The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 66

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 66**

The dining table sat in an oppressive silence, thick with unspoken words and unacknowledged tensions. The air felt charged, as if each person present was holding their breath, afraid to disturb the delicate balance of the moment. Eyes darted from one face to another, each glance a silent question, each expression a reflection of the intimidation that hung over them like a dark cloud.

Even Bryan’s parents, usually so composed, seemed to be caught in the web of discomfort that enveloped the room. Alessa, sensing the weight of the silence, decided it was time to break the spell.

“Alright, let’s get down to business,” she said, her voice cutting through the stillness like a knife. “What progress have we made on the Aurora project?”

Mr. Hart, sitting at the head of the table, cleared his throat, a nervous habit that betrayed his unease.

“Bryan?” he prompted, turning his gaze towards his son.

“It’s going well,” Bryan replied, his tone steady, though he felt the weight of his father’s scrutiny. “We’ll have a meeting soon to discuss the updates.” Alessa nodded in acknowledgment, her focus unwavering from the table, avoiding his eyes.

Suddenly, Lydia broke the tension with a bright smile that felt out of place. “Alessa, when Bryan divorced you, where did you go? Did you leave the city? Did you find a job? I’m curious about what happened,” she inquired, her tone almost too cheerful, as if she were fishing for juicy gossip.

Alessa’s heart raced as she paused to consider her response. She glanced at her children, anxiety prickling at her skin. She had never told them about her marriage to Bryan; she had kept that part of her life hidden, a secret buried deep. Would they connect the dots? They were perceptive kids, after all. Would the revelation shatter the fragile world she had built for them?

To her surprise, her children were engrossed in their meals, oblivious to the tension swirling around them. Alessa took a deep breath, pushing her worries aside for the moment.

“Bryan gave me money,” she stated with a forced smile, her eyes darting back to Lydia, who immediately turned to Bryan for clarification.

“What is she talking about?” Lydia asked, eyebrows raised in confusion.

“What? I didn’t give you money. I didn’t even know where you were,” Bryan retorted, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Really? You can’t recall?” Alessa challenged, arching an eyebrow. The look she shot him made Bryan second-guess his own memories. He was certain he had not helped her in any way. What was she implying?

“Have you been lying to me?” Lydia shot at Bryan, but he chose to ignore her question, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. A heavy sigh escaped his lips; he felt utterly drained by the unfolding drama.

“Always making the wrong choices when it comes to ladies,” Brook chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he glanced at Bryan.

Bryan’s head snapped up at the comment. “At least I’m not married to a barren,” he shot back, his voice sharp and defensive.

“Really? A barren?” Brook snapped, his temper flaring. “At least I don’t have—”

“Enough!” Mr. Hart’s voice boomed, cutting through the rising tension like a thunderclap. Brook scoffed, clearly displeased but silenced.

“I’m done. I can’t deal with this nonsense,” Tracy declared, rising from her seat and storming out of the dining room, her frustration palpable.

Aiden leaned closer to Aria, whispering, “Do you think this is how every dinner goes for them?” He watched her shrug, a bemused smile on her face.

“Oh, chicken!” Aria giggled, reaching for a piece of food on her plate, her innocence a stark contrast to the turmoil around them.

Meanwhile, Tracy stepped out of the house, her breath escaping in a heavy exhale. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to shake off the tension, only to freeze when her gaze locked onto Thane’s. He leaned casually against a car, hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

“Hey,” she called out, her voice brightening as she approached him.

He didn’t respond verbally; instead, his eyes traveled down to her hand, where a bruise from Vegas still lingered. Satisfied with what he saw, he finally met her gaze again.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” she added, a hint of surprise in her tone.

“Anywhere Alessa goes, I go,” he replied, his voice low and steady. Tracy smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her.

“How are you?” she asked, stepping closer until only a breath separated them.

Thane shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze unwavering as he took her in. “Do you think you should be this close to a guard in your parents’ house?” he whispered, his eyes flicking to her lips.

“Does it matter?” she shot back, a playful challenge in her voice.

“Hmmm.” Thane leaned in slightly, his breath mingling with hers as he prepared to kiss her when a scoff interrupted their moment.

Tracy pulled back, turning to see Tyler approaching, his expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance. “So this is the reason I’ve been getting ignored,” he said, crossing his arms.

“Don’t cause a scene,” Tracy warned, her tone sharp as she glared at him.

Tyler stared at her in disbelief. “What? You suddenly left, and I was worried about you. I came to find you, and I see this. Why the hell are you with him?” he demanded, his voice rising in anger as he stepped closer.

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