Billionaire In Love: Love Hurts, #5

By Tilly Muir

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. -  Mother Teresa

Billionaire in Love is the final book in the 5-part Love Hurts series.

Daniel's world crumbles, he has so many decisions to make. Is he willing to come clean about everything to save his relationship with Ashley?

Ashley runs home, she can't believe Daniel fathered a child, while they were together. How could he be such a good actor? She really thought he loved her, now she had to try and remove him from her heart.

Their relationship has stood up too many challenges already, is this a step too far?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tilly Muir
• Release date: Mar 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386988601

Tilly Muir

Tilly Muir is a romance writer and avid reader of all types of books, fiction and non-fiction. Her books are short romance stories and always end with a happy ever after… Eventually! When she is not writing you will find her running around after her husband or cocker spaniels.

Book preview

One

There is no person that love cannot heal; there is no soul that love cannot save. - Carlos Santana

A single tear fell down her cheek. Wrapping her arms around her body she hugged tightly trying to keep her heart together, for it was surely going to split in two. She sat back against the door as her grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears. A myriad of questions spun round her mind. Had he been working late all this time, or spending time with her... Megan. Those nights he did not come home, was he sleeping in her bed? The thought made her stomach churn. What a stupid question, of course he was sleeping in her bed, she was pregnant. She wondered how long he had been seeing her?

Her tears eventually dried up, but the questions didn't. Megan looked so young, a part of Ash felt sorry for the girl, she appeared so distraught. She knew what a shock it is to discover you are pregnant... Well, maybe it was different for Megan, the circumstances were certainly very different. She guessed from the conversation they had consensual sex, as they had discussed contraception. A flame of anger flared inside her, how dare he have unprotected sex with Megan and her. He told her she was the only one.

She got to her feet and walked over to the window. Did she do something wrong to drive him into Megan's arms? Perhaps he had been seeing her all along, they certainly seemed to know each other very well. In her mind she heard him telling her how much he wanted her, how special she was to him... How could he say those things to her, when all along he was seeing someone else?  She rested her forehead on the cool glass. She did not know what to do, Daniel had made his choice. Grief swept through her as she pictured him holding Megan in his arms, kissing her and telling her, he would not abandon her.

She picked up her computer bag and packed her laptop and files. Walking through to the bedroom she repacked her bag. She needed to get away from the apartment. If he did come back tonight, she was not ready for him to end their relationship. A few days away would give her time to get used to the idea, so she could cope better. It was crazy, as much as she wanted to hate him for cheating on her, she knew if she spoke to him now she would be begging him to stay with her. Perhaps time away would quench this overpowering love for him that consumed her.

She thought about going back to Taylor, but she needed to put more distance between her and Danny. She decided to go home. The drive would take her three hours or more meaning she would not arrive until the early hours of the morning, but the thought of seeing her mum took some of the hurt away.

Two

Daniel...

He glanced at his watch, it was late, but he needed see her, to talk to her. Patrick stopped the car outside Taylor's apartment block and turned to Daniel.

Do you want me to wait here for you?

He managed a strangled laugh. Yes, the way this evening is going I am sure I will be kicked out very quickly. He jumped out the car and bounded up the steps to her door. He rang the bell making sure he stood right in front of the camera, so they knew it was him. Perhaps that was a mistake, she might not even open the door.

The door cracked open and Taylor stuck her head out. Daniel?

He smiled at her. Sorry for calling so late Taylor, but I need to speak to Ashley.

Her brow furrowed. She went back to your place, she left here hours ago... this afternoon.

He ran his fingers through his hair. She wasn't there early evening. Are you sure she was going back?

Taylor opened the door wide and gestured for him to come in. Yes I'm positive, she wanted to talk to you. She stared at the clock. She left here... six hours ago.

Oh god, what had happened to her, he started pacing. What if there had been an accident, his blood turned to ice running through his veins. He spun round and grabbed Taylor's shoulders. We've got to find her, anything could have happened. His eyes widened. She could be in a hospital. He dropped down on the sofa.

Have you phoned her? Taylor started pacing now.

I have phoned her so many times today, but she won't speak to me. His head snapped up and caught her eyes. You phone her; she'll speak to you. His eyes stayed glued to her as she picked up her phone and called, he thought his heart was going to stop beating, waiting for her to talk.

Ash, are you Okay?

He let out a breath, she was Okay, she was talking. He tried desperately to read Taylor's face.

You're doing WHAT.... Why? Alright, alright I don't want that to happen.

Daniel jumped to his feet, holding his hand out for the phone. Taylor glared at him and shook her head before turning her back on him.

Okay sweetie, drive carefully and call me tomorrow, we can talk then. I love you. She placed the phone on the table and sank into the chair, rubbing her temples.

Where's she going? his voice was so quiet.

She's on her way home.

To the apartment? He made his way towards the door, he needed to get back to meet her.

She shook her head. No, to visit her mom and dad.

That stopped him in his tracks. Why?

I don't know; she’s too upset to talk. She looked up at him, her eyes awash with worry. She said if she started talking she would cry, and she needed to concentrate on driving.

He sighed heavily, his voice filled with anguish. I hate the thought of her driving all that way on her own. Do you think one of her family are ill?

I don't know what to think. I don't want to phone them this late, because if it’s not her family, they will start worrying as well.

He walked over to her and placed his hand over hers. You're right, not a good idea to call them. I need to go; will you be alright on your own? She gave a brief nod. If you hear anything more from her, please call me, whatever time it is.

She walked him to the door promising she would call if she heard anymore. He hugged her, knowing he should give her some words of comfort, the trouble being, he could not think of any to give.

Three

Daniel...

Why was life so complicated? Ashley, Megan and work, they all needed his attention, he was being stretched in so many directions. He drained his scotch, staring into the night sky. It was one o'clock in the morning, he should try and get some sleep, although he felt sure if he lay in bed, sleep would be the last thing that would happen. He snatched up his phone after one ring. Ryan, any news?

Ryan told him she had arrived at her parents; they had traced her car. A wave of relief swept over him, at least she was safe, now he needed to know why she had left.

Thanks Ryan, go and get some sleep... Yes, I'll keep you informed. I guess I should call Taylor to tell her she's arrived safely; she was pretty worried about her earlier.... Okay, I'll leave that to you. Good night. He threw the phone on the sofa. Time to sort out his priorities.

Work drained him right now, this take over was causing so many more problems than anticipated. A month ago he wanted the acquisition so badly, but now, did it matter if it didn't happen? He still had a successful business. Deep down, he knew it was a big pissing contest, he wanted to show his father he had the bigger, more successful business. He didn't need his father’s name to be successful.

Then there was Megan, he had no option. He would look after her, support her, no way could he be ruthless and abandon her, not now she was pregnant. He sighed, if only he could turn back the clock, but no, he knew that was impossible.

But, his biggest concern by far was Ashley. Right