The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 43

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**

**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**

—

“Why did you raise your voice at him? He genuinely wants to help you,” Aria remarked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at her mother. Alessa, however, shook her head vigorously, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation.

“Oh, Aria. You don’t understand. He’s not always trying to help me,” Alessa replied, her tone laced with a hint of bitterness as she reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her daughter’s ear. The softness of the gesture contrasted sharply with the tension in her voice.

“You seem to despise him so much. I can’t help but wonder what happened between you two,” Aiden chimed in, his curiosity evident in his eyes.

“A contract…” Alessa began, her voice trailing off as she felt the weight of the memories.

“…went bad,” they both finished her thought in unison, and she let out a weary sigh, the sound escaping her lips like a deflated balloon.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she muttered, shrugging her shoulders as if to dismiss the entire conversation.

“Thane,” Alessa called out, her voice carrying through the thin walls of the ward, hoping he could hear her.

Moments later, Thane stepped into the room, his presence commanding yet respectful as he bowed slightly to acknowledge them.

“Hey, look at that! You didn’t get fired after all,” Aiden joked, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Thane’s gaze shifted to Aria, and a small smile crept onto his lips. “Miss Aria, how are you doing today?” he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

“I’m fine, big scary man,” Aria replied, her smile brightening the room, and Thane nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor softening further.

“He found you, and he was so cool,” Aiden informed Aria, his tone filled with admiration.

“Oh, thank you,” Aria replied, her cheeks flushing slightly at the compliment.

“It’s my job, ma’am,” Thane said with a hint of humility, his eyes glimmering with sincerity.

“Alright, Aria. I need you to tell Thane everything that happened. How did you end up disappearing?” Alessa prompted, her voice steady but laced with concern. Aria bit her lip, contemplating the weight of her words before she began.

“When I got into the elevator, it stopped at the fourth floor, and a man walked in with me. That’s all I can remember because he attacked me,” she explained, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted the terrifying experience.

“Was his face covered?” Alessa pressed, her heart racing at the thought.

“No, I saw his face,” Aria replied, her eyes wide with the memory.

“Describe the man,” Thane interjected, his tone professional yet gentle.

“He’s as tall as you, dressed in a suit. He had dark hair and a snake tattoo on his neck. He has…”

“That’s okay, that’s all we need,” Alessa interrupted with a reassuring smile, turning her gaze to Thane. “You got all that?” she asked, her tone shifting to one of confidence.

“Yes, ma’am,” Thane affirmed before stepping out of the room, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

“What are you going to do now?” Aiden asked, his curiosity piqued, his eyes following Thane’s retreating figure.

“Thane will do his job,” Alessa replied, her voice firm yet hopeful.

Aiden shrugged in response, allowing the question to slip away, his interest in the details fading as he considered other matters.

“Are we grounded?” Aria asked, her voice small, as if she were bracing for the worst.

—

**SIX YEARS AGO**

Alessa’s heart raced as she witnessed the chaos unfolding before her. The sight of students stabbing each other sent waves of horror crashing over her. She darted around the arena, desperately trying to evade the violence that surrounded her. The very thought of her babies being harmed filled her with paralyzing fear.

She knew that if she didn’t act quickly, she might become a victim herself.

Where is Aliyah? She thought frantically, scanning the frantic faces around her.

Students were already fleeing the arena, their screams echoing in her ears.

In mere minutes, the number of students dwindled to about ten, and the atmosphere became thick with dread.

Finally, Alessa spotted Aliyah and waved at her, a mix of relief and fear flooding her senses. She noticed a deep cut on Aliyah’s arm, a stark reminder of the brutal trial they were enduring.

Without warning, Aliyah lunged at a girl beside her, stabbing her viciously in the neck. The girl collapsed, lifeless, and Alessa flinched, her heart sinking further into despair.

Aliyah had already passed her trial; she was free to leave, yet she chose to stay. She rushed to Alessa’s side, positioning herself protectively in front of her, guarding her from the eyes of the others who were now fixated on Alessa, the easier target.

“We’re not allowed to help each other. What are you doing?” Alessa questioned, tears brimming in her eyes, desperate to protect her friend from the horrors surrounding them.

“She didn’t say we couldn’t fight together,” Aliyah replied, her gaze fixed forward, unwavering.

“Why the hell are you protecting her? Get out of the way! We only have ten minutes left,” one of the students hissed, their voice dripping with impatience.

Alessa’s heart raced, caught between the instinct to survive and the bond of friendship that tied her to Aliyah. In that moment, she realized the true cost of survival.