The Billionaire's Dangerous Obsession (Nivera) novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168

The room buzzed with excitement, models rushing in and out, makeup artists giving final touches, and stylists fixing hems and smoothing sequins. It was showtime.

Nivera’s pulse thudded inside her ears as a crew member adjusted the straps of the deep emerald gown.

The fabric hugged her in all the right places, shimmering under the soft backstage lights.

The show was moving like clockwork, the air filled with the chaotic but controlled rhythm of stylists, models, and coordinators barking last–minute instructions.

“Final walk, ladies. Remember–grace, poise, attitude,” the coordinator barked, clapping his hands for emphasis.

Nivera drew in a steadying breath. This was it. Her return. Her chance to prove she wasn’t done.

When her name was called, she squared her shoulders and stepped out.

The instant the blinding lights of the runway hit her, instinct took over. Her hips swayed naturally, her posture was impeccable, and her gaze locked forward with the fierce confidence she had been trained for.

The audience was a blur of faces and flashes, but she could feel their energy. It was electric.

As soon as she was off the stage, she was quickly changed into the second outfit, after which she waited for her turn again.

On her second walk, though, something snapped her concentration.

Her

eyes flickered toward the front row, and her breath caught. Damon. Sitting. there in all his arrogant composure, his gaze locked on her. But that wasn’t what made her stumble internally–it was the man beside him.

Alejandro.

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Chapter 168

Her Alejandro.

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The man she had been assured was bedridden. The man who was supposed to be resting, eating soup, and taking his damn medication.

And yet here he was, suited up, flawless as ever, seated beside her past and watching her with those blue, intense eyes that burnt through every layer of her.

Her heart fluttered wildly, a mix of fury and a traitorous warmth that made her want to scream with joy.

He came for her. He ignored his pain and came to see her. And she hated that part of her was relieved because he had lied–no, worse, he had let the helper lie for him.

She clenched her jaw. She would kill him–absolutely kill him. But God, the way his eyes were fixed on her, like she was the only thing in the room… she shoved the thought aside before it burned her alive.

Her pace never faltered. If anything, her walk sharpened, fiercer, as though she was strutting straight at both men–daring them to look away.

She hit her pose, turned, and stalked back, her expression cool even as her insides twisted into knots.

The show reached its climax. Nivera was the last to walk, closing it as planned. When she finally stepped off the runway for good, applause thundered behind her, and relief surged in her chest.

When it was over, the models filtered offstage, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Compliments buzzed around her, stylists patting her back, someone shoving a bottle of water into her hands to cool down.

She gulped it down as her throat was parched, every nerve still on edge. She had done it; she had survived and had conquered the stage.

As she placed the bottle down, Celeste approached her.

“You did well,” she complimented. “The designer wants to meet with you to discuss future prospects with you, but first he’s having a general meeting with the

WE

Chapter 168

other models,” she informed her.

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“Sure, I’ll meet up with him, but first I’ve got to go use the restroom,” Nivera said.

“Hold the fort down for me.”

“Sure,” Celeste responded, and Nivera immediately headed to the restroom.

She was halfway to the restroom when a faint creak echoed from the corridor leading to the back storage rooms.

Strange, Nivera thought to herself. That hallway wasn’t in use tonight.

“Nivera!” She slowed her pace when she heard her name being called.

She looked around, but there was no one there. Everyone was busy with the aftermath of the show, so who could have called her name?

Curiosity got the best of her, and her footsteps echoed softly as she turned towards the direction where the sound had come from.

The hallway was dimly lit, shadows pooling along the edges. She frowned. “Hello?” she called quietly, thinking maybe a crew member had slipped away.

There was no answer.

Why was she wasting her time when she had things to do? With that in mind, she turned and headed for the restroom. It was empty when she got there, and she moved to do her business.

Once she was done, she moved to the door, grasped the handle, and twisted.

However, it didn’t budge.

“What the hell?” she muttered, trying again. She was locked inside.

Who the hell would lock a restroom? She thought to herself as her stomach dropped.

“Hello, is anyone there?” She called out as she began to bang the door.

“Nivera…” She heard a faint whisper, and her blood ran cold.

Chapter 168

Her name. Someone had whispered her name again.

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Her breath quickened, and she looked around, scanning every stall to see if she had missed someone.

“Nivera…”

This time it was louder and closer.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I’m imagining this. I’m just tired.”

But then she saw it, a shadow underneath the door from the other side.

Her chest seized.

“Who’s there?” Her voice shook despite her effort to sound steady. “This isn’t funny.”

No response. Only that creeping whisper again, softer, almost coaxing.

Her hands trembled as she backed up toward the door, heart hammering.

The knob suddenly rattled under her grip. She shrieked, stumbling back-

And the door swung open.

Damon stood there.

“Nivera?” His brows furrowed at her panicked expression. “What happened?”

Her words tumbled out in broken gasps. “Someone was–was here. I heard–my name. The door–it was locked, and-”

Damon’s brows furrowed deeply. He glanced around, his stance instantly defensive, protective. “Someone?” His voice was low. “Where?”

She gestured wildly. “They whispered my name! They-” Her voice broke off as she rushed out of the restroom. Her eyes searched the corners. But nothing. No

one.

Damon moved down the hall swiftly, checking the doors, pushing them open one by one. Empty storage rooms, empty utility closets. He returned, shaking his

Chapter 168

head. “There’s no one here.”

“No. No, I heard them. I swear I-”

face was

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“Maybe it was nerves,” Damon said softly, his hand brushing her arm in reassurance. “Shows can mess with your head. The adrenaline, the noise, the pressure-”

“I’m not imagining things!” she snapped, panic lacing her voice. Her nails dug into her palm. She felt small and cornered.

“I know what I heard!” she snapped, the panic bleeding into anger. But even as she said it, doubt gnawed at her chest. Had she imagined it?

Her heart was still racing when another voice cut through the air.

“Cabezota?” Her head whipped to the side–and her heart leapt. Alejandro.

He was striding toward her, Martins beside him. His face was carved with concern and tension.

In his hand, a bouquet of flowers that looked like it had just been bought, though it dangled almost forgotten. His eyes zeroed in on her, on the tremor in her

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