Page 26 of The Billionaire’s Betrayal (Billionaires of Paris #2)
EVA
Tristan and I had found a newfound closeness—precious, yet fragile. Every glance, every shared smile pulled us closer together. He had become the passionate lover I once knew, and I savored every moment as if it were our last.
Audrey, on the other hand, could no longer hide her frustration.
Her usually well-controlled smile sometimes gave way to a flicker of bitterness, which felt like a small victory to me.
Yet, I knew better than to underestimate her.
Like a wounded predator, she was all the more dangerous.
I kept an eye on her, fully aware that our rekindled happiness must be eating her alive.
I wasn’t naive enough to believe that Tristan’s attraction to her had vanished overnight. Sometimes, his gaze lingered a second too long in her direction before he caught himself. Those moments reopened wounds that had yet to heal.
But he had chosen me. He had decided to fight for us. That certainty alone kept me moving forward, day by day, step by step.
When I arrived at the conference room for the quarterly board meeting, several executives were already seated. I took my time greeting each one, exchanging a few polite words.
Tristan walked in next, followed by Audrey. His eyes immediately searched for mine, and a subtle smile touched his lips. Audrey, however, clenched her jaw, clearly displeased by our regained connection.
Leila, Satoshi, and Steve arrived shortly after, and we all took our seats around the large table.
During the meeting, the board members voiced their concerns about the repercussions of the cyberattack we had suffered.
"Everything is under control now," Tristan reassured them.
"Thanks to our cybersecurity team’s quick response and the precautions we implemented, the damage was minimal.
Our communication efforts also paid off.
Clients and partners appreciated our transparency and the efficiency with which we handled the situation. "
"Have you identified the perpetrators?" one of the IT directors asked.
Tristan turned to Satoshi, who spoke up.
"Based on our investigation and security audit, the attack originated from organized cybercriminals, likely aiming for ransom. But our cybersecurity teams blocked them before they even had the chance to make their demands."
"So the threat is completely neutralized?" a finance executive inquired.
"Yes, though we must remain vigilant."
"Thank you. It’s clear you have the situation well in hand," the executive acknowledged.
By the time the meeting ended, the board seemed satisfied with our responses.
Community Pilot’s annual holiday party was set for Friday night.
Every year, we hosted an elegant evening with gourmet catering, live music, and a dance floor—an event attended by employees, their spouses, as well as key clients and strategic partners.
It was, without a doubt, the most anticipated event on our corporate calendar.
A time to celebrate our successes and strengthen relationships.
For once, I had taken the afternoon off, determined to look my best for Tristan.
These past few weeks had taught me a valuable lesson: even the strongest love must be nurtured and protected.
I would never take ours for granted again.
Tonight, I wanted him to see only me in a room full of beautiful women.
Who was I kidding? Audrey would be there, and I refused to look anything less than stunning.
The afternoon passed in a careful beauty ritual—hair, skincare, makeup.
The sapphire dress I had chosen hugged my curves with just the right touch of allure—sexy but not inappropriate.
I slipped on the dangling earrings Tristan had given me for our first anniversary and completed the look with Italian heels that elongated my silhouette.
The result exceeded my expectations—I felt strong, desirable, and ready to reclaim the man I loved.
Marco was waiting for me, as dependable as ever.
"You look stunning, Eva."
His genuine compliment warmed my heart. With renewed confidence and hope, I let him drive me to the event.
The reception hall was already buzzing, guests mingling in a constant hum of conversation. I navigated the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, all while keeping an eye out for Tristan. He had been caught up in a meeting with a potential investor.
When he finally walked in, my heart skipped a beat. His gaze swept the room, searching—until he found me. His face lit up with a smile that stole my breath. He made his way toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You look so beautiful, I can hardly breathe," he murmured, his voice meant only for me. His hand squeezed mine discreetly before letting go.
His low, intimate tone sent a wave of heat through me. That fleeting touch, as if he couldn’t resist, was all the reward I needed.
"You don’t look too bad yourself," I teased with a smile.
"Tristan?" Audrey interrupted. "Mr. Martinez needs to speak with you."
I saw frustration flicker across Tristan’s face, but Audrey insisted, her voice laced with calculated sweetness.
"It’s important. He’s leaving soon."
"I’ll find you later?" Tristan asked, his eyes apologetic.
I nodded, my heart sinking as Audrey led him away.
I quickly regained my composure. This was Community Pilot’s holiday party, and I had my own responsibilities. Like Tristan, Leila, Satoshi, and Steve, I spent time with our employees and clients.
Every now and then, I spotted Tristan across the room.
Audrey never left his side, guiding him from group to group like a possessive shadow.
She whispered in his ear, her hand lightly resting on his arm.
He laughed and talked, oblivious to my presence.
I did my best to keep my smile in place, even as it wavered.
Later, as Tristan took the stage for his annual speech, Audrey slid next to me like a serpent.
"Your dress is stunning, Eva," she said with a fake smile.
I studied her. Her emerald-green dress clung to her in a way that was almost indecent.
"Yours is lovely too," I replied evenly, trying to remain civil.
Her smile widened, pleased.
"Did you notice my necklace?" she asked, fingering a delicate diamond pendant on a gold chain. "It’s... a gift from Tristan. Gorgeous, isn’t it? If only you had seen how gently he fastened it around my neck, how his fingers lingered on my skin... I still get chills."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.
He had given her a diamond necklace?
The weight of that gift made me nauseous.
I thought he had chosen me. Why would he give her something so intimate? Things had been improving between us since his return from Oslo, but had I misread the signs? Was Tristan seeing Audrey behind my back?
No. Impossible. Not Tristan.
But the necklace was there—tangible proof of his betrayal. I just didn’t know how deep it ran.
Satisfied with the damage done, Audrey returned to Tristan after his speech, resuming her act. Every time I tried to approach, she blocked me—a pressing investor, an urgent matter, a strategic partner to reassure.
And Tristan noticed nothing.
The night dragged on, slow and painful. My heart fractured a little more with each missed moment. She monopolized Tristan’s attention with surgical precision, and worst of all, he let her.
Marco stole worried glances at me in the rearview mirror on the ride home but had the grace not to ask questions. His silent support allowed me to gather my thoughts.
Back home, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the night. My sapphire dress lay crumpled on the bathroom floor, a silent witness to my defeat.
Half-asleep in bed, I heard Tristan come in. The familiar sound of his footsteps, the whisper of water in the shower, the mattress dipping under his weight... Then, his body curled around mine, his arm pulling me close in a possessive embrace.
"You were radiant tonight," he murmured against my neck, his voice tired but sincere. "I wish we had spent more time together. I wanted so badly to dance with you."
My heart pounded. Those simple words reignited hope in me. Had Audrey lied about the necklace? I needed to ask Tristan and hear his side. But not tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to lose myself in his embrace and pretend everything was okay.
As I drifted to sleep, I felt his lips press a kiss into my hair.