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No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 63
Zephyra's POVThe crystal flute trembled in my hand, its coolness a stark contrast to the feverish heat rising in my chest. The ballroom shimmered with an opulent display of wealth, the air thick with murmured conversations about investments and renovations. Usually, I'd relish the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of sustainable design with these influential figures. But tonight, my mind was a whirlwind of worry, fixated on the impending arrival of Lirael and the inevitable confrontation. Every rustle of silk and every peal of laughter sent my nerves into overdrive, yet they remained frustratingly absent.Freya's pep talk, laced with bravado and biting wit, had temporarily bolstered my resolve. But as the minutes bled into one another, that carefully constructed facade began to crumble. My fingers brushed against a passing waiter's tray, and with a surge of defiance, I snagged a champagne flute, the icy bubbles a poor substitute for the calm I craved."Hello, Zephyra."The si
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 64
Zephyra's POV "Why are you doing this?" I stammer, my voice barely audible above the din of the crowded venue. Raphael meets my gaze, his expression turning serious. A dark cloud seems to flicker across his features, momentarily extinguishing the amusement that danced there a moment before. "Because at one time," he replies, his voice low and intense, "we actually were brothers." While I don't possess the full narrative of Raphael and Nathan's strained relationship with Lirael, I know it's laced with a deep, unspoken pain. Compelled by empathy, I reach out and place a comforting hand on his arm. "You'll always be brothers, Raphael," I say gently. "Don't throw that away just because things are difficult right now. You all still have each other." His gaze locks onto mine for a long moment, an unreadable emotion swirling within its depths. Then, just as abruptly as it appeared, the familiar mischievous spark reignites in his eyes. "Seems my brother is truly making a colossal mistake,"
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 65
Lirael's POVI strode into Nathan's office, the plush leather of the chair conforming comfortably around me as I settled in. Today, I carried the weight of the latest Paradise-1 numbers, a project I'd been pouring my heart into. A sliver of nervous excitement danced in my stomach, but I forced a confident smile as Nathan's gaze flickered up from his computer screen."Good," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise, perhaps because my usual Monday morning jitters were absent. "Raphael should be here in a moment."Our usual routine involved convening in Raphael's office, a space that mirrored his personality – sharp and sophisticated, with a touch of old-world charm. But this morning, renovations were underway, the rhythmic thrum of construction a stark contrast to the typical symphony of the city that usually hummed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Nathan, ever the accommodating host, had offered his office as a temporary substitute.The cityscape stretched out before me,
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 66
Lirael's POVI slam into Raphael's office on after the meeting like a bull in a china shop. The mahogany door swings open with a bang, startling the receptionist who jumps and sends a flurry of papers scattering across the floor. I ignore her apologies, my gaze fixed on the picture of infuriating calm that is my brother Raphael. He's sprawled back in his plush leather chair, feet propped up on the pristine white desk as he talks animatedly into the phone. Back at Friday night, he'd disappeared into the throng of chattering guests right when I needed him most – while I was desperately trying to keep Zephyra in my sights. Then, the nerve of the guy, he'd hopped on his private jet and whisked himself away to Napa Valley for the rest of the weekend, completely unreachable. Raphael catches my dramatic entrance with a slow blink, his eyebrows arching in amusement. He throws a casual, "Hold on a sec," into the phone before hanging up with a flourish. As I stalk towards his desk, a simmering
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 67
Zephyra's POVMom hands me a steaming cup of tea, and I lift it to my lips, breathing in the soothing peppermint scent as she settles down next to me. Tonight marks my first night back home, and while I'm glad to see Mom, there's still an ache in my heart.It feels absurd, mourning something that never truly existed in the first place. Yet, here I am, grappling with this inexplicable sorrow. If I find it this difficult, I can only imagine the pain Mom endured when Dad walked away, especially while she was pregnant with me.Mom places a comforting hand on my back, her voice gentle as she asks, "How are you doing, sweetheart?"There's no use pretending. "I just feel sad all the time. And angry. Mostly sad and embarrassed," I admit, my gaze dropping as a lump forms in my throat.She continues to rub my back soothingly. "Feeling angry and sad is completely normal when any relationship ends. But why do you feel embarrassed?""I should have known better," I confess, the weight of my choices
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 68
Lirael's POVStanding on the balcony, penthouse lights casting a sterile glow, I clutch the whiskey glass, its coldness seeping into my palm. The cityscape sprawls before me, Wright Plaza a distant echo of the night Nathan delivered the news of Dad's arrest. Just like then, the lights burn bright in his office, a beacon of the relentless pursuit we share.A gnawing doubt coils in my gut. Is this the life we craved? The endless nights, the relentless climb, the hollowness that success seems to have wrought? We, the privileged sons, have everything at our fingertips, yet nothing that truly satisfies.The ice clinks against the glass as I tip it back, the whiskey burning a harsh path down my throat. I close my eyes, seeking solace, but all I find is the gaping ache that's been there since the day I turned away from Zephyra. The memory stings, a constant reminder of the life I may have had, the happiness I traded for this gilded cage.Scottie's voice interrupts my thoughts, pulling me bac
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 69
Lirael's POV I stride into Nathan's office without bothering to knock. His gaze flickers with surprise for a fleeting moment before he masks it with practiced composure, reclining in his chair. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit on a Monday morning?" he inquires casually. I settle into one of the plush leather chairs opposite his desk, crossing my legs at the ankle and stretching them out. "It's over," I declare bluntly. One of Nathan's dark brows arches inquisitively. "What's over?" "Scottie. Us. I'm done," I assert firmly. His expression tightens as he leans forward, a hint of concern seeping into his voice. "She's wearing your engagement ring. What do you intend for her to do with it?" "She can keep it or sell it, whatever she prefers. But it no longer signifies a commitment from me," I reply with a calm resolve. "Damn it, Lirael," Nathan bursts out, his usual stoicism cracking under the weight of his frustration. "We had an arrangement, for God's sake. When did you spea
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 70
Lirael's POVI sauntered into Raphael's office and threw myself onto the plush leather couch next to Nathan. Stretching my legs out and lacing my hands together over my stomach, I arched my brows and scanned the room, taking in the tense atmosphere. Raphael sat across the coffee table from us, his face etched with an even more severe expression than usual."What's the emergency?" I inquired, a knot of unease forming in my gut. The urgency in Raphael's voice when he requested an immediate meeting had set my nerves on edge."The second I stepped foot in the office this morning," I began, recounting the events, "my PA, informed me that you needed to see me immediately."Raphael leaned forward, his elbows digging into his knees. His posture conveyed a sense of both urgency and apprehension. "Something's happened," he stated gravely. From the furrow of his brow, it was evident that the news wasn't positive.With a groan, I tipped my head back against the couch, releasing a sigh of exaspera
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