After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 58

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**
**Chapter 58**

In a heartbeat, George’s complexion drained of color, leaving him as pale as a ghost.

Had she really gone so far as to block his account? The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Desperately, he reached for his phone, dialing her number with trembling fingers. But, as he had anticipated, that avenue of communication was also severed.

This was not like her. She was not the kind of person to cut ties over a disagreement. Throughout their tumultuous relationship, no matter how fierce their arguments had raged, she had always kept the lines of communication open. But now, she had extinguished every possible way to reach her.

A gnawing sense of dread settled in his chest, heavy and suffocating. He couldn’t linger here for another moment; he had to find her, and he had to do it now.

Vivian, sensing his urgency, quickly grasped his arm. “George, where do you think you’re going?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

“Home,” he replied, his tone clipped and devoid of warmth.

Vivian’s grip tightened, her eyes wide with disbelief. How could he leave at such a critical moment? The main event hadn’t even begun. She refused to let go, her fingers wrapping around his arm like a vice.

George frowned at her clinginess. It was this very trait that set Vivian apart from Louisa. Vivian always seemed to need his presence, her attachment like a shadow that followed him everywhere. In stark contrast, Louisa had an innate understanding of when to give him space, especially in social settings like this one, filled with high society figures—many of whom were personally acquainted with Louisa.

Fearing the gossip that would surely reach Louisa’s ears if he didn’t act quickly, he prepared to shake Vivian off.

But then something caught his eye: a striking necklace draped around her neck. It was a Bulgari blue diamond necklace, glimmering under the lights and casting mesmerizing reflections that danced across the room.

He halted, his gaze locked onto Vivian. “Where did you get that necklace?” he demanded, his curiosity piqued.

“I bought it at an auction,” Vivian responded, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within him as she continued, “They say it was Princess Diana’s favorite piece. Someone had bought it years ago for his wife, but something must have happened because I spotted it at an auction recently and convinced my brother to—”

“Take it off,” George interrupted sharply, his interest in her explanation evaporating.

Vivian’s expression darkened at his command, but the intensity of his gaze left her with little choice. With a reluctant sigh, she reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace.

As George took it from her, his heart sank as he recognized it instantly. This was the very necklace he had purchased at an auction four years prior as a gift for Louisa. It had been the first significant and valuable present he had ever given her.

Louisa had cherished that necklace, once telling him, “The day I give this up is the day I give you up too.”

He had vowed that day would never arrive. Yet here they were, standing on the precipice of that very moment.

His mind raced back to the boxes of cherished possessions Louisa had recently sold off. He had never fathomed she would part with this particular piece.

With the blocked contacts and the sold necklace weighing heavily on his mind, George’s anxiety surged. He could not afford to wait another second; he had to find her—urgently.

Seeing the determination etched on his face, Vivian’s desperation grew. She tightened her grip on his arm, her voice pleading. “George, please, you can’t leave now.”

“Why not?” He fixed her with a frigid stare, his patience waning.

It was the first time he had ever looked at her with such icy detachment, and it sent a shiver down her spine. In that moment, panic flooded her thoughts—why hadn’t the event started yet? They needed to announce their engagement!

George found himself captivated, sensing something profoundly different about her today, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was—his attention was wholly consumed by her.

Vivian’s complexion turned ashen. “Louisa!” she gasped, her heart racing.

She wasn’t dead? How could she possibly be alive?

Recognizing Louisa, many guests exchanged bewildered whispers:

“Isn’t she Ms. Price’s rival? What could she possibly want here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She’s dressed to kill, radiating such coldness—she’s here to stir up trouble.”

Someone scoffed dismissively. “Her? They’re already engaged—what does she think she can do? She’s just a secretary who thought she could marry into wealth and become a society wife.”

As the murmurs of confusion and curiosity faded, a tide of mockery swept through the crowd. Everyone settled in, eager to witness the drama that was about to unfold.

Hazel felt the panic rising within her.

But Louisa paid no mind to the crowd, her cold, dangerous gaze locked onto George and Vivian. Without a moment’s hesitation, George found himself moving toward her, drawn by an invisible force.

To his astonishment, Vivian clung to his arm, her eyes wide with panic and possessiveness. “Louisa, what are you doing here? Today is the day of my engagement to George. We’re getting married soon—are you still trying to hold onto him?”