Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Ivy’s POV

Asher was always busy.

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I understood why, he had taken on more than anyone should have to. Running the company, dealing with the fallout from the mafia’s collapse, trying to make sure what was left of that world never touched us again. He was doing it for us, for our future.

But understanding didn’t make it any easier.

The house felt emptier without him. Even when he was home, it was like he wasn’t really there. He’d come in late, exhausted, slipping into bed beside me with a quiet apology. Some nights, I barely stirred when he kissed my forehead. Other nights, I pretended to be asleep just so I wouldn’t have to hear another I’m sorry when we both knew nothing would change.

I missed him.

And I hated feeling like that, like some needy, restless version of myself that I barely recognized. I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t the kind of person who needed to be constantly reassured. But this wasn’t about needing attention. This was about missing the person who was supposed to be mine.

And it wasn’t just the company.

The mafia had been a shadow over our lives for months, and now that the Don was gone, I thought we’d finally have some peace. But Asher and Luca kept leaving for days at a time, handling the loose ends no one talked about. He said he was keeping me out of it, protecting me.

I didn’t need protecting. I needed him.

Janine noticed before I even said anything.

We were sitting in the garden behind her house, the late afternoon sun filtering through the trees. She had been quiet too, staring at the fading petals of the flowers she used to take care of so carefully. I wasn’t the only one feeling the weight of everything.

“You’re quiet today,” she finally said, watching me.

I sighed, running my fingers over the rim of my cup. “I don’t know. Maybe I just feel… off.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Off how?”

I hesitated, but there was no point in pretending with her. “Like I don’t know where I fit anymore. Asher’s been so wrapped up in everything, first the company, now whatever’s left of the mafia mess. He barely has time for me.”

Janine didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, softly, “I get it.”

I glanced at her.

She exhaled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I used to think if we could just get through this, things would go back to normal. But what even is normal now? After everything?”

I swallowed hard. “I just miss him. Even when he’s here, it feels like he’s somewhere else.”

Janine nodded. “You ever tell him that?”

I let out a small, dry laugh. “What difference would it make? He’s doing what he has to. It’s not like he can just drop everything because I’m feeling

lonely.”

“That’s not the point.” She frowned. “It’s not about wanting more of his time, Ivy. It’s about wanting to be seen. Heard. You’re allowed to feel that way.”

I stared down at my cup, my throat tightening. “It just feels selfish.”

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Chap 143

“It’s not she said frailty. His next the only one desting with the sharmath of all this: You are tow

pressed my fire toputher

She was right, but it didn’t make it sifly easier.

Later that evening, we went to visit Marcus

The hospital smelled like antiseptic, the kind of scent that clung to your clothes even after you left. The halls were quiet, the only sounds coming from the distant beeping of machines and the soft murmur of nurses at the station.

hesitated outside his room, gripping the strap of my bag

I wasn’t sure what i expected. Maybe that, somehow, things wouldn’t look as bad as they really were. That when I stepped inside, he’d open his eyes and smirk, cracking some dry joke like none of this had happened.

But when I finally walked in, reality hit me like a punch to the stomach.

Marcus lay still, barely a shadow of the man I remembered. There were bruises along his jaw, fading but still visible. Wires and tubes surrounded him, the thythmic beep of the monitor filling the silence. His chest rose and fell in shallow, even breaths, the only sign that he was still there.

Janine stood beside the bed, her hands trembling slightly as she reached out, brushing her fingers over his. “Hey,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t stir.

She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly, then turned away, pressing a hand to her face. I looked away, giving her a moment, focusing on Marcus instead.

This wasn’t fair.

He had given up everything for this fight. His safety, his future. And now he was here, trapped in this state while the rest of us tried to move forward.

I took a slow breath. “Asher should be here.”

Janine lowered her hand, her expression tight. “I know.”

“He would be if he wasn’t drowning in all of this.”

She nodded, exhaling shakily. “Yeah.”

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