Billionaire’s Regret After Losing Her (Aurelia) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27 Scared?

Otherwise what?

Marilyn didn’t finish the sentence.

She didn’t need to.

The warning in her tone was heavy, suffocating.

The call cut off.

Aurelia was already on her feet, heading straight for the door. Chloe jumped up immediately and followed.

Gareth came downstairs just in time to see Aurelia leaving. He hurried after her. “Ms. Smith, are you heading out?”

“Something happened at Azure Dove Children’s Home,” Aurelia said. “I need to get there.”

She’d never imagined Marilyn would go that far–actually target Azure Dove directly.

Aurelia moved fast, barely aware of anything else as she rushed toward the children’s home.

Her heart stayed lodged in her throat the entire way. Chloe wanted to say something–anything–but no words felt right:59

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Just as they were about to arrive, Aurelia’s phone rang.

Sebastian.

She answered immediately. “Hello?”

“Azure Dove’s been taken care of,” he said.

“What?” Aurelia blinked.

“Yeah. I was stuck in a meeting earlier and didn’t get a chance to call. You heard about it already?”

Aurelia went quiet.

The tight knot in her chest finally loosened.

In that moment, she understood—truly understood–how much it mattered to have someone who could fully shield her.

Even Dominic had never made her feel this safe.

“Scared?” Sebastian asked gently.

“Mm–hmm.” Her voice was still low.

When she’d seen those videos earlier, she really had been

terrified.

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For a moment, she’d even thought that if anything happened to

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Melissa Shaw, she would tear Marilyn apart with her bare hands.

Sebastian chuckled softly. “Then have Gareth take Bella off his

blacklist.”

Aurelia frowned. “Bella? Who’s that?”

“Someone who works with him.”

Bella was in New York as well. Gareth handled things around Aurelia, while Bella was in charge of keeping an eye on those people.

Unfortunately, the two of them had never gotten along.

Earlier, because Gareth hadn’t answered Bella’s call, Aurelia had been dragged through that entire scare for nothing.

Aurelia sniffed quietly. “Okay. I understand.”

She hung up and looked toward Gareth, who was walking ahead of her.

“Sebastian says you should take Bella off your blacklist.”

Gareth’s expression stiffened. He clearly wasn’t happy about it.

“Are we still going to Azure Dove Children’s Home?” 3/6

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“Let’s take a look,” Aurelia said. “We’re almost there anyway.”

Chloe squeezed her hand. “It’s okay now.”

Aurelia nodded softly. “Mm.”

******

By the time they arrived at Azure Dove Children’s Home, rain was pouring down. Chloe draped a jacket over Aurelia’s shoulders, while Gareth held a large umbrella above her head.

The moment they stepped out of the car, they spotted Melissa in the distance, directing the cleanup amid the chaos.

The part of her wrist exposed beneath her sleeve was clearly marked with rope burns.

Aurelia’s chest tightened.

She turned to Gareth. “Make sure the children’s home is watched more closely.”

This was where she’d grown up. And Melissa had always been

kind to her.

Gareth nodded. “Don’t worry, Ms. Smith. Bella’s already arranged a new location. They can move whenever they’re

ready.

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The moment he’d removed her number from his blacklist,

Bella’s message had come through.

Aurelia nodded in response.

Melissa noticed her and hurried over. “Aurelia.”

“Ms. Shaw, I-”

“Sweetheart, you don’t need to say anything,” Melissa said, patting her hand gently.

Aurelia’s voice trembled. “I’m sorry.”

Melissa shook her head, her expression serious. “This isn’t your fault.”

Aurelia knew exactly what kind of person Marilyn was.

She wanted her daughter to stay in the Hawthorne family–but she refused to let her stay a widow.

Setting her sights on Dominic… only someone as vicious as Marilyn would come up with something like that.

“Let me stay and help,” Aurelia said.

“No.” Chloe grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back. “You

go home. I’ll stay.”

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Aurelia was exhausted, and the rain was only getting heavier.

She looked at Chloe for a long moment, then nodded.

Chloe gave her hand a reassuring pat. “Go. I’ll stay with Ms. Shaw.”

“Okay.”

******

When Dominic arrived, the first thing he saw was Gareth holding an umbrella over Aurelia. Grant was nowhere in sight.

The anger he’d been suppressing all day surged up instantly.

Aurelia turned–and found him standing by the car, hands tucked into his pockets.

He was staring straight at her, his gaze cold and sharp.

As if she’d done something unforgivable.

As if she’d betrayed him.