The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 28

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 28**

“Honestly, look at her. She looks like she’s plotting his demise,” Aria remarked with a smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief. Alessa and Bryan, who had been locked in a silent stare, broke their gaze and turned their attention to the duo.

“What are you talking about?” Bryan inquired, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

“Oh, it’s just a new term we picked up while watching the news,” Aria replied casually, her tone light yet teasing.

“Is this the reason you summoned me here?” Alessa directed her question at Aiden, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice.

“Absolutely. I thought it was crucial for Aria to witness just how much you despise her friend,” Aiden said, nodding as if he were confirming a well-known fact. Alessa clicked her tongue in disbelief, shaking her head slightly in exasperation.

‘Aiden,’ she thought, rolling her eyes internally. ‘You really know how to push my buttons.’

Just then, a loud bell chimed, cutting through the air like a knife, and Alessa let out a groan of frustration.

“Ugh, those ridiculous games,” she muttered under her breath, her irritation palpable.

“Aria, Aiden, hurry up! The kids don’t pick teams separately; we’re all searching together!” Daxton called out as he approached, his youthful exuberance evident. At just ten years old, he was Bryan’s cousin, and the family resemblance was unmistakable.

“Alright!” Aria and Aiden replied in unison, their voices blending together as they sprinted off with Daxton.

“Alessa, I—”

“Shut up,” she interrupted sharply, cutting him off as she took a long gulp of her drink, desperate to drown out the noise around her.

Reaching the table, she surveyed the chaos unfolding around her. Children dashed about, frantically hunting for hidden treasures, their laughter mingling with the sound of excitement.

Her gaze landed on Lydia, who was now standing beside Bryan, and it appeared they were embroiled in a heated discussion. Alessa couldn’t help but mutter to herself, “I hate this family,” as she poured herself another drink, hoping it would ease her growing disdain.

“Alessa!” A familiar voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to see Bryan’s sister, Tracy, making her way toward her.

Alessa averted her gaze, focusing intently on the drink she was pouring, but Tracy’s presence left her little choice but to acknowledge her.

“What do you want?” Alessa asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes.

“Be my partner,” Tracy urged, her voice insistent.

“No way, I’m not playing,” Alessa replied defiantly, taking another swig of her drink.

“Yes, you are,” Tracy insisted, grabbing Alessa’s wrist and tugging her along as she headed out of the garden.

“Fine,” Alessa muttered, yanking her hand free from Tracy’s grip. They were the same age, yet Tracy had been blissfully unaware of the turmoil that had unfolded during Alessa’s divorce from Bryan. Alessa couldn’t help but feel a simmering resentment; if she had been there, she would have undoubtedly treated Alessa the same way.

The Harts—so predictable, so infuriating.

As they walked side by side, the silence stretched between them until Tracy finally broke it.

“I’m just going to say it. I know you despise my family for how they treated you, but I wasn’t around then, so you can’t hate me too, right?” Tracy rushed her words out, nearly tripping over herself in her eagerness.

Alessa paused, momentarily taken aback by the sudden onslaught of Tracy’s thoughts, but she remained silent, contemplating her response.

“Let’s just play the stupid game,” Alessa finally said, her voice flat as she began to scan the area for anything that might be hidden.

Tracy fell silent for a few moments before speaking again, her tone more cautious this time. “Your kids… they’re Bryan’s, right?”

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