Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 153

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Reborn at Eighteen: The Billionaire’s Second…

Chapter 153

Elara

The pet name made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to smile. “Yes.

Very recently.”

Julian’s jaw tightened. Beside him, Sloane was studying me with

sharp interest, her expression calculating.

“How lovely,” Sloane said, her voice sweet. “Congratulations, Elara.

Marcus is quite the catch–very successful for his age.” She smiled at

Marcus. “You must tell us how you two met.”

“At a club,” Marcus said before I could answer. “She caught my eye

immediately.”

Sloane’s smile widened slightly, and I knew exactly what she was

thinking–that I’d moved on from Julian to another rich man, that I

was exactly the gold–digger they’d always assumed I was.

“Well,” Sloane said, turning to Julian and placing her hand on his arm.

“Isn’t it nice that everyone’s found someone?” She looked at him with

obvious affection. “We should celebrate. This is such a happy time-

the baby, and now Elara’s new relationship.”

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Chapter 153

Julian didn’t respond. His eyes were still on me, dark and unreadable.

The server appeared to take drink orders, and the conversation

shifted to business–something about investment opportunities and

market trends. I tried to pay attention, tried to nod and smile at the right moments, but all I could focus on was Julian’s silence and the way Sloane kept trying to engage him, touching his arm, leaning

close to whisper something.

Marcus pl

lean

de

rfectly. He’d squeeze my hand occasionally,

e business term in a low voice, each gesture

we were actually together. And every time he

n’s expression darken a little more.

rriving–tiny, perfect portions that probably cost

dollars each. Sloane kept up a steady stream of cheerful

ion, talking about nursery colo

to draw Julian into the discus

ng back to me and Marcus, w

ensity that made my skin pr

y names, clearly

n’s attention kept

teraction with an

So Elara,” Sloane said

“What are you wor

rse, her tone friendly.

ill painting?”

“Yes,” I sa

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led.sited. You know, I’ve been so busy with th

gooming show at the Chelsea Gallery that live ve

stlbamust be nice to have so much free time to to

Chapter 153

Thehe meal continued

crecitente intimate mor

thithings he said, talki

restesponded, his atter

flear–she had gallery shows and a baby on the he

g but free time and a borrowed dress.ss.

By By the time dessert

abobvious, more despe

ha hand on his arm, as

mcmonosyllables.

his hand tightening on mine, “Elara justust

axis International Young Artists Award. Vergery

roud of her.”

just a second. “Oh? I didn’t realize the he

1. en.

Then, as the server

went pale. She pres

slightly.

tightly

noothly. “But Hartley Capital thasan an ht Elara’s work deserved the opppportunity.”

“Julian,” she said so

Julian turned to her

“What’s wrong?” v

thing

rply toward Marcus, then to poente Soniething -surprise, maybe, or angergerdichuldn’t tell.int tem

Sloane said, her voiceistiltili sweet but with anotwit il that Elara has found adduch a supportive… pove ized the last word slighghtly, like she didn’t die didn’t

“I don’t know,” Sloa

off. Maybe it was so

Julian was already s

get you out of here.

317

But before he coul

Chapter 153

The meal continued, course after course, and Sloane kept trying to

create intimate moments with Julian–touching his hand, laughing at

things he said, talking about their future together. But Julian barely

responded, his attention clearly elsewhere.

By the time dessert arrived, Sloane’s efforts were becoming more obvious, more desperate. She’d lean against Julian’s shoulder, rest her hand on his arm, ask him quiet questions that he answered in

monosyllables.

Then, as the server was clearing the dessert plates, Sloane suddenly went pale. She pressed a hand to her stomach, her face twisting

slightly.

“Julian,” she said softly. “I’m not feeling well. The baby-”

Julian turned to her immediately, his expression shifting to concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Sloane said, her voice trembling slightly. “I just feel… off. Maybe it was something I ate. Could you take me home?”

Julian was already standing, his hand on her elbow. “Of course. Let’s

get you out of here.”

But before he could move toward the door, Sloane swayed slightly,

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Chapter 153

leaning heavily against him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I hate to ruin

the evening.”

“You’re not ruining anything,” Julian said firmly. Then he looked at

Tristan. “Can you take Sloane back to Blackwood? Make sure she gets

settled.”

Tristan’s eyebrows rose. “You’re not going with her?”

“I need to finish this meeting with Richard,” Julian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s important. You can handle getting

her home safely.”

Sloane’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment her mask slipped–I saw genuine shock there, and hurt. “Julian, I really think-

“Tristan will take care of you,” Julian interrupted, already guiding her toward Tristan. “He’ll make sure you’re comfortable. I’ll check on you

as soon as I’m done here.”

Sloane looked like she wanted to argue, but Tristan was already standing, offering his arm with a knowing smile. “Come on, Sloane.

Let’s get you home.”

I watched as they left, Sloane glancing back at Julian with an expression that was equal parts disbelief and anger. The door closed

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Chapter 153

behind them, and suddenly the private dining room felt much

smaller.

Julian stood there for a moment, his back to the table. Then he turned

around, and his eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my

breath catch.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Julian said to Richard and Marcus, his voice perfectly polite. “I need to speak with Miss Vance. Privately.”

Before anyone could respond, before I could even process what was happening, Julian was moving toward me. His hand closed around my upper arm—not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough that I knew I didn’t have a choice–and he pulled me to my feet.

“Julian-” Marcus started, but Julian cut him off.

“This won’t take long,” Julian said, already guiding me toward the

door.

I stumbled slightly in my heels as he pulled me out of the private dining room and into the hallway, his grip on my arm unwavering. The restaurant noise faded behind us as he led me down a corridor, past the restrooms, to a small alcove near the service entrance where we were completely alone.

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Chapter 153

Then he let go of my arm and turned to face me, and the expression

on his face was unlike anything I’d seen before–raw and angry and

something else I couldn’t identify.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his voice low and

dangerous.

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