All Chapters of Come Back To Me: Billionaire’s Regret: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Shirley POVJosh and I stepped into the designated waiting area, collecting our queue number for the final review.One company after another was called into the inner conference room for their presentation.The remaining competitors were all huddled, silently immersed in their last-minute preparations.The tension in the air was so thick it felt like static.Last time, I hadn't waited long before Connor had ushered me in early.But today, no special treatment. He hadn't pulled any strings for us.Fine, I told myself, we'll play fair.The sheer formality and the palpable anxiety of the room were making my hands tremble.Josh squeezed my hand reassuringly, a small, weary smile breaking through his own composure."That tense? Look at you shaking. Your fingertips are ice cold, Shirley."He lifted my hand, cupping it fully in both of his and gently rubbing warmth back into my skin.The simple act sent a much-needed shock of comfort through me."It's my first time in such a high-stakes sett

Connor POVThe moment I stepped into Shirley’s apartment building, I was staggered.I truly couldn’t believe she was surviving in this kind of environment.The stairwell was narrow and dimly lit, the neighbors looked dangerous and disorderly.I couldn't bear to imagine the constant anxiety she must feel, walking through here every single day.The room was much smaller and more decrepit than the place we used to share.The walls were stained and patched with mold, and the floor tiles were chipped and cracked, yet she had kept the space impeccably clean and neat.Seeing that single dish of beef pasta with tomato sauce on her table immediately brought me back to the times we were tangled up together. Her pasta was always delicious.I swallowed, waiting for her to invite me, wanting to relive the old tenderness.However, she simply finished the plate quickly and completely ignored my presence.She ate too fast, and she didn't seem to enjoy the process at all.I didn't blame her. She had

Shirley POVConnor’s kiss intensified, and his hands turned rough, savagely tearing at the black binding straps.My full breasts sprang free from their confinement.The nipples were tight and exquisitely pink beneath the falling water.Connor gasped, his entire body trembling with the effort of his breathing.Fire burned in his eyes. His hands cupped my breasts, kneading gently while his thumb teased and circled my stiffening peaks.A bolt of electric pleasure shot from my chest straight to my core, and I felt the telltale rush of moisture between my thighs.My mind, however, remained frustratingly clear.I didn't know if it was the purpose driving me or the lingering fear that he would see the old, shattered parts of me.Don’t let him notice, I commanded myself.My hand slipped down between his legs, wrapping around his already engorged erection, feeling the powerful pulse of it.It seemed to swell another size in my grip.I had once been so obsessed with his dick, driven mad by it,

Shirley POVThe congratulatory atmosphere in the office was deflated by my words. Josh, leaned over, his voice laced with natural relief. "Yeah, only two. Glazze Beauty for the cosmetics line, and Vanture Technologies for the smart wearables.""The Director even said they're a perfect fit for our strategy," he added, completely oblivious.I stared at him, gripping the pen in my hand so tightly I was close to snapping it in half."So, from the very start, they never intended to give us the contract for the entire Group, did they?"I fought to keep my voice flat, striving for a semblance of calm.Josh raised his gaze, paused for a beat, and reached out to smooth my hair in a familiar, almost patronizing gesture of comfort."Shirley, we're not big enough," he soothed. "Landing even two subsidiaries is a massive win for us. We should be proud.""And if we execute this perfectly," he continued, a practical tone replacing the gentle one, "the profit will still be significant. We can’t affo

Connor POVWhen I finally reached the location Shirley had shared with me, her car was parked on the roadside.She herself was on the pavement nearby, weaving drunkenly as she attempted to walk a straight line.She was wearing that thin, pale blue cocktail dress, her slender silhouette looking impossibly beautiful and fragile in the biting cold.I watched from a distance, and a small, wry smile touched my lips.She never drank. To be this clumsy, she must have emptied half a bottle.I stepped out of the car and immediately pulled her into my arms. She was ice-cold, a block of frozen pain."Shirley, come home with me."Her vivid blue eyes, slightly unfocused with alcohol, lifted to mine. Her long lashes fluttered."Home? I have no home..."Her voice was soft, husky, and cracked.And a sharp, sudden wrench tore at my heart."Don't be silly. Let's go, it's freezing out here," I urged.She pushed against my chest, pulling away."Mom was dead. I haven't had a home in years..."A faint, bit