The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 33

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**

**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**

—

“Who?” Alessa inquired, her brow furrowing in confusion as she looked at her son.

“Seriously, Mum?” Aiden scoffed, disbelief coloring his tone.

Feigning a yawn, she stretched her arms above her head, a deliberate gesture to mask her unease. “I feel so sleepy. Good night,” she declared, her voice trailing off as she settled back onto the bed, the sheets enveloping her like a cocoon.

Aiden’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, a mix of concern and exasperation flickering across his face. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek, a fleeting gesture of affection before he turned to leave. “Good night,” he called out from the doorway, his voice echoing softly in the dim light as he stepped outside.

Once the door clicked shut, Alessa opened her eyes wide, exhaling a heavy breath that felt like a weight lifting off her chest. Her thoughts drifted to Damien, and her heart began to race, a tumultuous mix of emotions flooding her mind.

“Ugh, fucking Damien,” she groaned, frustration lacing her words as she buried her face in her hands.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Tyler erupted into laughter as Bryan recounted the shocking events of the previous night at the club. “No fucking way,” he chortled, disbelief etched on his face.

“There’s no way Alessa could do that,” he continued, but as he caught sight of the serious expression on Bryan’s face, his laughter faded into a tense silence.

“Oh, you’re serious,” Tyler said, his voice dropping to a hushed tone.

“I am dead serious,” Bryan affirmed, his eyes dark with the weight of what he had witnessed.

“What the fuck?” Tyler exclaimed, incredulity spilling from his lips.

“There was this look in her eyes when she killed him,” Bryan explained, his voice low and intense. “She looked satisfied. She enjoyed his pain.” The memory replayed in his mind like a haunting echo, and he struggled to reconcile the image of Alessa he knew with the cold killer she had become.

“What happened to her?” Tyler muttered, his eyes wide as he searched Bryan’s face for answers. They sat in the confines of Bryan’s office, the air thick with tension.

“I don’t know,” Bryan replied, shaking his head in disbelief. “It was so unexpected. She said it was a job. She was paid to kill him. She is an assassin.”

“Woah, woah. An assassin?” Tyler echoed, his voice rising in astonishment.

“Yes, Alessa is an assassin,” Bryan confirmed, the gravity of his words hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

—

**SIX YEARS AGO**

A week had passed since Alessa found herself in a place shrouded in mystery, its name and purpose unknown to her. She had asked her fellow students about their surroundings, but their answers were as vague as her own understanding.

What they all shared was an unspoken knowledge of why they were there, a collective acceptance of the lessons they were being taught, even if the details remained elusive.

Alessa was gradually acclimating to her new environment, learning the significance behind the colors of their uniforms. Red signified the newcomers, blue represented those advancing to the next rank, green was reserved for the seniors, while black was for those on the brink of graduation.

She also discovered the age divisions within the school—students aged eleven to fifteen occupied one section, while those aged sixteen to twenty received different lessons. The final group, aged twenty-one to thirty, represented the oldest students.

Through her interactions, Alessa managed to glean snippets of information from those she could converse with. It became clear that everyone here had been entangled in something dark, leading them to this enigmatic institution. Some had been plucked from the depths of incarceration, given a second chance to redeem themselves.

Alessa stood out among them as the only pregnant woman in the entire building, her condition sparking whispers and curiosity. The presence of a woman expecting twins among them was a rarity that fueled speculation.

“Alessa.” The sound of her name jolted her from her reverie. She looked up to see a student clad in a blue uniform approaching her.

“Madam Olga demands your presence in her office immediately,” the girl stated, her tone brisk and devoid of warmth. Alessa’s heart sank as she glanced at Aliyah, her only friend, anxiety bubbling within her.

“Why?” Alessa asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but the girl merely turned and walked away, leaving her with a sinking feeling.

With a heavy sigh, Alessa rose from her spot, her gaze drifting outside where other students engaged in perilous activities—shooting, fighting, honing their skills in a world that felt increasingly dangerous.

“It’s okay. You might not be in trouble,” Aliyah reassured her, though Alessa could hear the uncertainty in her friend’s voice. She nodded in response, but her heart raced as she made her way toward Madam Olga’s office.

As she approached the door, dread twisted in her stomach. Alessa sensed that Madam Olga harbored a deep-seated disdain for her, a resentment that stemmed from her choice to keep the baby.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled heavily as she reached the door. A silent prayer escaped her lips before she knocked softly.

“Come in,” came the authoritative voice from within.

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