All Chapters of Losing Ryker: The Billionaire's Second Chance : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ryker I wasn’t sure why I was still doing this, but here I was, driving to the Falloway family’s house for another one of those visits I never seemed to escape from. It wasn’t like they weren’t good to me. Hell, they had taken me in when my own parents had passed. For this, visiting them never seemed like a chore. As I parked in front of their house, I could already see the familiar sight of Aunt Eleanor, Alice's mother's standing at the door, her arms wide open as she waved me in. She was the type of woman who made you feel like you mattered, no matter what you had been through. Behind her stood Uncle Richard, his broad frame in the doorway, his face lit with the kind of smile only a father figure could have. I felt a lump form in my throat, but I pushed it down. I wasn’t here for that. “Ryker! It’s been too long,” Aunt Eleanor greeted, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. “Yeah, Aunt Eleanor. Been a while,” I muttered, patting her back awkwardly. It wasn’t that I didn’t

Alice The night after Ryker and I returned home was a blur. My body was aching with exhaustion but my mind was still racing with everything that had happened between us. I had barely settled into bed when the feeling of his hands on my coat, helping me as I put it on, guided me through every small movement. It kept replaying in my mind. His gentle touch, even the way he opened the car door for me, and how he always made sure I was taken care of… I never got tired of it. It felt like I was wrapped in his protection like I didn’t have to worry about a single thing in the world. But then there was Zerah. She’d been gone for years, but now she was back. And for some reason, that felt like a major threat to everything I had with Ryker. I knew he’d do whatever it took to protect me, but something about her return made me uneasy. I turned onto my side, finally surrendering to sleep. --- Morning came faster than I actually wanted it to. My head was foggy, and I pretended to st

Zerah I had just slipped on my earrings when I heard a knock at the door. “Coming!” I called out, stepping quickly through the hallway. I opened the door to see Nathan standing there in a dark button-down, his sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. He looked good—clean, calm, and smiling like he wasn’t trying too hard. “Wow,” he said, giving me a once-over. “You clean up pretty well.” I smirked. “You’re lucky I didn’t cancel at the last minute.” He chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. I came prepared for rejection.” Behind me, I heard the sound of little feet running down the hallway. “Mama, is that your friend?” Ryan asked as he peeked from behind my leg. Nathan crouched slightly and waved. “Hey there. I’m Nathan. Remember me?” He giggled and waved back, while Micah peeked from the living room. “They’re adorable,” Nathan said as he straightened up. “Don’t let those faces fool you. They’re tiny chaos machines.” He laughed. “Chaos I can handle.” I stepped out, grabbing my clutch. “Ready?

Zerah The housekeeper ushered us forward. I took Micah’s hand in mine and held Ryan’s free hand, guiding them down the hall toward a pair of ornate double doors. The walls were lined with framed landscapes and polished sconces that glowed softly in the morning light. Every step echoed on the marble floor. Micah looked up at me. “Are we really staying here?” I smiled. “Yes. We are.” Ryan squeezed my hand. “You’re the best, Mama.” I glanced over my shoulder to see Ryker standing where the foyer opened into the hall. He watched us, arms crossed, expression unreadable. The housekeeper paused at the doors. “This will be your suite, Ms. Zerah.” I opened one of the doors to reveal a spacious room decorated in pale blues and creams. Two twin beds stood side by side with a nightstand in between. There was a sitting area with a small sofa, a desk by the window, and adjoining bathroom with double sinks. “It’s perfect,” I murmured, stepping inside. Micah and Ryan immediately ran

Zerah The hallway felt colder than I remembered. My footsteps echoed against the marble, and my chest tightened with each step I took. Everything about this place screamed distance — from the spotless floors to the quiet staff who avoided eye contact. It wasn’t a home. It was a fortress. One that didn’t want me in it. I found myself in the garden, drawn by the moonlight spilling across the hedges. The wind was gentle, brushing my skin like a whisper, and still, I felt suffocated. “Are you alright, ma’am?” a soft voice asked. I turned and saw one of the younger maids standing by the doorway, her face full of concern. “I’m fine, thank you,” I said, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. She nodded and stepped back inside. Alone again. I wrapped my arms around myself and sank onto the nearest stone bench, burying my face in my hands. “What am I even doing here?” I whispered to the night. “What was I thinking?” My phone buzzed in my pocket, and for a second, I hoped it was my mother. But