Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"She couldn't even tell the difference between you and me. Is that really love?" Azrael asked, rendering Ash momentarily speechless.

He looked down at the floor, recalling the same question he had once asked Sapphire.

It still hurt that Sapphire had entertained the thought that he might have tried to kill her. It boiled down to one painful truth: Sapphire didn't trust him completely. If she had, no amount of evidence would have made her doubt him.

But Ash understood her reasoning. Trusting too much could be dangerous-something he learned the hard way with Azrael.

"Ask Sapphire yourself," Ash replied, further aggravating Azrael. "And I understand why you've never experienced love-because you force it. Love doesn't work that way."

***

With his hands in his pockets, Ash smirked as he headed toward his black car, where his driver was waiting.

"You deserve it, motherfucker," he muttered as he approached the car.

But he stopped in his tracks upon noticing Sapphire sitting in her car, gripping the steering wheel tightly with her eyes closed.

He wanted to go to her but didn't want to escalate things further. Suddenly, his thoughts drifted to where Sapphire had buried their child.

He regretted not being by her side during those times. Their child died, and Sapphire faced everything alone.

"I'll come back to get you," Ash whispered softly before stepping into his car, and asking his driver to go.

***

Meanwhile, chaos erupted inside the restaurant as Azrael lost his temper. He smashed dishes and threw food onto the floor-especially targeting couples peacefully dining. Something had snapped after Ash walked away, leaving him spiraling out of control.

"Fuck!" he screamed, venting his rage on the restaurant's wine collection.

He had the money to pay for the damages-he could even buy the entire place. But he couldn't buy the one thing he wanted the most: Sapphire. 'Why couldn't he have her? Why was Ash suddenly stepping out of line?'

These thoughts consumed him, pushing him further into madness.

"I didn't make all these sacrifices just to let you go," he muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, memories of his past decisions flood back.

"Are you sure about this?" the doctor had asked when he revealed his plan. "You might regret this later-"

"I don't do things I'll regret, Mrs. Allison," Azrael had snapped, his gaze falling on a photo in the doctor's hand.

It was Ash-the man who had stolen Sapphire from him.

Even though Sapphire had stabbed him three times, fate seemed to favor Azrael, sparing his life as none of the wounds were fatal.

He had resolved to replicate someone's face if it meant getting Sapphire back.

Azrael's original plan was to create a barrier between Ash and Sapphire. But when he learned of Sapphire's pregnancy, everything changed.

He orchestrated an attack using his connections to the Coleman mafia. The command was unauthorized because everyone thought he was dead. No, he wouldn't be defeated so easily.

Azrael had even tried manipulating Ash into killing Sapphire. When that failed, he took matters into his own hands, executing his plan while disguised as Ash.

He shot Sapphire-not to kill her, but to harm the child she was carrying. He couldn't allow her to bear Ash's child.noveldrama

"She's mine. No one will take her from me," he muttered, a deranged smile on his face as he walked out of the restaurant. "I met her first. She's my property. I'll kill anyone who stands in my way." 'Or perhaps, in our next life, we'll finally be together,' he thought to himself.

***

"You're really becoming a drunkard, huh? What's flowing through your veins now-blood or alcohol?"

I winced and closed my eyes as Evangeline lectured me over the phone. I was drinking alone at the bar.

Everything that had happened left me feeling confused. I thought the alcohol would help me think straight. But it didn't.

Now my head was spinning-maybe from the alcohol or exhaustion.

"Of course, it's blood. Do you think I'd still be alive if alcohol was running through my veins? And you call yourself a scientist?" I teased her.

The flashing lights and loud music were disorienting, but talking to Evangeline made it feel like she was right here with me.

The reason I called her was to ask her to join me, not to scold me. Was it so bad to drink now and then?

"Stop being sarcastic with me. I'm not joking," she replied, annoyed. "I'll come and get you-or better yet, I don't need to. Someone else will fetch you for me."

I frowned, understanding what she meant.

"What the hell-" I started to protest, but she hung up before I could finish.

When I tried calling her back, she wouldn't pick up. I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs as I leaned against the high stool.

Maybe I'd just sit here a while to let the dizziness pass, then leave... but would he really come here?

If I were him, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near my cousin's killer. And I hate myself for always concealing my emotions with anger.

I wasn't angry with him-I was ashamed of what I did. I didn't trust him and hurt his feelings. He doesn't deserve to be with someone who couldn't even hear his side of the story.

Also, blood will always be thicker than love. No matter how much I tried to explain, Ash would always believe in Azrael.

Suddenly, I thought about my twins. "Chiara... Thunder..."

I raised my glass and downed the alcohol in one gulp. Part of me still dreamed of them meeting their father someday. I wouldn't force Ash to take responsibility, but I wanted him to at least acknowledge them. He deserved to know.

"This shit isn't helping."

I placed the glass back on the countertop and stood up, intending to move to the dance floor. My vision swirled, and I almost stumbled, but someone caught me by the waist, steadying me.

"Careful," Ash said, staring intently at me as his gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips.

"You came?" I asked, the disbelief evident in his tone.

I looked away, focusing on the people dancing, But I could still feel his eyes on me.

I turned back to him, but I gasped as he suddenly pulled me close and kissed me. His kisses were rough, aggressive, and unapologetic. Strangely, I liked it.

Just as I realized what was happening, he pulled away. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand before speaking.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it," he said, his voice husky. "I came because you're here. Rose called me earlier."

I nodded. I already knew that.

An awkward silence settled between us. It was a relief that we were in a noisy bar; otherwise, the silence might have been unbearable. Wasn't he mad at me?

"Let's talk," he said suddenly, leaning closer to me. "About us."