Page 103 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Charles sucked in a breath as he nodded. “Again, I’m not saying you’re wrong. This is stressful. And very different from what we are used to. But, son, you do make quick decisions. Look at what happened with–”

“Chloe? Yeah, you mean the rash decision to get engaged?”

“And the one to go after your brother. All I’m saying is to take a minute. Maybe stay away from her for a day, but don’t leave. Take some time to really think, Nate.”

Nate chewed the inside of his cheek before he shook his head. “Thanks for the lecture, Dad, but my mind’s made up.”

“All right. Well, we’ll support you no matter what you decide, Nate.” His father shuffled to the door. He twisted, hisfingers lingering on the knob. “Just make sure you can live with your decision.”

Nate slid his eyes closed, and his stomach twisted as the door clicked shut. He opened his eyes, staring at the half-packed suitcase.

Was he making a mistake leaving? Should he try for one final conversation with Elena?

Maybe with tempers cooled, they’d have a different outlook.

He sucked in a breath, leaving the suitcase open and his room behind. He slipped into the hall and headed for Elena’s room.

Every step he took weighed on him. What would he say? Was he making a mistake?

He rounded the corner, spotting a figure coming toward him. His stomach clenched and his heart plummeted at the sight of Prince Eric.

His muscles stiffened as the man approached him. “Mr. Kingsley, I am happy I’ve run into you.”

“Oh? You planning on drugging me again?”

Prince Eric frowned as he clasped his hands behind his back. “No. And I owe you an apology for that.”

Nate swallowed hard. “Yes, you do.”

Prince Eric bobbed his head. “I am sorry. I…lost sight of myself in a desperate attempt to win Elena’s hand.”

Nate snorted in frustration.

“Though I also feel I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Nate’s eyebrows pinched as he raised his gaze to Prince Eric. “Oh? Grateful that you have seen the light?”

Prince Eric’s lips tugged back into a smirk. “No, of course not. Grateful that I have won.”

Nate wrinkled his nose as he tried to figure out what the man meant.

“Well, of course you haven’t heard. Elenahas accepted my proposal. We announce our engagement tonight.” His smug grin widened, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

Nate’s heart pinched at the words as he stared at Eric. Surely, the man was lying. He’d already proven he’d stoop to any level to win. But what if he wasn’t?

Had Elena already moved on?

CHAPTER 23

ELENA

Elena stared out the French door to her balcony, her features set and her arms crossed. With each heavy thud, Elena felt her heart sinking deeper into her chest, weight down by a crushing sense of despair.

A hollowness echoed with every beat against her ribs, and sadness burrowed deep into her mind.

She’d made her decision, and she planned to stick to it. She’d given love a chance, but in her life, love wasn’t to be. And she couldn’t bear any more heartache.

She had gone to Sterling City to escape the royal duty of marrying Prince Eric, and ironically, she’d ended up tethered to him by her own choice.

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