AUSTIN’S POV
After the concert I was still buzzing from the crowd, the lights, the way Yvette leaned on my arm like she belonged there. She looked damn happy, humming the last song as we got into the car heading for my jet. I finally pulled out my phone, expecting Dahlia to have left me a dozen texts, maybe some pissed-off rant about being left behind.
Nothing.
No texts. No missed calls.
frowned, scrolling. My chest tightened just a bit, but I brushed it off. Dahlia was stubborn like hat. If she wanted to sulk, she’d sulk.
‘Hell,” I muttered and dialed her number.
The automated voice cut in. The number you dialed cannot be reached.
clenched my jaw. Tried again. Same damn thing.
What the fuck,” I hissed under my breath.
At first I was just irritated. Typical Dahlia, ignoring me because she didn’t get her way. But then something shifted, this gnawing unease in the back of my mind.
‘vette, soft as ever, turned her face toward me.
We really should have brought her, Austin. Dahlia might be angry at you now, because you came vith me. I… I’m so sorry. I ruined your relationship.”
exhaled hard and forced myself to soften, kissing her hand.
It’s not your fault, Yve. Don’t put that shit on yourself. Dahlia’s been stubborn these days. Besides, she doesn’t even like concerts. Not like us. She wouldn’t have enjoyed tonight.”
‘vette bit her lip, nodding like some fragile angel. “Still… she loves you.”
shook my head and reached for my phone again. “Wait. Let me call Grandma. She’ll know if Dahlia’s home sulking.”
The line rang, then that sharp, cold voice cut through.
What is it, Austin?”
Grandma. Did Dahlia say anything? She’s not answering my calls.”
‘She already accepted money,” Grandma said flatly. “I told you she was nothing but a gold digger. Let her go.”
froze. “What the fuck are you talking about? Money?”
‘Yes. I gave her a hundred million to test her. If she was truly after you, she wouldn’t have taken
it so easily. But she did. No hesitation. Gold digger. Upgraded one.”
I ran a hand down my face. My blood pressure spiked.
“You gave her a hundred million? The fuck, Grandma. I already gave her one billion myself.”
There was a sharp intake of breath from the other side.
“You what? You idiot. Why would you give that much to her? If Yvette finds out, she’ll feel
betrayed. Do you understand me, Austin? Betrayed.”
Cheste
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3:22 pm AAA.
I slammed my fist on the car door, making Yvette flinch just slightly before smiling again like it
was nothing.
“Goddamn it, Grandma. I don’t need you pulling your twisted little tests on my woman. Don’t fuck
with me like that.”
“That bitch took the money. That’s all you need to know. Call me when you’ve come to your senses,” she snapped, then hung up.
“Fuck!” I growled, throwing the phone on the seat, running both hands through my hair.
Yvette touched my arm gently. “Austin… what did she say?”
“She said Dahlia took money from her. A hundred million. No hesitation. Shit, she made it sound like Dahlia was proud of it.” I shook my head, trying to process it. “But I gave Dahlia a billion before. Payment for shutting her mouth to ruin your reputation.”
Yvette’s eyes widened, “Oh no… Austin… maybe she really…”
‘Don’t say it,” I cut her off. I picked up the phone again and dialed Dahlia’s number. Stil unreachable. Tried again. Same thing.
‘Shit,” I muttered. My hands were trembling now, not with fear but with rage. Rage that maybe.. ust maybe… the woman I thought I loved had taken that money without blinking.
‘Fuck this. I’ll get answers.”
called my assistant. The poor bastard picked up quick.
‘Sir?”
‘Find Dahlia. Now. I don’t care how. I don’t care what it costs. Bring me her exact location. Anc
do it fast.”
‘Yes, sir!”
ended the call and leaned back, staring at the night sky outside the window of the car.
Yvette wrapped her arms around me, rested her head on my chest, and whispered, “Don’t hurt yourself thinking about her, Austin. Some women… they just want money, or excitement. She probably ran off with someone richer. I’m sorry if it sounds harsh, but I don’t want to see you suffer.”
didn’t say anything back. My throat was tight, but not with grief, more like something unexplainable pressing inside me. I wanted to believe Yvette, but there was this damn nagging feeling in my gut. Dahlia wasn’t like that.
‘Let’s stop by the villa before Paris.”
Yvette tilted her face up to me, “Of course, Austin. Whatever you want. Don’t worry, I’ll be by your side no matter what.”
When I got back to the villa, the silence hit me first. Too silent. I went upstairs, pushed open the door, and that was it. The room was empty. Closet bare. Clothes gone. Not even her perfume left hanging in the air. Then I saw it. The key to the villa, lying on the closet shelf like a slap to my face.
That was when the first shot of panic went through me. This wasn’t some tantrum or little act of
rebellion.
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3:22 pm S
C
Dahlia left for real.
3:23 pm.
