THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRAVING.

THE INTERRUPTED MOMENT

THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRAVING

CHAPTER 11: The Interrupted Moment

I was overwhelmed with joy.

Not the kind of happiness that fades after a few hours… but the kind that settles deep in your chest and refuses to leave. The kind that makes everything feel lighter, brighter—even the air I breathed felt different.

I never imagined a day like this would come.

We had spent the entire evening together, laughing, teasing, and celebrating like nothing else in the world mattered. Acacia, as usual, was the center of chaos. She had eaten more than everyone combined, and I couldn’t help but stare at her in disbelief.

“Are you pregnant or something?” I blurted out jokingly, raising a brow.

She froze mid-bite and slowly turned to look at me.

“Just because Adrian proposed to you doesn’t mean I can’t kill you,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she raised her fist dramatically.

I burst into laughter. “Whoa, it was just a joke!”

Edward, already tipsy, laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink. “She’s serious o, better apologize!”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” I said, bowing playfully.

Acacia scoffed but couldn’t hide her smile.

Moments like this… they felt unreal. Pure. Genuine. No pressure, no expectations—just us.

I looked around at everyone—the laughter, the teasing, the warmth between us—and I smiled to myself.

I wish this moment could last forever.

The night stretched longer than expected.

By the time we finally decided to leave, Acacia and Edward were already drunk, leaning on each other like unstable pillars. Adrian had insisted on dropping them off first, which took more time than planned.

By the time we reached my house, it was already very late.

The street was quiet. The night air was cool, brushing gently against my skin as the car came to a stop in front of the gate.

Adrian stepped out immediately, walking around the car to open my door.

That simple gesture… it always made my heart skip.

“Thank you,” I said softly as I stepped out.

“Always,” he replied, his voice low and warm.

I turned toward the gate, ready to go in.

“Goodnight,” I said, waving slightly.

I had barely taken two steps when I suddenly felt a hand wrap around my wrist.

Before I could react, Adrian pulled me back gently.

I gasped, my body colliding lightly against his.

“What?” I asked, startled.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he just looked at me.

That smile.

That dangerous, irresistible smile.

“Is that how you’re going to leave?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You’re just going to say goodnight… and go?” he added, stepping closer.

My heartbeat quickened.

I tried to act normal, but I could already feel the warmth rising to my cheeks.

Slowly, I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my toes just a little.

“Then what do you want?” I asked softly.

His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer.

Closer.

Too close.

“A gift,” he murmured.

I swallowed.

“What kind of gift?” I whispered, my voice barely steady.

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.

“The kind that comes with…” he began, leaning in slowly.

Everything around me seemed to pause.

The night.

The silence.

Even my thoughts.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

I closed my eyes instinctively, my breath catching as I waited—

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for ages.”

The voice shattered everything.

I jerked back instantly, my eyes flying open.

Marshall.

He stood at the gate, arms crossed, his expression dark and unreadable.

The moment was gone.

Just like that.

I quickly stepped away from Adrian, my face burning with embarrassment.

“Goodnight!” I blurted out, not even daring to look at Marshall as I rushed toward the gate.

I could feel both of their gazes on me.

My heart refused to calm down.

Once inside, I leaned against the door, pressing my palm against my chest.

“Oh my God…” I whispered.

I ran upstairs immediately and went straight to my window.

Carefully, like a thief, I peeked through the curtain.

Adrian and Marshall were still outside.

Talking.

Or more like… staring each other down.

I frowned slightly, trying to read their expressions from a distance.

“What are they even saying?” I muttered.

Minutes passed.

Then more minutes.

Still talking.

Still standing there.

“Are they negotiating peace or something?” I groaned, resting my chin on my hand.

After what felt like forever—almost thirty minutes—Adrian finally got into his car and drove off.

Marshall stood there for a moment before walking back inside.

I quickly jumped away from the window.

“Oh God… this is embarrassing,” I muttered, covering my face.

Trying to distract myself, I went straight into the bathroom.

I turned on the shower and stepped under the water, letting it wash away the tension from the night.

But my mind kept replaying the moment.

He was about to kiss me…

I groaned softly, pressing my forehead against the wall.

“Marshall, why?” I whispered.

After a quick shower, I reached for a towel—

And froze.

“I didn’t bring a towel.”

I stared at the door.

Then back at myself.

Then at the door again.

“This is not happening,” I muttered.

After hesitating for a moment, I slowly cracked the door open, peeking outside.

And nearly screamed.

Marshall was standing right there.

Holding a towel.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

“What…?” I whispered.

He didn’t say anything. He just handed it to me.

I quickly grabbed it. “Thank you, bro,” I said awkwardly, forcing a small laugh.

He nodded and walked away.

I shut the door immediately.

“What is wrong with today?” I muttered.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom.

And froze again.

Marshall was sitting on my bed.

Legs crossed.

Arms folded.

Expression serious.

This was not good.

“Bro… how are you?” I asked, forcing a smile.

“Fine,” he replied shortly.

The silence that followed was heavy.

“I don’t like him,” he said suddenly.

I sighed.

“Marshall—”

“What is that ring doing on your finger?” he interrupted, grabbing my hand.

I looked down at the ring.

Then back at him.

“That was what I was about to tell you,” I said softly.

I took a deep breath.

“Adrian and I are engaged.”

The words hung in the air.

He didn’t say anything immediately.

His grip on my hand tightened slightly.

“I love him,” I continued gently. “But I love you too. No one can ever replace you.”

He looked away.

The tension in the room slowly shifted.

After a while, he exhaled deeply.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you this happy,” he said quietly.

I watched him carefully.

“I guess… I can try.”

Relief flooded through me instantly.

“Awww, thank you!” I smiled, sitting beside him.

“I love you, bro.”

“Hmm,” he muttered.

I laughed softly.

Exhaustion hit me suddenly.

Before I knew it, I had rested my head on his lap.

And everything faded into darkness.

Little did I know…

That peaceful moment was just the calm before everything changed.