The Billionaire's Desperate Love

tarmac. Despite the fact that he had spent so many years establishing an empire there, the city felt alien.

ority and control as the CEO of Wellington Enterprises, but he was also carrying a great burden on

e has travelled to Chicago for more than a few boardroom talks and meetings. He had come because, i

e waiting car. With neon signs flickering in the twilight and honking

me they had met, and things had never been the same. Even though he had been drivi

uildings grew on each side, gleaming stee

he middle of the grandeur of the city he had previously known so well. He noticed s

lazoned on the billboard, nearly shining in the ci

of his mind at that brief instant. He had never really moved on from her, and the reminder of wh

ermination faltered the more he considered her. Could he really abandon everything they had in co

ala was taking place. Richard inhaled deeply as he c

ent. "Tonight's event will be attended by Lily Parker." The messag

me room as him. After everything had fallen apart, Lily Parker stood in the spacio

fe she had brought about. The modest flat she had shared with Richard was a gr

the loneliness gnawed at her. She approached the desk carefully, where her most recent design drafts were arranged

get rid of, regardless of how many honours or recognitions she received. She believed it had been ideal for some time. Lily's thoughts drifted back

ly committed. She had assumed he was, however. But when Richard's career started to take precedence above everything else, it was the tipping point. He had mi

le. The hard hours, the holidays that were missed, and the emotional detachment. While Richard concentrated on building his empi

. She could still hear the words that came out of his mouth, "Lily, I don't have time for this. This is what I'm doing for us.

she had given him any thought. Yet, here she was, on the eve of a gala when their paths might meet again. She had agr

o had once been everything to her, made her heart race. What would she think if he entered the room? Would t

m now, the gala will begin. Wear appropriate clothing. After a time of staring at the TV, she closed her eyes. She was no longer able to run from the

ed. The sound of clinking glasses and laughter filled the air as he entered the ballroom, but to him it all seemed f

ack now that he had her within arm's reach, even if he had intended to avoid th

d her form as she stood near a column. She wore a simple

ossibly even more so. Her gaze was fixed on the thron

elf, as if she were expecting a blow. Richard's chest grew constricted. He had envisioned

pprehensive of the reception he might get. Lily's expression stayed expressionless as

been so entwined finally met eyes. "Lily," he whispered gently,

s tinged with something deeper. "Lily Parker Designs is widely available." Though it wasn't a smile, her lips curled slightly. "I've worked hard," she said in a

m seemed to be sufficient to close the distance between them. Richard couldn't get

im a slight, almost courteous grin when the conversation finally stalled. "It was good to see you, Richard

tch her leave without attempting to mend the damage they had caused. With the burden of their past crushin