Billionaire Redemption

Chapter 28

Ayra’s POV

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I curled deeper into the bed, hugging the pillow tightly to my chest as another wave of pain rolled through my abdomen.

It was unbearable. I tried to sit up, to even shift slightly, but the cramps were too sharp, too persistent. A small whimper escaped my lips.

The knock came again.

I blinked toward the door, trying to respond, to call out, but nothing came. My voice was lost in the pain. I clenched my teeth, gently moved the duvet aside, and winced as I saw the pink trouser I wore—stained. Just perfect.

How long had I been laying like this? After that stupidly embarrassing moment with Leon—him pouring water on my face just because I… ugh—I had stormed back in, freshened up, and passed out without even thinking of the cramp that was slowly building inside me.

Now, here I was, 8 AM, wide awake and battling hell in my lower abdomen. I tried standing, holding my lower tummy with one hand for support, wiping my damp face with the other. Probably the ice cream and chocolate, I thought bitterly. Ayra, you never learn.

The knock persisted.

This time, I dragged myself to the door slowly, hunched slightly, each step like a stab. I unlocked the door, pulling it open just enough—and froze.

Leon.

His face was blank, as always. But his eyes… they flickered down, catching the red stain on my trousers, and for a second, something unreadable flashed across them. Not disgust. Not surprise. Just… emotion.

One tear slipped down my cheek—why, I didn’t even know.

He said nothing. No sarcastic comment. No smirk. Just silence.

Then, he bent and gently scooped me into his arms before I could protest. He carried me straight to the washroom and handed me a bag—small, black, zipped neatly—then turned around and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Did he plan this? How did he even know?

I stood there for a moment, staring at the bag. Embarrassment covered me like a blanket. This had to be the lowest point in my life—having Leon Kael witness me like this. I slowly undressed, biting my lips as I saw how soaked the panties were. Disgusting. Humiliating.

I opened the bag—pads, tampons, wipes, fresh panties, even a little heating patch and painkillers tucked in. I swallowed the lump in my throat. The fact that he thought to buy all this…

The pain struck again and I gritted my teeth. I quickly cleaned up, brushed my teeth, then slowly lowered myself into the warm bath water. As the tub filled around me, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

He saw me.

He still helped.

And somehow, that made me want to cry even more.

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I wasn’t sure how long I had stayed in the bathtub—maybe an hour, maybe less—but the water had turned lukewarm by the time a soft knock came from the door.

“Are you okay?” Leon’s voice, deep and low, filtered in.

My eyes snapped open.

He waited?

I sat up quickly, wincing slightly as the dull pain pulsed in my lower belly. “Yes,” I replied, louder than I intended.

I stepped out of the bath and did the necessary things—dried off, applied the pad, wore the fresh undies from the bag—and then it hit me.

I had no clothes.

My head tilted back in mild frustration. Of all the things to forget. I glanced at the door, then at myself. A towel. That was the only option unless I wanted to call him in for help again—which wasn’t happening.

I wrapped it around my body, holding the edge tight. It was shorter than I remembered, stopping awkwardly at mid-thigh. I stared at myself in the mirror. My skin was flushed, my hair damp and sticking to my face. This… wasn’t the look I wanted him to see.

Still, no choice.

I exhaled and opened the door.

The second I stepped out, our eyes locked.

Leon stood a short distance away, his expression unreadable—except his gaze definitely dipped once, sweeping down my towel-wrapped body before flicking back up to my face. My stomach did a little flip and I hated that it did.

“There wasn’t any cloth in the washroom,” I said quickly, trying to sound casual, like I wasn’t embarrassed out of my skin.

He cleared his throat, eyes darting elsewhere. “Once you’re done, come downstairs. We’re going to the care unit.”

“I’m fine now,” I tried to protest, but he was already walking away, not waiting for a reply.

I groaned under my breath and turned back into the room. In the walk-in closet, I searched for something simple and landed on a black, knee-length gown, soft cotton with tiny teddy bear footprints as a pattern. Cute, casual—safe. I brushed my damp hair back and glanced at the clock.

10:20 AM.

He didn’t go to work?

I paused. No, it couldn’t be because of me. I’m just the girl he hit. The girl he felt obligated to care for. Nothing more.

Still, something about the thought made my chest feel weird.

I shook it off and walked out of the room, heading downstairs. My feet padded softly against the cold marble floors. When I reached the living room, he was there, waiting.

He looked up as I entered, his eyes scanning me again—this time slower, as if checking if I looked better. “You okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. And… thank you. For the stuff.”

He gave a small nod in return, then turned and walked toward the exit. I followed him quietly.

Outside, we didn’t go far. Just beside the mansion was a separate building I hadn’t noticed before. The guards stationed at the door stood to attention and opened it quickly.

“Good morning, sir.”

Then one of them looked at me, smiled politely and said, “Good morning, young mistress.”

Young mistress?

My steps faltered. I didn’t correct them. I didn’t know if I should.

Maybe it was a title they gave any woman close to Leon. Or maybe they assumed—ugh, whatever.

Leon didn’t react to it at all. Just walked in like he didn’t hear it.

But I did.

And for some reason, my heart wouldn’t stop doing that stupid fluttering thing.