The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 73

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 73**

**PRESENT**

As dawn broke, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table, Aiden found himself humming a lighthearted tune, savoring each bite of his meal. The gentle clinking of forks and plates accompanied his melody, creating a harmonious backdrop to the morning. Beside him, Aria, with her bright eyes sparkling with mischief, chimed in, her voice blending seamlessly with his. Yet, despite the cheerful atmosphere, a palpable absence lingered around them—Alessa, their mother, was nowhere to be found, and the silence weighed heavily on their hearts.

Once they had cleared their plates, a curious stillness enveloped the room. It was highly unusual for Alessa not to grace them with her presence at this hour, and an unsettling feeling began to creep in.

“Is our Mum at home?” Aiden asked, turning his gaze toward one of the maids who bustled about in the kitchen, her movements quick and efficient.

“Yes, sir,” the maid replied, her head bowing slightly as she continued her chores, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes.

“Hmmm. I suppose she must be busy,” Aria pondered aloud, her brow furrowing in thought, but the unease in her voice betrayed her confidence.

“No, I don’t think so. Come on,” Aiden insisted, a spark of determination igniting within him. He reached out, helping Aria off her chair, and together they made their way toward the staircase, their footsteps echoing in the quiet house.

With each step they took, Aiden felt a sense of urgency building within him. They arrived at the door to their mother’s room, and without a moment’s hesitation, they pushed it open. What they witnessed inside sent a shiver down Aiden’s spine; Alessa lay wrapped in her blankets, her face hidden, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman they knew.

“Mummy,” Aria called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. All they received in return was a low, painful groan. Aiden, feeling a blend of concern and courage, gently pulled the covers away from her head. The sight of her pale complexion and tightly shut eyes filled him with dread.

He pressed his small hand against her forehead, recoiling instantly at the intense heat radiating from her skin. “Whoa, she’s hot like Pluto!” Aiden exclaimed, a mix of awe and worry coloring his tone.

Aria rolled her eyes, exasperated. “No, you dork. It’s Mercury. Pluto is cold,” she corrected him, her voice teasing yet underlined with genuine concern.

“Does it really matter?” Aiden shot back, his youthful innocence shining through the banter.

“Yes, it does! You shouldn’t be the son of a billionaire and be clueless,” Aria retorted, crossing her arms defiantly, a hint of seriousness creeping into her playful demeanor.

Aiden gasped dramatically, feigning offense. Just as he was about to retort, another groan escaped Alessa’s lips, pulling their attention back to her.

“Mum, what’s wrong? Why are you sick?” Aiden asked, his voice tinged with worry, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

“You were fine last night. What happened?” Aria echoed, her eyes wide with concern as they both stared at their mother, searching for answers in her silence.

Alessa’s inability to respond was painfully evident; she lay trapped in her own pain, unable to open her eyes without intensifying the throbbing in her head.

“I think we should tell the maids or the big scary man,” Aiden suggested, his voice trembling slightly as fear began to take root.

“Thane, Aria. His name is Thane. Now, look who’s being dumb,” Aiden quipped with a teasing smile, but Aria shot him a glare, her worry overshadowing their playful exchange.

Though Alessa could hear their banter, she felt helpless, ensnared in her own body, unable to reassure them or intervene.

“We can handle this. I think this has happened to her before. I can remember bits and pieces, but it’s all a blur,” Aiden said, determination flickering in his eyes as he hopped off the bed, a newfound resolve guiding his actions.

“Oh, so what are you now? A doctor?” Aria scoffed, her tone playful yet serious, the weight of their situation pressing down on them.

Ignoring her jab, Aiden marched into the bathroom, returning with a bowl of cool water. He set it down beside Alessa’s bed, his brow furrowed in concentration, the gravity of the moment settling upon him.

“What are you doing?” Aria asked, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern as he placed the bowl down.

“Shh! Like I said, it’s in my head. Don’t make it go away,” he whispered, glancing back at their mother, a flicker of hope igniting in his heart.

“Fine,” Aria relented, rolling her eyes again, her gaze shifting back to Alessa, worry etched on her face as she felt the weight of the moment.

Aiden rummaged through the closet, emerging triumphantly with a small towel. He dipped it into the bowl, then climbed onto the bed, excitement bubbling within him. “Watch this!” he announced, placing the damp towel gently on Alessa’s face. Her groan was a clear indication of her discomfort, and Aiden frowned, feeling a pang of guilt.

“Is it not supposed to be like this?” he asked, lifting the towel and awkwardly wrapping it around her face, trying to ease her suffering.

“Sometimes, I wonder if we came from the same person,” Aria sighed, shaking her head as she took the towel from him, placing it correctly on their mother’s forehead. “See? It’s like this.”

“Whatever. I thought of it first,” Aiden replied, crossing his arms in mock indignation, his youthful pride shining through.

“I still think we should tell the big scary man,” Aria sighed, her voice tinged with concern, the reality of their situation weighing heavily on her.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll go call him,” Aiden said, about to hop off the bed when Alessa’s phone suddenly rang, startling them both. It lay beside her, its screen illuminating the dim room.

He stared at it, noticing the caller ID displayed an unknown number.

“Who is it?” Aria asked, her curiosity piqued as Aiden picked up the phone, feeling a mix of trepidation and urgency.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, answering the call and placing it against his ear. “Hello?”

“Aiden?” The voice on the other end was familiar, yet unexpected, sending a jolt of recognition through him.

“What? Who is it?” Aria leaned in closer, sensing the tension in Aiden’s expression.

“I don’t know, but this person knows my name,” Aiden replied, confusion weaving through his words as he tried to piece together the situation.

“Is that Aria?” the caller continued, his voice laced with urgency.

“Oh, he knows your name too,” Aiden remarked, glancing at his sister, who was now on high alert.

“It’s me. It’s Bryan,” the voice confirmed, and Aiden groaned loudly, rolling his eyes dramatically.

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