All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE SECRET TWIN HEIR : Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

~ Few Hours Later ~ The Plaza's restaurant gleams like something out of a movie. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over pristine white tablecloths, and the soft murmur of conversation mingles with the gentle clink of expensive china. I feel underdressed despite wearing my best black dress, the one I saved for special occasions back when I could afford special occasions.Alex is already seated when the hostess leads me to our table. He stands as I approach, and I'm struck again by how he commands attention without even trying. The other diners glance our way, recognizing power when they see it."You came," he says, pulling out my chair."You doubted I would?""After this afternoon? Yes." He settles across from me, his dark eyes studying my face. "You hung up on me."Heat creeps up my neck. "I didn't hang up on you. I said I'd call back.""And did you?"I reach for my water glass instead of answering. Because no, I didn't call back. I spent the afternoon with Austin, drinking coffee

“I want…” I start to speak, then realize I don’t know how to finish that sentence. What do I want? Alex’s passion and intensity, or Austin’s gentleness and idealism? The safety of choosing neither, or the terrifying possibility of having to choose between them?“You want?” Austin prompts, stepping closer.Before I can answer, my phone buzzes with a text. Without thinking, I glance at it.Coffee? I have some ideas about the next exhibition. - AlexAustin sees the message, sees the name on the screen. Something shifts in his expression, hardens.“Right on schedule,” he says quietly.“Austin, it’s not…”“It’s fine.” But his voice suggests it’s anything but fine. “I should get you back to your hotel. I’m sure you have important business to discuss.”The easy warmth from earlier is gone, replaced by something cooler, more distant. As we walk the final blocks in silence, I realize that whatever this is between the three of us, it’s moving faster than I can control.And I’m not sure any of

**Alex POV**~ Few Days Later ~The last champagne glass clinked against the marble counter as I watched the final guest disappear through the gallery doors. Success. The word should have tasted sweeter on my tongue, but all I could think about was the way Isabella had looked at Austin during his speech tonight. Like he'd hung the fucking moon."Hell of a night." Austin's voice cut through my thoughts. He stood near the controversial centerpiece, the painting Isabella had chosen despite every advisor telling her it was career suicide. The piece that had somehow become the talk of the entire opening.I turned, loosening my tie. "Yeah. Hell of a night."My brother looked different in the dim gallery lighting. Softer somehow. His usually perfect hair was mussed from running his hands through it, a habit he'd picked up whenever Isabella was around. When had I started cataloging his tells?"The Times critic loved it," Austin continued, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Said Isabella had '

~ Ethan POV ~The black Mercedes pulls up to the curb at JFK, and I spot Austin immediately through the passenger window. Even from here, I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he's gripping the steering wheel like it's the only thing keeping him anchored to reality.Three years since I've seen him in person, but we've talked enough over video calls that I know something's wrong. Really wrong. Austin Walton doesn't ask his college roommate to drop everything and fly to New York unless the world's ending.I slide into the passenger seat, tossing my duffel bag in the back. "Well, you look like hell.""Good to see you too, Ethan." Austin's smile doesn't reach his eyes. He's wearing a perfectly pressed button-down and dark jeans, but his hair's messed up like he's been running his hands through it. "Thanks for coming on short notice.""Are you kidding? My startup's in the middle of funding hell anyway. I needed the excuse to escape." I study his face as he pulls into traffic. "Be

FEW DATS LATER~Isabella POV~The charity gala was supposed to be my moment to prove I could handle this. All of this. The press, the society games, the way people looked at me like I was some fascinating specimen under glass. But standing in front of my hotel room mirror, trying to zip up the back of my black evening gown, my hands wouldn't stop shaking."You're being ridiculous," I whispered to my reflection. The woman staring back at me looked composed enough. Hair swept up in an elegant chignon, makeup perfectly applied by the stylist Tessa had insisted on sending over. But my eyes gave me away. They looked hunted.My phone buzzed on the dresser. Two texts, arriving within seconds of each other.*Alex: Car will be there in ten. You look stunning.**Austin: Ready to make them all jealous tonight? Can't wait to see you.*I stared at the messages, my stomach twisting. How did Alex know how I looked? Then I remembered the flowers that had arrived an hour ago. White orchids with a note