All Chapters of His Rejected Wife: The Billionaire’s Regret: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Orana’s point of viewI stood between them, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded so hard it felt loud enough to interrupt the silence, loud enough for both of them to hear.Vaughn’s hand was still wrapped around mine. When I glanced at him, something in my chest tightened. His jaw was tight, his eyes darker than I had ever seen them, his entire posture coiled like he was one second away from doing something neither of us could take back.There was something raw in Callahan’s expression, possessive, that hadn’t been there before, or maybe it had, and I had just never seen it clearly. His gaze flicked to where Vaughn held me, then back to my face, like he was trying to make sense of what was happening.“She’s coming with me,” Callahan said.My stomach twisted.Vaughn let out a quiet breath beside me, something almost amused but edged with something far more dangerous. He took a step forward, placing himself slightly in front of me without breaking his hold on my

Orana’s point of viewThe drive felt quieter than it should have. I changed into something more formal. A black pencil skirt, stilettoes, and a red shirt.I know I looked good. When Vaughn saw me, his eyes slightly narrowed, but he smiled and then opened the door for me with a stupid grin on his face.Now here I am, my stomach churning and heart racing. I’m not sure who was responsible for it.Even as he drove the car, I could feel Vaughn’s gaze even without looking. It was flickering toward me every few seconds like he was checking for something. Not obvious enough to call out, but enough that I noticed.I kept my eyes forward, watching the city pass by in a blur, but my fingers curled slightly in my lap.He didn’t ask if I was okay. And somehow, that made it worse.Because it meant he trusted me to hold myself together, I wasn’t sure if I wanted him not to after last night. I wanted him to be there, and it was strange.The car slowed into the parking spot, then stopped.When I looke

Vaughn’s point of viewI have never been one to pay attention to things or women. But with Orana, it’s hard; I notice even the tiniest things about her.Like when fucking Callahan insinuated there was a reason behind his mistress trying to hit her. I saw the way her shoulders stiffened, the way her fingers tightened around the edge of the file, like it was the only thing holding her together. And her eyes… God, her eyes gave everything away. That crack that I should see.He’d done it again.Callahan fucking hurt her again.Something sharp curled low in my chest, spreading fast, clawing up my throat. I stood there for a second too long, forcing myself not to move, not to make a scene, not yet. But the longer I looked at her, the harder it got to stay still.Not anymore.I turned toward her fully, closing the distance before I could think better of it. My hand lifted, instinct taking over, ready to cup her face, but she stepped back.Like I’d burned her, and that fucking sting.My jaw t

Orana’s point of view“Vaughn, stop,” I said, rushing so he could let go of me.His hand stayed locked around mine, firm as he pulled me through the restaurant, past curious glances and whispers. My heels struggled to keep up with his pace, my free hand trying to pry him loose.“Vaughn, stop,” I said again, sharper this time, and he didn’t stop.The doors swung open, and the cool night air hit us. Only then did he let go.I stumbled a step back, my pulse racing, my hand still tingling where his had been. He stood a few feet away, chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a mile, his jaw tight, shoulders rigid.For a moment, neither of us spoke. I was also out of breath from trying to stay calm.“What’s wrong with you?” I asked, trying to steady my voice.He dragged a hand down his face, eyes closing as he took a slow, measured breath. Another. Like he was forcing something down.When he looked at me again, it wasn’t the Vaughn I was used to.There was something raw there, something

Marissa’s Point of ViewShe had a daughter. Callahan’s daughter.I couldn’t decide which part hurt, knowing there was a child or the way his eyes followed her as if nothing else in the room mattered.For years, I had been patient. Pretended to be happy with whatever scraps of affection he threw my way, and I was happy.I used to be the one he chased. Now, every time she walked in, something in him shifted. A tilt of his head. A pause in his breath. That look. Like he was, it was the most beautiful thing in the room. It used to be me he looked like that.My nails pressed into my palm as I watched him step away from the crowd, his expression already closing off, his shoulders straightening as if he was putting distance between himself and everything else. Including me.The elevator doors slid open, and he stepped inside without looking back. I slipped in just before they closed, the quiet hum of the lift wrapping around us.“Callahan,” I mumbled.Just stood there, eyes forward, jaw tig