The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Noel's voice quivered with frustration, "So she knew all along, and I was the only one kept in the dark?"

"I mean, even if my brother doesn't trust me, he should consider that I'm his own flesh and blood. Why wouldn't he tell me?"

"Noel," Mr. Salter has been through a lot. He didn't tell you because he wanted to spare you from getting dragged into it," Nathan tried to explain on Isaac's behalf. "As for Ms. Lynette, she was also in the dark initially." But Noel wasn't having any of it. "I'll be heading to Craneville as soon as possible. I need to talk to my brother, one way or another."

Ignoring Nathan's protests, Noel had his assistant book him a flight, determined to leave his work behind and confront his brother in Craneville.

...

Nathan sighed as he looked at the disconnected call.

Noel was as impulsive as ever.

After a grueling twenty-plus-hour flight, Twila was exhausted, curling up in her leather seat and sleeping soundly.

Hestia sat by the window, her bandaged wounds making her look even more frail and ghostly.

Nathan handed her a cup of warm water. "Ms. Bennett, rest assured, we'll do everything in our power to ensure your safety."

Hestia clutched the cup tightly, her lips trembling slightly as she whispered a barely audible "Thank you."

Nathan asked the flight attendant for a light blanket and draped it over Hestia, who closed her eyes, trying to find solace in sleep.

Throughout the flight, Hestia was tormented by nightmares, a culmination of years of fear and a reflection of her harrowing reality.

Hearing her muffled cries, Nathan realized Hestia was sweating profusely, especially her forehead, which was dotted with beads of sweat. Instinctively, he reached out to comfort her, "Ms. Bennett, are you alright?"

But Hestia seemed trapped in her nightmare, struggling vainly until she suddenly grabbed Nathan's hand, begging him not to leave.

She was murmuring pleas for mercy... clearly, she had been scared witless.

Nathan was taken aback by her resemblance to Brittany, momentarily lost in thought.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

It was hard to reconcile the woman before him, who couldn't even find peace in sleep, with the vibrant, rebellious Hestia from years ago.

What could have happened to cause such a drastic change in someone?

The plane finally broke through the clouds, cruising steadily towards its destination.

After what felt like an eternity, they landed.

Hestia, frail as she was, couldn't carry her daughter.

Nathan took Twila in his arms as they disembarked, heading straight for the hotel they had booked in advance.

The hotel was lavish, a realm Hestia hadn't stepped into for many years.

She seemed out of place but managed to maintain her composure.

Nathan handed her a business card,

some cash, and a brand-new

smartphone. "Ms. Bennett, you can rest here for now. If you need anything, just let me know.

Hestia bit her lip, concerned. "I was exiled by the royal family. Coming back now, won't I cause trouble for you?"

She wasn't naive; she knew her presence wasn't welcomed by everyone.

"Ms. Bennett, we're not afraid of a little trouble," Nathan reassured her. "There are bodyguards at the door. Just focus on resting."

Once Nathan nfeft, Hestia stood by the window, carefully observing the city. She was from Craneville but had been forced to leave her home, wandering from place to place Now she was back, but everything had changed.

A large LED screen outside the window was broadcasting news about Eltham and Brittany's engagement.

Seeing Eltham after so many years made her body stiffen involuntarily.

Her mind uncontrollably replayed

countless memories until they settled on a photo of them together. It had been eight whole years since they had parted ways.

Even though she knew Eltham would never marry her, the news of his engagement still stung. After a long moment, she turned away, refusing to look at the images on the screen any longer.