The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 77

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 77**

Alessa let out a scornful laugh, her eyes rolling with exaggerated flair as she sank into the plush embrace of the couch cushions. The room was filled with a tense energy, the kind that often accompanied discussions about social obligations.

“Alright, the guest list has been finalized and everyone has been assigned their roles…” she announced, her voice dripping with sarcasm, as if the very idea of it bored her to tears.

“No,” Tracy countered firmly, slicing through Alessa’s self-satisfied bravado like a knife through butter. Alessa turned her head sharply, her eyebrows arching in confusion.

“What do you mean, no?” she shot back, her tone laced with irritation, the challenge igniting a spark of defiance within her.

“You need to memorize the names of every family on that list,” Tracy explained, her tone serious and unwavering. “And you have to know what they look like because welcoming them is crucial. It’s a sign of respect, Alessa.” She observed as Alessa’s expression morphed into one of skepticism, doubt etched across her features.

“Respect? Seriously? I don’t see why I should care about any of them,” Alessa retorted, crossing her arms defiantly, her body language screaming rebellion.

“Well, it doesn’t matter what you want. You have to do it,” Tracy insisted, her voice steady, refusing to bend to Alessa’s dismissive attitude. Alessa groaned dramatically, flopping back against the couch as if the weight of the world had just been unceremoniously dumped onto her shoulders.

“By the way, what about you? Aren’t you inviting anyone?” Tracy asked, her curiosity piqued, a hint of concern threading through her voice.

“Nope,” Alessa replied curtly, the single word hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

“Really? Why not? What about your friends?” Tracy pressed, her brows knitting together in disbelief as Alessa sat up, a frown creasing her brow.

“Friends? I don’t have any friends,” she stated flatly, the admission slipping out as easily as a sigh, and Tracy’s eyes widened in shock.

“What? That can’t be true! You haven’t made even a single friend in six years?” Tracy questioned, her astonishment palpable, as if Alessa had just revealed a shocking secret.

“Hmm,” Alessa responded with a nonchalant nod, her expression unchanging, as if the truth were too mundane to warrant any further discussion.

“No way. You became a billionaire all by yourself? Not even one female friend? Or a male friend?” Tracy’s disbelief was evident, her voice rising incredulously, the absurdity of it all spilling out.

“Hmm,” Alessa murmured, biting her lip thoughtfully, her gaze drifting off into the distance as if searching for something lost.

“No,” she finally replied, shaking her head slowly as if the very idea was absurd, a notion so far removed from her reality.

“That’s just ridiculous,” Tracy scoffed, the incredulity in her voice ringing clear. Alessa simply shrugged, a casual response to the absurdity of her situation, a resigned acceptance of her solitude.

Just then, Aria burst into the living room, her cheeks smeared with cake, the remnants of her sugary indulgence decorating her hands as well. She ambled over to them, licking her fingers with a look of sheer delight, her innocence radiating joy.

“What’s going on?” Alessa asked, bracing herself for the inevitable whining that often accompanied Aria’s bursts of energy.

Aria withdrew her fingers from her mouth, ready to speak, but her attention was immediately captured by the list sprawled out on the table. Her curiosity ignited, she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with interest.

“What’s this?” she inquired, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she approached the table.

“Oh, that’s just the list of all the boring people who will be attending the ball,” Alessa replied dismissively, rolling her eyes as if the very thought of it bored her.

“Alright then. Let’s see what you can do,” Tracy said, pulling out her phone with a smile, ready to document Aria’s progress. Aria’s face lit up with excitement as she moved closer, ready to tackle the challenge head-on.

“Hey, what am I supposed to do?” Aiden chimed in, his mouth full of cake, crumbs tumbling from his lips like confetti.

“Just keep being charming and brag about being the son of a billionaire,” Alessa teased, watching as a proud smile spread across his face, his youthful arrogance shining through.

“I can handle that,” he replied, puffing out his chest with mock bravado, the innocence of childhood still strong within him.

“Great, let’s get back to planning,” Alessa said, her focus shifting back to the task at hand, the weight of responsibility settling over her like a familiar cloak.

“Mum, earlier today, something similar to what just happened to Aria happened to me,” Aiden said suddenly, his expression turning serious, a shadow passing over his youthful features. Alessa looked at him, puzzled.

“What do you mean?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, her curiosity piqued.

“I knew I had to put a towel in a bowl of water and place it on your head, but everything is just so blurry in my mind. Why can’t I remember?” he questioned, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. Alessa raised her eyebrows, her mind racing as she searched for a convincing lie.

How on earth was she supposed to explain to them the dark truths of their past? The haunting memories of running alongside Aiden while chaos unfolded around them, the lives they had been forced to take to survive? It was a burden she wasn’t ready to share, a weight she carried alone.

In the quiet aftermath of their chaotic exchange, Alessa found herself grappling with a profound realization. The weight of her past, filled with shadows and unspoken horrors, loomed over her like a dark cloud, threatening to suffocate the flickering light of hope that had begun to emerge within her family. As she watched Aria and Aiden, both so innocent yet burdened with the echoes of memories they could not fully grasp, Alessa felt the walls she had built around her heart start to crack. The laughter and determination of her children were stark reminders that life could still be vibrant, even amidst the shadows of their shared history. Perhaps, just perhaps, it was time to let go of her cynicism and embrace the connections that had long eluded her.

As the evening unfolded, Alessa’s resolve began to shift. The warmth of Tracy’s unwavering support and the innocent enthusiasm of Aria ignited a flicker of something she thought she had lost—community. The thought of welcoming others, of acknowledging their presence, no longer felt like a burden but rather an opportunity to build bridges over the chasms of her past. In that moment, Alessa understood that while the shadows of their history would always linger, they did not have to dictate the future. With newfound determination, she resolved to confront her fears and embrace the challenge of opening her heart, for the sake of her children and the life they could create together.