Chapter 41:You are carrying a Hedalgo

Darius didn't answer. He stared at the man’s face in the photo—a man who had no right to be in the same memory as the mother of a Hedalgo. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the frame into the kitchen trash can. The sound of glass shattering against the plastic bin echoed like a gunshot in the quiet apartment."That wasn't yours to touch!" Hezekiah shouted, her voice trembling with indignation."Everything in this room is mine if it involves you," Darius growled, turning to face her. "I told you on the terrace: I am the father. I don't want to see another man’s face in the place where my child sleeps. That part of your life is dead, Hezekiah. Erase it.""You are a tyrant!" she cried, clutching her stomach. "You can't just throw away my things!""I'm doing more than throwing away trash," Darius countered, his voice rising. He gestured vaguely at the cramped walls. "Look at this place. You fainted because you’re exhausted and under-nourished. I can't protect you here. There’s no space

Chapter 42: Moving In

As the last of the boxes were taped shut, Darius stepped into the small hallway, his hand already reaching for his phone. He looked back at Hezekiah, who was sitting on her bed, clutching the family album as if it were the only anchor she had left."I need to check on the security detail for the move," he lied smoothly. "Stay there. Rest."He stepped out onto the landing, the door clicking shut behind him. His expression transformed instantly—the softening guilt replaced by the cold, calculating mask of the Hedalgo heir. He hit a speed-dial contact that had no name."Marcus," Darius said, his voice a low, dangerous vibration. "I have a new priority. I need the full file on a case from five years ago. A murder conviction—Hogan Peterson. I want the original police reports, witness statements, and the name of the 'best friend' who walked free. I also want a list of every syndicate member operating in the North District at that time.""Darius, that’s a closed case," the voice on the other

Chapter 43:The Architecture of Trust

Instead of the formal dining room, Darius led Hezekiah through a hidden door in the sunroom that opened into a massive, climate-controlled glass conservatory. Inside, it was a lush, green paradise filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and the sound of a trickling waterfall.In the center, a small table was set for two, surrounded by rare white orchids that looked like sleeping moths."I thought the air in the house was too sterile for you," Darius said, pulling out her chair. "This is a private microclimate. The oxygen levels are optimized, and the plants are all non-allergenic.""You have a literal forest in your house?" Hezekiah asked, a breathless laugh escaping her as she looked at the towering ferns. "It’s beautiful, Darius.""I remembered you mentioning during a meeting months ago that you missed the greenery of the province," he replied casually, though the intensity in his eyes suggested it was anything but a casual memory.The "excitement" of the afternoon didn't come fro

chapter 45:The Shared Shadow

Darius paused in the doorway, his silhouette imposing against the hall light. "While I’m gone, I want you to feel free. This isn't a hotel or a prison—it’s your home." He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Rearrange the furniture, explore the gardens, order the chef to feed you at midnight. Do not ask for permission. You are the mistress of this house.""And if I get lost?" she teased, a small smile touching her lips."Mona will find you," he replied, a ghost of a smirk appearing. "I’ll be late. Don’t wait up. Sleep."With one final, lingering look, he vanished down the hallway.The silence that followed was absolute. For the first time, Hezekiah wasn't being escorted or shadowed by security. She wandered the labyrinthine estate, her bare feet sinking into plush carpets, until she found the double glass doors of the east wing.She pushed them open to reveal a two-story library. Books lined the walls, stretching toward the ceiling, and a gentle fire crackled in the center hearth. Tucke

All Chapters of The Billionaire's Strained Wife: Chapter 41 - Chapter 44

Chapter 41:You are carrying a Hedalgo

Chapter 42: Moving In

Chapter 43:The Architecture of Trust

chapter 45:The Shared Shadow