After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 74

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

Louisa’s words struck George with the force of a thunderclap, draining the color from his face and leaving him feeling as if the very air had been knocked from his lungs. Each syllable she uttered felt like a dagger, piercing straight through the fragile fabric of his heart.

He had never encountered this side of her before. Even when his mother had insisted on the prenuptial agreement, Louisa had remained silent, signing the document without a hint of protest. It was as if she had buried her feelings deep within herself, but now, the truth was surfacing, and it was unbearable.

In that agonizing silence that followed, George struggled to gather his thoughts. Finally, he managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper, “Honey, please believe me, my love for you has never wavered. You are the only one who holds a place in my heart.”

Her faint smile was a bittersweet reminder of the love they once shared. “Really?” she replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. “If I’m truly the only one in your heart, then why did you betray me?”

The pain in her smile twisted like a knife in his gut. He realized that lying to her was futile; the truth hung between them like a heavy fog.

“I’ll admit,” he continued, his voice trembling, “there’s been a sense of… monotony between us lately. When Vivian came into the picture, I found myself drawn to her, seeking a thrill I thought was missing in our lives. But I swear, Louisa, you are the one I love the most. I never intended for anything to happen with her.”

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “As for the collaboration between the Capulet Group and the Price Group—if it fails, so be it. The Capulet Group won’t crumble over one project.”

“And my mother? Let her say whatever she wants. You don’t have to endure her. If you don’t want to see her, then don’t. She has no power over you.”

But unbeknownst to him, his self-righteous reassurances only elicited a laugh from Louisa, sharp and cutting. “George, have you forgotten? All the agony you’ve put me through this past month stems from your involvement with the Price Group. You made me suffer time and again for this project, and now you casually say, ‘if it fails, it fails’? What am I supposed to do with that?”

Her voice rose, the tension palpable, each word laced with frustration.

George hastily replied, “No, I’m not asking you to shoulder the blame…”

He felt lost, unable to articulate the turmoil within him. Louisa had always been astute in her understanding of business, capable of foreseeing the repercussions of every decision.

When she posed that final, soul-piercing question, a heavy silence enveloped them, and he instinctively fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally asked, “What do you want from me? Whatever it is, I will do it for you.”

Louisa’s laughter was cold, devoid of warmth. “I want a divorce.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, George shot back, “No. That’s one thing I cannot agree to.”

Louisa stood frozen, her mind racing with disbelief. What was he clinging to? She regretted coming here today, her heart heavy with resignation. Not wanting to engage in further conversation, she turned to leave.

George rushed after her, desperation in his voice. “Honey—”

“I told you to stop calling me that!” she snapped, cutting him off with an edge of anger.

“That would be a relief. Thank you for stepping in,” Louisa said, her heart swelling with gratitude.

“What trouble? This is literally what I do,” Sadie replied, her confidence infectious.

Louisa nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She was grateful to have a friend like Sadie, a lawyer who had dealt with countless difficult clients and had the expertise to navigate this storm.

Determined to focus on reclaiming her life, Louisa decided to let Sadie handle the legal matters while she returned to her daily routine.

The next morning, she awoke early, giving herself ample time to prepare a simple breakfast before heading upstairs to change.

As she stood before the mirror, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about her first day at the new job. She selected gray pants paired with a pinstriped shirt tucked neatly in, topped off with a crisp white blazer. Adjusting her collar and cuffs, she added a silver watch and delicate silver accessories, completing the look that balanced professionalism with a touch of warmth.

Finally, she slipped on white shoes, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door, feeling a surge of determination.

She thought she had allowed plenty of time to catch a taxi, but as she stepped outside, she was met with the harsh reality of rush hour traffic. The ride-sharing app displayed a queue of over thirty people, indicating at least a twenty-minute wait.

Taxis were nowhere to be found in this upscale neighborhood where residents preferred their own vehicles. She even had to politely decline the advances of neighbors and passersby who attempted to strike up conversations.

Just as she was about to call Sadie to see if she could arrange a ride, a sleek black Maybach pulled up in front of her, its tinted windows reflecting the morning sun.