Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

Before I knew it, an hour-my limit-had passed, yet I still didn't want to leave the room.

"It's time for me to go..." I said, holding her hand one last time.

I had no idea when I'd visit her again. Things were getting busy and messy... and my father was becoming moodier by the day.

"Next time, Mom. I'll see you again." I stood up and kissed her forehead.

This situation she's in breaks my heart. Whatever she's dreaming about right now, I hope it's making her happy. At least in her sleep, she can experience some joy, as life has been far too cruel to her. She's alive, but only for a purpose-Being Simon's hostage.

I do wish I could tell her about some of the things happening in my life. However, everyone here works for my father, waiting for me to slip and say something they can report back to him. I won't let that happen.

"Take care of her," I said to the female doctor waiting outside the room. I gave her shoulder a light tap.

It wasn't friendly. It was a warning. If I ever find out they've done anything to harm my mom, I'll make sure they regret it.

My dark side knows no bounds... I could push it to unimaginable extremes.

Still, I try to restrain myself for my kids' sake. I don't want to become so dangerous that even they wouldn't be safe around me.

UPON LEAVING, I was escorted by two bodyguards. They didn't treat me like a princess, but like a prisoner who might do something deadly if left unsupervised.

Once they dropped me off, I drove straight to my building. I took a deep breath while repeating a statement like a chant.

Everything will be alright.

I made my way to the penthouse and collapsed onto the couch. My stomach growled and ached, but I ignored the hunger and closed my eyes.

I didn't even notice when I drifted off-I was just that tired.

I prayed for a peaceful sleep, and I had it. I had a dream with my family-Mom, Chiara, and Thunder-walking together at the park.

But then, I heard a gunshot. Everyone around me disappeared.

"Chiara? Thunder?" I called out, but no one answered.

The scenery shifted. The trees withered, and the sunlight dimmed until I could barely see anything. I wasn't afraid of the dark, but I was terrified of losing my loved ones. Because losing them means losing myself, too.

"What the..." I couldn't finish my sentence as a sharp pain pierced my chest.

When I touched it, my eyes widened in horror.

Blood.

It was flowing relentlessly, and the pain grew more intense. I grimaced, struggling to breathe as I pressed against my wound.

That's when I noticed someone standing in front of me. He was holding a gun, pointing it directly at me. A smirk spread across his face as he reveled in my suffering. "Die, Sapphire..." he whispered, his grin widening.

Die.

I felt like I was losing my sanity-whether from the bullet wound or the realization that Ash was the one who shot me.

Then, a ringtone broke on my dream that turned into a sudden nightmare. "Fuck."

I woke up panting and drenched in sweat. My eyes landed on the tablet on the side table. It was connected to the CCTV feed from the house where Chiara and Thunder lived. Seeing them playing in the living room eased my mind.

"It was just a dream, Sapphire..." I murmured, tapping my chest lightly to calm myself.

This is why I avoid sleeping. Even in my dreams, the trauma from five years ago haunts me. It's been half a decade, and I still can't let go, subconsciously clinging to it. I picked up my phone. Why was Evangeline calling me at this hour?

"What?" I answered without bothering to say hello.

My head still ached, so I put her on speaker and went to grab some water.

"Grumpy!" she complained, making me raise an eyebrow.

Not at her words, but at her tone.

"Are you drunk?" I asked as I started preparing lunch. "At noon?"

She didn't reply, so I kept talking.

"What is it this time? Haze again?" I asked while whisking some eggs.

"It's not!"

"Ah, okay. It is." I smirked.

Evangeline never fails to surprise me. She's only fallen for two guys, and both couldn't return her feelings. I don't think I can bear seeing her heartbroken for the third time.

If this keeps up, I might just set her up on a blind date.

"So, why'd you call?" I asked, certain she hadn't called just to tell me she was drunk.

"Let's drink!"

I smirked at what she said. I don't even know where she is, but I hope she's safe.

"I'm one hundred percent sure you're going to regret this later," I told her, chuckling a little.

I ended the call and texted Haze instead, telling him to find Evangeline and pick her up.

I really hope he comes to his senses. With all the women he's juggling, he can't even figure out who he really likes.

Two women are waiting for him-Hariette and Evangeline. He needs to decide soon, or he's going to lose them both.

I ate the scrambled egg that I cooked. Now, I'm back on the couch. Taking my other phone, I started watching the video on the SD card I'd found in Senator Windwood's room.

It was a recording of a conversation between my father and Senator Windwood. Out of all the videos I found, this was the only one without sound.

Strange.

Perhaps the content was too confidential to risk recording audio.

I had a feeling this could give me a lead.

I was about to call Kesha to send her the file. She's great at transcribing even without audio. But I stopped, remembering Evangeline's words. "There's a mole in your organization."

I dialed a different number instead-Someone I trusted not to be swayed by bribes or money.

"Hello?" the voice on the other line answered.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Hi, Tanner."

I had his number from our student council days in college. Apparently, he hadn't changed it all these years.

"Can you spare me five minutes? I need a favor."

As he agreed, we met at a coffee shop near my building.

"I need the transcription of this video," I slid the SD card toward him.

It wasn't the original, just a copy. I'll always keep the original with me.

"And make sure Evangeline doesn't find out about this."

"Why?" he asked, confused, slipping the card into his shirt pocket. "She's my boss."

Because I want to keep her safe.