Betrayed by My Billionaire

den light on the sparkling water. This was supposed to be a perfect evening. She had dreamed of this moment ever since sh

her laptop. Derek, sitting at the next table, had burst out laughing before handing her a tissue. What had followed seemed like something out of a novel. An invitation to dinner, late

d, breaking the calm. Her voice was

playing on his lips. His eyes, an icy blue,

an eyebrow.

oved into the pockets of h

anxiety she couldn't explain. Ever since they'd started dating, Derek had been a walking mystery. He wa

ed, stopping, planting her

Lila couldn't help but think how beautiful he was, almost unreal. But this pe

"you're special to me.

ersation. "Of course I know. But why are you

arching for answers in the vastness. "Sometimes t

ing strangely, avoiding certain questions, sometimes disappearing without expl

I'm tired of innuendos." Her voice was firmer, filled with

een from him. Derek Stanford, the confident man, the heir to the

sy, Lila," h

refuse to let me into your life. I know a

aw a flicker of pain cross his eyes. "It's not becau

was no joy in the sound. "Compli

ing for hers. But Lila instinctively stepp

oice was low, a

e asking me to trust you, but yo

A long moment of silence passed, inte

oice filled with a certain gravity.

wasn't sure she wanted to hear what

ather... he's not just the CEO of **Stanford Enterprises**. He controls a pa

at? I know all that. Why doe

life isn't really my own. Every decision I make is scrutinized,

known Derek was from a different world, but she had ne

... we're being analyzed?" she asked

oesn't always approve of my choice

hocked. "Interfere? Wha

one vibrated in his pocket. He glanced quickly at the sc

t," he said, pull

the call. Frustration was building inside her. She felt ignored, pu

inutes later, his face w

. "Leave? Like that? In the

ila. It's...

know what, Derek? Do whatever you want. Just don't expect

stop him. "No, Derek. Go take care of your emergenc

walked away. Tears threatened to fall, but she he

ring night. Part of him wanted to run after her, explain everything to her,