Page 64 of Ardent Desires

I shrug, suddenly feeling small under her gaze. “It’s complicated. Look, I know we’re supposed to talk about getting to know each other, but this is embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?” Deborah raises an eyebrow. “You’re dating a billionaire, Ellie. That’s not embarrassing. That’s—”

“—a fucking circus?” I cut her off, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Look, I didn’t plan any of this. I just want to be out of the press. That’s why I asked you to come.”

“Okay…” she echoes, her tone softening. “I’m guessing you want to tell me to keep mine and your identity silent.”

“Yes,” I swallow the lump forming in my throat.

“I can do that.” No questions asked. Noifs, ands or buts.

I blink at her, the tension in my shoulders easing a bit. “Really? You’d be willing to do that?”

“Of course. I won’t tell anyone. This is your life, and it’s your choice.”

“Thanks.” I lean back, a wave of relief washing over me. “I just need some space from all the bullshit.”

She nods, but there’s a weight in her expression. “Can I give you some advice, though?”

“Sure,” I say, half-expecting her to say something motherly and cliché.

“You need to be careful dealing with a billionaire and all those rich folks.” She leans in, her voice serious. “They only care about themselves.”

“Deborah,” I interject, my tone sharp. “You don’t know Alexander. He’s not like that.”

“I’m just saying, you’ve got to watch your back. I’ve seen how they operate. I have been in your shoes remember?”

“Yeah, but you don’t know him. You don’t even know me, and You haven’t seen how he treats me.” I can’t hold back the defensive edge in my voice. “He cares. A lot.”

Deborah raises her hands, surrendering. “Okay, okay. I’m not trying to attack you. Just… be cautious.”

“Fine.” I take a deep breath, trying to steady my rising irritation. “I get it. Can we change the subject? I just want to focus on—”

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hits me like a freight train. The room spins, and I clutch the edge of the couch. “Whoa, what the hell…”

“Ellie?” Deborah stands, alarm flashing across her face. “Are you alright?”

I try to nod, but my vision blurs. “I’m… just need some water.” I push myself up, but my legs feel like jelly. I stagger toward the kitchen, my head swimming.

“Sit down!” Deborah rushes over, her hand on my arm, steadying me. “You look pale.”

“I’m fine, really. Just a bit lightheaded,” I insist, but the words come out slurred, and I can hear the concern in her voice.

“Ellie!” she exclaims, panic creeping into her tone as I stumble. I try to shake it off, but the world tilts beneath me. I can’t keep my balance.

Then it happens. Darkness washes over me, swallowing everything. I collapse, and I can hear Deborah screaming, her voice fading into the void.

“Ellie! No! Oh my god!”

And just like that, everything goes black.

Chapter seventeen

Betrayal’s Sting

Xander

When I arrive at the café, Marcus is already there, face tense, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table.

---