The Billionaire's Dangerous Obsession (Nivera) novel Chapter 191

Chapter 191

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The mansion was quiet when Nivera returned, so quiet it almost felt empty.

The echo of her boots clicked against the marble floor followed her as she stepped inside, her eyes flicking toward the living room and down the hallways. There was no sign of him.

Turning, she went back out to one of the guards stationed outside, her voice hesitant.

“Is Alejandro back yet?”

The man shook his head. “No, ma’am. He hasn’t returned.”

Her heart sank a little. She had expected him to be here, waiting, maybe even pacing the floor the way he sometimes did when something bothered him.

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She made her way to the wide staircase, then sank onto the bottom step, resting her chin in her hand. Her thoughts drifted to the hours she’d just spent with her brother–hours filled with laughter, tears, and the slow mending of a rift she once feared was permanent.

But beneath that fragile relief lurked an unease. Where was Alejandro? Why wasn’t he back?

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she reached his number. Her thumb hovered, then she pressed call.

It rang once, twice–then his voice came through, rougher than usual, as though fatigue clung to every syllable.

“Cabezota?”

Relief washed over her instantly as he had answered. “Where are you?”

“On my way home,” he said, the low rumble of his engine audible in the background. “Almost there. What are you doing calling me at this hour?”

“Waiting for you.”

There was a pause, followed by the faintest sigh. “Stubborn woman.” His voice softened, though, betraying his affection. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Stay where you are.”

She hung up and curled into herself on the step, heart strangely light now that she’d heard his voice. True to his word, minutes later the sound of tires crunching over gravel filled her ears, and she looked up to see him driving in. The front door opened, and Alejandro stepped out.

Nivera shot to her feet, her chest swelling with something she couldn’t name–relief, joy, and worry all tangled together.

He looked… wrecked. His dark shirt was wrinkled, his tie loosened, and his hair mussed as though he’d dragged his hands through it too many times. Shadows lingered beneath his eyes, his jaw locked tight with strain. He was the picture of a man at war with the world.

11:11 Wed, Oct 1

Chapter 191

And yet, when his gaze found her standing there, some of that sharpness melted.

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“What are you doing on the steps?” he asked, his voice carrying more curiosity than reprimand as he approached.

She offered a small smile, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Waiting for you.”

His lips twitched–half a smile, half disbelief–as he reached her, taking her hand without hesitation. “You shouldn’t waste your time waiting on me, Nivera.”

“It’s not a waste if it’s for you.”

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes–something raw, unguarded–but he said nothing. Instead, he guided her inside, his palm warm and steady against her back.

When they settled in the living room, Alejandro leaned back into the couch, his shoulders heavy, his fingers tugging at his tie before discarding it. His gaze lifted to her.

“How did it go?” he asked immediately, no small talk, no detours. Straight to what mattered.

Nivera exhaled, a smile tugging at her lips. “Better than I expected. We…. talked, really talked. About everything. He told me what happened, about his health. About why he couldn’t reach out.” Her smile faltered, guilt sneaking in. “I didn’t know, Alejandro. I should have been there. He went through so much alone.”

Alejandro listened silently, watching her every expression. He didn’t interrupt, only nodded once in quiet

encouragement.

“He told me he never hated me,” she whispered, her voice tight. “Not even once. He just wished I’d trusted him enough to share my burdens. And then… we laughed, like before. We remembered stupid things, and then we professed our hatred for Vivian and our father. It felt like… like I got my brother back.”

A soft hum left Alejandro’s chest, his eyes flicking with a hint of satisfaction. “Good. I’m glad.”

The sincerity in his voice struck her, warm and grounding. He wasn’t saying it just to appease her–he meant

1. it.

When she finally finished recounting the day, she shifted closer, tilting her head to study him. “And you? What about you? What happened while I was gone? You look like hell.”

Alejandro chuckled without humor, rubbing a hand over his face. “Feels like it.” His tone darkened.

“Antonio’s bail was denied. They’re keeping him inside. The lawyers are running in circles, and every solution comes with another roadblock. Investors are restless, some of them furious. Meetings, threats, ultimatums… it doesn’t stop.”

Nivera’s heart twisted at the weariness in his voice. She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You’ll find a way. You always do.”

His gaze dropped to their joined hands, then back to her face. “Sounds good to hear it from you.”

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Chapter 191

Before she could reply, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, jaw tightening.

“Time for the meeting,” he muttered, standing.

“Another one?” she asked, rising with him.

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“Yes.” He slid the device into his pocket. “Conference call with a board member in Madrid. It won’t wait. I have to get the study.”

Nivera bit her lip, hesitation flickering across her face. Then, softly, “Can I come with you?”

He stilled, eyebrows lifting.

“I won’t disturb you,” she added quickly. “I’ll just… sit there. Quiet. I just want to be near you.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then his lips curved in a slow, tired smile.

Who was he to say no?

“You’re dangerous, you know that?”

She blinked. “Why?”

“Because you ask for things I shouldn’t allow–and yet, I find myself saying yes.” His hand brushed against her cheek, tender despite the exhaustion in his eyes. “Come, then. Your presence is more than enough.”

Her chest warmed at his words. Without another thought, she followed him down the hall, their steps echoing in sync until they reached the heavy doors of his study.

He pushed them open, revealing the vast room lined with shelves of leather–bound books and the massive mahogany desk at its center.

Alejandro moved to the desk, already pulling his laptop open, phone pressed to his ear. Nivera slipped onto the leather couch tucked in the corner, curling her legs beneath her as she watched him.

Even in dishevelment, he was commanding. The set of his shoulders, the clipped authority in his tone as he addressed whoever was on the other end of the call, the sharp intelligence in his eyes as they scanned documents–all of it reminded her why men both feared and followed him.

And yet, every so often, his gaze flickered to her, softening almost imperceptibly before snapping back to the

screen.

Nivera leaned back, her lips curving into a faint smile. She had asked only to be near him, and here she was- close enough to watch him battle the storms of his world, close enough to remind him he wasn’t alone.

True to her word, she didn’t disturb him. She sat quietly, her presence filling the room like a balm, her gaze steady on him even when he was drowning in strategy and rage.

To Alejandro, it was enough. More than enough.

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