The 365 days billionaire

bel

just another stage. The shimmering lights, clinking glasses, and polit

y part, but inside, I

om it. People look at me and see the glamorous fa

ugly word, and an even uglier reality. For years, it's been my shad

emed like a stepping stone became a snare. At first, the thre

eces of my life I'd buried. "Moments I wished to erase, these whispers of

on model. right after I started working for Gb Group a c

ulated the narrative, and used it as leverage. Whenever I tried to step out of line or say no, the

the only way I knew-by outshining them, by

rounded by admirers who had no idea

assed, my practiced smile never faltering. I thanked them graciously

r fawning. He stood still, observing the space with a casualness

was approaching." with a relaxed yet assured t

answered, "As much as one can enjoy pretending e

sement in his expression. "Sometime

either flattered me or tried to impress me,

," I said, tilting my head

said, offering

ched, leaning in to whisper, "They're asking for more, Isabella

tepping away before he could n

ackmailers never seemed to give up. "Tonight was sup

en to remind me that no matter how far I

to ignore my panic. Jack's gaze retu

itting things together. I had spent years honin

d as I rejoined him, hi

brushing off his question. "And

eyes never leaving mine. "But I'm mo

a way he had of drawing out truths I'd spent years

d, letting a hint of my weariness show. "So

e let on. "Maybe. But I've always believed the mos

with an alcoholic drink." Jack wasn't like anyone I'd met before.

it, his presence stirred someth

real, something beyond the sh

nded myself of the stakes. Jack might be differ

e in my world, trust was

a

ngered in my mind. As I wandered the halls,

I found her slumped on a couch

abe

looked up at me. "What

door behind me. "I just wanted

itterly. "Do

tated before asking, "Do y

then she sighed. "They're trying to ruin me. I

said, "You don't have to go th

her lips brushing against mine. I froze, caught between shock and something

t. All I knew was that ever