Page 3 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"I love you," I whispered in response.
After that, Tristan took me to our bedroom, where he took his time making love to me again.By the time we emerged, dinner had gone cold.Though reheated, the scallops, vegetable gratin, and lemon tart still held a delicious flavor that night.
The next morning, lying in Tristan's arms, I savored the present moment as he gently caressed my back.We were at ease, and I didn't want to burst our bubble of happiness, but it was now or never.
"I'm struggling with the fact that you're coming home later and later," I finally admitted, my voice barely more than a whisper.
His hand stilled on my back, a sign he was listening carefully.
"Work keeps taking up more and more of your time," I said, pausing."And honestly, sometimes it feels like I'm not your priority anymore."
His arm tightened around me in an instinctive, protective gesture, and then he sighed softly.
"It's temporary," he explained in a calm voice."You know the backlog I've built up with the two failed recruitments.I'm using Audrey's arrival to catch up and update my files.Once this phase is over, I'll be able to breathe again and return to a normal rhythm."
I had no doubt about his sincerity, and I understood his need to put everything in order, but I also knew how a "temporary" situation could quickly turn into a habit, and before we knew it, become the norm.For now, though, I just needed to be patient and stay vigilant.
"I understand," I replied, uncertain."But...do you promise me it’s not just an excuse to spend more time at the office with Audrey?"
This time, Tristan burst into genuine, spontaneous laughter, and something in me wavered.His reaction was so natural, so free of guilt, it instantly eased some of my fears.
"You're jealous, aren't you?"he teased, grinning as he held me close."I love it.It means you still care...and that's hot."
He placed a kiss on my temple, his lips grazing my skin with the softest touch, a caress of pure intimacy.
"It's only you," he murmured."I only see you, Eva."
I believed him.I wanted to believe him.
But love isn't a promise, it's a battlefield.And I was about to step into the fire.
2.A secret relationship
EVA
My relationship with Tristan has its roots in the university lecture halls, during a group project on business creation.Naturally resistant to group work, I had nearly switched teams that day.Fortunately, his mischievous smile when he declared he wanted to "revolutionize the business world" convinced me to stay.
This academic collaboration quickly evolved into something deeper.Our late-night brainstorming sessions at the library naturally transformed into passionate conversations about our ambitions, our fears, and our boldest dreams.Tristan possessed that rare gift of recognizing potential in everything, including in me.In my moments of doubt, he invariably found the right words to rekindle that creative spark I sometimes believed had gone out.
Since then, we've never parted.Our university years formed a whirlwind of complicity: shared laughter, ambitious projects carried out hand in hand, dreams whispered during our studious all-nighters.We were a formidable team, both in lecture halls and in life.Every victory was savored together, every failure overcome as one.
When we decided to create Community Pilot with our friends, a crucial dilemma arose.We who had been living our love openly for five years found ourselves faced with a delicate choice.Mixing personal and professional life represented a considerable risk, especially when our shared entrepreneurial dream was so close to becoming reality.
The decision, though painful, imposed itself as a necessity: keep our relationship secret at the office.Gone were the tender glances during meetings, finished were the brush of fingers when exchanging files.At work, we became simple business partners, two professionals respecting each other mutually and collaborating efficiently.Nothing more, nothing less.
Seven years have passed since that fundamental decision.Seven long years where Tristan and I have maintained this facade with iron discipline.In the eyes of employees, partners, and clients, we remained simple colleagues, meticulously avoiding any sign that might betray our intimacy.Every gesture was calculated, every glance weighed, every intonation controlled.
Experience had made us understand too many times how necessary this choice was as Community Pilot became increasingly visible on the international scene.I've seen over these years too many brilliant women be discredited and their successes attributed to their relationships rather than their true talent.I categorically refuse to have my skills questioned.In this still largely male-dominated field, I don't want to give any opening to malicious rumors that would reduce me to an opportunistic woman, or worse, that would accuse Tristan of nepotism.
My pride and professional integrity demand to be recognized for my skills alone.I don't want to be respected as the 'Chairman and CEO's woman,' but as Eva Mercier, CEO of the group.This position, I earned it through sleepless nights, personal sacrifices, and difficult decisions.I work with as much determination as the other partners, sometimes even more, to legitimize my place.
Certainly, unlike Tristan, Steve, Satoshi, or Leila, I wasn't able to invest large sums during the creation of our startup.However, I contributed as much as they did to shape this company and lead it to what it is today.
Nevertheless, this situation weighs on me more and more heavily.The burden of secrecy grows heavier with the years, with each tender gesture held back, with each professional event where we arrive separately like strangers.A growing desire inhabits me: to openly acknowledge our relationship and ignore the gossips.To finally be able to take his hand at cocktail parties, to openly share our common pride when a project succeeds.
Yet, habit has set in.For now, we therefore perpetuate our rituals: leaving for work in separate cars, him slipping away first while I finish my coffee.These small daily choreographies have become our normal, however frustrating it may be.
When I walked through the doors of Community Pilot that morning, I immediately spotted Tristan in the vast entrance hall.He was talking with two of our partners and Audrey.She wore a fitted pencil skirt and a silk blouse that perfectly hugged her curves.Perched on stiletto heels, she exuded confidence.Nothing too difficult when you have such beauty and presence.She was the kind of woman who was used to getting what she wanted.The partners, captivated by her words, competed in wit to provoke her laughter.A laugh too sweet, too honeyed.At one point, she placed her hand on Tristan to get his attention.Too caught up in the discussion, he didn't notice that her fingers lingered unnecessarily on him...A wave of frustration swept through me.I suddenly felt the urge to approach and mark my territory.It was in moments like these that I bitterly regretted the secrecy surrounding our relationship.
