Lahat ng Kabanata ng Secret affair with the billionaire : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 87

~ Helen’s POV ~Daylight crept on my skin, stirring me awake with its soft, golden fingers. I stretched my arms wide, yawning from a bone-deep exhaustion that made no sense for a day that had only just begun. Still, I moved slowly and reluctantly, but surely.I pushed aside my duvet and got out of bed. My body moved out of habit as I attended to my usual routine. I had my bath, got dressed, made my bed with military precision, and swept lightly around the room. Each task done without thought, like muscle memory, like survival.Then I left for the mansion, bracing myself for whatever the day would bring.Mr. and Mrs. Hartley are back now. With their return, the mansion has snapped back into formality, tightened shoulders, lowered voices, and structure. Everything returns to normal… or at least what passes for it around here.I made my way to the kitchen to find Lisa. Just as I’d expected, she was already deep in motion, breakfast sizzling and popping in the background like a familiar s

~ Sebastian's POV ~“I thought we've past this!” Mena yelled as I walked into my room, her voice cutting through the early silence like a blade.“Exactly,” I responded coldly, without pausing, heading straight toward the bathroom.I knew what she wanted to say already. I didn’t need to hear it. It was written all over her face the moment I stepped in. And certainly, this morning was going to be the stage for it.She obviously didn’t see that Helen was hurt or maybe she did, and she just doesn’t care. That sounds more like her anyway. If it doesn’t involve her directly, it’s irrelevant.I entered the bathroom and shut the door behind me with finality. A new day, but already ruined by the sound of a raging chipmunk echoing in my ears.What does she want this time?Another car to pacify her, maybe. Or perhaps the whole garage from the car stand would do. She’d still complain, still find fault, still make it about her. That’s Mena.I showered under the steaming water, letting it run down

~ Helen’s POV ~All freshened up, I headed back to the mansion. The air was cool, but my body still pulsed with lingering heat from earlier. I entered from the back door, the one by the cleaning storage room. Routine took over, I grabbed the cleaning materials and stepped out, heading toward the stairs.Then I heard cutlery clinking faintly from the dining area.And just like that, his scent hit me.I froze for half a second. That cologne….the one I that wrapped my brain and senses in his comfort. I turned my head instinctively, and there he was.Sebastian.He sat at the long, polished table like a painting come to life. Dressed in the suit I had laid out for him earlier. Hair brushed back. Calm. Composed. Dangerous.My chest tightened at the sight.He hadn’t looked up yet, but I didn’t wait for him to. I couldn’t. My legs carried me swiftly up the stairs before I lost my nerve. The hallway felt longer than usual. My heart raced as I reached his room.Focus, Helen.I forced myself to

~ Helen’s POV ~“You know, many times, I feel you and Miss Mena have a personal beef that makes her glare at you with so much wrath in her eyes,” Lisa said, her voice low, almost like a whisper sneaking out against her will.Her words settled into the air like fog, quiet, lingering, and difficult to ignore. I paused, holding my breath for a moment longer than necessary. A dull ache stirred beneath my ribs. The last thing I wanted this morning was to think of Mena again.Seeing her this morning, and having to listen to her piercing words is more than enough for one day.I’m out of her shadow, or at least trying to be. But somehow, she always manages to creep back in, like a shadow that elongates as the sun rises inescapable, always there.I let out a quiet breath and forced a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “It’s nothing like that from me,” I lied, my voice carefully measured to hide the sting in my chest.Lisa cleared her throat softly, barely audible, but deliberate.I heard i