The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 18

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 18**

Just as she was about to call out their names, a cascade of laughter and playful giggles floated up from the staircase, filling the air with a sense of warmth and nostalgia. A smile crept onto her face, and she couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head as memories rushed back to her—those tender moments when she had carried them within her, feeling their tiny kicks and movements.

**SIX YEARS AGO**

Alessa found herself staring intently at the small, white pills resting in her palm. Her heart raced as she bit down on her lip, the weight of the decision looming heavily over her. This moment felt monumental, and she couldn’t shake off the turmoil swirling in her mind.

‘It’s for the best,’ she repeated to herself, trying to find solace in the thought.

Her gaze shifted downwards to her growing belly, and as tears began to well up in her eyes, she felt an overwhelming wave of sorrow wash over her.

“I’m so sorry. I am so, so sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling as the tears began to cascade down her cheeks.

“I want to keep you, but I just don’t know how to take care of you,” she murmured, her heart aching with the weight of her words. Each tear that fell felt like a piece of her heart breaking, leaving her feeling more lost than ever.

With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes tightly, trying to gather her thoughts. Just as she was about to swallow the pills, a loud bang reverberated through her door, startling her.

The force of the knock made her flinch, and she instinctively dropped the pills onto her bed, her heart racing. Who could it possibly be? She had no friends, no visitors, and certainly no one who would come looking for her.

“Open up, ma’am. It’s the cops!” a voice barked from the other side of the door.

“The cops? What the hell?” Alessa exclaimed, her mind racing with confusion and fear.

Wiping her tears hastily, she rushed to the door, flinging it open. The moment she did, two officers surged into her small apartment, pushing her aside without a second thought.

They were both tall and imposing, their uniforms crisp and their expressions serious as they began to scour her modest living space. Alessa stood there, bewildered, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Excuse me, what is happening? What are you looking for?” she managed to ask, her voice shaky with anxiety.

One of the officers turned to face her, brandishing a piece of paper. “We have a warrant to search this room,” he stated flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“What? For what reason?” she asked, her confusion deepening.

“Do you know this man?” he continued, thrusting a photograph toward her. Alessa’s heart sank as she recognized the face staring back at her.

In a moment of panic, Alessa attempted to flee, but the officer quickly seized her, pinning her against the wall with a roughness that sent a jolt of pain through her.

“I’m pregnant! Please, I’m pregnant!” she pleaded, her voice rising in desperation as she felt the cold metal of the handcuffs biting into her wrists.

“You should have thought about that before trying to run,” he retorted, tightening the cuffs with an unforgiving grip.

“I know nothing about this! I swear, I don’t know anything! Please, don’t do this to me!” she cried out, her heart racing as they dragged her away from the wall. Alessa’s cries echoed through the apartment as they escorted her out, each step feeling like a final farewell to her former life.

As they led her to their car, Alessa wailed, her voice a mix of anger and sorrow, insisting that she was innocent.

In that harrowing moment, her life flashed before her eyes. The thought of being imprisoned, of giving birth to her child behind bars, and of having her baby taken away from her sent her spiraling into despair.

Suddenly snapping back to reality, she tried to make a break for it once more, but before she could get far, the officer tased her, the shock paralyzing her.

Collapsing to the ground, she cried out, “I had nothing to do with it! I did nothing, I swear!” Tears streamed down her face as she curled up on the floor, feeling utterly defeated, the weight of the world crashing down on her.