The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 12

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**

**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**

**Chapter 12**

Bryan’s brow knitted together in confusion as he locked eyes with Alessa, convinced for a fleeting moment that his mind was playing tricks on him. But no, the reality before him was unmistakable.

Beside her were two children, their faces obscured by the throng of partygoers. Yet, when their gazes intertwined, a jolt of recognition surged through him, sending his heart racing. They held each other’s stare for what felt like an eternity, a silent conversation passing between them, until Alessa finally broke the connection, her gaze flitting away like a startled bird.

A torrent of thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind, each one more bewildering than the last.

‘She survived? How is that even possible? And those kids… did she really keep the pregnancy? Are they mine? No, that can’t be. She went through so much pain. Is she married now?’

The realization hit him like a wave crashing on the shore.

‘Alessa is alive. She’s okay. But what does this mean for us?’

“Dude, it’s Alessa. It’s really her,” a voice cut through his mental fog, accompanied by persistent nudges on his shoulder.

“I can see that,” Bryan replied, shrugging off the pressure as he tried to regain his composure.

“I thought you said she was dead,” Tyler interjected, his tone incredulous. Tyler, his best friend and business partner, had always been the one to speak without a filter.

Bryan turned to face him, irritation flashing in his eyes.

“What? I didn’t say she was dead. I just said I didn’t want to discuss it when you brought her up,” he corrected, his voice steady but his heart racing.

Tyler raised an eyebrow, disbelief etched across his features. “Isn’t that essentially the same thing?” he scoffed.

Bryan opened his mouth to retort but then simply shook his head, diverting his gaze back to Alessa. His mind was a tumultuous sea of emotions, thoughts crashing against one another like waves.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her; the sight of her was both exhilarating and painful.

“Stop staring at her, man. Don’t do that,” Tyler whispered, leaning closer, his breath warm against Bryan’s ear.

Bryan squeezed his eyes shut, exhaling a heavy sigh as he fought to maintain his composure. Tyler had a knack for getting under his skin.

“Just… back off,” he muttered, his voice low.

“You’re lucky your wife isn’t here tonight,” Tyler joked, a smirk dancing on his lips. Bryan shot him a hard glare, the irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll be right there with you. Nothing is going to go wrong,” he reassured her, his grip firm as he took her hands, helping her rise from her seat.

With a proud smile, Alessa watched them venture off, her heart swelling with affection.

But soon, she found herself alone at the table, an unexpected loneliness creeping in. Just as she reached for a drink from a passing server, her mother appeared before her, a nervous smile plastered on her face.

“Oh, Alessa. I am so happy to see you,” her mother said, her voice trembling slightly as she took a seat across from her daughter. Alessa remained silent, her eyes locked onto her mother’s face, searching for sincerity.

“How have you been? You know your father and I tried to reach you after you left, but we couldn’t find you. It was like you just vanished,” she continued, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

Alessa’s gaze swept over her mother, noting the way her hands trembled around her glass, betraying her anxiety.

Another chuckle escaped her mother, but Alessa remained stoic, her expression unreadable.

“I must say, I’m surprised, Tina,” Alessa finally spoke, her voice steady and cold.

“Do you have no shame?” she asked, the question hanging heavily in the air, her mother’s smile faltering yet still forced.

“Are those your children? They look beautiful. Are they twins? Did you really keep the baby? Are they Bryan’s children? This is wonderful, Alessa! You’ve brought the Harts a male heir. We can win back their love through this. You did well, my child.” Her mother’s words flowed rapidly, shifting the conversation in a direction that left Alessa reeling.