All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Mistake: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

That night, after Nicolas threw her out, Aria had nowhere to go. She still had her job at Collins Jewelry, but the paycheck was barely enough for food and doctor visits, let alone rent in the city.So she dragged herself to a run-down hotel on the corner of an unfamiliar street. The receptionist gave her a look before sliding the key across the counter. “Payment upfront.”Aria handed over her last few bills, knowing they would only cover her stay for a couple of weeks at most. After that… she didn’t want to think about it.Her room smelled faintly of mold, the wallpaper peeling, but it was better than the rain outside. She curled up on the creaky bed, clutching her belly, whispering to the tiny lives inside her, I’ll find a way. I promise.The next morning, Aria checked out of the shabby hotel, her oversized coat wrapped tightly around her. She walked quickly down the street, sketchbook clutched to her chest, determined to drag herself to work and pretend nothing was wrong.But fate ha

For the next few days, Aria buried herself in work. She said nothing, showed nothing, simply delivered her designs with quiet precision. Her oversized coats and calm face gave no clue about the storm inside her.But things… began to shift.On Monday, two of her sketches mysteriously went missing from the design board. The manager scolded her for being careless, though Aria knew she hadn’t misplaced them. She bit her lip and said nothing.On Tuesday, one of her finished pieces was returned with a note claiming it was “unoriginal.” The handwriting wasn’t her manager’s. Aria recognized Ava’s elegant script instantly. Still, she lowered her head and took the criticism.By Wednesday, deadlines she hadn’t been informed of suddenly appeared on her desk. Her colleagues whispered behind her back, clearly pleased to see the once-respected designer faltering. Ava and her assistant Lila lingered in the background, watching it all unfold with poisonous smiles.And through it all, Aria endured. She

The office was hushed, the hum of the office muted behind closed doors. Nicolas caged her in with one arm braced against the wall, his eyes dark with accusation.“You forced me into marriage, Aria,” he bit out. “You bargained with me your blood for Ava’s life. And now you disappear for weeks without a word? Don’t tell me this is some new tactic to make me chase you. Playing hard to get doesn’t suit you.”Aria’s chest tightened, but her expression stayed cold, composed. She clutched her sketchbook like armor.“Hard to get?” Her voice was calm, but each word sliced like a blade. “You threw me out in the middle of the night, Nicolas. You believed every lie Ava fed you. You believed that falsified report… the one that said the baby I carry wasn’t yours.”Nicolas stiffened, his jaw locking.Aria’s eyes glistened, but her tone never wavered. “I forced that marriage because I wanted a family for my child. And because I was foolish enough to love you. But now?” She drew in a sharp breath, her

Aria walked into the quiet restaurant, her laptop clutched tightly against her chest. Her eyes swept the polished space until she spotted Alex waiting near the windows.“Aria,” he greeted warmly, rising at once and pulling out her chair. “How are you?”She gave him a small but genuine smile as she sat down. “I’m fine, Alex. And you?”“Can’t complain,” he said with a light grin. “Though I’ll admit, I was looking forward to this meeting more than usual.”Aria tilted her head, amused. “Why’s that?”Before he could answer, a familiar voice carried across the restaurant.“Because he knew I’d steal the spotlight,” came Anthony Lorenzo’s deep, commanding tone. Anthony Lorenzo called Aria two days ago after her appointment and asked her to bring in the special designs he had requested.Aria rose instantly as the older man approached. Even in his fifties, Anthony carried himself with effortless authority. Sharp eyes, silver at his temples, and the aura of someone accustomed to being obeyed. Ye

The press room was a warzone of flashing lights and shouted questions. Jackson Shaw stood at the center, his parents flanking him like a wall of polished marble.“Mr. Shaw! Is it true you’ve been romantically linked with Aria Williams?”“Did she stalk you?”“Are the photos proof of an affair?”Jackson raised a hand, silencing the chaos with calculated ease. His expression was grave, every trace of his usual charm replaced by cold control.“Let’s put the rumors to rest,” he said smoothly. “Miss Williams was never my lover. But she was… persistent. She appeared at every event, every party, every business dinner, always trying to insert herself into my orbit.”Reporters gasped. Pens scratched furiously against notepads.His mother, elegant and sharp-eyed, leaned forward, her voice slicing through the crowd.“When her advances were rejected, she became hysterical. She caused scenes in public, shouting, crying, begging. She embarrassed our family in front of important partners. We tolerate