Betrayed by Ex, Married to Billionaire のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

“Dad, let me carry that.” Aruna reached for the worn suitcase in her father’s hand before he could protest. Mr. Darman chuckled softly. “I’m not that weak yet, Aruna.” She smiled, but still took the suitcase anyway. “You’re not weak. You’re just not allowed to lift heavy things anymore.” Leonard watched the exchange from the doorway of the mansion, his expression unreadable. The afternoon sun bathed the courtyard in a gentle gold, far warmer than the storms that once defined Aruna’s life. “So this is where you live now,” Mr. Darman said quietly, looking up at the grand house. There was no envy in his eyes—only relief. “Yes,” Aruna answered. “But more importantly… this is where you’ll stay with me.” He turned to her, surprised. “With you?” She nodded firmly. “You’re not going back to that tiny rented room alone. Not anymore.” Leonard stepped forward. “The guest room on the east wing has been prepared,” he said calmly. “If you need anything adjusted, just tell the staff.” Mr. D

“Please, Mrs. Arken—this way.” The voice was polite. Careful. Different from before. Aruna paused at the entrance of the grand conference hall, her heels resting on polished marble. She noticed it instantly—the subtle shift in tone, the lowered gaze, the respectful distance. No condescension. No thinly veiled judgment. She nodded once. “Thank you.” As she walked forward, murmurs rippled softly across the room. “That’s her…” “Mrs. Leonard Arken.” “The one who led the Horizon Project.” “I heard she turned a failing division into profit within six months.” Aruna kept her posture straight, her expression composed. Inside, she felt the weight of every gaze—not crushing this time, but acknowledging. At the head of the hall, Leonard stood speaking with several senior executives. He turned when he sensed her presence. Their eyes met. For a brief second, something unreadable crossed his face—pride, perhaps, restrained behind discipline. “Good,” he said quietly as she approached. “Y

“Did you say that name… again?” Leonard’s voice was low, sharp, cutting through the quiet of the study like a blade. Aruna, who had been standing by the bookshelf reviewing documents, slowly turned around. Her fingers tightened around the folder in her hand. “Victor Hale,” she repeated calmly. “His company just submitted a bid for the East Harbor project.” Leonard’s eyes darkened instantly. The atmosphere shifted. “That bastard,” Leonard muttered under his breath. Aruna took a step closer. “You know him.” Leonard let out a slow breath and loosened his cufflinks, a habit he only had when suppressing anger. “Know him?” he scoffed quietly. “He’s the reason half of my empire was once on the brink of collapse.” Aruna’s brows knit together. “That serious?” Leonard walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to her. “Ten years ago,” he began, voice steady but cold, “Victor Hale was my closest partner.” Aruna’s eyes widened slightly. “Partner?” she echoed. Leonard nodded

“Why did you really marry me?” Aruna’s voice cut through the quiet study, calm but unyielding. Leonard paused mid-motion, his hand resting on the edge of the desk. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights shimmered like distant stars, cold and indifferent. He didn’t turn around. “I thought you already knew,” Leonard said slowly. Aruna crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. “I know the version you chose to tell me. Not the truth.” Leonard exhaled, a quiet, controlled breath. “And what do you think the truth is?” “That I was convenient,” Aruna replied. “That I was broken enough to accept your offer. That you needed a wife, and I needed a lifeline.” Leonard finally turned to face her. His eyes were unreadable—dark, sharp, but carrying something deeper beneath the surface. “You weren’t wrong,” he said. “But you weren’t entirely right either.” Aruna’s jaw tightened. “Then explain.” Leonard walked toward the window, his hands clasped behind his back. “In m

“Leonard.” Aruna’s voice cut through the dimly lit study, steady but sharp. Leonard paused mid-step, one hand resting on the edge of his desk. The large screen behind him still glowed with encrypted data—financial flows, offshore routes, names hidden behind layers of code. Things that were never meant to be seen by someone like her. “You weren’t supposed to be here,” he said quietly. Aruna closed the door behind her with a soft click. “And you weren’t supposed to lie to me,” she replied. Silence stretched between them. Leonard slowly turned around. His expression was composed, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him. “How much did you see?” he asked. “Enough,” Aruna said. She stepped closer, heels echoing against the marble floor. “Enough to know that Leonard Arken doesn’t just rule the daylight world.” Leonard exhaled slowly. “Then you also know this isn’t a place for questions.” Aruna crossed her arms. “Funny. You once told me knowledge was power.” “That was before,” Leon