The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 79

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 79**

**PRESENT**

“Come on, just eat your cake,” Alessa urged, her voice light yet firm, nudging the decadent slice closer to Aiden. He let out an exaggerated huff, rolling his eyes in a theatrical manner before slumping into the chair beside her, the burdens of the day evident in the droop of his shoulders.

“Oh, you really need a partner too,” Tracy chimed in, her gaze darting playfully between Alessa and Aiden, a teasing grin dancing on her lips.

“No, I don’t,” Alessa shot back, her frown deepening as she crossed her arms defiantly, a gesture that spoke volumes of her irritation.

“Yes, you absolutely do! It’s essential that you show up with someone,” Tracy insisted, her voice adopting a mock-serious tone, as if the very fabric of the universe depended on Alessa’s social choices.

“Bryan offered to be her partner,” Aiden interjected out of the blue, his eyes glinting with mischief as he glanced at Alessa. Tracy’s surprise was immediate and palpable.

“What? Seriously?” she exclaimed, her brows shooting up in disbelief, her mouth slightly agape.

“He was just joking. He didn’t mean it,” Alessa replied, rolling her eyes once more, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice as if the very thought of Bryan was an irritation she could do without.

“Lydia will kill you if you even think about accepting,” Tracy laughed, her lighthearted tone contrasting sharply with the tension that hung in the air like a thick fog.

“The mean lady?” Aiden asked, tilting his head curiously, trying to piece together the dynamics of their little circle. Tracy nodded, a smirk still lingering on her face.

“Hmmm. Was she the reason Bryan divorced Mummy and kicked her out?” Aria piped up suddenly, her wide eyes fixed on them with an intensity that made Aiden squirm in his seat.

“Ugh, Aria. You’ve got to stop asking these questions,” Aiden groaned, feeling the weight of her inquisitive gaze pressing down on him. She shot him a glare, unyielding and fierce.

“I wasn’t asking you. I was asking Tracy,” she clarified, turning her attention back to Tracy, who looked equally taken aback by the sudden spotlight on her.

“Me?” Tracy echoed, her surprise evident, her eyes darting between Aria and Alessa.

“Yes. Was it because of Lydia?” Aria pressed, her curiosity relentless, as if she were a detective on the verge of uncovering a major scandal.

“I don’t know, I wasn’t around,” Tracy responded with a nonchalant shrug, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty, hinting at a deeper story she wasn’t ready to share.

“Really? Where were you?” Aiden asked, genuinely intrigued, leaning forward as if to draw out the tales of Tracy’s past adventures.

“Travelling around the world,” Tracy said, a smile breaking across her face as she recalled her escapades, the memories clearly cherished and vibrant in her mind.

As their chatter faded, Alessa found herself drifting into a sea of contemplation, her thoughts swirling around the concept of a partner. A partner? Had she ever truly experienced that kind of connection? The idea felt foreign, almost elusive, like a mirage shimmering just out of reach.

**SIX YEARS AGO**

“Thank you for agreeing to have lunch with me,” Aliyah said, her voice soft but laced with an underlying tension as they sat together, forks clinking against plates in the otherwise quiet café. Alessa merely nodded, her thoughts swirling in a tempest of confusion and hurt, the weight of their history pressing down on her like a heavy shroud.

Despite her best efforts to move past the betrayal Aliyah had inflicted upon her, the wounds felt fresh, the scars still throbbing as if they were newly opened. Silence enveloped them like a thick fog, the air charged with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Finally, Alessa broke the stillness, her voice barely a whisper, filled with a mixture of dread and determination.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t…” Alessa’s words faltered as she stood up, her heart pounding in her chest, the tumult of emotions swirling within her. She turned to leave but paused, a final thought escaping her lips, sharp and bitter.

“I see why your billionaire husband kicked you out of the house. I see why your parents rejected you. I see why you went from being someone to nothing. You are ungrateful, and you don’t deserve anything good in life. I hope you die here so your kids can be free from the miserable person that you are.” Aliyah spat, her voice dripping with venom as she stormed away, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

Alessa blinked rapidly, tears threatening to spill over as the murmurs of the crowd filled the hall, their whispers and laughter mingling into a cacophony of judgment and sympathy washing over her like a tidal wave.

‘She was a billionaire’s wife?’

‘She doesn’t look like one.’

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of their tumultuous exchange, Alessa sat alone, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. The confrontation with Aliyah had unearthed a torrent of emotions, leaving her feeling raw and exposed, stripped of her defenses. The bitter sting of betrayal intertwined with the remnants of a connection she once cherished, the memories of their friendship now tainted. As she gazed into the distance, the laughter of her friends faded into a muted backdrop, and the reality of her solitude settled in like a heavy blanket. The realization that she had never truly experienced the kind of partnership she longed for gnawed at her, pulling her deeper into her thoughts, a relentless tide dragging her under. In that moment, she understood that healing would require more than just time; it demanded a reckoning with her past and a willingness to embrace vulnerability, a daunting task she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

Meanwhile, Aiden and Tracy’s lighthearted banter served as a stark contrast to Alessa’s internal struggle, reminding her of the warmth of companionship that felt so elusive. As she watched them interact, a flicker of hope ignited within her, a small flame that refused to be extinguished. The shadows of her past, while daunting, could not extinguish the possibility of new beginnings. Perhaps it was time to seek out the connections she had shunned, to let go of the pain that had long defined her. With a deep breath, Alessa resolved to confront her fears and open her heart to the potential of genuine partnership, understanding that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges but also ripe with the promise of healing and growth.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter of *Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon*, readers can expect a deep dive into Alessa’s emotional turmoil as she grapples with the fallout of her confrontation with Aliyah. The intensity of their exchange has left Alessa shaken, and the weight of her words—both spoken and unspoken—will linger in her mind, forcing her to confront her own vulnerabilities and the complexities of their relationship. As she navigates through her feelings of betrayal and confusion, the dynamics between her and those around her, particularly Aiden and Tracy, will shift, revealing unexpected alliances and tensions.

Moreover, the narrative promises to unravel the mysterious threads surrounding Aliyah’s past and the implications of her tumultuous history. With hints of unresolved conflict and the specter of Lydia looming over their lives, the chapter will explore how past actions shape present realities. As secrets begin to surface and relationships are tested, Alessa will find herself at a crossroads, compelled to make choices that could lead to healing or further heartbreak. The anticipation builds as readers wonder whether Alessa will find the strength to confront her demons or if the shadows of her past will continue to dictate her future.