Second Vows Adored by the Billionaire novel Chapter 17

Anita stared at him, hurt and resentful flashing across her eyes.

They had broken the rule Victor had made for them. They were not supposed to flaunt what he bought in front of Eloise.

Anita gave Beatrice a sharp look, and Beatrice immediately changed tactics. She launched herself into Victor's arms and whined, "Daddy, my head hurts..."

"She had a little fever this afternoon," Anita said quickly, as if providing a medical report.

Victor's expression changed at once. He didn't even speak to Eloise. He lifted Beatrice and carried her toward the guest room.

After checking the temperature and confirming it was only low-grade, he ordered, "Bring warm water. We'll cool her down."

Anita didn't move. Instead she asked, voice tight, "Were you just blaming us for wearing the new clothes in front of Eloise?"

Victor sounded distracted, still irritated by Eloise's earlier words. "I told you that anything I buy for you should never be seen by her."

Anita's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Then what about the thirty million you transferred to her?"

"That is my business," Victor snapped, brows knitting.

When Anita still didn't move, Victor went to fetch the water himself and began cooling Beatrice's forehead.

Anita watched his profile, and she felt the shift she had been refusing to acknowledge.

In the past, Eloise never took money from Victor. Now, she no longer refused.

Even worse, Victor's patience with Anita was thinning. These past few days away, he had simply transferred a sum and told her to entertain herself.

One million, barely enough to register next to what he had given Eloise.

The contrast gnawed at Anita until she could not swallow it. She abruptly turned and stormed out.

Victor followed, caught her arm, and lowered his voice, forcing calm into it.

"I gave her that money because she agreed to resign as the company's legal representative," he explained. "Once her name is off the documents, we'll have more freedom."

Anita's eyes lit up immediately. "Really?"

"When the paperwork is done," Victor said, "the company will be ours completely."

Only then did Anita finally exhale. Her hand went to her belly, protective and possessive. "I knew it. In your heart, it's me and the children who matter most."

Victor's gaze softened. "Of course. We're the family."

Anita rose onto her toes and kissed him. "Honey, I want..."

Near midnight, Victor nudged her gently. "Eloise?"

When he was satisfied that she didn't respond, he slipped out of the room with the quiet, careful steps of someone used to sneaking.

The moment the door clicked shut, Eloise got out of bed.

She picked up Peggy, went barefoot, and followed without sound up to the rooftop terrace.

She watched them kiss.

She watched them undress each other.

She watched Victor lift Anita onto the terrace railing as though the world belonged to them.

Eloise felt her blood turn cold.

She held Peggy gently, stroking the soft fur, and leaned down to whisper into the dog's ear.

"Peggy," she murmured, "look. Daddy is over there."

She opened the glass door just enough to leave a narrow gap. Peggy slipped out at once and ran straight toward Victor, barking furiously at his feet.