Jealous Billionaire’s Endless Regret (Obsessed Billionaires, Cherished Brides #8)

Chapter 1 A Divorce

The Velare Hotels headquarters was easily one of the most luxurious buildings in the country.

It was a display of untouchable luxury, the kind of place whispered about in boardrooms and bookmarked in billionaires’ travel plans.

Bamboo pillars lined the interior, blending perfectly with rich wood panels that exuded warmth and sophistication.

Despite the cozy aesthetic, everything about it screamed wealth.

The Velare brand was the crown jewel of elite hospitality across the country for over a century now.

Soft footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

A woman moved gracefully down the hallway, her heels quiet against the polished floor. She wore an ankle-length dress with short sleeves, her long, dark hair parted to the side and tucked neatly behind her ear, cascading in a glossy wave past her hips.

Krystal Vale didn’t knock.

The glass door to the CEO’s office creaked open as she stepped inside without hesitation. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she made her way to the sitting area, placing the lunchbox she brought on the side table.

She took a deep breath and straightened her spine.

Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the room, giving a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline.

From this high up on the fiftieth floor, the city looked like a toy set.

But from the outside, the windows reflected nothing.

They were one-way glass because the CEO of Velare Hotels, Lorenzo Moretti didn’t believe in giving the world even a glimpse into his privacy.

The office interior matched his personality. Elegant, imposing, and unapologetically expensive. Dark mahogany shelves, leather-bound books, a custom-built desk, and couches made of pure leather. The kind of place you wouldn’t dare sit in unless invited.

Krystal sat on the edge of the leather couch and quietly opened the lunchbox. With careful hands, she arranged the food into bowls and plates, taking her time, glancing occasionally toward the door.

Still no sound. No sign of him.

Quickly, she reached into her purse and pulled out a small white packet.

She tore it open and sprinkled the powder over the food and into the juice glass, then stirred it thoroughly with a spoon, making sure every trace disappeared.

“After today’s dose, that Human Cactus will finally be cured,” she whispered to herself with a small, proud smile. “Once he takes this, that little tremor in his hands will be gone for good.”

She stuffed the empty packet back into her purse and stood up, clapping her hands lightly. Her voice dropped to a quiet murmur. “That’s it. Debt paid. Grandpa’s wish fulfilled. He funded my entire education, and in return, I treated his grandson’s condition. We're even now.”

Her fingers clasped together in quiet joy, but her smile faded almost instantly. She bit a nail, pacing lightly in front of the couch, brows furrowed.

“But how the hell am I supposed to make that workaholic eat it before the meds wear off?” she muttered under her breath. “The man treats food and sleep like they’re optional side quests he has no time for.”

The door creaked.

Heavy footsteps followed—steady, commanding. Her heart skipped before she could stop it. She turned quickly, smoothing the surprise off her face, pasting on a smile.

Lorenzo walked in, tall and sharp in a black crisp suit, his broad shoulders tense, his face devastatingly handsome. That usual cool expression of his could freeze fire.

The scent he wore was intense, a dark magnetism that would bring any passerby to their knees. But even beyond the perfume, she knew the raw, unfiltered scent beneath it—and it was no less intoxicating.

Krystal’s breath caught in her throat.

‘God, he really can steal anyone’s breath with that face.’

She instantly snapped herself out of it. No. No swooning over the Cactus!

Grabbing the glass of juice she’d poured earlier, she walked toward him quickly, a soft smile stretched across her lips.

“Baby, you’re finally here,” she said gently, her voice sweet and affectionate. “I’ve been waiting forever. Long day?”

She reached for his arm, rising slightly on her toes to get closer. Her body leaned into his as she lifted the glass to his lips, trying to get him to drink.

But he pulled back—hard.

His hand gripped hers, stopping the glass mid-air. With one swift motion, he pushed her away.

She stumbled slightly but caught herself.

‘What is wrong with this man?’ she thought bitterly. ‘One sip and I’d be done with this damn job. You’d think a guy who eats everyone’s brains for five hours straight in a meeting would be dying for a drink.’

Lorenzo finally turned to her, his icy gaze locking onto her face. There was no warmth in it. Just exhaustion, detachment, and something colder.

“I told you before,” he said, his voice cool and direct. “No matter how kind you are to me, I’ll never return your feelings.”

Krystal’s smile faltered. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out, gently wrapping her fingers around his hand with a kind of affection that was almost painful in its sincerity.

“As long as I’m beside you, I don’t need anything else,” she whispered. “This... this is enough for me.”

For a second, just a second, something flickered in his eyes. The sharp edges of his expression softened, confusion slipping in. His brows drew together, but his body didn’t move.

Then his jaw clenched again.

His hands, which had been hidden behind his back, curled into fists. His next words came low and clipped.

“Esther is back.”

He paused.

“We should… get a divorce.”

Krystal froze, everything in her face crumbled.

“You’re divorcing me?” she asked quietly, almost in disbelief.

‘This can’t be happening right now. Not when I’m this close.

’ Krystal’s heart raced. ‘If I miss the chance to give him the medicine today, he’ll disappear for days again.

I can’t risk that. Just one more dose. Once he takes it, my job will be done.

’ She clenched her hands tightly, trying to steady herself.

Lorenzo stared at her face—the way her joy disappeared the moment he said those words. That look in her eyes... he’d seen it every single time he walked into the room. Like her whole world paused for him.

And now her sadness struck him like a punch to the gut.

Something shifted in his chest, something unfamiliar and tight. He pressed his palm against his heart as if trying to soothe the strange ache, brows knitting in discomfort.

His voice dropped, a little softer this time.

“I’ll give you whatever you want as long as you sign the divorce papers.”

She nodded, but the tension in her face didn’t go away. Her voice came out quiet and hollow.

“I don’t want anything.”

Then she looked up at him, eyes finally meeting his. She stepped in closer, lifting her hand gently to touch his neck. Her fingers brushed the skin just beneath his collar, her eyes softening with a hint of delicate seduction. With her other hand, she brought the juice glass up to his lips.

This time, Lorenzo didn’t resist.

He drank, his gaze fixed on her lips as they hovered dangerously close to his own. But at the last second, instead of kissing him, she leaned toward his cheek and whispered,

“Lorenzo, in these two years of marriage have you never felt anything for me? Not even a little part of you ever liked me?”

Lorenzo’s brows drew together, tension settling in his jaw. Without a word, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder and pushed her back gently, creating distance.

Krystal stumbled slightly but caught her footing, her eyes lowering to the now-empty glass in her hand. A sly, satisfied smile tugged at her lips.

‘All done.’

Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed. He’d been watching her closely, and for a second, something didn’t sit right.

‘Why does she look… happy?’ he wondered.

The silence broke with the sharp buzz of his phone. He pulled it out, checking the screen, then looked back at Krystal. She stood still, her hands clenched and her expression unreadable, those big eyes looking up at him.

He answered the call without a second thought.

“Esther?”

The room was so quiet that the voice on the other end came through loud and clear.

“Lorenzo, my head is killing me. I think it’s another flare-up. Can you please come? I’m scared…”

His shoulders tensed immediately. “I’ll be there soon,” he said and ended the call.

Lines of worry creased his face—rare for a man who never let emotions show. Without wasting another second, he turned to leave.

But Krystal grabbed his hand from behind, stopping him.

“Eat something before you go,” she said quickly, concern in her voice.

He didn’t even look at her.

“Don’t bother me.”

He yanked his hand away and walked out, disappearing without turning back.

“Baby,” she called out, her voice tight with worry, but the door shut behind him before she could even finish the word.

She stood still for a moment, staring at the door.

Then, her shoulders dropped. Her body relaxed, and the sweet, delicate expression vanished. A smirk slowly pulled at her lips as she rolled her eyes.

She walked back to the table, placing lids on the containers and packing everything back into the lunchbox.

“Don’t bother me,” she mocked in his voice, scoffing. “As if I’m dying to. You think I’m actually in love with you? Please!”

She huffed, bitterness dripping from every word. “I’ve been playing the doting wife just to stay close to you, you arrogant prick. You really think you're some kind of irreplaceable Prince Charming, don’t you?”

She let out a small laugh, amused with herself. Just then, footsteps echoed behind her.

Her body stiffened.

‘Wait—didn’t that Cactus already leave?!’ she panicked. ‘Was I speaking too loud? Did he hear everything?’

She spun around, her heart racing, only to see a tall figure entering through the glass door.

The man wasn’t Lorenzo.

It was Xander—his secretary.

She exhaled sharply, one hand going to her chest. “Holy crap, he scared me…” she muttered, trying to calm her heartbeat.