Page 74 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
A wave of bitter thoughts surged through me, and I couldn’t help but wonder—had he put on this same grand display for Audrey?
“No, Eva,” he pleaded, his voice raw with emotion.“Don’t go there.”
I wished I could erase the betrayal and the pain with a simple wave of my hand, but they were there, tangible, sitting between us like an unwelcome guest.Tristan understood that, and eventually, he sighed in resignation.
“Alright.You deserve the truth.The whole truth.”
The waiter arrived just then to take our orders.When he left, Tristan locked eyes with me, his gaze unwavering.
“You know my parents’ story.The fiery passion at the start, then the slow descent into hell.The routines, the compromises, the betrayals...everything that ultimately killed their love.”He paused, his features drawn tight.“I was twelve when my mother first told me that love never lasts.She repeated it like a mantra through every argument, every mistress my father took.”
I watched him, my heart aching as I suddenly grasped the poison that had seeped into his mind as a child.
“Everything escalated with the pressure at work.I was losing my grip, and Audrey...”He shook his head, disgusted.“I didn’t see her manipulation, her game.I resented you for trying to push her away.I prioritized my career over us.Then came our fights, the silences, the things left unsaid.I felt trapped, and that’s when the ghost of my parents’ toxic relationship came back to haunt me.My mother’s bitter words resurfaced, and the fear that our love would become a prison made me lose my mind.”
His trembling hand reached for mine on the table.
“Instead of fighting for us, I shut down.Anger blinded me, and I...”He swallowed hard.“I wanted to escape our reality.Audrey was an easy way out.Yes, I was drawn to her beauty, but more than anything, I was chasing the illusion of freedom I thought I had lost.”
I turned my gaze to the Seine, its dark waters reflecting the golden city lights like broken promises.
“It was all a mirage, Eva.A shallow attraction born from my own demons, my deepest fears.In my blindness, I didn’t realize she was using me as a weapon to hurt you, to destroy us.But I swear to you, on everything I hold dear—I never touched her.Never kissed her.Not even at the height of it all.”
“I wasn’t enough,” I whispered, my throat tightening.
“No!”he exclaimed, his voice filled with conviction.“You are the only one who ever mattered.The only one I need.I just...”
He searched for the right words.
“I took your love for granted, as if it didn’t require effort.”
His voice softened, thick with raw emotion.
“It was our last night together when I finally understood.Love isn’t a given—it’s a choice.The choice to pick the same person, day after day, despite the doubts and obstacles.The choice to build something together and protect it, no matter what.”
His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Forgive me, Eva.Forgive my weakness, my cowardice, my lack of faith in us.I know nothing can justify what I did, but now that I understand how I pushed us to the edge, I swear I will never let my fears destroy us again.If you give me a second chance, I will spend every single day proving my love and making you my priority.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, and Tristan reached out, brushing it away gently, his gaze tortured with remorse.Just then, the waiter returned, setting down our appetizers before quietly slipping away.I lowered my eyes to my plate, an artfully arranged dish of roasted lobster drizzled in a velvety sauce.We ate in silence, giving me time to process everything he had just confessed.
Was I ready to forgive him?Maybe.But forgetting was impossible.I understood his reasons, yet he had hurt me in ways I wasn’t sure I could ever trust him again.And without trust, there could be no real relationship.Without it, we would only destroy each other all over again.
After dinner, Tristan led me to the banks of the Seine, where a luxurious yacht awaited for a private cruise under the stars.He ordered champagne on board, but I declined.Though he was disappointed, he tried to hide it as we settled comfortably on the deck.
The yacht glided smoothly along the Seine, offering a breathtaking view of Paris’s illuminated landmarks.The atmosphere was both magical and intimate, accompanied by the gentle lapping of the water and the distant hum of the city.
Tristan, absorbed in the beauty around us, held my hand, his fingers intertwined with mine.I took a deep breath, my gaze fixed on the golden reflections shimmering on the water.
“There’s something important I need to tell you,” I began, my voice trembling with emotion.“And I’m not sure how to say it.”
He turned to me, his blue eyes darkening with concern.
“What is it?”he asked gently.
I hesitated for a brief second, then let the words escape.
“I’m pregnant.”
