The Billionaire's Hidden Heir: His Illicit Obsession

Over Manhattan, the sunset light was fading, creating a golden tone over the steel and glass structures below. Gazing out at the vast city from his office's floor-to-ceiling windows, Harrison Stone felt a sense of awe and contemplation. From this vantage point, the world seemed both distant and accessible. His usually keen, analytical look softened as he looked at the horizon. It had been a long day-too long. The screen black, his phone lay untouched on the glossy desk surface, as if to fit his mood. Harrison's life indoors has become a suffocating prison.

The affluence of the Stone family surrounded him like a golden jail. The modern, clean furnishings in his office; the vast Upper East Side mansion; and the luxury automobiles in the garage all looked like stage props for a life he no longer recognised as his own. He had everything someone could want, except for the one thing he truly desired. The quiet of the room made the soft ticking of a clock more pronounced, creating a sense of unease.

He looked at the door to his office and then back to the city below. Everything seemed vacant. His mind wandered back to the mornings that had become his everyday habit alongside Seraphina. The quiet between them had grown so oppressive and so suffocating that even the infrequent talks they shared seemed like a performance.

Beautiful, frigid, and composed, Seraphina was all his family anticipated. On paper, she was ideal. Harrison had learnt to recognise the cracks in their relationship during quiet times without a glossy surface. It wasn't always like this. When they first scheduled their wedding, he became engrossed in the idea of securing their legacy. But somewhere along the road, love had slipped past his grasp. Every day now seemed to be a reminder of the prison he had created for himself, with no way out. Once again, the clock ticked, this time more loudly.

Harrison closed his eyes for a while. He attempted to recall the sensation of really feeling something beyond the never-ending meetings, the hollow social events, and the forced grins. But there was nothing there. The door then opened with a squeak. The loud sound shattered the silence like breaking glass. Harrison spun around, his chest clenching.

The faint hallway illumination silhouetted Seraphina's tall frame in the entrance. She was, as usual, lovely. A few strands strategically placed to frame her face complemented her golden hair, beautifully fashioned in a low bun. Expensive and flawless, exactly like the lady herself, her fitted black dress clung to her figure. Will you be there all night long? Icy and measured, Seraphina's voice pierced his musings. It was an inquiry tinged with an unvoiced accusation.

Harrison tried to talk, but the words were trapped in his throat. Stepping into the room, Seraphina's shoes clicked hard on the marble flooring. Her pale blue and frigid gaze remained fixed on his. You have been far away of late. Though Harrison could sense the weight below them, her remarks were smooth and even casual.

The family is beginning to notice. He sighed a little, a nearly unnoticeable motion. The conversation ahead weighed on his chest. He didn't want to talk about this. He wasn't interested in discussing this topic right now. He didn't feel this way at any point. He turned back to face the window. "There's nothing to notice," he answered, his voice perhaps too calm and measured. His remarks sounded rehearsed. I am only exhausted. Seraphina arched an eyebrow. "Exhausted?" Her voice oozed doubt. Harrison, I believe you are misrepresenting the situation.

Our marriage is five years old. You have never been "tired" in your whole life. Anger boiling just below the surface, Harrison clenched his hands at his sides. He didn't let it show, however. Not yet, please. I would rather not spend time with her. Her tone softened but yet held that underlying tension as she went on. "Are you certain nothing else is on your mind?" Perhaps there is someone else on your mind? The question lingered in the room, suffocating everyone present.

Harrison stood still, feeling his stomach drop. He had not anticipated her going there. He had not imagined she would. Still, he could sense it: the old tug of shame and remorse. He had not been sufficiently cautious. No matter how much he attempted to hide behind it, Seraphina's acute mind always found something to pierce the facade he wore. The distance between them became intolerable all of a sudden, so he turned back to face her. Now, his voice was cooler.

Seraphina, I'm not having an affair. You have nothing to be concerned about, really. But as he talked, his mind drifted back to the last several days, especially to the peaceful times he had spent with Marissa. Every time they spoke, something unspoken appeared to travel between them. Her laughter was sweet and sincere, and her eyes would meet his; these things would resonate in his ears. "Are you positive about that?" Seraphina's voice sliced through his musings. Her eyes narrowed, the coldness in them intensifying. "Because I don't believe you've been totally truthful with me." Harrison's heart raced within his chest.

He knew she was doubtful and could see the flaws he had been attempting to conceal. Guilt ate at him, turning his insides. He couldn't, however, reveal the truth to her. The present was not the right moment to share the truth with her. He didn't want to risk what he had worked so hard to build. Seraphina stepped closer to him in a whisper, her voice lowering. Harrison, I'll let you have a shot to correct things. But don't think for a second that I won't find out if there's more going on here, Harrison. I always do it.

The air separating them became denser. Her words were heavy on Harrison, who could feel them pushing down on him. A loud knock at the door came just before he could answer. They both looked at the door simultaneously. There was a pause after. Harrison's jaw grew tense. Whoever was on the other side had just unwittingly entered the middle of something delicate-something about to break.