCOMED HERE!
ELARA’S POV Nate sighed, running a hand through his hair. His lips parted like he was about to say something, but he didn’t. A part of me wanted to ask what it was, to push him to spill whatever thoughts were hanging on the tip of his tongue. But I didn’t. I knew better. Asking would only lead to another argument, and I was too tired for that. So, I turned around and headed back into the house, hoping that would be the end of it. But it wasn’t. I could hear his footsteps following me, the soft thuds trailing me all the way to the porch. I didn’t say a word, hoping he’d get the hint and leave. He didn’t. When I reached the front door, my hand froze on the knob. I spun around, unable to hold back my frustration any longer. “And where exactly do you think you’re going?” I snapped, raising a brow. “Where else?” he said, shrugging like it was obvious. “I’m coming in.” “Not a chance,” I fired back. “You’re not welcome here, Nate.” “Your mom told us to wait for her to come bac
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-19The Billionaire’s Regret 74: IT’S MY FAULT
ELARA’S POV “Mom,” I began, trying to keep my tone calm and collected, even though my heart was racing. “It’s not what you think.” “Oh, is that so?” She raised an eyebrow, her expression making it clear she wasn’t buying a word I was saying. “Yeah,” I forced a smile, but even I didn’t believe it. “Then how do you explain all this?” she shot back, gesturing dramatically toward me. “You in that T-shirt, damp hair, and him standing there with his shirt all disheveled. Oh, and let’s not forget the little kiss I walked in on.” “We didn’t kiss” I interject. “If I didn’t walk in when I did it would’ve happened” her eyes land on the broke plate. “Or maybe it did happen” “Mom—” “There’s no point in trying to hide it, Elara.” Before I could tell her he only me to stop me from getting injured. Nate stepped in, cutting me off. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and I froze. “We’re back together,” he announced casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the w
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-21The Billionaire’s Regret 75: I WANT TO RESPECT YOUR DECISION
ELARA’S POV For the past two hours, Mom hasn’t said a word about Nate. Heck, she hasn’t said much to me at all, and I’m dying to know what’s going through her head. I thought we were in a good place the last time I was here, I thought we’d moved past all the tension, but clearly, we’re back at square one. Each time I’ve tried to start a conversation, she’s blatantly ignored me, focusing on her cooking like it’s the most important task in the world. And honestly, I knew better than to push her. Mom wasn’t the type to hold back when she wanted to speak her mind. If she was staying quiet, it meant she was either thinking deeply or waiting for me to crack. Fine. I’d wait for the right moment. “Can you just say it already?” I huffed, dropping my fork onto my plate. The weight of her silence had been suffocating, and the occasional stares she threw my way were only making it worse. Mom glanced up at me but didn’t say a word. “Mom, seriously,” I pressed, the guilt gnawi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-22
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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 couldn’t.
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 change.” “
The Billionaire’s Regret 177: YOU’RE NOT MY CONCISE
ELARA’S POV Nico’s words struck something in me. I hated that he was right. Hated it even more that I couldn’t argue back. But can I really blame him? I let this happen. Asher said he was told to keep an eye on Mrs. Hales. Only one person would call me that. Nate. Mimi called him my husband too. Of course it was him. Who else would have the money, the reach, or the nerve? He said he was changing. Said he wanted to be better. And after Mimi called me, and told me what he did… a little part of me wanted believe that he was maybe changing. But then he does this? Hiring someone to follow me without saying a word? He’s going back to doing that again. Acting like he knows what’s best for me. “Asher, right?” I ask calmly, even though my chest feels like it’s twisting in on itself. He nods, eyes down, clearly uncomfortable. “You can go.” I hand him his ID card. “What do you mean he can go?” Nico snaps, cutting through the moment like a blade. His fists are clenched. He look
The Billionaire’s Regret 176: YOU MIGHT BE IN DANGER.
ELARA’S POV “Why were you following us?” Nico barked, tightening his grip around the stranger’s throat. The man shoved at Nico’s arm, trying to break free, but before he could get a good grip, Nico slammed him back against the wall again. His fist connected with the guy’s jaw, knocking the sunglasses clean off his face. Even though he was muscular, the man looked young. Maybe nineteen, maybe even younger. “I. Was. Not. Following you!” he spat, trying to wriggle out of Nico’s hold, but Nico was stronger and his grip firm. “Who sent you?” Nico growled, jaw tight as the man’s face began turning red. “Call the cops, El,” Nico ordered, My hands fumbled with my bag as I scrambled for my phone, nerves making my fingers clumsy. “Wait!" i pause,"Please, it’s not what you think,” he forced out, voice tight. Nico’s grip didn’t waver. His arm locked the guy in place, pinning him hard against the wall. He opened his mouth again, tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. “Please,” he
The Billionaire’s Regret 175: I WASN'T BEING PARANOID.
ELARA’S POVI simply stared at him, no words coming out.I was still trying to process why he was here. Now, of all times — after being gone for what felt like forever. It had been months, and the last time we saw each other, we didn’t exactly part on good terms.At least, that’s how I remembered it.“It’s been a while, El,” he said, his smirk widening as he lowered himself into the chair across from mine. He pushed a cup across the table. “Have the coffee. It’s just the way you like it in june- full of ice, lots of milk, and extra whipped cream.”My gaze dropped to the cup in front of me. It was sweating lightly, the ice already beginning to melt. As tempting as it looked, I didn’t take a sip. Instead, I reached out and moved it to the side of my desk.“Thank you for the coffee,” I said, forcing a small smile.“It’s been a while, Nico. Where have you been?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.He leaned back in his chair, one arm slung casually over the side. “Well, you know… business h
The Billionaire’s Regret 174: BECAUSE I LOVED HIM.
ELARA’S POV His words were all I could think about when I got to the office. I’m going to change, El. It played in my head like a broken record. But was that really possible? Nate? Change? Those two can’t be in the same sentence. It was a little hard to believe. No! scratch that it was very hard to believe. Nathaniel Hale never changed for anyone. He expected the world to adjust to him, not the other way around. I knew that because I had done exactly that for him… over and over again. I gave up a lot back then. Things I once loved. Things that made me me. Like my regular visits to *** the After my father passed, I stopped going not because I wanted to, but because Nate never liked me going there. Said it was too far out of the city. And when his new circle of friends started whispering in his ear, questioning why I kept going… well, it became easier for him if I just stopped. And so I did. Let’s not even talk about how I had to reduce my work hours, put dreams on
The Billionaire’s Regret 173 : PLEASE BE CAREFUL
ELARA’S POV When I woke up, the first thing I did was glance out the window. I don’t know why I cared, but… his car was still there. Something fluttered in my chest relief? No. No, it couldn’t be that. After getting ready and filling Milla’s bowl, I made a second cup of coffee. For Nate. He spent the whole night in his car. I never asked him to, but still making him coffee wasn’t a big deal, right? Just… basic decency. Pouring it into a mug, I grabbed my bag and double checked the locks on my door. Maybe triple-checked. Just in case. Before I headed out. “Good morning,” he said, rolling down his window. He looked terrible. Dark circles sagged under his eyes, his shirt was wrinkled like he’d been dragged through the night. His hair stuck up like he’d run his hands through it too many times. Guilt twisted my stomach. It must’ve been hell, sitting out here all night. “Coffee,” I said, handing him the mug. “Thanks.” His lips curled into a half smile as he
The Billionaire’s Regret 172: MAYBE I’M A FOOL
NATE'S POV Every part of me wanted to stay. Fight a little harder. Maybe if I had, she would’ve let me? Maybe. But she made her choice. And the last thing I ever want to do is make her uncomfortable in her own home. She’s mad at me — she has every right to be. Hell, I don’t deserve a damn thing from her. I messed up. When I had her, I took her for granted, thinking it was the only way to protect her. But I thought wrong. I should’ve known better. I should’ve been better. I’ve been screwing things up for a long time now. But this time, I swear I’m going to be different. Elara doesn’t need me bulldozing my way back into her life. My eyes flick to her house. The lights are still on. She’s no longer standing at the window. It’s been a little while since I sent the texts, She hasn’t replied but she read them. And for now... that’s enough. At least she knows she’s not alone. Even if she doesn’t want me close. Even if she can't trust me yet. When she s
The Billionaire’s Regret 171: I’LL CHANGE
ELARA’S POV He takes a breath, trying to reel in his temper. “If I leave, we leave. I’m not going unless you come with me. I can’t imagine you staying here all alone and no security” he states with finality in his tone. We? that just didn’t rub me the right way, he can’t come in here and demand that I leave with him. I arch a brow. “We? There is no we, Nathaniel. There never will be.” He messed up the ‘we’. Now there can never be one not again. He can’t be reliable, and I don’t think I can trust that he won’t try anything. It might all start with him staying over. Then he’d probably decide to make this an every night thing. Or come up with reason to stay close. I know Nate and this is how it starts with him. Then, I’d probably start making excuses for him. Then I might let my guard down. And I can’t let that happen. I still have the scars he left me with even though I’ve been shoving them far away, trying my best to forget they’re there. I can feel them. I remembe
