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.”

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