Semua Bab The Billionaire's Hidden Triplets: Bab 161 - Bab 170

—Eloise—The walls seemed to be closing in on me.Two days had passed since my parents told me I was going to marry Caleb Holt, but I still hadn't figured out how to accept it.I sat huddled in the jacuzzi in my bathroom, the steam curling around me.My phone rang again on the counter.Nathaniel.I stared at his name until the call ended.A second later, another call came through.Mother.I declined it.I wasn't ready to hear anyone's explanation. Not when every answer seemed to lead back to the same man.Caleb Holt.The man who could still evoke feelings I had convinced myself were long dead. Seven years had passed, yet my heart still reacted to him before my mind could remind me of everything that had happened between us.I remembered his reaction when I showed him the photo.The way color drained from his face.I reached for my phone, scrolled to the photo, and stopped cold.It was gone.For a moment, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I stepped out of the jacuzzi, water

—Caleb—She was shaking in my arms.I carried her away from the men, my jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. I wanted to turn around and finish what I had started.Instead, I kept walking.She was safe now. That was what mattered.I looked down at her. Her hair was messy, her face flushed, and her eyes struggled to focus.“Are you hurt?”Her fingers curled into the front of my shirt. She shook her head against my chest.“Eloise.”“No.”Her voice trembled, and her breath reeked of alcohol.She was drunk.My anger returned.I had spent the last hour searching for her.When she wouldn't answer my calls, I had checked the places I thought she might have gone. Then one of her security men finally told me she'd left the estate alone.Alone.No driver. No security.Nothing.I had never been so angry in my life.Not because she'd ignored me. Because she'd put herself in danger. I had found her surrounded by three men, and for a few seconds, I hadn't known if I was too late.“What the hell were yo

—Caleb—“We need to talk.”Alec's voice was calm.Too calm.I stood with my arms folded across my chest and nodded, taking them in one by one. Aside from Eloise, they were all glaring at me.I had known this conversation was coming.Maybe not today.But eventually.I'd been expecting it ever since I walked back into Eloise's life.“Sure. But we were having breakfast, so please, join us. We can talk afterwards, alright?”“We could just talk during the meal?” Nathaniel said.“Yes.” I met his gaze. “However, judging by the looks on your faces, I can tell this isn't going to be friendly chatter. The last thing I want is a ruined appetite.”Nathaniel glanced at his parents, while Mabel tightened her grip around her daughter.Alec studied me for a few seconds before finally nodding.“Fine.”The room seemed to exhale.I gestured toward the door. “Please, join me.”Inside the dining room, Eloise and I settled back into our seats. Nathaniel sat at my left, and his parents took the seats across

—Eloise—The moment our eyes met, everything else in the room disappeared.All I could notice was the man standing near the window in a tailored charcoal suit, one hand buried in his pocket.Caleb Holt.He was watching me like he was trying to read my mind.I held his gaze as I took the seat beside my father.“You're late,” he said.I glanced at the clock.“By two minutes.”His lips curved. “Still late.”He looked far too pleased to see me. I almost laughed. He had no idea what he was getting himself into.I placed my handbag on the floor and folded my hands on the table. “I'm here. Let's sign the contract.”My father glanced at me, his brows creasing with worry.Nathaniel leaned back in his chair. “You really are going through with this?”“Yes.”“You don't look convinced.”“I am.”I turned my attention to Caleb.He had taken the seat at the head of the table, but he was studying me as though he expected me to change my mind at any moment. Seven years ago, I would have been nervous un

—Eloise—I dropped everything I was carrying, crossed the room, and flopped onto the bed.Finally.I had my own bedroom. A door I could close whenever I wanted. At least I wouldn't have to wake up every morning with Caleb beside me while pretending this marriage was real.But his face came back to me.The way his expression had changed when I gathered my stuff and walked out of his room.I frowned and rolled onto my side.Why did he look so disappointed? Why did I care? This marriage was solely a contract and nothing more.I grabbed a pillow and pulled it against my chest, taking in the room.It wasn't as grand as Caleb's bedroom, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, dark wood furnishings, large bed and sitting area near the windows. This room was smaller and simpler, with cream walls, silk bedding and just enough furniture to make it feel comfortable.I liked it.Especially the privacy.I didn't need a room that looked like a five-star hotel. I needed somewhere I could close the door