The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 55

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 55**

“I know a lovely spa in the mall where we can unwind and find some tranquility. What do you say we head there?”

As they strolled out of the store, a hint of excitement danced in the air. “Oh, by the way, I’m Bianca,” she introduced herself, a warm smile illuminating her face.

“Tracy,” came the reply, her tone friendly yet curious.

They exchanged names, each one feeling a little more connected as they made their way toward the spa, the promise of relaxation ahead.

“Are you up to something?” Tracy inquired, her voice low enough to keep the question between them, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“What do you mean?” Alessa responded, her brow furrowing in genuine confusion, a flicker of intrigue crossing her expression.

“Nothing,” Tracy replied, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, leaving Alessa to ponder what her friend might be insinuating.

As the trio settled into the spa, they awaited the arrival of the kids. Hours slipped by, filled with laughter and shared stories, and Alessa couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie blooming among them. She shot a quick text to Thane, instructing him to meet them at the entrance once they were finished.

Minutes felt like an eternity, but eventually, the kids appeared, their faces alight with joy.

“Ugh, I’m already drained, and they’re not even here yet,” Bianca complained, eliciting a round of laughter from the group.

When the children finally reached them, their smiles were wide, as if they were bursting with tales to share.

“Mum, can you invite Aria and Aiden over tomorrow? They’re so much fun!” Jasper exclaimed, rushing to his mother with an eager expression.

“Oh!” Bianca chuckled, glancing at Alessa with an amused look.

“We’ve already exchanged contacts, so I’ll definitely reach out,” Bianca assured him, and Jasper nodded enthusiastically.

“It was great hanging out with you all,” Aiden said, his sincerity evident as they prepared to part ways.

With heartfelt goodbyes exchanged, the group left the mall, the air thick with the memories of the day.

The drive home was oddly quiet, a stark contrast to the laughter that had filled the air just moments before. Tracy found it peculiar; why weren’t the kids chattering about their adventures? She attempted to pry information from them, but their responses were short and vague, leaving her feeling frustrated and concerned.

Finally, they arrived at their suite. Alessa sank onto the bed, her mind racing as her children gathered around her, their expressions a mix of excitement and secrecy.

“Come on, spill the beans! I want every detail,” she commanded, her tone firm but playful, while Tracy observed, puzzled by the sudden intensity.

“They’re rich, like really rich. Their dad is one of the top businessmen in the city,” Aiden declared, his eyes wide with the thrill of the revelation.

“And their mom owns a fashion store,” Aria chimed in, her voice filled with awe.

“They live in Beverly Estate, and their house number is 7A,” Aiden added, his tone laced with intrigue.

“What else did you find out?” Alessa pressed, her curiosity piqued.

“Their parents don’t seem very happy together. Jasper said they fight a lot, and their mom cries every night,” Aria interjected, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret.

“Of course,” Alessa muttered under her breath, her heart sinking a little at the thought.

“Their dad is very important. Daven told me they have twice as many guards as we do in Australia,” Aria continued, her voice a mix of fear and fascination.

“And he works at night too. Jasper said their father seems dangerous,” Aiden added, a hint of worry creeping into his tone.

“Did they mention anything about his friends?” Alessa asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

“Oh, yes! Jasper said their mom has a male friend, but he also works for their dad. They seem really close, and she talks to him a lot,” Aiden responded, his brow furrowing in thought.

“He also mentioned that their dad cheats on their mom. He has a ton of girlfriends, and that’s just not right,” Aria said, her voice filled with indignation.

“What else? Any physical details?” Alessa pressed, her heart pounding with anticipation.

“Yes, there are marks on Jasper’s wrists; they’re red and black,” Aria replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Alessa’s heart sank. *He abuses them,* she thought, a chill running down her spine.

“Is that all?” she asked, her voice steady despite the tempest of emotions within her.

“Did you get anything more from Jasper?” Aria asked Aiden, her eyes wide with expectation.

“You’re messed up, Alessa. Really messed up,” Tracy said, her voice a mix of concern and frustration. Alessa met her gaze, silent for a moment before nodding slightly.

“Yeah, I can agree with you on that,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tracy scoffed and stormed out of the suite, leaving Alessa to reflect on the chaos of the day.

“I’ve learned how to manage pain and make it pleasurable; of course, I’m messed up,” she sighed, collapsing onto the bed, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her.

As Tracy stepped into the hallway, she paused when she spotted Thane standing by the door, his presence commanding yet comforting.

He caught her gaze, and her frown transformed into a warm smile, a flicker of something deeper igniting within her.

Thane tilted his head slightly, curious about the intensity of her stare, and Tracy found herself lost in the depths of his blue eyes, which sparkled with an alluring charm.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pull her gaze away from him. He was undeniably handsome, his physique sculpted to perfection, and she couldn’t help but imagine running her fingers through his dark, styled hair, or tracing the contours of his body.

“Do you need something, ma’am?” Thane asked, breaking the spell, and she snapped back to reality.

Flushing slightly, she smiled and nodded, taking a cautious step closer, closing the distance between them until they were mere inches apart, sharing the same breath.

Tracy held his gaze, her heart racing as he studied her face with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

“I asked Alessa about you, and from what little she shared, you seem like a true gentleman. A good, gentle man,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m not,” Thane replied, his tone low, and Tracy couldn’t help but smirk at his modesty.

“So, you’re a bad man? Just how bad are you?” she teased, her fingers brushing lightly against his cheek, reveling in his calm demeanor as he remained still, his eyes locked onto hers.

“I can’t say,” he replied, a hint of mischief in his tone.

“Oh?”

“But I can show you.”