After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 45

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

Colorful confetti danced and swirled through the air, creating a vibrant spectacle that enveloped Louisa in a whirlwind of joy and surprise.

Suddenly, from the midst of the festive chaos, Sadie emerged like a ray of sunshine, her arms wide open. “Baby, welcome home!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

1931

Louisa chuckled, the sound mingling with the confetti’s flutter. “So that’s why you didn’t pick me up from the hospital—you were hiding here all along!” she said, laughter bubbling in her chest, even as tears shimmered in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Sadie stepped closer, wrapping Louisa in a warm embrace that felt like a protective cocoon. “Louisa, why are you crying? Today is a day for celebration—we’re celebrating your freedom!” she declared, her voice filled with infectious enthusiasm.

“Freedom isn’t quite the right word for such a monumental moment. We should say we’re celebrating Louisa’s rebirth!” Flora chimed in, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

With a smile breaking through her tears, Louisa added, “Let’s toast to the fact that we’ll never be poisoned again!” The words hung in the air, a promise of brighter days ahead.

That night was nothing short of magical—a jubilant celebration that felt like a new beginning.

The trio ordered a feast fit for royalty, filling the living room with the delectable aromas of their favorite dishes. They settled in, laughter ringing out like music as they shared stories and relived memories, their voices rising and falling in a harmonious symphony of friendship.

After indulging in food and drink until they could barely move, the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with them. One by one, they succumbed to sleep without even realizing it, the warmth of companionship lulling them into a peaceful slumber.

Louisa and Flora snuggled together in bed, their breathing synchronized as they drifted into dreams. With Louisa having already left her job and Flora being a freelancer with no pressing schedule, neither felt the need to set an alarm. They had decided to let their bodies wake up naturally, free from the constraints of time.

But as fate would have it, Louisa was jolted awake by the shrill sound of Sadie’s phone call.

Groggy and still half-asleep, she mumbled, “Sadie, what’s going on?” Her eyes remained shut, unwilling to confront the reality of the waking world just yet.

“Louisa, you need to check your phone right now! That wicked Hazel has used the Capulet Group’s official account to launch an attack against you! Stay put—I’m rushing back!” Sadie’s voice was frantic, laced with urgency.

Instantly, Louisa was wide awake, her heart racing as she grabbed her phone, feeling the weight of her friend’s words settle heavily in the air.

Flora, startled awake by the commotion, leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued.

Just half an hour prior, Hazel had released a clarification video regarding Vivian’s situation, a calculated move that sent ripples through the already turbulent waters.

In the video, Hazel had held a press conference, her demeanor polished and rehearsed as she announced her identity. She then proceeded to paint Vivian as the most innocent party in the entire debacle.

Hazel claimed that the Capulet and Price families had arranged the children’s marriage when they were mere children, insisting that both families stood on equal footing, merely waiting for Vivian to mature before the wedding could take place.

According to Hazel, Louisa had been desperate to marry into wealth. Despite being fully aware of George’s engagement, she had resorted to underhanded tactics to seduce him and lure him into her bed.

Afterward, George had attempted to settle the matter with a monetary offer, but Louisa, portrayed as insatiable, was depicted as greedily demanding a staggering sum of 3 billion dollars.

Hazel had conveniently omitted crucial details, showcasing only the records of Louisa requesting a high settlement while presenting a forged marriage agreement between the Capulet and Price families.

Her conclusion was a damning one: Vivian was not the homewrecker—Louisa was the one driven by greed.

Flora’s anger flared like a wildfire. “That shameless old woman! What nonsense is she spewing?” she spat, her fists clenched in indignation.

Louisa, however, merely chuckled coldly, a bitter edge to her laughter.

At that moment, Sadie burst through the door, her energy palpable as she kicked off her shoes and dashed upstairs.

“I didn’t deal with her all these years for nothing,” Louisa replied, a flicker of pride in her voice.

“What should we do next?” Sadie asked, her determination unwavering. “Should I issue a legal notice and sue them?”

Louisa shook her head, her expression serious. “The Capulet Group has powerful lawyers. You can’t win, and it would drag your firm down with us.”

“I don’t care!” Sadie insisted, her voice resolute.

Flora quickly added, “Me too. Whatever you decide, I’m on your side, no questions asked.”

Seeing their unwavering loyalty warmed Louisa’s heart, a flicker of gratitude igniting within her. “I know, but even if we fight, we have no chance of winning unless I reveal our marriage certificate. Otherwise, we can’t stop the rumors from spreading.”

“So we have no options?” Flora asked, her voice laced with frustration. “We just let them spread lies and bully us?”

Louisa frowned, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on her shoulders.

Although she had seen through Hazel’s scheme, she felt trapped, with no viable counterattack in sight.

Flora and Sadie seethed with anger, unwilling to let Louisa be subjected to such treatment.

Just as the three of them found themselves at an impasse, Louisa’s phone rang once more, cutting through the tension in the room.

All three turned to look at the screen, their hearts racing with anticipation.

Caller ID: Julian Tudor.