All Chapters of The Billionaire DNA Match: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

[Emily]The morning feels wrong the moment I wake up. There’s that quiet before the storm kind of stillness, the kind that presses on your chest and tells you something’s about to go very wrong. I don’t know if it’s instinct or paranoia. Maybe it’s both.I dropped Hayden off at school as usual.“Mommy, when I get home today, can we get ice cream?”“Only when you finish your homework first,” I say, smiling slightly despite the turmoil in my heart.He grins up at me, gap-toothed. “Deal.”I kiss his forehead, breathe him in, and tell myself to be brave.The bus ride to LensCorp feels longer than usual, every stop dragging out like time’s mocking me. The buildings look the same, the same busy streets, the same noise from honking cars, but everything feels different now. Maybe because I know he’s here, breathing the same air as me.When I reached the building, I almost turned back. My reflection in the glass doors looks pale with dark circles beneath my eyes. I hadn’t slept a wink last nig

[Elias]By the time I finally left the office, my head was pounding. I loosened my tie and stepped into the warm night air. It was only eight o'clock, but it looked like it was already midnight. I walked to the parking lot, spotting my Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ a few minutes ahead, where I’d parked it this morning.I climbed into the car, pressing the ignition, before I sped out of the building. There was music playing, low jazz that filled the silence.By the time I pulled into the underground garage, I could already see three texts lighting up my phone.Aliya: “You’re late”Aliya: “Dinner’s getting cold.”Aliya: “Don’t make me come drag you here.”I stared at the last one. I could see her doing that. I chuckled before walking into the fancy apartment complex just around downtown.When I finally walked into her place, she was standing in the kitchen in that oversized silk robe she loved, hair in a loose bun, a glass of wine in hand and pretending she wasn’t checking the door ev

[Emily]The much-needed weekend was over, and Monday started with a headache no kind of Advil could fix.I’d spent the whole weekend replaying the conversation with that devil over and over again, on repeat. Just saying his name felt like a bad omen. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his expression when he told me I couldn’t leave. He had been calm, cold and very certain.The man could kill someone with a smile on his face and get away with it. That I was sure of; I’d seen him do it six years ago.If I was going to continue working at LensCorp with him around for two more years, then I had to come up with a plan. To protect Hayden, to protect myself.But I’d have to be strong, not to give him a chance to see my weaknesses.“Mommy, you’re making the angry face again,” Hayden said around a spoonful of cereal, bringing me out of my thoughts.I blinked. “What angry face?”He scrunched his eyebrows together, puffed out his cheeks, and gave me a spot-on imitation. I almost choked on my cof

[Emily]The conference room is made up of glass and polished surfaces that reflect too much light. Elias Lockwood sits at the head of the table, perfectly still, hands folded, watching everyone like they're pieces already in motion.I don't look at him.At least until I have to.All department heads have been gathered here to discuss the upcoming launch that would seal the merger between LensCorp and Lockword Enterprises. I'd been invited alongside Mr Stradford because, from Ms Grayson's words, I had talent for looking at things in a way no one else did.Just then, the doors opened, and Ms Grayson entered with quick steps, “Sorry for the delay, everyone.” She took her seat next to Lockwood and gestured for the meeting to start.I rose from my seat and stood in front of the big screen where my slides were now fully displayed. It was all going smoothly until…“The pediatric donation program,” I say, clicking to the slide, “will allocate a percentage of our first production cycle to chil

[Emily]I'm unable to respond immediately. That's how shocked I am.“Answer my question, Ms Matthews. We've been in the same space for more than an hour now, and you never looked me in the face.”“That's incorrect, sir. I've just been so engrossed with work. It has nothing to do with you.” I say defensively, even though I'm still not looking at him.What is wrong with me? Drawing attention to myself like this.“Look at me, Ms Matthews,” he commands, his tone making no room for objections. And I do.I force my eyes away from the laptop screen and look directly into his piercing blue eyes. His beautiful blue eyes that shone with innocence, eyes that did not reflect his darkened soul.He stares at me, and I stare at him, and I push myself not to break eye contact first. The room is too tense, and I can hear the sound of my heart beating with dread.Can he hear it too? I hope not.“Why do you look at me like that?” he asks.I blink. “Like what?”“Like you're waiting for something to happe