THE BILLIONAIRE'S DESIRE

CHAPTER 37

"Ella, sweetheart. What is the matter with you? You stared at Marcus as if you wanted to murder him," Paloma observed and said, oblivious to Daniella's embarrassment at their presence

Daniella was unprepared for her stepmother to draw her attention to her observation. It was humiliating and uncomfortable, all the more so when all eyes were on her and waiting for her reaction. She cast a glance towards Marcus, but he averted his gaze. leaving her to explain on her own. “He cheated on me," she stated plainly, her chin up as she told them the truth.

Everyone's focus was drawn to Marcus, and he was at a loss for how to describe it in a way that they would comprehend. He was taken aback by her candour, but how could she have disclosed their personal troubles to the entire world? He sought moral support from his father, but Philip Madrigal glared at him already, and he realized he was doomed. Alexander's face was blank, and Marcus was unsure whether his buddy sympathized with him. "That is not accurate," he said with the truth that he was aware of. What is the matter with everyone? The way they stared at him was unsettling and Marcus tightened his teeth before directing his gaze at Daniella and interrogating her with his eyes.

Philip sprang to his feet and beat the table vigorously. Everyone at the dinner table was taken aback by his actions, but he couldn't be sympathetic toward his son if Daniella was speaking the truth. "Is that true, Marcus?" He looked him in the eyes as he inquired, and everyone else did the same.

Marcus had the sensation of being an insect being investigated in a laboratory. Daniella and the others had already formed an opinion, which he could see in their eyes. They regarded him as if he were a bastard! He became enraged about being unfairly judged and grinned. "You are exactly like them, Pa. You will inquire, but you will not trust me, since no one has ever believed in me!" He stated this with his gaze fixed on Daniella and then rushed out of the room.

"Marcus! What in the world do you believe you're doing? Return here immediately!" Philip screamed, but Marcus turned away without looking back and proceeded on his journey. "I believe he was speaking the truth," Philip stated as he seated. Even though he was not always with his son, he was always aware of whether he was lying or stating the truth

Daniella locked her gaze on the ground as Marcus walked away from them, and she dared not call his name. It was unusual for him to walk away from an argument, and she was taken aback when he did. "I'm sorry," she whispered quietly as she walked away from the dining table, taking AJ with her. She felt terrible that the wonderful moment after Lilian's announcement of her marriage preparations with Alexander had been marred by her.

Daniella dragged her feet toward the swing beside the swimming pool after entrusting Patty with her kid. She was perplexed and guilty following Philip's announcement that Marcus could be speaking the truth. However, that kiss has been with her ever since. It proceeded to hound her, torment her, and mock her in the most humiliating manner possible! She raised her eyes to the sky, searching for clues to how she would cope with Marcus, but there were none! She inhaled deeply and sighed for the umpteenth time.

"Would you mind if I gave you a dime for your thoughts?”

Daniella was taken aback when Lilian materialized in front of her. "Lil, congratulations on your engagement to Alexander, and please accept my apologies for spoiling the mood."

Lilian sat near Daniella and inquired, "How come you said Marcus cheated on you?" She was taken aback by Daniella's previous disclosure, and Alexander, too, reluctant to believe Marcus had cheated on Daniella.

Daniella tried not to recollect Marcus’ kisses with Alicia, but they flashed through her memory and tears began to stream down her cheeks as she began to retell the narrative of her breakup with Marcus in between sobs. "The night you tried suicide, Gerald arrived here with a woman, and it turned out that she had previously worked on the same farm as Marcus, and Lil, she kissed him! Then they conspired to reconvene behind my back! I wish I had listened to my intuition and simply stayed at the resort that time. I was present when that lady kissed him again; I witnessed their lips lacking together, and Marcus had the audacity to deny it! “Can you fathom that?”

"I'm sorry, Ella. What anguish you must have suffered! I'm very sorry for asking you to go over it again.” Lilian apologized for inquiring as to what had occurred.

"It's all right. Indeed, I'm not sure what to believe anymore." Daniella sighed and awaited Lilian's response.

"Converse with him, Ella. Perhaps he has an explanation. Please try to listen to him and never forget how much you love him," Lilian cautioned Daniella to exercise caution when dealing with Marcus, as it would be a shame to lose him when they appeared to be a match made in heaven.

“Perhaps,” Daniella answered, her heart trembling. "However, when is the wedding?" She shifted the subject by inquiring about Lilian's wedding date.

Lilian's eyes widened as Daniella disclosed her impending engagement to Alexander. “Immediately. It will be a small ceremony with close family members." Her mother insisted on a lavish wedding for her, but she politely declined, preferring to celebrate the most momentous day of her life with family and close friends only.

"Why not go all out? It's a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, Lil." Daniella pleaded with Lilian to make her wedding magnificent.

"Are you also of the opinion that this is a good idea?" Lilian said, "I dislike being worried up about regulations and wedding preparations. However, we shouldn't be discussing about my wedding right now. You have something to do, Ella."

“About what?"

“About Marcus," Lilian replied

For a moment, she was silent, and then she opened her mouth to speak. "I will talk to him in the morning. Now is not the right time,” she clarified. "Okay, it's up to you, but please settle your differences as soon as possible, alright?”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Thank you, Lil," Daniella said.

As soon as Lilian returned to her room, she contemplated whether to talk to him or not. She wanted to settle it with fh, but her pride prevented tevin he end, Daniella regretted‘her decision to delay = => comprorhising and speaking with> Marcys until morning. If only she hadn't been reluctant with her choice immediately fo lowing her

arid Lilian's talk on the swing. If she weren't so full of pride, she may still be able to see him. Numerous

U what-if scenarios raced through her mind, and if she didn't let go of her emotions, she felt as if she would explode at any moment. However, it proved to be more difficult said than done!

Daniella lost her temper and sat on the floor, releasing her grief and sadness after discovering Marcus was no longer in the guest room. His luggage was also missing, which could only mean one thing: he had vanished!

"What is wrong, Ella?" Lilian and Alexander were snuggling in the living room when they heard Daniella scream from the second level. She instantly hurried towards the stairs, where she discovered Daniella on the floor directly in front of Marcus's guest room

"Marcus has vanished. He abandoned me!” Daniella exclaimed as she saw Marcus's message

Lilian felt sorry for Daniella, who was staring into space as if she'd lost

everything..She was familiar with the sensation Having just come a

dange ‘ously close tolosing >

Alexander, she nearly killed herself! "'mSorry, Ella. Have you attempted to-Contact him? Perhaps this is a hoax!" Lilian in order to hélp Daniella relax and calm down.

Daniella's nands trembled, like if she were lost in the street, as she retrieved the phone from the pocket of her shorts and dialled his phone number. "It just Keeps ringing," she said, raisingyher eyes to Lilianas \ though herstepsister understood why Marcus had not picked up his phoney She attempted repeatedly till the:time came for her daug#ter's breakfast and she was fofced to give up. "Could you ask Alexander if he has any information on my boyfriend's whereabouts?" She asked Lilian that Alexander enquires about Marcus since she had no clue where Marcus would go. She had just discovered that, despite the fact that they shared a house, she knew just his name and the location of his previous employment.

"Certainly, I shall do so later. Lilian responded, "Go get AJ and then we'll have breakfast together,” as she proceeded to collect her daughter as well.