Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire’s Betrayed Bride: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

RILEY'S POV The evening breeze was cool, enveloping me with a special kind of warmth.Did something happen? Absolutely not. I just felt relaxed for some reasons.I stepped into the elevator with a stack of files in my hand. Eager to round up for the day and proceed for my dinner with Claire.Sofia was standing akimbo in front of my desk as I entered the office, her eyes burning with the kind of fury that only insecurity could create.“What now?” I mumbled to myself, whilst rolling my eyes sickly.“Riley,” she called sharply, not even letting me out down the files first.“Yes, ma’am?” I forced a smile, bracing myself for whatever tantrum she was going to throw.She looked me up and down, her expression very sour. “What happened between you and Ethan last night?”“Us? Did he say something happened?” I asked with my face straight, not giving her a chance to read my thoughts.“You shameless hypocrite!” She snapped with a clenched jaw. “Do you think I don't know?”“Respectfully Sofia, wil

CLAIRE'S POV I headed to Riley's place with a bag packed with dinner. If she was too tired to come out, I would have to go to her place. We would have dinner together no matter what.I punched in the passcode and entered inside.“Riles!” I called, putting down the bag but there was no response. Was she probably asleep?I headed to her room. “Riley stop pretending you can't hear me,” I pushed the door open but she wasn't there.“Riley!” I called again. Panic was slowly creeping into my voice but I urged myself to stay positive. She was probably out to get something, there was no point in getting so worried.But some things weren't right. Her bag wasn't on the table, her cardigan wasn’t draped over the couch and even her slippers weren’t beside the door. Even the heater was turned off. That meant she wasn't back from work yet.She'd clearly told me she was home, was that a lie? Why did she have to lie? Was she being threatened? Or was I overreacting?“Shit!” I cussed, taking out my pho

RILEY'S POV The room was now cold, as though the walls themselves were carved from ice.I felt a chill run down my spine, my heart pounding aggressively against my chest as the kidnapper's fingers touched the edge of his mask. He was going to take it off, to ease my curiosity.My breath hitched as I watched him keenly, so much that I was close to biting my lips off, I could already see the outline of his jawline, one I almost recognised. I was that close.His phone suddenly rang. A sharp, vibrating sound that sliced through the silence like a knife.“Shit!” I cussed under my breath. That was annoyingly close.He paused, sliding his mask back into place. He grunted, annoyed then stepped away from me, pulling the phone out of his pocket.“Yeah?.” His voice was low, distorted on purpose, but I could still pick up the irritation behind it. “I’m busy.”There was a brief pause.“I said I’m busy!” He snapped this time, his shoulders clearly tensed.Whatever the caller said next made him tur

OWEN’S POVI'd just kicked off my shoes when my phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. I didn't bother checking the caller ID, knowing fully well only one person ever called at this hour, and only for one purpose.Aiden.I swiped to answer. “Yeah?”There was no greeting. Aiden’s voice came through sharp and tight, like a wire pulled to breaking. “Come to my place, right now.”“Right now? I'm a busy man, do you really think I'll…”“Your monthly bonus will be increased by 70 percent. Be here in ten minutes and maybe I'll make it 80 instead.” Aiden stated.“I'll be there in five minutes. I'm not busy at all,” I grinned, hurriedly grabbing my shoes.The line cut.Aiden’s tone replayed in my mind as I got ready to leave. It sounded like something very urgent, that was the only reason he'd offer an allowance increment out of the blue.I grabbed his keys, snatched my backpack, and was back out the door in less than a minute.The drive was fast, silent, and a little thrilling. The thought of

CLAIRE'S POV The morning felt wrong from the moment I opened my eyes.My head throbbed dully, my throat burned, and my entire body felt heavier than usual. But none of it compared to the ache in my heart. The ache that had been there since Riley went missing. It had been a whole day already. I rolled over in bed and checked my phone again.No new messages, no calls. Nothing from the police or Aiden.Nothing from Riley.I closed my eyes and forced myself not to cry again. My voice was already hoarse from screaming at the officers last night, and my eyes were still swollen. I hadn’t even slept properly, every sound outside my building made me flinch, hoping, praying it was Riley.My stomach churned with worry and exhaustion until I ended up leaning over the bedside table, coughing violently. The pressure in my head spiked and my body shook as I clutched the sheets for balance.I felt awful, and alone.By noon, I gave up on pretending I wasn't sick. My fever was pretty high, I could