The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 24

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 24**

“Damien Marshall? What is your relationship with him?”

Alessa’s heart raced as she locked eyes with the reporter, her expression a mix of surprise and dread. How on earth does she know that name? A quick glance revealed the videographer beside her, the red light on his camera glaring like a warning beacon.

“Stop filming this,” she snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. Yet, the reporter remained unfazed, and the videographer continued to roll, his lens capturing every moment of her distress.

Alessa fought to rein in her emotions, feeling the tension coil within her. Her grip on her children’s hands tightened instinctively, causing Aria to hiss softly in pain.

She caught Aria’s pained expression and immediately softened, offering them an apologetic glance.

“Let’s go,” Alessa urged, her voice now laced with urgency as she hurried out of the building, her children in tow, while the relentless reporter followed closely behind.

Once outside, her security team surged forward, forming a protective barrier between her and the reporter, their presence a reassuring shield.

Alessa slipped into her car with her kids, exhaling a heavy sigh as the weight of the world pressed down on her.

“Wait,” she commanded the chauffeur just as he reached for the ignition.

“Thane,” she called to the guard seated in the front passenger seat.

“Get rid of that camera,” she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Yes, ma’am,” Thane replied, his expression resolute as he exited the vehicle.

Alessa leaned back, taking a deep breath to calm the storm brewing inside her, though the urge to lash out was almost overwhelming.

“Let’s go,” she ordered the chauffeur again, her voice steadier this time.

“Yes, ma’am,” he acknowledged, turning the key and bringing the engine to life.

“Mum, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Aiden’s voice cut through the tension, his brows furrowed with concern as he observed her restlessness.

He had always been perceptive, and today was no different; his mother was usually the epitome of composure, effortlessly managing every challenge that came her way.

“Not now, Aiden. Not now,” Alessa whispered, her eyes fluttering shut momentarily as she fought to steady herself.

As she leaned her head against the cool glass of the window, memories from six years ago surged forth, unbidden and vivid.

—

**SIX YEARS AGO**

Alessa stepped out of the car, her heart pounding as she surveyed the surroundings. Rico stood beside her, flanked by a man who had picked them up from the station. The area was eerily quiet, and the building looming before them had an abandoned look, its windows dark and foreboding.

A chill ran down Alessa’s spine, goosebumps prickling her skin as the unsettling atmosphere enveloped her.

“Rico, where are we?” she asked softly, instinctively inching closer to him, seeking comfort in his presence.

“Somewhere things will get better,” he replied, his voice steady as he moved ahead with the man who accompanied them.

Alessa wrapped her arms around herself, the darkness pressing in around her.

“Alessa, come on,” Rico snapped, breaking her reverie.

She jolted back to reality and hurried to catch up with him.

The room resembled an office, but one steeped in an air of danger and intrigue.

Inside were several men, some clad in suits that screamed power, alongside a few scantily clad women. In one corner, a shelf lined with guns glinted ominously, while a table bore an array of substances that Alessa couldn’t begin to identify.

Two men loomed in the shadows, their intimidating presence sending a shiver down her spine.

At the center of the room sat a man with a potbelly and chubby cheeks, his expression anything but welcoming.

He lounged in a chair, legs crossed on the table, a cigarette dangling from his fingers as he exhaled clouds of smoke with each drag.

Alessa’s gaze darted to his face, only to realize he was glaring—not at her, but at Rico, whose head was bowed in submission, a sight that made her heart sink.

She had been too absorbed in her surroundings to notice the tension that had gripped him.

“Boss…” Rico began, but the man cut him off sharply.

“The next time you end up in jail, I will let you rot in there,” he warned, his voice dripping with menace.

“There is a rat in the street, boss. I was careful this time,” Rico replied, his tone subdued, eyes still cast downward.

The man took another puff from his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him like a dark cloud.

“I sent men out to clear the streets. We need to change our location; we’ve got eyes on us downtown,” he stated, his voice steady but laced with authority.

—

Alessa’s heart raced as she absorbed the gravity of their situation, the shadows of their past looming ever closer, threatening to engulf them once more.