All Chapters of Bound By A Billion-Dollar Lie: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

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Anastasia’s POVWhen Dmitri pulled up to my grandmother's house, I sat there for a long moment, staring at the familiar front door. The garden was in full bloom, roses climbing the trellis, the same way they had when I was a child. Everything looked the same except that I felt different. I felt broken and empty.I got out of the car, grabbing my bag. "Thank you, Dmitri.""Anastasia." He caught my arm. "If you need anything…""I'll call. I promise."He nodded, letting me go. I walked up the path to the front door, my heart pounding. I didn't bother knocking. I just pushed the door open and stepped inside.Nana was in the living room, a book in her hands. She looked up when I entered, her face breaking into a smile."Anastasia! What a lovely surprise…."She stopped. Her eyes took in my face, my red-rimmed eyes, my trembling lips. She didn't need to ask. She just opened her arms.I rushed into them, sobbing against her shoulder.She held me tight, her hand stroking my hair. "It's okay, m

A Long Night

Nikolai's POVSleep had now become something within my fingertips but could never have. The bed felt too big, too empty. The space beside me where Anastasia used to lie was cold, the sheets undisturbed. I kept reaching for her in the darkness, my hand finding nothing but air.I remembered the way she used to curl into me, her head resting on my chest, her breath warm against my skin. I remembered the sound of her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy and how she'd looked at me before everything fell apart, like I was someone worth fighting for.Those days felt like a lifetime ago.I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over her name. I wanted to call her and hear her voice but what would I say? What could I possibly say to make things right?I can't fault an innocent baby for a mistake.The words echoed in my head, cruel and unforgivable. I'd said that to her and then looked her in the eyes and told her that our child was a mistake. I dropped the phone onto the nightstan

Impostor

Nikolai's POVA whole week has passed and it's been a visual representation of seven days of misery. Seven days of reaching for her in the darkness and finding nothing but cold sheets. Seven days of hearing her voice in my head, seeing her face in every crowd, feeling her absence like a physical wound.I miss her.Each day without her felt like a life sentence. I woke up alone, ate alone, and worked alone and every night, I lay in that too-big bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if she is thinking about me too.At the office, I was useless. I sat at my desk, staring at the same document for hours without reading a single word. Elias would brief me on something, and I'd nod along, not hearing a thing. My mind was elsewhere, it has always been, it's always been with her.I found myself looking at her pictures more often. Event pictures on the net and the ones I'd taken without her knowing. Her smile, laugh and the way her eyes crinkled at the corners.It was pathetic. I know it is pa

Seizing the moment

Anastasia's POVA badger stood no chance to how long I've stayed holed up in my room the entire time, refusing to step out.The walls felt like they were closing in on me, but I didn't care and I didn't want to see anyone either or even have to talk to anyone. All I just wanted was to lie here, in this bed, and disappear.I miss him.I missed Nikolai so much that it physically hurt. My chest ached with it, my stomach churned with it and every breath felt like a struggle. I hate myself for it and I hate that I can't stop thinking about him and stop replaying every moment we'd shared.The memories kept replaying themselves over and over again. From the warmth of his arms around me, the lingering press of his lips against mine, and the way he'd looked at me as if the rest of the world had simply disappeared.But that was a lie. It had always been a lie.He hadn't called, not even once. It’s been more than a week since I'd left, and there had been no word from him. No message. No apology.

Taking a Stand with her

Nora's POVWatching my granddaughter deteriorate these past few days had been one of the hardest moments of my life.I'd raised Anastasia since she was a child. I'd watched her grow into a strong, capable woman. I'd seen her face down challenges that would have broken lesser people. But I'd never seen her like this.Broken.Sometimes I could hear her crying from her room—soft, muffled sobs that tore at my heart. Other times, I'd hear her talking to Zara on the phone, her voice flat and hollow. And sometimes, there was nothing at all. Just silence. Those were the worst moments. The silence made me worry that maybe she'd given up entirely.She barely ate. She barely stepped out of her room. It had been years since I'd seen her this way, and it hurt me deeply to know that I couldn't do anything to help her.I grabbed my phone and called my lawyer."I need to discuss dissolving the merger," I said, my voice firm."Mrs. Reed, that's a significant step. Are you sure?""I'm sure." I paused,

The Promise

Nikolai’s POVAbsolutely nothing was held back.I told Nora everything. How I felt about Anastasia, how much I'd loved her for longer than I could remember and that I've been too scared and too proud to admit it. Instead what I decided to do was to push her away when she needed me most. I admitted to every one of my doings."I was a coward," I said, my voice raw. "I was afraid of being a father, afraid I wouldn't be good enough. Afraid I'd fail her and the baby so I did the one thing I swore I'd never do, I hurt her."Nora listened, her expression unreadable and she didn't interrupt me either. Nora standing in front of me didn't give me any offer of comfort. She just watched me with those sharp eyes, weighing every word that came out from my mouth."Her father hurt her," she said finally. "Her sister hurt her and now you. The people who are supposed to love her keep breaking her heart over and over again.""I know." I met her gaze. "And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make up

Taking over the company

Jackson's POVI met Damon at a private club in Mayfair, the kind of place where deals were made in whispers and secrets were traded like currency. The lighting of the club was dim, the leather seats worn out, and the air smelled of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. It was the perfect place for men like us to conduct business away from prying eyes.Damon was already seated in the back, a glass of whiskey in his hand, with a knowing sharp smile plastered all over his face. He looked like a man who had already won, and I supposed he had. We both had actually."Jackson." He gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit, we have much to discuss."I sat, ordering a drink of my own. The waiter disappeared, and Damon leaned forward, his voice dropping to a murmur."The time is now," he said. "With the scandal and Anastasia running off to her grandmother's, the board is nervous. They're looking for stability, for someone they can trust.""And that someone is me.""Exactly." Damon nodded, swirli

The Reckoning

Bianca's POVI lay in bed, watching the man beside me dress.He was handsome enough, with a strong jaw and a confident smile. He'd been easy to catch, easy to manipulate. A few whispered words, a lingering touch, and he'd been wrapped around my finger.Men were simple creatures. I'd learned that years ago. They always want to feel powerful, desired, needed. Give them that, and they'd give you anything but not Nikolai.Nikolai had seen through me in an instant. He'd looked into my eyes and known I wasn't Anastasia. He didn't even hesitate, it felt like he just knew and decided to string me along and make me a fool.It infuriated me.What was so different between us? We shared the same face, same blood, same history and yet Anastasia was always the one people wanted, chose and also loved.While I was just the shadow, called names as the screw-up, the one who was never good enough.The man finished dressing and gave me a half-hearted smile. "I'll call you."I didn't respond. We both knew

The Stand

Anastasia's POVI looked at the board members, my heart pounding but my voice steady."Reed & Associates was built by my grandmother," I began. "She poured her life into this company. She protected it, nurtured it, and when she handed it to me, she trusted me to do the same."I paused, letting my words sink in."I've made mistakes that should have made me act sooner regarding my sister. I should have seen what was happening and put a stop to it. That's on me, and I take full responsibility."Jackson shifted in his seat, ready to interrupt. "But I refuse to let those mistakes destroy everything my grandmother built.""Anastasia." Jackson's voice was sharp. "You're emotionally compromised. Your relationship with Nikolai has clouded your judgment. You can't possibly….""I can," I cut him off, my voice cold. "And I will."I glanced at Nikolai, expecting him to jump in, to defend me, to take control the way he always did but he didn't. He just sat there, his hands folded on the table, his

The Fall

Jackson's POVThe board voted.I watched as hands raised, one by one, in favor of suspending my claim. The motion passed with a clear majority. I felt the ground shift beneath me, the foundation I had built crumbling in an instant.Then the doors opened, authorities filed in with men in dark suits with badges clipped to their belts. They moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the room until they landed on me."Jackson Reed," one of them said, his voice flat. "You're under arrest for embezzlement, fraud, and financial misconduct."I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. "This is ridiculous. I haven't done anything wrong."They didn't listen, who would listen to a man who was charged with such outrageous crimes?Bianca was apprehended beside me, her face pale, her eyes wide with panic. She tried to pull away, to argue and make a scene but they were stronger."You can't do this!" she shrieked. "I have rights! I know people!"No one paid her any attention.I tried to maintain my co

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