All Chapters of The Billionaire's Island Bargain: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Cade’s POV“Hold on,” I called out, my voice cutting through the quiet corridor.The two maids froze in their tracks, turning back toward me with nervous, wide-eyed expressions. I stepped toward them, lifting the worn leather volume I had just unearthed.“Tell me about this album,” I commanded, keeping my tone clipped but intense.The first maid swallowed hard, glancing at the vintage photographs. “It’s… it’s an old keepsake collection from the resort’s original kitchen staff, sir. The chefs and cooks back then were incredibly close. They took pictures of everything. It was heartbreaking when the resort shuttered ten years ago and everyone scattered across the mainland.”“But it’s a miracle the estate is reopening now,” the second one chimed in, trying to offer a polite smile. “Perhaps some of the old guard will find their way back home.”I narrowed my eyes, sensing a thread worth pulling. “You two seem exceptionally well-versed in the history of a staff that left a decade ago. How is

Cade POV“What’s wrong?” I asked, getting out of bed.“Don’t come near me!” Emily cried, scrambling backward. “Stay away! Please stay away!”I reached for her, but she slapped my hand away, her eyes wide with terror.“Stay away from me!” she screamed, crawling across the floor.Her fear sliced through me. I moved closer anyway, desperate to help. She kept pushing me back, her body trembling.“Don’t hurt me… please don’t hurt me…”The words hit like a knife. This was my doing. This was the trauma I had inflicted on her ten years ago. The same broken cries. The same desperate begging I had ignored that night.I pulled her into my arms despite her struggles.“It’s me, Emily. It’s Cade,” I whispered against her ear. “I won’t hurt you. I swear I won’t.”She fought for a moment longer, then slowly went still. Her body shook with silent sobs as she clung to me.“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears soaking my shirt. “I’m so sorry, Cade.”I lifted her gently and carried her back to the bed, holdi

Cade POV“Tell me, Emily,” Denise said with a cruel smile, “are you interested in knowing the little secret I discovered?”Emily looked at me in confusion. My stomach twisted. I had hoped she would never find out this way.If she remembers everything now… it will destroy her.I stepped forward quickly, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go, Emily.”“Why are you trying to run away with her?” Denise demanded, her voice rising.“Mom, stop,” I warned, my tone low and dangerous.But she ignored me completely, turning her full attention on Emily.“Your husband doesn’t want me to tell you, but I think you deserve the truth.” Denise’s smile widened. “You two were never really married, were you? It was all a lie.”Emily froze. “What are you saying, ma’am?”“I knew something was off about the two of you,” Denise continued triumphantly. “So I hired an investigator. He confirmed it — there was no wedding. No marriage certificate. Nothing. You’re just another one of my son’s mistresses.”The color drained

Cade POV“Okay sir, enjoy your flight,” the air hostess announced over the speakers.The routine security checks and boarding process had left me exhausted, but what worried me more was Emily. She hadn’t spoken a single word to me since we left the mansion.Every time I tried to talk to her, she answered with short, cold responses — yes or no. Nothing more.Ever since her mother’s panicked phone call, she had been acting strange. Distant. Almost suspicious.Is it because I agreed so quickly to leave the island?The resort meant everything to her. Asking her to drop everything and return to the city must have felt like a betrayal. But her mother was right — Emily wasn’t safe on Cain Island anymore. Not with my mother knowing who she really was. Not with the memories starting to surface.I couldn’t let her remember. I had to protect her from the pain of the past.I turned to look at her. She was staring back at me with an unreadable expression.“What’s wrong?” I asked softly.“Nothing,”

Cade POV“This is my picture from when I graduated college,” Emily said, flipping through the family album with a bright smile.I leaned in closer. “And what about this one?” I asked, pointing to a photo of her standing on a beach surrounded by several guys.“Oh, that was my first project after finishing my advertising course,” she replied.“What? Your first project? What sort of project would have a girl surrounded by all these guys?” I asked, feeling a sharp twist of jealousy.She laughed softly. “I was helping them advertise their beach resort. This photo was taken during the shoot.”“I don’t like this at all,” I muttered, staring at the picture. “They’re all men. Which one of them hit on you?”Emily burst out laughing, then looked at me with amusement. “I should have known you’d get jealous.”“You do know I’m jealous. Very jealous,” I admitted, pulling her closer.“You don’t have any reason to be,” she said gently. “A few of them asked me out, but I refused them all. Do you want t