LOGINShare
Chapter Eighty-Two—Almost Normal
Last Updated:
2025-03-29 21:50:09
Related chapters
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Three— Business as Usual
Leila held the phone to her ear while balancing a cup of coffee in her other hand as she paced the living room. The call came just as she was preparing to leave with Adrian for his board meeting, and from the moment she heard the gallery director’s voice, she realized she wouldn’t be making to his office after all.“I understand, Mr. Whitmore,” she replied, keeping her tone measured. “But canceling the exhibit is not an option. My father would never permit it, and neither will I.”Adrian, already dressed in a sharp tailored charcoal suit, came out of the bedroom and raised an eyebrow at her. “Is something wrong?”Leila held up a finger and mouthed, One second.“The artist isn’t backing out,” Whitmore quickly clarified. “But there’s been a last-minute issue with the venue due to a double booking. We need to find an alternative by tonight, or we’ll have to delay the exhibit.”Leila sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’ll take care of it.”“Thank you, Ms. Carter. I really appreci
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Four: A Peaceful Evening
As soon as Leila stepped into the penthouse, she released a deep sigh of relief. The familiar warmth of home immediately enveloped her like a soothing hug, erasing the day's lingering stress. She slipped off her heels by the entrance, flexing her sore feet as the soft carpet cushioned her steps. The air was filled with the rich, distinctive scent of Adrian’s cologne—earthy and masculine, with a subtle hint of whiskey. It mingled with the faint smell of wood burning in the fireplace, creating a calming atmosphere that stood in stark contrast to the chaos she had just gone through at the gallery.Her eyes landed on Adrian, who was lounging on the couch, one arm casually draped over the backrest, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong forearms. In his other hand, he held a tumbler of whiskey, the amber liquid reflecting the golden hue of the city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. He appeared effortlessly relaxed, a world away from the commanding businessman who s
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Five — The Invitation
The following morning, Leila awoke to the enticing scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft sounds of the city coming to life below. The warm morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, creating a gentle glow in the penthouse bedroom. For a fleeting moment, she relished the peaceful luxury stillness, soaking in the bed's warmth and the morning's serene ambiance.Turning slightly, she spotted Adrian, already dressed in a sharp navy suit, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows with his back to her. He had a phone pressed to his ear, radiating an air of authority coupled with calm. Even in the privacy of their home, he projected an effortless confidence—a man accustomed to control and used to being listened to.As if he sensed her gaze, Adrian glanced back, a smirk forming on his face. Lowering his phone momentarily, he said, "Morning, sleepyhead."Leila stretched and rubbed the remnants of sleep from her eyes. "You’re up early.""Investor meetings," he reminded her, fastenin
Last Updated : 2025-04-01Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Six: Unwelcome Company
The investor gathering took place at a luxurious rooftop location, a masterpiece of modern architectural marvel that loomed over the glittering cityscape. The floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a stunning panorama of sparkling lights reaching far into the distance, while the mellow hum of soft jazz mixed with the clinking of crystal glasses and the subtle buzz of nearby conversations. The scent of expensive whiskey and finely aged cigars lingered in the air, intertwined with the intoxicating scent of wealth and power.Leila arrived at Adrian's side, her fingers lightly resting in the crook of his arm as they stepped into the lavish event. Her sleek black dress, tailored to perfection, glided over her figure with an effortless grace and elegance, the high slit teasing just enough to command attention while exuding a sense of refined elegance. As they walked in, heads turned, and she noticed the flickers of admiration in the eyes of onlookers. Adrian stood beside her, exuding authority
Last Updated : 2025-04-01Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Seven - The Game Begins
Leila stepped back into the softly lit venue, where the mingling aromas of whiskey and expensive perfume filled the air, accompanied by the low murmur of conversations and gentle jazz music. Yet, all of that faded into the background as Camille's venomous words echoed in her mind, lingering long after Camille had departed.Camille was strategic—each action and utterance a calculated part of a game she believed she was playing. However, Leila had encountered fiercer opponents and more cunning manipulations. She refused to be shaken by Adrian’s ex.Her eyes swept across the room, searching for Adrian among the groups of influential men and women cloaked in their carefully crafted personas. A sense of unease twisted in her stomach when she finally spotted him.Camille was already there.Camille stood far too close for comfort, her delicate fingers grazing Adrian's suit lapel as she leaned in to whisper something meant only for him. Adrian did not lean closer; he neither encouraged nor im
Last Updated : 2025-04-02Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-eight — Exposed Secrets
Leila was only vaguely aware of the hushed conversations and the distant sounds of the city as she and Adrian stepped out into the cool night. The chilly breeze should have felt refreshing, but instead, it only amplified the pressure in her chest. The weight of Camille's words lingered like an unwelcome shadow, refusing to dissipate.Camille had been trying with her, probing her defenses. As much as Leila tried to brush it off, the encounter remained unsettling. Camille’s hadn't just been provoking her for the sake of drama; there was a certainty in her tone, a smugness that indicated she wasn’t bluffing.Adrian let out a slow breath, his hand lightly resting on the small of her back as they walked toward the car waiting for them. “She’s trying to get under your skin,” he said.“She’s succeeding,” Leila confessed, crossing her arms defensively.Adrian shot her a glance, his face betraying little, but his eyes were keen. “She doesn’t matter.”Leila let out a humorless laugh. “Really? I
Last Updated : 2025-04-02Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Eighty-Nine--Unfinished Truths
The drove to Adrian’s penthouse felt endless.Leila gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles as she navigated through the city’s neon-lit streets, weighed down by Camille’s heavy words.“Adrian was the one responsible for the collapse from the very start.”It couldn’t be true.Yet, deep within, a voice whispered that it made too much sense. The deal Adrian had made—which had saved her father’s gallery—had always felt too perfectly timed. She had thought she had manipulated Adrian into submission, controlling the terms herself.But what if the reality was the opposite?The thought made her stomach churn.As she pulled into the underground parking garage, her heart raced so violently she feared it might burst from her chest. She barely remembered switching off the engine before stepping out, her heels echoing against the concrete. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself. She needed answers, and she needed them immediately.The elevator ride was torturous. Each second felt drawn
Last Updated : 2025-04-03Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Ninety- Fractured Foundations
The cold night air bit at Leila’s skin, but she hardly felt it. The oppressive weight on her chest was much more overwhelming as she drove aimlessly through the deserted city streets. She had no destination in mind—only a desperate need to escape. She wanted to be far away from Adrian and the painful truth that had shattered her perception of him.The car's headlights pierced the darkness, revealing deserted sidewalks and quiet buildings. Outside appeared serene, a stark contrast to the storm raging within her.She should have seen it coming. Adrian was cutthroat in business, and she had always known that. She had witnessed his ruthless treatment of his enemies, his decisive actions, and his skillful manipulation of power dynamics with a precision that left no room for compassion.Yet understanding it intellectually was different from feeling its impact emotionally.He had once destroyed her father’s life's work, then positioned himself as her rescuer while concealing the harsh realit
Last Updated : 2025-04-03
Latest chapter
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Eight– A Name Yet to be Spoken
On a quiet Thursday afternoon, they prepared the hospital bag, the kind of day that felt like the breath held between seasons. Sunlight streamed through the nursery windows in fractured, amber beams, creating dynamic patterns on the light walls and wooden floor. The room carried a faint lavender fragrance from the sachets she'd tucked into the dresser drawers, blending harmoniously with the soft scent of baby powder and an essence of comfort.Leila perched on the edge of the rocker, carefully folding tiny onesies with trembling fingers. A persistent ache in her back felt like a pressure that came and went like the tide, making her pause frequently—not just to stretch, but to breathe deeply, to steadying herself against the looming arrival.“Almost there,” Adrian said, crouching beside the open suitcase. He handed her a pair of impossibly small white socks with pale blue trim, and the sight of them sent a new wave of emotion through her chest.She smiled, though her heart felt too tig
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven – The Weight of Light
LeilaThe first real morning of spring arrived quietly, with a hush so tender it made her ache.The sunlight streamed in through the kitchen windows in rich, golden beams, draping the stone countertops like honey flowing from above. It flowed across the hardwood floors they had chosen together months earlier, every board selected after deliberation and laughter. Now, those very floors gleamed under the morning light, imbued with memories. The windows were cracked open just enough to let in the refreshing morning breeze, carrying the scents of moist earth, budding flowers, and something vibrantly green.Leila stood barefoot at the cooker, wrapped in one of Adrian’s old flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up past her elbows. She stirred a pot of oatmeal slowly, savoring the slower pace. Her body felt differently now—more balanced, a daily reminder of their shared journey. She moved with a newfound grace, as if the earth itself had become a part of her. Every step was intentional, each br
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six – In The Quiet That Follows
AdrianHe woke before the sun breached the horizon.The brownstone was enveloped in a stillness that felt almost sacred. Outside, the city seemed to hang in that fleeting, fragile moment between night and day—a time when the world itself hesitated to breathe. Shadows stretched across the ceiling, and the silence felt heavy, like the calm that follows a storm after it has finally burned itself out.Adrian didn't move at first. He remained still beneath the blanket, one arm cradling Leila's as she curled against him, her head resting just above his heart. Her breath came slow and even, rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep, one hand splayed softly over the steady thrum of his chest like she was anchoring herself to his steady pulse.He closed his eyes and absorbed the moment.Not just the sensation of her presence or the warmth of the sheets, but the simple, unassuming peace that accompanied it. A tranquility that didn’t seek recognition but merely existed. For the first time in
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five — When Familiar Comes Home
Gwen's Arrival Gwen arrived on a cloud-covered afternoon, when the world seemed to hold its breath. Leila stood on the sacred-feeling brownstone steps, her pale wool scarf wrapped around her, her coat partially zipped over her gently rounded stomach. The air was infused with the scent of wet stone and lavender, faint traces of the cleaning oil lingering around the house's edges.When the cab arrived, Leila remained still, watching Gwen emerge, carrying a worn canvas bag. Gwen's thin coat appeared more appropriate for warmer weather, and her hair was pulled up in a messy knot, strands flying loose in the breeze.They exchanged silent glances across the distance for a moment.Then Gwen dropped the bag and bounded up the stairs in two swift strides.Leila stepped forward just in time to catch her, and they embraced—tight and sudden, yet utterly right. Gwen's arms wrapped around Leila's back, her breath hitching against Leila's shoulder."You look like spring," Gwen murmured, her voice t
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four — The Spaces We Fill
Few days later, they navigated the renovated brownstone as if they were gliding through the pages of a story they'd once only dared to imagine.The floors, once scattered with splinters and gaps, had been replaced with reclaimed wood that hummed gracefully beneath their feet. The staircase—rebuilt, sanded, and stained—no longer creaked under their weight but instead welcomed them into their newly crafted existence. Each room exuded the lingering aroma of fresh paint, pine wood polish, and lavender oil—an unusual yet soothing blend that lingered in the air like a cherished memory.Leila paused in the entryway, running her fingers along the newly fitted doorframe. Her other hand rested on the slight curve of her belly, subtly hidden under her sweater but undeniable to her. She watched as Adrian moved through the living room, skillfully opening the windows to let in the gentle spring breeze.She smiled slightly. “It feels like it’s alive.”Adrian looked back at her, his gaze softening. “
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three — What we're Building
LeilaThe nausea didn't creep in-- it slammed into her suddenly, like a crashing wave.One moment, she was on the gallery floor, crouched in a patch of warm light, her hands buried in fabric samples she'd been collecting over the past week. She had midnight blue for the reading nook and a muted rose she hoped would work in the nursery—gentle and grounding. This task felt reassuring, providing a rare sense of control amidst the chaos.Then, without warning, everything shifted.The room spun violently, causing her stomach to turn with it. Her hands slipped off the pile of swatches, and she barely managed to get to her feet and rush to the bathroom, gripping the doorframe for support as her heart raced. She felt clammy and disoriented, as if her own body had betrayed her.Nausea struck in relentless waves while she leaned over the sink, gripping the cold porcelain and breathing shallowly through her nose. Her reflection revealed pale skin and heavy, shadowed eyes.By the time Adrian arri
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two: Told in Gentle Light
Pregnancy RevealLeila dialed Gwen from the gallery, her fingers quivering slightly as she made the call.The space was empty that morning, still resonating with the echoes of laughter and footsteps from the other night’s opening. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, creating long, golden lines on the smooth concrete floor. Her latest collection adorned the walls—images that felt like fragments of her heart captured in ink and shadow. Yet none of these works, not even the proudest or most vulnerable work she'd hung there, compared to what she felt within her now.Gwen picked up on the third ring, her voice thick with sleep and that familiar, dry-edged affection.“Hello?” came the croaky murmur.“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Leila asked, slowly pacing between two canvases. She paused in front of one featuring Adrian at the lake, wind tousling his hair and vulnerability etched in every feature. It was one of the few photos she had been unable to let go of.“You did,” Gwen replied w
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One-Laying the Foundation
----LeilaThat morning, their conversation was sparse—not due to avoidance or a lack of topics, but because the weight of what had just shifted between them made words feel.....too small.Silence wrapped around them like a comforting blanket—not chilly or distant, but respectful. It felt as if speaking too soon might shatter the delicate truth lingering between them.Leila retreated to the window seat, captivated by the view even though she barely noticed it. She curled her knees beneath her, a throw blanket resting on her legs, while an untouched cup of tea—over-steeped and cold—sat on the windowsill. Thirst was not her concern; she wasn’t even sure what she felt. Just that something within her was in flux, rearranging.Across the room, Adrian quietly moved around the kitchen, the sounds of a mug clinking, water boiling, and his soft footsteps creating a soothing background. He didn’t press her with questions or attempt to fill the silence, but every so often, she sensed his gaze on
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty – Foundations
The Brownstone Restoration The rhythmic sound of hammering resonated through the old walls, reminiscent of a heartbeat—steady and alive.Leila stood barefoot in what used to be the sitting room, now stripped to its bare frame. The plaster had been removed, exposing wooden beams and weathered brick. The floorboards had been taken up days earlier, leaving an uneven subfloor covered in old nails and bits of insulation. Light streamed through a gap where a windowpane had been taken out, casting long, flickering shafts that danced along the dust-laden walls.The air was filled with the scent of sawdust, earth, and memories.Adrian had kept the crew minimal—just four carefully selected individuals, chosen through contacts Connor trusted—experts in restoration rather than demolition. Skilled craftspeople who recognized when a building was more than just timber and stone; when it carried significance, a legacy, or grief.No one asked questions; they didn’t have to. The house communicated its
