The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 21

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 21**

With a buoyant spirit and a file clutched tightly in his hand, Tyler strode into Bryan’s office, his smile radiating enthusiasm. The moment he entered, he noticed Bryan, his colleague and friend, seated at his desk, seemingly entrapped in a web of thoughts, his gaze fixed vacantly on the cluttered surface before him.

“We did it! Project Aurora can officially begin,” Tyler exclaimed, dropping the file with a flourish onto Bryan’s desk, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room.

Bryan blinked, startled out of his reverie, and lifted his head to meet Tyler’s eager gaze.

“Huh? What?” he mumbled, confusion evident in his voice.

“Alessa! She accepted the deal this morning and signed the contract,” Tyler announced, his excitement palpable.

Bryan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise; he had been completely unaware of this development.

“She did?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Dude, do you even check your emails?” Tyler scoffed, rolling his eyes as he settled into the chair opposite Bryan.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate,” Bryan sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair, frustration creeping into his tone.

“What’s weighing you down?” Tyler inquired, his brow furrowing with concern.

Bryan hesitated, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on him.

“It’s about the twins,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Tyler’s expression shifted to one of confusion.

“The twins? What twins? Are you talking about Alessa’s kids?” he asked, trying to piece together Bryan’s cryptic words.

“Yes, yes,” Bryan replied, straightening in his seat, the tension in his body becoming more apparent.

“Okay, what about them?” Tyler pressed, leaning forward, intrigued.

Bryan shot him a look that conveyed a mix of urgency and frustration, and Tyler mirrored his expression, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“If you don’t say anything, I can’t know what’s going on in that head of yours,” Tyler urged, leaning back but keeping his gaze fixed on Bryan.

“Don’t you think they resemble me? The boy looks just like me, and Aria… she has a hint of my mother and sister,” Bryan mused, his voice trailing off as he wrestled with the implications of his words.

“How’s your sister? I haven’t seen her around lately,” Tyler asked, momentarily distracted.

“Ugh, come on, Tyler. This is serious,” Bryan groaned, exasperation lacing his tone. Sometimes, Tyler’s laid-back demeanor grated on his nerves.

“What do you want me to say? Everyone sees the resemblance. So what? What do you want to do about it?” Tyler shot back, his voice rising slightly.

Bryan stared at Tyler, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. He sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead as he grappled with his emotions. He felt utterly lost.

“You have to think this through, man. Do you really want to just walk up to her and say, ‘Hi Alessa, I want my kids back’? You can’t just do that—you kicked her out,” Tyler explained, his voice steady but firm.

“I know,” Bryan muttered, his voice barely audible, the weight of reality crashing down on him.

“And what about your wife? You left Alessa for her. You know how sensitive she would be about this—talking about Alessa’s kids and getting tangled in this mess after she lost her baby,” Tyler continued, his tone softening as he tried to guide Bryan through the storm of his thoughts.

“I fucking know, Tyler. I know!” Bryan’s voice rose, frustration spilling over.

Tyler let out a long sigh, his eyes searching Bryan’s for understanding. He paused, allowing Bryan a moment to process the gravity of what they were discussing.

“Look, for now, let’s just focus on Aurora, okay?” Tyler suggested, trying to steer the conversation back to safer waters.

“Yeah, sure,” Bryan replied, his voice lacking conviction as he leaned back in his chair, the weight of his thoughts still heavy on his shoulders.

—

**SIX YEARS AGO**

Bryan’s foot tapped anxiously against the floor as he awaited news from the doctor, his mother beside him. She had rushed to the hospital after receiving word of the emergency, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos.

Burying his face in his hands, he felt the weight of despair pressing down on him as his mother gently caressed his shoulder, her touch soothing yet filled with unspoken worry.

After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Wells emerged from the operating room. Bryan and his mother sprang to their feet, rushing towards him, their hearts racing with hope.

“Wells, how is she? How’s my wife?” Bryan asked, his voice trembling with anxiety. He could read the doctor’s expression and sensed that something was amiss.

“She is fine,” Dr. Wells replied, glancing between Bryan and his mother, but the gravity of his next words hung heavily in the air.

“And the baby?” his mother asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry. She lost the baby,” the doctor said, the sorrow in his eyes piercing through Bryan like a dagger. With a sympathetic nod, he turned and walked back into the operating room.

Bryan felt his heart shatter into countless pieces, yet the relief that Lydia was safe provided a flicker of solace amidst the anguish.

“It’s okay,” his mother murmured, patting his back gently, trying to offer comfort in the midst of despair.

“You can always have another one; at least we know she’s fertile,” she added, her pragmatic tone cutting through the emotional haze.

Bryan looked up at her, disbelief etched across his face.

“Oh, don’t give me that look,” she said, raising her hand to his shirt, her fingers deftly buttoning the loose buttons.

“I see how you are with that girl—loving, caring, sweet. But right now, my dear, love doesn’t matter. We need heirs. The Harts are all about preserving our legacy, and that’s why I brought you into this world. I satisfied your father; now it’s your turn to satisfy us,” she said with a smile, fastening the last button as if sealing a pact.

“I’ll be on my way; take care, son,” she added, giving his chest a light pat before striding away.

As Bryan watched her walk off, her words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the weight of legacy.

“It’s all about keeping the legacy alive!”