After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 32

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**

George stood resolutely outside the door, his voice slicing through the air like a cold wind. “I’m not opening this door unless you quit your job!”

Louisa’s heart raced, her fury igniting as she shouted back, “This is imprisonment!” The words echoed in the silence, heavy with the weight of her frustration.

“Think it over. You can call me anytime,” George replied, his tone devoid of warmth. He turned on his heel, striding back to the master bedroom, leaving Louisa to simmer in her anger.

She couldn’t believe he had resorted to this. It was a betrayal she never anticipated from him.

Frantically, she flung open her suitcase and rummaged through its contents, desperate to reach out to Sadie and the others. Her fingers brushed against her laptop, but her heart sank as she realized George had already severed her internet connection. He was determined to isolate her, to cut her off from the world she knew.

Louisa’s anger boiled over, a tempest of emotions swirling within her.

Meanwhile, George was wrestling with his own turmoil. He had never treated her like this before. The moment he discovered her refusal to leave her job, he had acted impulsively, locking her away without considering the implications of his actions. Now, he could only bide his time, hoping she would come to her senses and acquiesce.

Yet, unbeknownst to him, Louisa had no intention of yielding. She began to scour the house, searching for anything that could assist her in escaping this prison. Most of her belongings had already been moved out, leaving her with scant options. Then, in a moment of serendipity, she stumbled upon a lighter tucked away in a drawer.

A fire! The thought ignited a spark of hope within her. She could use the smoke and flames to attract attention. The gardener from the neighboring villa tended to the garden every morning at 6:30 AM. If she could capture his gaze, perhaps he would alert the property management, who would arrive within ten minutes.

Ten minutes! That would be more than enough time to avoid being consumed by flames. Even if things went awry, she could still reach the airport in half an hour and meet Julian by 7:30 AM.

She mentally mapped out her plan, the pieces falling into place. Now, all she needed was for George to leave the house. Once he was gone, she could set her plan into motion.

Louisa settled onto the floor, the lighter clutched tightly in her hand, her back pressed against the bed. She gazed out at the inky blackness of the night sky, closing her eyes as she allowed her thoughts to drift. For the first time, she found herself fervently wishing that Vivian would call George and coax him out of the house.

The hours dragged on painfully, each tick of the clock amplifying her anxiety. She fought against the urge to sleep, terrified of missing her chance for freedom.

As the clock struck 9:44 PM on December 17th, she felt the weight of her situation pressing down on her.

There was no food in the house, and her stomach growled in protest, a painful reminder of her hunger. Water was also nonexistent, forcing her to chew her medication dry, the bitter residue lingering unpleasantly in her mouth.

George had yet to leave. The critical window of 6:30 AM passed, followed by the 7:15 AM security patrol. Hope began to slip through her fingers, and she questioned whether she would still be able to make it to the airport to meet Julian. Missing her first day at work would almost certainly result in her termination.

Her thoughts spiraled into a frenzy, cursing George a thousand times over for his cruelty. Suddenly, a ringing sound pierced the air. It was George’s phone.

Teddy, his assistant, quickly responded, “No, sir. I’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not answering her phone.”

Initially, Julian considered the possibility that she might be caught in traffic or delayed by some unforeseen circumstance. She was not the type to break a promise. But as the clock inched closer to 7:40 AM, with only half an hour left before boarding, the worry in his chest began to grow.

He couldn’t help but voice his frustration, “Ms. Forbes is truly unreliable. Even if something came up, she should have called. Ignoring calls and messages—what’s that all about?”

Teddy glanced at his boss, noting the cold, steely gaze in Julian’s eyes. “Mr. Tudor, perhaps we should stop waiting. She wasn’t part of the original plan anyway. Whether she comes or not doesn’t really matter.”

Julian nodded, his expression unyielding. “Inform Seraphim that the meeting is postponed. Let the client know we’ll reschedule.”

Teddy’s eyes widened in shock. But as he watched Julian rise and make his way toward the exit, he hastily followed. “Are you worried something happened to Ms. Forbes?”

Julian remained silent, an ominous aura surrounding him as he walked away.

Back at the Capulet Villa, Louisa felt as though her luck had plummeted to an all-time low. The room was engulfed in flames, the heat intensifying with each passing moment. Outside, however, there was still no sign of help.

Coughing from the thick smoke, she flung open the window, allowing the acrid air to escape. In a moment of desperation, she contemplated jumping out. The second floor wouldn’t be lethal; it would only leave her with a few bruises. There was no way she would allow George to keep her trapped here any longer.