The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 9

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**SIX YEARS LATER**

“Do you think she can hear us?” Aiden inquired softly, his gaze fixed on their mother, who lay peacefully on the bed, lost in a tranquil slumber.

“I’m not sure. This was your idea, after all,” Aria replied, her voice barely above a whisper, a hint of uncertainty lacing her words.

“My idea? We both want this, remember?” Aiden countered, a mixture of determination and hope flickering in his eyes.

Aria sighed, glancing at their mother’s still form. “Well, she’s not awake. This should be easy,” Aiden remarked, inching closer to the bed. He gazed down at Alessa, marveling at her serene beauty, her features softened by sleep.

Suddenly, a presence loomed behind him, causing Aiden to flinch instinctively. He turned, narrowing his eyes at his sister, who stood there with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” he hissed, a playful edge in his tone.

“Sorry,” she giggled silently, her laughter bubbling over with a hint of mischief.

Aiden reached for Alessa’s phone, which lay abandoned on the bedside table, but just as his fingers brushed against it, their mother’s eyes fluttered open. She grasped his hand gently, a smile spreading across her lips.

“It was Aria’s idea,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

“It was Aiden’s idea,” the twins chimed in unison, their voices blending together in a harmonious echo.

“Hey!” they exclaimed again, shooting each other mock glares, their sibling rivalry evident.

Alessa chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting, as she gradually sat up, her hair cascading around her shoulders. “What do you want with my phone when you both have your own?” she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as they climbed onto the bed beside her.

“Yours is better,” Aria declared, a cheeky smile lighting up her face.

With a gentle laugh, Alessa ruffled their hair affectionately, her heart swelling with love.

It had been six long years since she had left New York behind, embarking on a new journey that had transformed her life. The path had been fraught with sorrow, but she had risen from the ashes, emerging as a billionaire, a force to be reckoned with in the business world across Australia.

Though her name echoed in the halls of wealth, she had skillfully kept her personal life out of the prying eyes of the media. To the world, she was a symbol of success, known primarily for her fortune and business acumen.

Her gaze fell on Aiden, who had picked up her phone, his ocean-blue eyes lighting up with curiosity. He was the spitting image of Bryan, a bittersweet reminder of the past. When she first held him in her arms, the pain of her circumstances had threatened to overwhelm her, but as time passed, that pain had transformed into an immeasurable love.

Aria, too, possessed those captivating ocean eyes, yet her features bore more resemblance to Alessa. Both children were her world, and she was eternally grateful that she had changed her mind at the last moment about letting them go.

“Why is she staring at us like that?” Aria suddenly asked, breaking the silence and jolting Alessa from her reverie.

Alessa hadn’t realized she had been lost in thought for so long, her heart swelling with emotion.

“I understand why. I look too good,” Aiden declared with a proud grin, running a hand through his tousled hair.

“No, you don’t. I look better than you!” Aria retorted dramatically, flipping her hair in a theatrical manner.

Alessa shook her head, laughter bubbling up within her. Sometimes, they acted far older than their years, and it warmed her heart.

~

Dinner was a lively affair as Alessa sat at the table with her children, the maids discreetly hovering nearby, their eyes trained on the twins, ensuring everything was in order.

As she scrolled through her phone, a beep caught her attention. She read the text and let out a heavy sigh, the weight of its meaning settling in her chest.

“It’s time,” she murmured to herself, the gravity of the moment dawning on her.

“Mummy, what did you say?” Aria asked, licking her fingers after finishing her fries, her curiosity piqued.

Alessa dropped her phone, looking up at her children with a radiant smile. “We are going on a trip,” she announced, watching as their faces transformed from confusion to excitement.

“What’s a trip?” Aiden asked, his brow furrowing in confusion, while Aria erupted into laughter.

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