The Billionaire's Dangerous Obsession (Nivera) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

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The mansion was quiet that evening, and it was the kind of silence that pressed in on Nivera until even her own footsteps sounded too loud against the marble floor.

It seemed all the helpers had retired for the night. She had already been back from the photoshoot for hours, had forced herself to take a nap, and had even distracted herself with some light reading.

But still–her chest was heavy.

Yesterday, she had paced, worried sick that Alejandro hadn’t come home. Today she told herself she wouldn’t.

She told herself she didn’t care. And yet, when the clock struck seven, and she heard the front door click open, her heart leapt into her throat.

Alejandro.

Her first instinct was to look away, to head into the kitchen and get herself a glass of water, something simple to occupy her hands, to distract from the way her stomach knotted at the sight of him.

Without a word, she turned toward the kitchen, intent on pretending she hadn’t seen him. But then his voice cut through the silence.

“So,” Alejandro drawled, his tone sharp enough to slice. “How was lunch with Damon?”

Nivera froze mid–step. Slowly, she turned. His figure loomed, his suit jacket still on, his tie loosened, a storm smouldering in his eyes.

She wasn’t surprised in the slightest that he knew, and deep down, she knew he was going to confront her about it.

“Excuse me?” She, however, chose to feign innocence.

Alejandro’s lips curved in a humourless smile. “Don’t insult me by pretending I don’t know. You had lunch with him. In public.”

For a beat, she said nothing, trying to pick her words.

“It was just lunch,” she managed, her voice even.

“Just lunch,” he repeated, scoffing. He stepped closer, each stride deliberate. “Is that what you call it? Running off with another man while you’re here under my roof?”

“You’re not that naïve. Do you have any idea what it looks like? What people would say if they saw you with him?” Her chest tightened. Something in her snapped at the sheer audacity of the man standing in front of her

He had ignored her calls last night, dismissed her this morning, and now–now he dared to scold her?

Her chin lifted. “What does it matter what it looks like? Two friends having lunch, if you ask me. Besides, we’re not a real couple, Alejandro.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “The whole world thinks we are. That makes it matter.”

“Oh, for God’s sake!” The words burst from her, raw and furious.

“Do you hear yourself? Yesterday, you told me to stop behaving like a wife waiting for her husband. And now? Now you’re acting like one–when there’s nothing between us!”

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Chapter 144

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Taking a deep breath, she continued. “Because I’m dating you in the eyes of the public doesn’t mean I can’t be seen with a man especially when that man is connected with my work, so stopman, overreacting!”

The room seemed to reverberate with her words.

Alejandro’s jaw tightened. His eyes glinted with a cold, unyielding fire, “Watch your tone, Nivera. “You’re still in my house?

“No,” she snapped, stepping closer. For once, she didn’t shrink back.

“You don’t get to control everything I do. I don’t give a damn that I’m staying in your house–you don’t own me. I’ll eat with whoever I want, wherever I want. And you can choke on your pride if you think otherwise.”

His nostrils flared, his hand twitching at his side as though restraining himself from slamming it against something. “You think this is about pride?”

“What else would it be about?” she flared. “Because it sure as hell isn’t about you caring–you made that very clear yesterday.”

The silence that followed was deafening. His glare was a sword; her defiance, a shield.

Just as the tension was about to explode, the front door opened.

Both their heads snapped toward it, the tension thick in the air. Footsteps echoed, and seconds later, Marceline stepped into view.

Her sharp eyes swept the room once–and instantly picked up on the storm that had just passed.

Her brows lifted. “Am I… interrupting something?”

Nivera, still brimming with anger, forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Not at all, Marceline. Welcome.” She shot a subtle glance toward Alejandro, daggers hidden behind her p

Marceline studied them both with quiet suspicion before lifting the bag in her hand. “I brought dinner. It’s be since I visited. Thought I’d surprise you. But I think I came in at a bad time.”

Nivera seized the opportunity to get away from Alejandro. “No, you didn’t. Why don’t we have dinner together? It’ll be lovely.”

She shot Alejandro a quick, venomous glance before turning back to Marceline with warmth as she led her towards th dining table.

Alejandro said nothing, his jaw set, but he followed regardless.

Marceline and Nivera placed the dishes across the surface–carefully packed meals from a fine restaurant, their scents filling the air.

The three of them then sat at the table minutes later.

Everything seemed okay, but beneath the surface, the air simmered with unspoken words.

“So,” Marceline began, her tone bright after they had begun eating, “how was the photoshoot, Nivera?”

Nivera smiled. “Good. Tiring, but good. It was the final day today, and I can’t wait for it to get unveiled to the public.”

Alejandro gave a short, derisive sound. “Final day. Let’s hope it was worth all the effort.”

Her head snapped toward him, her smile freezing. “Oh, it was. Every second.”

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UV TO MUN, ED Aug

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Chapter 144

Their eyes clashed–venom beneath porcelain smiles.

Marceline’s fork paused midway. She glanced between them, her lips pressing into a line.

Nivera turned back to her with a forced smile. “The team was amazing. Celeste especially–she’s always such a delight to work with.”

“Yes,” Alejandro drawled. “Delightful company. I wonder if Damon was as delightful.”

Nivera’s fingers tightened around her fork. Her jaw ached from the pressure of her smile. “Oh, Damon was wonderful. Very thoughtful, as always. “At least some men know how to value a woman’s presence.”

That hit the spot as Alejandro’s hand tightened around the glass.

“What happened between the two of you?!“Marceline asked.

The pair turned toward her in unison, both pasting on identical, fake smiles.

“Nothing’s going on,” they said almost at the same time.

Marceline didn’t believe a word of it, and her gaze darted between them, her lips pressing into a thin line.

As dinner went on, she tried to lighten the atmosphere, but every attempt bounced as the couple refused to make up.

The only good thing was that they stopped throwing jabs at each other, but the downside was that they stopped talking to each other.

By the end ofended, Niveradisappointment was palpable.

When dinner ended, Nivera excused herself with a polite smile, leaning down to hug Marceline. “I’ll head up to my room It’s been a long day. Goodnight,” she said softly.

Marceline squeezed her hand. “Rest well, dear. You’ve earned it.”

Nivera nodded, sending one last sharp look at Alejandro before heading upstairs.

As soon as her footsteps faded, Marceline turned.

Her son was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed, and his gaze fixed firmly on the table as though it might vej m

Marceline’s lips pressed together. “What in God’s name was that?”

Alejandro’s jaw clenched. “Nothing.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me.” Her voice was sharp and filled with steel. “The air at that table was so thick I could choke on it. What did you do to her?”

His jaw flexed as he spoke, “She was out of line.”

“Out of line?” Marceline’s voice rose. “All I saw was a young woman trying to hold her ground against a man who should know better. You. I didn’t raise you to treat a woman this way.”

He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand across his face. Of course, his mother would take Nivera’s side over his.

“She’s reckless. She doesn’t think. She puts herself in positions that could destroy her reputation–and mine. What was I supposed to do, applaud her?”

Marceline’s eyes softened, though her voice didn’t. “Oh, Alejandro. This isn’t about reputation. This is about you. About the way you can’t bring yourself to admit what’s staring you in the face.”

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