All Chapters of Betrayed In Love: Redeemed By The Billionaire CEO: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

(Rayner)A scoff slips out of me as her words keep replaying in my mind. She doesn’t know anything, yet she’s already coming for me. Hesitating? Seriously?“What makes you think you’d do any better, huh?” I ask, folding my arms.No answer.I huff out a quiet laugh. “See? You can’t even defend yourself.”I shake my head slightly. “I know exactly what I’m doing. It’s just—”My gaze shifts to her——and the rest of my words fall away.She isn’t even listening.Her eyes are fixed ahead, distant… like she’s somewhere else entirely.I follow her line of sight.The final piece.My focus moves between her and the canvas, slower now. Studying. Noticing.Back to her.Then the painting again.The way she’s looking at it… it’s not casual.Not just admiration.It’s deeper than that.Like she feels it.My eyes settle on the painting again. I take it in properly this time—the quiet strength in it, the calm beneath the chaos.Yeah.B.B outdid himself with this one.A faint smile touches my lips. I gl

(Amara)“Thank you for bringing me home.” My voice comes out softer than I intend as Rayner turns off the engine in front of my house.He nods once.Quiet. Controlled.I reach for my seatbelt and unbuckle it.“Do you…” he starts.I pause and look at him, brows drawing together. “Do I what?”He hesitates.Then shakes his head. “It’s nothing.”I study him for a second longer, sensing there’s more, but I don’t push.Instead, I turn and step out of the car.The night air hits my skin, cool and grounding.I take a few steps toward the house when I hear his door open behind me.“Amara.”I stop.Turn.He’s already walking toward me.“Is there something you want to say?” I ask, watching him closely.“Yes.”My brows lift slightly.Then he exhales. “No. I mean… no.”Now I frown. “Is there a problem?”“The frame.”My expression shifts. “What about the frame?”“I thought you might—”“I would prefer if we don’t talk about that anymore.”My tone is calm, but firm.I don’t want to go back there.Don

(Rayner)I sit in my office, drumming my pen against the desk.Once.Twice.Again.She’s not here yet.My gaze flicks to the clock.Why is she late?A thought crosses my mind.What if she’s already here… and just hasn’t come in yet?I push up from my chair immediately and step out.Her desk comes into view.Empty.There’s no one there.I stop.So she hasn’t arrived.I exhale and turn back into my office, shutting the door behind me.Then I start pacing.A slow smile spreads across my face.I can’t wait.I want to see her reaction.The moment she sees it.The painting.I picture her face already. The way her eyes would light up, the way that quiet smile would form. The same one from last night.A strange thrill runs through me.I move toward the door again.Then stop.Turn back.Then go again.Restless.And just as I’m about to step out once more—The outer door opens.I freeze.Quickly, I step back inside, closing my office door and moving to my seat. My expression settles into someth

(Amara)“So what are you going to do now? Are you going to give in to what Felix wants and register for the couple reward?”Maya’s voice follows me as we step into the house.I drop my car keys on the table and sink into the couch with a heavy sigh.I feel stuck.Like there’s no way out anymore.She sits beside me. “You haven’t said anything, Amara. What’s your plan?” Her tone is sharper now, edged with frustration.I lean forward, my voice low as the words fall out. “I don’t know.”Her brows pull together. “You don’t know what?”“I don’t know, Maya.” I rise to my feet, and she follows immediately. My fingers lift as I begin to count, restless. “I don’t know what to do, what to say, or how to even handle any of this anymore.”A deep sigh leaves me as I turn to her. “This is just… too much.”“There’s nothing too much here,” she says with a shrug. “Since it’s already out like this, just counter whatever Felix said. You can’t apply for the reward when you’re not even married anymore. Tha

(Rayner)I step out to take a call, relief washing over me the moment I’m away from Stella.For a few seconds, I can breathe.Grandpa’s words replay in my mind, and I try to steady myself.It’s only for a few months.Just a few months.Once the deal with her father’s company is done, I’m free from all of this.Then his other words follow: You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can always reject it and I’ll just look for a way around it.I inhale deeply, the cool evening air filling my lungs.My jaw tightens.You can do this, Rayner.You have to.I push the thought aside and walk back into the restaurant.Something feels… off.There’s a shift in the air.A tension I can’t quite place.I ignore it at first, heading toward our table.It’s empty.No Stella.My brows draw together.Before I can think further, one of the staff approaches me, her face uneasy.“Sir… you need to see this.”My chest tightens slightly.I follow her without a word.As we turn the corner, I see them.