After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 8

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

The stillness of the room was abruptly shattered by the relentless pinging of WhatsApp notifications, each sound a bold declaration that disrupted the fragile silence and challenged Louisa’s very presence.

Louisa turned her gaze toward George, her expression cool and composed. “Aren’t you going to answer that?” she inquired, her voice steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of curiosity.

George, captivated by the incessant chime of his phone, couldn’t help but let his eyes flit toward the device, drawn in by the urgency of the messages. Yet, instead of responding to the digital summons, he opted to silence the phone, rendering the notifications mute.

With the room now enveloped in a heavy quiet, he didn’t engage with her question. Instead, he extended a glass of warm water toward her. “Take your medicine first. A good night’s sleep will do wonders, and you should feel much better by tomorrow,” he advised, his tone almost paternal.

Louisa accepted the medicine without hesitation, then settled onto the bed, her body sinking into the pillows. As she closed her eyes, the rhythmic pattern of her breathing soon suggested that she had drifted into a peaceful slumber. Sensing her tranquility, George felt a wave of relief wash over him. He didn’t linger; he snatched his phone and slipped out of the room.

Once in the hallway, he dialed Vivian, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m on my way now. Don’t go anywhere, just wait for me…”

Unbeknownst to him, Louisa was far from asleep. In the dimness of the room, her eyes fluttered open, sharp and piercing, reflecting an icy clarity.

She listened intently as he hurried down the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the silence. She heard the jingle of his car keys, the soft click of the door as he exited.

After the torment of the previous night, Louisa felt a hollow emptiness where hope once resided. She had no illusions left regarding George; she understood that when a man’s heart begins to shift, it is akin to fruit spoiling—decaying from the inside out.

Why, she pondered bitterly, did he continue to wear the mask of a devoted partner in her presence?

A sardonic laugh escaped her lips, tinged with sorrow.

…

When George returned, the first light of dawn was already spilling into the world outside. Louisa was up, her movements deliberate as she prepared breakfast. She sat at the dining table, calmly eating, the early morning sun casting a warm glow around her.

George, surprised to find her awake so early, hesitated at the doorway, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features. “Why didn’t you sleep longer?” he asked, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.

Only then did George’s gaze linger on her attire—a light khaki blazer paired with matching shorts, a look that was both refreshing and professional.

Unsure of her intentions, he probed, “Are you going to the office?”

Louisa merely offered him a nonchalant glance, her silence speaking volumes.

Taking her lack of response as affirmation, he hesitated before continuing, “You’re not feeling well. Just rest at home. I’ve already approved your resignation letter. And… Jared will take over your duties—there’s nothing for you to hand over, so you don’t need to go to the office.”

He faltered slightly at the mention of Jared. Did he mean to say Vivian instead?

Louisa understood the implication but chose not to confront him. Instead, she smiled, a serene expression masking the tumult within. “That works for me. From now on, let’s not discuss work at home. I won’t ask, and you don’t need to tell me. I’ll simply focus on enjoying my life.”

He should not think he could wield her as a weapon in the corporate battles, only to claim her victories and discard her when the dust settled. She was not so easily manipulated.