The Billionaire's Secret Daughter

ANDREAHearing those words from Marcus and Veronica is one thing but seeing them entwined on the bed is another.My breath cuts in my throat and I feel the sting of betrayal cut deep.I back away, my vision blurred by my tears, and flee the house, my heart pounding in my chest.I get into my car and drive away, wanting to be as far away from them as possible.I think of going back home but I can't. I don't want to see anyone. I don't want to face anyone. I don't want to have to look at my Tío and Tía's face or even Veronica's. I can't.I keep driving, my vision a bit blurry, and stop in full force as soon as I see the signage of a club.I sit in the car for a moment, staring at the entrance. In four years with Marcus I have been to a club exactly three times. He didn't like it.He said bad things happened in places like this, that men couldn't be trusted, that he needed to know I was somewhere safe. I believed every word of it.I press the heels of my hands against my eyes and hold th

JULIANI stir awake and roll over instinctively. My hand meets only a cool sheet.I open my eyes, blinking against the sunlight flooding the room.The other side of the bed is empty.I sit up, the remnant of sleep still clinging to me, and look around the quiet suite. I glance at the clock on the nightstand. Nine in the morning. I frown, running my fingers through my hair.I swing my legs over the side of the bed and plant my feet on the carpet. I stretch and take a slow lap around the suite.Her clothes are gone.The only trace of her is the subtle fragrance still hanging in the air. Faint. Tantalizing. A reminder of a presence that is no longer here.I remember last night vividly. The intensity. The passion. The way she had looked at me like I was both the answer and the question. But now she is gone and the suite feels quieter than it should.Frustration gnaws at me. I had just returned to the country yesterday and the jet lag had hit me hard. I slept more soundly than I have in we

ANDREAIt's been exactly seven years since I walked out of my uncle's house and left the country the morning of my graduation ceremony and the eve of my engagement ceremony.I have returned with Diane, my six years old daughter. Seven years ago, I not only left my home, I left my country, and now I'm returning.I have run away from my past for too long, and I didn't need it catching up with me. And more importantly I wanted to return to the country of my birth and that of my parents with my little girl.Images of the last seven years flickered through my eyes. The deception of Marcus, Veronica betrayal, my abrupt departure. The loneliness of a foreign land, and the unexpected pregnancy. A pang of anger shot through me as I thought of the ultimatum my uncle gave to me that morning, marry Marcus or be cut off.“He should have handled it better,” I muttered underneath my breath as I always did whenever I replayed the incident in my head.It still hurts and angers me whenever I remember.

ANDREA“Look mummy, we can see everything from here. Including a swimming pool,” Diane exclaimed as we walked into our spacious, and elegantly decorated room with a view of the city.I smiled, my heart swelling with love for my daughter. “Yes, we can. It's a beautiful view,” I said, as I watched Diane run to the window pressing her nose against the glass.The bellman who helped us with our luggages set them down and handed us our keys. “If you need anything, don't hesitate to call the front desk,” he said with a smile.“Thank you,” I replied, tipping him.As he left I turned to Diane, “Come on baby, let's get you freshen up and ready for bed.”“Already?” Diane pouted. “There's a lot of sightseeing to do from up here.”“I know that, but remember Mummy has a long day tomorrow and we both need to be up and early,” I said and the smile on her face disappeared.“But not to worry, you will be having a nanny with you and you can both go sightseeing,” I said and her eyes widened.“Promise?”

ANDREAThe moment his lips touched mine my body went stiff.I have heard about workplace harassment and how powerful people love to abuse their power.But never would I have thought that I would be a victim of this. I would never have imagined that someone like Julian Rhodes could behave this way.My anger rose inside me with every thought I made.I pushed him away and stepped back, my eyes flashing with anger and my face flushed red.“What is the meaning of this?” I demanded angrily as I clenched my fists to keep myself from hurting him.“I guess this is why you don't like people around you. You do not want anyone to see you for the kind of person you are,” I said, and he snorted.“And what kind of man do you think I am, Andy?” he asked. I glared at him for addressing me like we were friends.“I don't think we are close enough for you to call me by that name,” I said, in a scattering tone.“Shouldn't you be trying to convince me to accept the request you are here to make?” He asked.