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Beyond The Charade
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2024-12-22 22:49:19Related chapters
A Billionaire For Christmas The Universe Conspires
Samantha’s POVI woke up to the soft buzz of my alarm and quickly turned it off, careful not to disturb Julian, who was still sound asleep.His steady breathing filled the quiet room, and for a moment, I just stood there, watching him. There was something about the way his face softened in sleep that made him look so different peaceful, almost vulnerable.Shaking off the thought, I grabbed my robe and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.As I made my way downstairs, the scent of something sweet and buttery hit my nose. When I stepped into the kitchen, I found Rachel already at the counter, spreading jam onto a slice of toast.“Good morning,” I greeted, pulling out a chair at the kitchen table.“Morning,” she replied, glancing at me before returning her focus to her breakfast. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”I shrugged, reaching for the pitcher of orange juice on the table. “What about you? Why aren’t you still asleep?”Rachel smirked as she grabbed
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas Taking A Chance
Samantha’s POVAfter breakfast, I went back to my room to freshen up. As I passed through the hallway, I noticed Julian in deep conversation with my dad. They seemed to be discussing something with serious expressions, and curiosity flared inside me. I wondered what they could be talking about, but I didn’t want to come across as too nosy, so I quietly continued to my room without asking.Just as I entered, I heard my phone ring from the bedside table. I walked over and checked the caller ID. It was Rosy. I hesitated for a moment, but then I picked it up. “Hey, Rosy,” I said, flopping onto the bed. “What’s up?”“Well… nothing much actually,” she replied, her voice light but laced with a bit of curiosity. “I just called to check in and see how things are going over there. Is Julian playing his part well?”I sat up a little straighter, my heart rate quickening. “Uh, yeah… he’s been great,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual. “Everything’s been going smoothly, I guess. He’s… fitti
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas Stepping Into Reality
Julian’s POV"Julian, can I see you for a minute?" Samantha's father asked as he stood up from the breakfast table.I glanced up from my coffee and nodded, curious but not wanting to appear too eager. I followed him down the hall to his study and sat down in the chair he motioned to.He poured a glass of something dark and handed me a cup. I took it, grateful for the gesture, and he sat down across from me, his gaze steady but kind."So… how are you enjoying your stay here for the holiday, Julian?" he asked, his tone casual but with an underlying sense of seriousness.I took a breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Uh… it’s been amazing so far. I love your family, sir. I haven’t had one in a long time, you see." He raised an eyebrow, clearly interested, so I continued. "My parents died when I was young in a car accident. My grandmother took me in and raised me, but she passed away too… So, I’ve been on my own for a while. Christmas holidays, especially, haven’t been easy for me. But com
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas Vulnerable Heart
Samantha’s POVThe silence between us felt heavy, like the words I wanted to say were trapped in my chest, weighing me down. Finally, I took a deep breath and spoke, choosing my words carefully.“Julian, look… these past few days have been amazing. Truly. The way you’ve treated my parents, the way you’ve fit into this whole holiday it’s been more than I could have asked for.” I hesitated, meeting his gaze. His eyes were so earnest, so open, and it made what I needed to say all the harder. “But I just don’t want us to forget how this started. We had an agreement fake boyfriend and girlfriend, just for the holiday, just for my parents.”His expression didn’t falter, but I could see a flicker of something in his eyes disappointment? Concern? It was hard to tell.“I don’t want us to… to allow—” I began, but he interrupted, his voice steady but filled with emotion.“Allow what, Samantha? Our feelings for each other to get in the way of the plan? Because they won’t. Look, even though we
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas The Missing Bride
Samantha’s POVI couldn’t sleep—not because I was unhappy or anything. No, it was because I was happy. After Julian and I kissed last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.“He’s such a great kisser,” I muttered to myself as I cuddled my pillow. Immediately, I turned to make sure he hadn’t heard me, but I saw that he was still asleep.I smiled and turned back, letting my thoughts run wild. I never imagined I’d find someone through a blind date. Even though it started as a complete disaster, it turned out to be something pretty amazing.I glanced at the clock and realized it was already 7 a.m. I quickly got out of bed. My sister Rachel was getting married today, and as her maid of honor, I had to make sure everything was perfect for her big day.I rushed to her room, only to find it empty.“Rachel?” I called out as I stepped inside, but there was no answer.I walked over to the bathroom, thinking she might be in there and didn’t want to be disturbed. I knocked softly on the door.
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas A Moment Of Truth
Samantha’s POVAs Julian and I approached the park near the old library, my heart raced with a mixture of hope and anxiety. The early morning air was cool, the sun not so hot over the quiet streets.We parked the car near the entrance and stepped out, scanning the area. The park was peaceful, with a few joggers and dog walkers passing by, but no sign of Rachel.“Let’s split up,” Julian suggested, his voice steady. “You check the benches and paths, and I’ll look by the gazebo and near the pond.”I nodded, grateful for his help. “If you find her, call me immediately.”He gave me a reassuring look before heading off. I started walking down the paved path, my eyes darting to every bench and shaded spot under the trees. The thought of Rachel sitting here, lost in her thoughts, gave me hope that I wasn’t too late.As I rounded a bend near a cluster of tall oaks, I finally spotted her. She was sitting on a bench, her head bowed, hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her wedding dress hung on a
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas The Simple Garden Wedding
Samantha’s POVThe backyard was beautifully decorated for Rachel and Paul's small wedding. Fairy lights shone between the big trees, and a path of white flower petals led to a pretty arch with fresh flowers. It was a simple and perfect setting, just like Rachel wanted. The chairs were arranged in a half-circle, facing the arch. Only close family and friends were there, smiling and chatting quietly. The air smelled sweet with roses and lavender, and the gentle breeze made the moment feel special.I stood near Rachel, clutching her bouquet of soft pink peonies, as we waited for the ceremony to begin. She looked stunning in her flowing white dress, the lace details catching the light of the late afternoon sun. Her hair was styled in loose waves, with a delicate flower crown resting on her head.“You ready?” I asked, my voice soft.Rachel smiled at me, her eyes shining with emotion. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” she replied.Dad appeared then, his face glowing
Last Updated : 2024-12-22A Billionaire For Christmas A Ghost From The Past
Samantha’s POV:I couldn’t sleep that night after my sister’s wedding. My mind was swirling with thoughts about the call. Why did he call me after all this time? What could he possibly want after what he did to me?I lay staring at the ceiling, the faint sound of crickets filtering through the open window. Sleep refused to come as memories of him and the hurt he caused resurfaced.He had made it clear when we ended things when he ended things. He said he had fallen out of love, which was his justification for cheating on me. It was like a dagger to my chest back then. And now, after all this time, why reach out?And how had he even gotten my number? I was sure he deleted my contact. I’d called him so many times back then, desperate to understand, to get closure. He ignored me, letting my calls ring endlessly before they went to voicemail. The pain of those unanswered calls had been excruciating, but I’d moved on or so I thought.As I wrestled with these thoughts, I felt the duvet
Last Updated : 2024-12-26
Latest chapter
A Billionaire For Christmas The Billionaire's Bride
The Proposal:Julian guided Samantha into the softly lit gallery, holding her hand gently. She looked around, her eyebrows drawing together as she recognized the paintings on the walls.“What’s going on, Julian?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. “These are my paintings…”“They are,” Julian said softly, a small smile playing on his lips.“I’ve been working on this for a while. It’s all for you.”Her steps faltered as her eyes moved from one piece to the next, taking in the care and detail he’d put into arranging her work. “You did all this? For me?”Julian turned to face her, his expression earnest. “I wanted you to see what I see every day. Your art… your heart… everything you are. You deserve this, Samantha.”Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of a frame, her voice low. “I don’t even know what to say. This is incredible, Julian.”“Come with me,” he said, his tone gentle as he guided her toward the center of the gallery.There, under a soft spotlight, stood a single ease
A Billionaire For Christmas The End Of Lie
Julian’s POV:Later That DayI decided to stop by Samantha’s apartment during my lunch break. I couldn’t keep this from her. She needed to know about the DNA test and that I was doing everything I could to protect what we had.When she opened the door, her eyes softened slightly, but I could still sense the lingering tension between us.“Julian,” she said, stepping aside to let me in.“Hey,” I said, keeping my tone gentle. “I wanted to talk to you. I need you to know I’m taking this seriously. I got a DNA sample yesterday, and Fred is handling the test. We’ll have results soon.”Her brows furrowed. “How did you…?”“I played along,” I admitted. “Made her think I was buying into her story. And when Liam finished eating, I got the spoon he used.”Samantha crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “So, in a few days, we’ll know for sure?”I nodded. “Yeah. I just… I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t doing anything. This matters to me you matter to me.”She sighed, her gaze softening. “
A Billionaire For Christmas The Game Of Cat And Mouse
Julian’s POV: She smiled, and I could see the victory in her eyes. She was convinced I was already halfway there, ready to embrace this new “family” she was trying to sell me. I turned to face Liam, forcing a gentle smile as I leaned forward slightly. “What do you like to eat, Liam? Ask away, I’ll get it for you.” Liam looked up at me, his eyes still hesitant, as though unsure whether to trust me or if he could ask for whatever he wanted. He glanced at his mother, seeking her approval. Vanessa, sensing the moment, gently tapped Liam on the shoulder. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Ask him what you want to eat.” Liam’s eyes flickered back to me, and after a long pause, he spoke in a small, shy voice, “Um… can I have some spaghetti? With a lot of cheese?” I nodded, keeping my tone soft and encouraging. “Spaghetti with cheese it is. I’ll make sure you get the best one they’ve got.” Vanessa looked pleased, her smile widening as she watched us. “See, Julian? It’s not so hard to be
A Billionaire For Christmas Playing The Game
Julian’s POV:The next day, I got dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a white shirt, my hair combed neatly. I sprayed a light cologne, aiming for a casual look not one that screamed billionaire, but one that said I was there simply to meet someone, not knowing I was walking into a mission.Operation get the DNA sample. Prove to Vanessa that I wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t fall for her manipulative trap.But I also knew that if I was going to get what I wanted, I had to play it cool. I needed to make her believe that her plan had worked, that I was considering starting a life with her and her son. I had to make her think that I had fallen into her trap.It was a weekend, so I drove to the café close to my office, a quiet little place that seemed unassuming. I parked my car and walked inside, scanning the room for any sign of Vanessa. I chose a seat by the window, knowing she’d be able to see me right away when she walked in.The waiter came over almost immediately, asking if I was r
A Billionaire For Christmas Facing The Music
Julian’s POV:“How did it go with Samantha?” Fred asked as I sank onto my couch, exhausted from the weight of everything that had transpired.“Bad,” I replied with a heavy sigh. “She told me to leave and give her some time to think. She looked so disappointed, Fred. Like I’d broken her trust.”Fred tilted his head, his expression softening. “What did you expect? It’s a lot to process.”“I know, but I tried to explain to her,” I continued, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I told her I just found out recently. Whatever Vanessa and I had it’s ancient history. But Samantha… she didn’t want to hear it. I don’t blame her, but I don’t know what else I can say to make this better.”Fred stayed quiet, letting me vent.“My life is such a mess,” I muttered, leaning back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “How did I not know Vanessa was pregnant? And now she’s using this, this supposed son to trap me into being with her. She’s dreaming if she thinks that’s going to happen.”Fr
A Billionaire For Christmas A Secret That Threatens To Destroy
Samantha’s POV: After Julian walked out of my apartment, I leaned on the door, my back pressed against it as I tried to process the shocking news he had just revealed to me. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. A child? Julian was the father of some child Vanessa had kept hidden all these years? I could hardly wrap my head around it. Rosy, who had been sitting inside when Julian came, had overheard the entire conversation. She stepped out cautiously, her eyes wide with concern as she noticed me standing frozen by the door. “Are… you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but full of knowing. It was obvious from the look on my face that I wasn’t okay, but she still needed to ask. I stared at her for a moment, not sure how to respond. The weight of the news was still sinking in, and the hurt of it all was so fresh. “I don’t know,” I finally managed, my voice shaking. “How am I supposed to be okay after hearing something like that?” Rosy stepped closer, her expression softe
A Billionaire For Christmas The Bombshell
Julian’s POV:That evening, I couldn't focus on anything. The weight of the situation was heavy, and my thoughts kept circling back to how I was going to tell Samantha about the possibility of me having a son with Vanessa.I sat at my desk, staring at the papers in front of me, but my mind was a million miles away. The images of the birth certificate, the photographs—those damn photographs kept replaying in my mind. How had I not seen this coming? Yeah, Vanessa and I had hooked up a lot back in school, but she had always been so careful. We were always cautious when it came to sex. She was the one who insisted we use protection, the one who said she didn’t want a child to ruin her "chance of a happy, free life."So, how the hell was she now telling me she had a child for me? It didn’t make sense. The entire thing felt like a bad joke. My mind refused to believe it, but the evidence was right in front of me, like some twisted reality I couldn't escape from.I leaned back in my chai
A Billionaire For Christmas A Life Turned Upside Down
Julian’s POV:As I drove back to my office, my mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last.The picture of the boy kept flashing in my head his wide brown eyes, the shape of his nose, the faint shadow of something familiar in his expression.Was it possible? Could Vanessa be telling the truth, or was this just another one of her twisted games to claw her way back into my life?When I arrived at the office, Fred was already waiting for me. His face was serious as he held his tablet, likely already compiling information. I hadn’t even stepped fully into the room before he started.“Boss, I’ve got my guy working on a background check on Vanessa,” Fred said, following me into my office. “We’re trying to trace her movements for the past few years. If she’s been living with a kid or has any connection to the boy, we’ll find out soon.”“Good,” I said, taking off my coat and throwing it over a chair. I sat down behind my desk, but I couldn’t bring myself to focus
A Billionaire For Christmas A Future In Question
Julian’s POV:When Samantha texted me about Vanessa, a surge of frustration hit me. What was Vanessa playing at? First, she tries to stir up trouble at dinner, called me that she wanted us to see and talk and now she’s harassing Samantha at work?I leaned back in my office chair, staring at the screen. I needed to put a stop to this before Vanessa took things too far.Fred knocked on the door, poking his head in. “You ready for the meeting boss?”I didn’t respond as I was thinking about what Samantha just told me.“You okay, boss? You look like you’re about to punch something.” he asked as he entered my office and closed the door.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Vanessa. She went to Samantha’s work today.”Fred’s face twisted in disgust. “What is wrong with that woman? She’s like a bad penny that keeps showing up.”“She’s testing boundaries,” I muttered. “Trying to see how far she can go. But I’m not letting her mess with Samantha. Not again.”Fred crossed his arms, l
