Fool By My Ruthless Billionaire

I want solutions. I have to understand what is beyond the façade, the meticulously crafted picture he has created around himself. Stepping into the known space, I force the door open. The sle

gnisable. Still, I can feel a chilly shudder down my back. What do you mean? Mason is more involved in this than you believe. Much deeper than that. What about Kendrick? He's not the guy you believe. The niggling doubt eating at me won't go away. I want solutions and I know where to find them. But the nearer I approach Kendrick, the more difficult it is to distinguish the man from the entrepreneur. Though I can't tell how far back they go, I'm beginning to notice the fractures in the facade. My heart racing, I go to his office. Though I'm finished letting him dictate the story, the last few days have been full of distance and irritation. Why not inform me? I say, my tone cutting. Kendrick looks up from his desk, his gaze inscrutable. "What should I say?" You know just what I mean. What I discovered. The untruths. Mason's been playing me this way. The rising rage in my chest burns. You should have told me why. Rising slowly and walking around the desk, he moves purposefully. I was safeguarding you. From everything. From those. "Guarding me?" I say again, incredulously. Kendrick, you have been exploiting me. You have been exploiting me for your personal benefit, and I am sick of it. He halts in front of me, near enough for me to sense his breath on my skin. "You believe I am unaware of what this is doing to you?" His voice is low and intense. I never meant to harm you. I wanted you, though. This business, this empire, it's larger than both of us. My throat is constricted and I shake my head. You still haven't said the truth, though. He moves in closer, locking his gaze on me. Perhaps I never will. Perhaps the reality is not something you can bear. My heart pounds as I turn away. Kendrick, if so, why am I still here? Why do I still battle for you? He doesn't respond right away, but his gaze softens. For a short while, I notice something more in him. Something genuine. Sofia, you are the only one who can rescue me. Frozen in the centre of Kendrick's office, I feel the weight of his words hanging between us. Trying to understand what he just said, my heart races and my pulse beats in my ears. His admission breaks the thin barrier I have spent years constructing between us. Kendrick's voice is low, raspy, almost imploring as he says, "I never wanted to hurt you, Sofia." His look is intense and desperate, holding mine. I did what I had to do. But I need you to trust me right now. Allow me to show it to you. Let me correct this. Swallowing hard, I battle the oncoming feelings about to overwhelm me. I want to scream, to ask questions, to distance myself from the guy who has hurt me so deeply. A dangerous side of me, however, wants to believe him. Wants to think the guy in front of me isn't the one who wrecked what we once possessed. You want me to believe in you, I say, my voice shaking with rage and a deeper, softer emotion I won't admit. After all? After the deception, the control? His eyes flare with what seems to be sorrow. I understand. The past is unchangeable. Bu