"Mrs. Elliot, Sir is currently in a meeting and cannot take calls," said the secretary in a chilly voice. Before Elena could respond, the person on the other end hung up. Elena stared at her phone's blank screen and felt a sharp, throbbing pain run through her body. Important meeting - two words that shattered the thin veil of hope she had left. The cold evening air bit at her cheeks and tears welled in her eyes. When Andrew informed her earlier that he was running late for the dinner, Elena did not take it to heart. Andrew's work always took precedence. During their five years of relationship, she had always been accommodating and never been an unreasonable person. But tonight was their anniversary, and she hoped that for once, he would put their love before his demanding career. Alas... Elena stubbornly waited for him even though she knew he wouldn't show up. Because part of her still hoped he would not abandon her. The minutes seemed to last forever. Three hours had passed with no sign of Andrew. After a while, the manager approached. "Are you okay, ma'am? You've been here for more than three hours. Do you want to order anything while you wait?" He inquired. With a heavy heart, she finally accepted that Andrew would not show up and stood up to leave. Andrew's absence deeply disappointed Elena. She felt a sinking heaviness in her chest, and it hurt so much that it was suffocating. As she left, the diners around her blurred into a mosaic of hazy faces. The cold wind outside matched the chill in her heart as she walked outside the farmhouse restaurant. Tonight, she had expected a night of fun and shared memories, but instead, she got this lonely walk of shame. She turned her gaze to the empty streets in front of her. The desolation mirrored the void Andrew's absence had created. Only then did she realize that it was difficult to hail a cab in this remote place. With a sigh, she returned to the entrance, her heels clicking on the cobbled path. The receptionist at the entrance looked at her. "Is everything alright, ma'am?" Elena shook her head, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. "My ride isn't here. Is it possible to hail a taxi or something?" The receptionist gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm afraid it's difficult to get a cab around here, especially at this hour. However, there is a bus stop down the street. You can take a bus from there." Elena thanked her and left the restaurant. The journey to the bus stop was a lonely one. She wrapped her coat around herself, attempting to protect herself from both the cold night and the harsh reality of the evening. The bus was due in fifteen minutes. The vulnerability of being alone, abandoned on an unfamiliar road, felt like a lifeline. The driver glanced at Elena disinterestedly as she stepped on board. Boarding the bus felt like surrendering to the ordinary when her heart had craved the extraordinary. The bus engine drove to its final destination, Oakwood. Coincidentally, the place was where her best friend, Chloe, lived. A sense of relief poured over her as she considered spending the night at her house. After all the emotional turmoil, she wanted an escape from the storm that was threatening to engulf her. Navigating her way, Elena finally reached the Oakwood Residence and took the elevator straight to the twenty-third floor. Entering the password, the door creaked open. Kicking off her heels, Elena settled on the couch. Just as she relaxed, faint noises emerged from inside Chloe's bedroom. A hint of embarrassment colored her cheeks. As an adult, she understood the nature of the sounds that came from inside. Cursing inwardly, she contemplated whether to stay or leave. "Andy..." The muffled groans grew louder, causing her to freeze in place. Elena's mind was spinning and for a moment, she questioned whether she had misheard. "F**k, Carl. Spread your legs a little wider." A rough male voice broke through the air, shattering any illusions of misunderstanding. The words hung in the air, heavy with a familiarity that turned Elena's blood cold. Her face drained of color as realization struck with full force. Because the voice belonged to none other than her husband, Andrew! [Author's note: Hey guys! I'm so glad to be back with a brand new story. The Billionaire's Secret Desire is a beautiful blend of romance, drama, revenge, second chance, suspense, etc as the characters navigate various challenges in their lives. Hoping to receive the same love you all showed to my previous novel. Please don't forget to share your reviews and thoughts!                                                                                                                                                                                                              - Aera]

The room spun, and Elena stumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on the couch. Amidst the charged atmosphere behind the door, Elena struggled to stand up. Her legs felt unsteady as she moved towards the bedroom exit. No. No, no. Andrew would never do this to her. He would never. He loved her so much. He would never... She still believed that the person inside was not him. That's right, he must be someone who had a similar voice. Besides, Chloe never liked Andrew to begin with, so why would she... Yes, she must be overthinking because of her disappointment earlier. Elena's hand quivered as she reached for the doorknob. However, just as she was about to turn the handle, she stopped. She did not dare enter the room and confront the two people inside. The thought of confronting her husband's adultery and her best friend's betrayal was excruciating, and it was too much for her to bear. In fact, Elena had never felt so terrified before. Even when she had broken ties with her family, even when her future was unknown when she married Andrew, she had never been this afraid. But right now, she couldn't face it. A deep fear seized her heart. Elena knew that once she entered the room, her life would change. But she also knew that if she didn't confront the truth now, she would suffocate for the rest of her life. "Please don't let it be what I think it is." Elena drew in a deep breath when she heard the voices from inside. "Weren't you supposed to celebrate your anniversary tonight? How come you have time to meet me?" Chloe asked. "It's just an anniversary. Definitely not as important as f**king you." Andrew replied. Chloe was pleased with his answer but still asked innocently. "But... wouldn't Elena be upset by your absence?" "So what? I just have to coax her with a few words, and that old hag will continue to lick my shoes!" "Won't she feel something amiss?" "Right now, even if she sees the two of us having s*x, she will forgive me," Andrew laughed unkindly. "After all, she's blinded by love and her entire world only revolves around me." Bang! The door opened with a loud bang, revealing a scene that destroyed Elena's already fragile state of mind. Chloe lay on the bed, her face flushed with pleasure as Andrew slipped his manhood inside her. Elena's world crumbled in an instant. Despite mentally preparing herself, the reality that unfolded in front of her pierced her defenses like a knife through her soul. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her heart turned cold as a wave of nausea surged through her. Hearing the bang, Chloe and Andrew were both startled. They turned to see the intruder and their eyes widened in horror when they saw Elena standing at the door. "El-Elena..." Chloe stammered in shock. She hastily disentangled herself from Andrew and reached for her clothes. "Elena, this isn't what it seems," Chloe attempted to explain. "Not what I think?" Elena's voice crackled with a burst of fury. "You both are literally joined at the hips. What exactly do you call this, then?" she roared. Chloe felt awkward. She wanted to refute, but Elena's attention had already shifted towards Andrew. Elena's gaze bored into Andrew, wanting answers that he was unable to provide. "Why, Andrew?" "How could you do this to me?" Elena's voice quivered, and her eyes filled with tears. Andrew stood there nonchalantly, with no remorse, no guilt on his face. "Don't make it seem like such a big deal, Elena. There's nothing wrong here," Elena looked at him with disbelief. "Not a big deal?" "Yes, and so what if I slept with her?" Andrew said, his voice full of arrogance. "Also, which male does not have a mistress outside? As long as you play the role of Mrs. Elliot, everything will stay the same." The shallowness of Andrew's words stabbed at Elena's already wounded heart. She could not believe he was the same person who had vowed to accompany her till the end of the world. Without a second thought, her hand swung with force, and a resounding smack echoed in the room. "Do you think I care about that lousy title?" Elena gritted her teeth in anger as she glared at him. A bright crimson print appeared across Andrew's cheek, and he looked at her in shock. In the five years of their relationship, he had never seen such ferocity in her gaze. The Elena in his memories had been gentle, soft-spoken, and accommodating. Her loving gaze had never wavered, always looking at him with warmth and adoration. No matter how badly his family treated her, she had never raised her voice or expressed her dissatisfaction. Even during their arguments, it was always Elena who yielded first. But tonight, it was his first time seeing this side of hers. At that moment, he felt as though he was facing a different person than he thought he knew. Chloe was equally dumbfounded, as she never expected Elena to hit him. She had firsthand witnessed how much Elena cherished Andrew. So much so that she would bawl her heart out, even if Andrew had a slight fever. But soon, a hint of smug satisfaction flickered in her eyes as she observed the chaos in front of her. Good! Fight as much as you can! It'd be best if there's blood today! "Elena, please don't hurt Andy. If there's anyone to blame, it's me," Chloe hurriedly interjected. She pinched her thigh, squeezing out a few tears. "I simply love Andy too much. It's my feelings that led to this." Chloe's voice was soft, and tears welled in her eyes. Her small frame could instantly evoke a sense of pity from anyone who glanced her way. And Andrew was the same. His heart ached as he witnessed Chloe take the blame upon herself. "Love? Chloe Baker, ask yourself. Have I ever treated you badly? Didn't your conscience hurt a bit when you decided to sleep with my husband?! Did you two ever consider what it would be like for me when I learn the truth?" Elena screamed, her voice breaking with the pain inflicted on her. At this point, she felt that her life was a joke. For Andrew, she had abandoned her career and dreams and chose to settle as an ordinary housewife. Just so that he would not feel inferior, she had broken ties with her family while stupidly currying favor with her in-laws. In the end, he dismissed her by saying, "It's not a big deal." "Trust me, Elena, I never meant to hurt you. And don't worry. No one would take Andy away from you," Chloe implored, her voice earnest. "I don't seek any status from Andy, nor do I have any complaints against him." Chloe stood in front of Elena and held her arms. "Why make things difficult for everyone, El?" Chloe's voice was persuasive as she looked at her with a hint of madness. "We can go back to how things were. You and Andy will still be the loving couple and I'll remain your best friend. I'm not greedy and I'll be content if Andy can accompany me occasionally. You can take care of him on the weekdays while I'll serve him on weekends. We can live together like sisters, and everyone can be happy."

Chloe wanted to force Elena into a corner. However, if the latter was disobedient, then she didn't mind using a crooked approach. Hearing Chloe's words, Andrew's eyes lit up. Initially, he had been racking his brains, thinking about how to clean up the mess, but Chloe's suggestion enlightened him. That's right. As long as Elena turned a blind eye to his affairs, everything would be fine! Sure enough, hooking up with Chloe was the best decision. She always prioritized him first and never caused him any inconvenience. "Serve him together? Are you trying to disgust me to death?" Elena was so repulsed by her words she wanted to throw up. "I never knew you could stoop so low. What makes you think that after everything, I'd still want this trash?" Elena's words stung Andrew, and he immediately leaped to his defense. "Who do you think you're calling trash?" "Still asking?" Elena glared at him fiercely. "Andrew, please, calm down," Chloe urged, her voice laced with concern. "Elena is angry right now, but her words mean no harm. You have to be tolerant." Under Chloe's coaxing, Andrew quietened down. This scene, however, stung Elena's eyes, intensifying the hurt across her face. "One is trash while the other is as low as a gutter. You two are really a perfect match," she mocked bitterly. Wiping her tears, she looked at Andrew with determination. "I want a divorce." "No, Elena. Listen to me. You can't divorce Andrew. He really loves you." Chloe tried to persuade Elena. She tightened her grip around her, her long nails digging into Elena's flesh. Elena felt pain from her hold and flung her away. "Get lost." "Ah..." Elena had barely pushed her, but Chloe landed on the ground with a loud thud. "Bitch, how dare you!" Smack! A sharp slap landed on Elena's face before Andrew rushed to help Chloe. "Are you all right?" Chloe clung to Andrew and cried miserably. "Andy, I'm so scared. I really didn't mean it." Andrew comforted her gently. "Don't worry. I'm still here." His furious gaze then landed on Elena's disheveled figure as she stood rooted on her spot. He grabbed her arm and flung her forcefully outside the apartment. "Get away from my sight. If you stay here for another minute, it won't be just a slap." Initially, he felt guilty towards her and was unwilling to blow things up. However, this damned woman did not appreciate his kind intentions and refused to stop. Did she still believe he was the same naive guy from the past? He, Andrew Elliot, was now a managing director at Elliot's Corporation and the only heir to the Elliot empire! In his position, he could easily take care of ten such women like her. How audacious of this woman of an unknown origin to challenge him? Elena fell on the floor, her back hitting the wall. She looked in a daze as her 'husband' slammed the door ruthlessly on her face and went to accompany his lover. -- The cool night air wrapped around Elena as she walked aimlessly through the empty streets. Her mind was clouded with emotions, replaying fragments of her life with Andrew like a broken film reel. Images of their happy times flashed in her mind. The smiles, the promises, the hopes for a beautiful future together. And now everything felt like a cruel illusion, mocking her for her stupidity. With each step, Elena felt the weight of her shattered dreams pressing down on her shoulders. And then, as if a dam had burst inside her, the floodgates of grief and despair burst open, consuming her whole. In the middle of the street, Elena collapsed to her knees, her body trembling with hysterical sobs. "Why!" Elena screamed. "Why did you do this to me?" Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with her heart-wrenching cries. Her husband's betrayal crushed her spirit, leaving her bewildered, lost, and shattered. Even now, she couldn't understand where it had all gone wrong. The surrounding street continued its chaotic rhythm, oblivious to her pain. However, at that moment, Elena's heartache echoed louder than the city's clamor. Unknowingly, the young woman found herself in front of the prestigious "Azure Haven". Unlike the regular clubs, this place was exclusive only to the upper echelons of society. The place was tightly guarded, and even a fly could not enter without permission. The atmosphere was bustling as Elena made her way inside the club. She took a seat at the bar counter. Her mind was in a mess and she needed to divert her attention somewhere else in case she lost control of herself once again. And what could be a better way than to drink in your sorrows? Elena sank into the high chair of the elegant bar. Her eyes darted from corner to corner, but there was no sign of the bartender anywhere. It was then that her gaze fell upon a figure leaning against the wall at the other end of the bar, shrouded in shadows. There seemed to be an air of mystery about him that drew Elena's attention like a moth to a flame. She rose from her chair and took a seat opposite him. "One Vodka Martini, please," she cleared her throat, breaking the silence. But there was no response. The man remained engrossed in his phone, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Vexed, Elena tapped lightly against the table to draw his attention. "I said one Vodka Martini, please," she repeated, her voice tinged with annoyance. The man finally looked up from his device, his brows raised in mild amusement. The lady in front seemed to have mistaken him for a bartender. However, "Coming right up," he replied, a small smirk playing on his lips. He set aside his phone and moved behind the bar with ease. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing a string of polished and smooth black Buddhist tassel beads on his wrist. The stark contrast between the dark beads and his fair skin further added to the mysterious allure that surrounded him. His movements were fluid and practiced as he skillfully mixed the liquids. As he prepared the drink, Elena's gaze never left him and two words surfaced in her mind 'Immortal Demon'. The man in front of her exuded a roguish aura, his tall frame casting a commanding presence. His lips were thin and looked very sexy. Elena felt entranced by his bewitching appearance. It wasn't her first time seeing a good-looking person, but this man was different from anyone she had encountered before. He was handsome, no doubt. But he exuded a hint of evilness that came deep from his bone. No matter how she looked at him, he didn't seem like a bartender. The man slid the cocktail across the bar towards her, the chilled glass stopping just in front of Elena. Yet, her gaze remained glued upon him in a daze. The man chuckled and knocked lightly on the counter table. The soft sound brought Elena back from her reverie, and she instinctively reached out to take the glass. However, the man had yet to withdraw his hand. Their fingers collided, and Elena's nails inadvertently brushed against his hand. The coolness of the touch sent a jolt through her body like a current of electricity, catching the two of them off guard. Startled, Elena hastily retracted her hand, causing the drink to spill onto the man's hand. "I'm sorry," Elena apologized, a hint of fluster appearing on her cheeks. "It's fine," the man reached out for a tissue placed nearby, wiping the few stray droplets off his hand. "By the way," the man began, with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I'm not the bartender." Elena froze. A flush of red crept up her neck, and she immediately cursed in her head. Tonight was definitely the unluckiest day of her life. How could she make such a stupid mistake? "I-I'm sorry. I thought..." she trailed off, not knowing how to explain to him. "It's alright," he said, before taking a seat at the empty chair next to her. Still reeling from her embarrassment, Elena swiftly downed the contents of her glass. The first sip burned down her throat, bringing a fleeting sense of numbness. She suddenly raised her hand and patted her chest. The man who was pouring himself a drink was taken aback by her movements and knitted his brows. "Is it not good?" He asked. That couldn't be. He had confidence in his skills and dismissed any problem with the drink. Elena raised her gorgeous dark blue eyes to look at the man. The alcohol had taken its effects as the corner of her eyes turned red, giving her a seductive charm. She shook her head and replied. "It's just that... my heart is fluttering."