Lahat ng Kabanata ng PROPERTY OF THE BILLIONAIRE: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

His hand closed around my wrist, warm and steady, and I froze."Jay-jay," he murmured, his voice low, like I was the last thing tethering him to this earth.But I was tired of this. Tired of the games, tired of my life crumbling over and over again because of the men in my life. I wasn't going to break again. No, not again."Don't," I whispered, my voice hoarse. I pulled away weakly, but his grasp wasn't rough - it was pleading, desperate. My chest tightened, a knot of fury and longing twisting deeper than I could bear.I forced myself to meet his eyes, and it nearly unraveled me. His grey orbs blazed, molten and wild, like he had been chasing me through storms and finally caught me."You think I haven't burned enough?" His voice splintered something fragile inside me. "You think I can survive the fire you leave behind?"What is he talking about?"Icarus-" I whimpered, his name cracking in my throat like a fracture that wouldn't heal.Then his mouth found mine.My breath seized, sharp

The car coasted to a stop, and I blinked, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. We weren't in the heart of New York anymore. The city's chaos had been replaced with the scent of saltwater and the distant sound of crashing waves. I turned to Alessio, but he only nodded toward the door. "We're here," he said quietly. I didn't question it. What was the point anymore? The world felt like it was spinning too fast for me to grasp onto anything. I just followed him, my feet dragging across the ground, my mind too clouded by everything to care. He led me up a stone pathway, the ocean breeze tugging at my hair. The path curved gently toward a secluded beach house, its whitewashed walls glowing in the late afternoon sun, shrouded by sea grass and weathered wood. When we stepped inside, my breath hitched. Warm light spilled through gauzy curtains, casting golden patterns on the honey-toned floorboards. The air smelled faintly of salt, like sandalwood and citrus. Worn linen couches frame

I woke to an empty bed.The sheets were still warm beside me, but the space where he should’ve been was hollow. My hand searched blindly—hoping for a shirt, a note, anything—but there was nothing.Was it a dream?I sit up in panic, but the dull ache between my thighs screamed the truth. No. Not a dream. I was sore. Naked. It had happened.Where was he? Why did he leave without a word?No note, nothing? I slide out of the bed, the cool floor sending a shiver up my spine.I reach for my robe, my fingers trembling slightly, then catch my reflection in the mirror.Disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, eyes still wide with the remnants of last night’s intensity.Who just leaves like this? No warning, no goodbye. I pull the robe tight around me, knotting it like a fragile shield against the chaos twisting inside my head.From downstairs, the scrape of boxes drags my scattered thoughts back, followed by the comforting scent of pancakes floating up the stairs.Oh God. My parents. How could I forge

I was still floating. The city blurred beyond the elevator glass, but all I could feel was Icarus — his voice still echoing in my ears, quiet and unexpected: "Marry me." Behind me, Alessio trailed with that ever-present knowing smirk. “You gonna keep grinning like that all day, or do I need to book you a room in the psych ward?” he teased. I laughed, breathless and dazed. I twirled once as the penthouse doors opened, letting myself get swept up in it — in him, in the sheer surreality of the moment. And yet, something in the air felt too still. I stepped in with a playful spin. Never had I felt so good. “Lupe!” I called out “I’m bac—” But my voice caught mid-note. There was movement on the couch. A figure — languid, poised — stirred. Legs crossed, posture pristine. She was beautiful in that intimidating, editorial sort of way: all sharp cheekbones, full lips, and a cascade of obsidian-dark hair. Her skin glowed, golden and smooth, like she’d been poured out of a luxury campaign.

I arrived at Andra’s apartment in what felt like a heartbeat, barely holding myself together. My vision was blurry, my breath shallow as I rang the bell. The door flew open almost instantly. Andra stood there with a bright smile, her silk robe tied loosely at the waist, and a half-dried face mask clinging to her skin. “Janice!” she beamed. “Is it Saturday already or did the stars finally align—?” She stopped mid-sentence, her smile fading the second her eyes took me in. My breath was uneven, my shoulders tense. I didn’t say a word — just stood there, stunned and brittle, like one wrong word would shatter me. “Whoa,” she murmured, stepping aside instantly. “Come in. Now.” I didn’t hesitate. The second the door closed behind me, I sank into her arms like gravity had finally won. My fingers curled around the fabric of her robe as my body trembled. Andra held me tight without asking questions, her hand gently rubbing circles into my back. "It's okay, okay.” she whispered, her voic