THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 215: SET UP 2

This Chapter is dedicated to Mich 34. Thanks for the golden ticket.

.

.

When Harlow got no reply from the maids, she turned to the man on the sofa glancing through a book casually without a card in the world. He didn’t even bother that they were both locked in here.

Alanis’s nonchalant attitude irritated her more than ever and she launched towards him.

"How long will things keep going your way?" Alanis finally lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Harlow’s chest tightened. That look in his eyes... it was unreadable, indifferent as if she were nothing more than a passing thought.

"I’ll never love you no matter how hard you try, why the hell wouldn’t you leave me the fuck alone?" Her voice echoed through the room, raw and full of anger. But Alanis barely flinched. He only turned over to the next page and continued reading.

Harlow clenched her hands into a fist her anger palpable as she stared at him. Then finally, she let out a shaky breath, spinning on her heels as she stormed toward the balcony. She pushed open the doors, stepping into the cool night air, desperate for space.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to breathe.

Frustration. Hatred. Exhaustion. Everything was crashing down on her at once.

She wiped away the single tear that escaped the corner of her eye, furious at herself for feeling anything at all. The most devastating experience is when you can help yourself but at the same time cannot in any situation. When all you have to do is cry because you can do something and not do it at once.

Harlow gripped the balcony railing, her nails digging into the stone. All she wanted to do was strangle Alanis until he stopped breathing.

She knew if she stepped back inside, she would hurt him. That’s how deep her hatred ran. And she refused to believe he had nothing to do with this.

She was tired of his games. Tired of everything and everyone around her.

Harlow stood motionless on the balcony, staring into the vast, empty yard. The night air was crisp, but she barely felt it. She was too lost in thought, frustration still simmering beneath her skin.

Time dragged on painfully slow.

When the clock finally struck midnight, Alanis stepped out onto the balcony. He had given her space, and let her cool down, but now it was time.

Without a word, he draped a warm black blanket over her shoulders.

She tensed, then shoved it off. "I don’t need your blanket." Her voice was sharp, but he didn’t flinch. It was clear she was still very much mad at him, and that was understandable.

He simply nodded and stood beside her, gazing at the same night sky. The balcony was silent for a while and then Alanis turned back to look at her.

"I really didn’t do it this time." His voice was calm.

Harlow turned, her green eyes burning with suspicion as they met his. She hated how sincere he sounded. She hated that a part of her wanted to believe him.

"Sure." She scoffed.

"I’m serious. We have rules, Harlow. If I wanted to keep us here, I could’ve used your punishment. I could’ve forced you to stay. Why would I need to lock you up?"

She hated to admit it, but he had a point.

Alanis had never needed tricks to keep her close. If he wanted to stay the night with her, he could’ve easily twisted their twisted agreement to make it happen.

Then who the hell had locked them in?

Claudia and Elisa were still eating when she left. Was there someone else in the mansion?

"Then who did it?"

Before she could dwell on it, Alanis’s phone beeped. A smirk tugged at his lips. "I think we’ve found the culprit."

He turned his screen to her. A message from Lia.

"Big brother, I’m sure your wife isn’t back home yet, and you’re probably wondering where she is."

Harlow’s frown deepened. Lia lives here?

Did she plan this with Claudia?

Alanis chuckled, sliding his phone back into his pocket. But immediately it beeped again.

"Can I see?" Harlow asked and he passed his cell phone to her.

"Brother Alanis, I think I’ve seen her with a guy. Please be patient, I’ll send evidence to you." Harlow smirked at the message and decided to respond.

"What?"

"What did she say?" Alanis asked.

"She said she’ll send evidence of me cheating." She laughed and so did Alanis who smiled.

"If you ask me, I think being locked in here is a blessing in disguise."

Harlow shot him a glare. "How the hell is this a blessing?"

He turned fully to her, eyes dark and playful. "Because one of your wishes gets to come true."

Harlow’s stomach flipped.

"What wish?" she asked, cautious.

A slow, wicked smile spread across his lips. "I must say, my villain, you have some pretty... interesting romantic fantasies." His tone was teasing, smug. "A hot kiss on the balcony under the moonlight? Who even thinks of that?"

Harlow’s mouth fell open.

Her high school fantasies? The stupid, naive dreams she’d written down years ago?

Heat crept up her neck. "I... that... I never..." She couldn’t even form a proper sentence.

But Alanis was already closing in.

His hands pressed against the stone railing on either side of her, trapping her between his body and the cold pavement. His scent, clean, masculine, intoxicating, wrapped around her, and her breath hitched.

The night suddenly felt too warm.

His lips hovered inches from hers, his voice a low, teasing whisper. "I know we’ve missed a few chances already, my Villain... but can I grant your wish tonight?"

Harlow’s heart slammed against her ribs.

She hated him.

She... wanted him?

She wanted this... Man? But how? When?

Alanis tilted his head further but she didn’t stop him. Even if her head screamed to stop, she couldn’t. She wanted to kiss him, just like she’s always done. This Alanis is different from the one that hurt her.

Maybe she could forgive him?

Alanis moved closer till his lips finally met hers. Harlow’s heart raced wildly, breath hitching as he dived further into her lips, his tongue moving through every corner of her mouth.

This time, Alanis’s kiss wasn’t desperate or demanding. It was gentle. He stole her breath away gently.