The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 19

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 19**

“Mummy, mummy! You’re back!” The bright, enthusiastic voice of Aria pulled Alessa from her reverie, and she looked down to see her daughter’s beaming face.

“Yes, my darling. I’m back,” Alessa replied, her heart warming at the sight of her children.

Just as she was about to inquire about Aiden, she spotted him bounding down the staircase, his expression a mix of excitement and curiosity.

“Mum! You’re back early! Why?” he exclaimed, reaching her with a bounce in his step. Alessa raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his sudden question. What could possibly be behind that?

“Yes, I am,” she responded, her voice tinged with curiosity as she awaited his explanation. However, he merely shrugged, a gesture that left her puzzled.

“Alright then, since I’m free for the day, how about we go out and have some fun?” she suggested, her tone lightening the mood. The children’s faces lit up, their gasps of joy echoing in the hallway.

They rarely ventured out, and Alessa had always kept them sheltered from the outside world for reasons she guarded closely.

“Go fetch their jackets,” she instructed one of the maids who was tidying up in the living room. The maid nodded respectfully before hurrying upstairs.

“Where are we going?” Aria asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Anywhere your hearts desire! We won’t be back until it’s dark, so we have plenty of time to explore,” she promised, watching as their faces broke into radiant smiles.

—

**NIGHT**

Bryan trudged into his house, his movements heavy and unsteady from the effects of alcohol. The room around him swayed slightly, but somehow he managed to keep his footing as he climbed the stairs.

The maids watched him with a mix of concern and curiosity as he made his way to the door of his room, reaching it without incident.

Inside, Lydia glanced up from her spot on the bed as he entered. It was immediately clear to her that he was intoxicated.

Bryan collapsed onto the bed beside her, a weary sigh escaping his lips. Lydia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, even in his inebriated state.

“Someone had a little too much fun tonight,” she teased lightly, her tone playful.

“I didn’t have fun. I’m just… bothered,” he groaned, his voice thick with frustration.

Lydia’s brow furrowed at his words, concern washing over her. Gently, she reached out and ran her fingers through his tousled hair. “Why, love? What’s troubling you?”

“Alessa,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The mention of Alessa caused Lydia’s expression to shift instantly, and she withdrew her hand from his hair, a sense of unease creeping in.

Bryan noticed her reaction and sat up, meeting her gaze with a heavy exhale. “Don’t misunderstand me. It’s just… it’s a lot. She’s the one funding our new project, Aurora. That project requires billions, and she has it. She’s a billionaire,” he explained, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Lydia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What? Alessa is a billionaire?” she echoed, astonished. She hadn’t had the chance to look into Alessa’s background; her schedule had been consumed with various brand shoots.

“How can Alessa be a billionaire? You can’t just become a billionaire in six years,” Lydia replied, her voice laced with skepticism.

“I have no clue,” Bryan sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Lydia studied him for a moment, her expression shifting to one of suspicion and curiosity. It was clear she had questions brewing in her mind, but he sensed they weren’t the kind he wanted to answer.

“Did you help her?” she blurted out suddenly.

“What?” he replied, taken aback.

“Did you give her some money to start a new life? Is that why she’s back out of the blue? Are you—”

“What the hell? Lydia, stop,” he interrupted, his voice rising slightly. She opened her mouth to respond, but he was quicker. “I didn’t help her. I’m just as confused and surprised as you are. Everyone is.”

“Okay,” Lydia replied, her voice quieter as she looked away, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Bryan sighed heavily, raising his hand to gently turn her face back toward him. “Stop worrying about it. I’ll handle everything,” he assured her, his tone softening.

Lydia nodded, though doubts still lingered in her mind. She wanted to trust him, but uncertainty gnawed at her.

He leaned in closer, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and intoxicating.

The officer removed Alessa’s cuffs, and she rubbed her sore wrists, her heart racing. “Am I free?” she asked, hope flickering within her.

The officer scoffed at her question. “Get in,” she ordered, her tone dismissive.

With a heavy heart, Alessa stepped into the cell, and the door clanged shut behind her.

Turning to Rico, she felt a mix of anger and betrayal. “Why didn’t you—”

“Spare me the drama,” Rico interrupted, his back still turned to her.

Alessa stared in disbelief. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one offering her comfort?

“You lied, Rico! You lied to me!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.

“Yeah, and? What’s your point?” he shot back, finally meeting her gaze with a cold stare.

Alessa’s heart sank at the sight of the man she once thought was sweet and kind, now replaced by someone unrecognizable.

She needed his help; he was her only chance of escaping this nightmare. “Rico, please! You have to tell them I don’t know anything about this!” she implored, sitting beside him, desperation etched on her face.

He remained silent, his gaze fixed elsewhere.

“Please, Rico! I can’t go to jail! I can’t give birth to my child in a prison cell!” she cried, tears welling up in her eyes.

Rico finally looked at her, a scoff escaping his lips. “A child you were about to kill,” he retorted harshly.

Alessa’s heart shattered at his words. “I saw the pills in your bag,” he added, his tone accusatory.

“You went through my things?” she asked incredulously.

“Doesn’t matter. Just help me, Rico! Tell them I don’t know anything about this. I promise I won’t hurt my baby anymore,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Rico’s gaze held hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. “I’m doing you a favor, Alessa. I’m doing you a favor.”