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A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 56.
Iris was not okay. It was past closing time and she had not heard a single word back from Luca. She was still in the office hoping that Luca would come back but he hadn’t showed and she had no idea whether he had gone home. Ace also told her he couldn’t get in touch with Maverick and it made her more anxious every minute.“We have to go. If he isn’t back by this time, maybe he is already at home but I doubt he would be coming back to the office” Ace sighed from his position where he was leaning on the door. They were the only ones left on her floor since everyone had gone home two hours earlier.“Have you tried reaching out to Maverick again? Luca’s phone is switched off and I am really worried” She asked again, not bothering to get up from her position on the couch in Luca’s office.“Yes, and it’s the same. It won’t go through. Let’s go home first and if he isn’t there then we can figure out what to do next. Please, Iris. You don’t look good and I’m getting worried here” Ace finally
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Iris ran out of the house and through the gates before anyone could stop her. She saw Ace’s confused expression as she ran past him but he could not stop her because her anger and her hurt were her driving force and they pumped her with enough adrenaline that she could not stop her legs as they took her far away from the house. It wasn’t until she collapsed beside a tree in an unknown environment that she took a breather. She looked around and she could barely recognize where she was because everywhere was dark and the only source of light was the street lights which weren’t of great help either. It was only when she saw that she was alone that she finally allowed herself to fall apart. She cried and gasped as the hurt tore through her venomously. Luca had shattered her and she didn’t think it was something that she could ever come back from. She shivered as a chilly wind blew and she wrapped her hands around herself because what she was wearing wasn’t suitable for the cold weather
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 58.
Iris woke up feeling aches all over her body. She had cried herself to sleep on Hailey’s couch and it was such an uncomfortable position. She curled around herself, not having the motivation to get up.“Hey, how do you feel?” Iris lifted her head a little and saw Hailey. She sat beside her on the couch and Iris was forced to sit up.“What’s the time?” She asked instead of answering the question. If she did, she would be tempted to say she was fine and she was far from fine.“It’s just past ten. I’m glad you were able to get some sleep. Here, take this, I’m sure you must have a headache after all those tears” Hailey handed her an aspirin and a glass of water which she took. Her head was pounding just like Hailey expected.“Aren’t you going to work today?” She asked when she finally dropped the cup on the table and turned back to her friend.“Not when you are like this. I already called to tell them I won’t be coming to work today. What are you going to do now?”Iris sighed and lay back
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Iris and Luca stood silently staring at each other in the middle of the room, their expressions different but a mirror of the turmoil they both felt on the inside. Iris had her head hanging low trying not to cry from the words Luca had poured out so honestly to her.The tension in the air was thick and the only thing you could hear was the sound of their breathing. Luca's heart pounded in his chest in a nervous anticipation. He didn't care what her reply was going to be, he would never let go of her.Iris couldn't take it anymore and threw every worry to the wind. She fell into Luca’s arms as a miserable cry tore from her lips and he wrapped his hands around her tightly with a relieved sigh. He presses his mouth to the side of her head in a kiss.“Thank you, princess” Luca said into her hair and she only sniffed in reply as she burrowed further into the hug. It may have just been a day but she had missed him like crazy.Since she left the house, she felt like she was only half of hers
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 60.
Iris felt like a fire spark as she glared down at Helen who was struggling to get up on her feet when she landed after Iris’s brutal hit. “How dare you hit me?” Helen screeched finally on her feet and she wanted to hit Iris but Iris caught the hand and shoved her without mercy but Helen caught herself before she would fall. “How dare me?” Iris growled. Words couldn’t explain how angry she felt “No, Helen. How dare you think you had the right to sit in MY house and say shit about my mother and think I will let you be?” She scoffed. “I said the truth, didn’t I? if you are so hurt about the words I said, you shouldn’t have been born of that whore and should have stayed out of Luca’s and my life” Iris was trying to hold back but Helen didn’t want to. She didn’t know when she pulled Helen to her and smacked her again so hard that her hand was ringing after the hit. “I swear I will tear your face open before you leave this house” Iris snarled and pushed Helen. She landed on the floor ag
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Luca sat in his office with a frown on his face. He had decided to make the call and inform Stephen, Iris’s stepfather of his decision. He knew he should have discussed this with Iris but she would probably dissuade him.Iris had dealt with Helen so well, he was still amazed at what she could do. He never thought he would see his beautiful wife put someone in her place and his chest tightened with pride whenever he thought of the fire in her eyes as she handled Helen. Luca needed to do more though. He had allowed Helen and Jace enough grace that made them think they could do whatever they liked without consequences. Luca had not yet thought of an appropriate punishment to deal with Jace. He didn't want to take it to his parents, that would be too light. He didn't need someone to point out that Jace and Helen had worked together. The event added up too perfectly to be a coincidence and Jace had not set foot in the company since then, proving his suspicions.Luca picked up his phone
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Iris settled comfortably on the bed. She was drained even though it was noon but thankfully it was a weekend and she didn’t have work so she was going to spend the day sleeping. As she wanted to close her eyes and fall into a beautiful slumber, she noticed her phone blinking from where she had placed it on the bedside drawer. The call disconnected just as she grabbed a hold of the phone. “How did I miss these?” She gasped when she saw the four missed calls from her mother in law. She dragged her notification bar down and slapped her forehead lightly when she saw she had put the phone on do not disturb mode earlier and forgotten. Just as she made to call Evelyn back, the phone began to ring again and she quickly picked up the call. “Hey, Mom. I’m sorry I missed you calls” Iris apologized quickly, hoping Evelyn was not angry with her but her laughter glided through the speakers soothing her nerves “Not at all, dear. I was calling to check up on you. Are you okay, my dear? Luca told m
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Do you have a place in mind? It doesn’t matter how far or expensive it is, I will make it possible for you” Luca said to Iris. His hands had found its way into her hair, and he caressed it lightly. “No. Surprise me. I want to know just how capable you are in planning a date” she said with a smile. Luca studied her for some time as he tried to see if there were some hidden emotions behind her answer before he broke into a smile. “Okay, then,” he said, getting up on his feet and extending his hands out for her to take. “Let's go” he told her, pulling her to her feet as well. "Alright, let me tidy up and change into a better dress." Iris told him with a smile. “Okay. I’ll change as well” Luca gave her a peck and disappeared into the closet while Iris went to the bathroom to take a quick bath. “A hint of what I should wear?” Iris asked as she joined Luca in the closet. He was yet to wear his outfit which Iris found hilarious. She knew she spent quite some time in there. “Something
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A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire EPILOGUE
Iris was still on her bed when she heard the bedroom door open. She didn't want to wake up yet because it was her birthday and she wanted to sleep in for once while Luca did what he did best, spoiling their children. They had three kids now. Autumn was seven now and was the exact copy of her mother. Sometimes, Iris would find herself lost in her thoughts, staring at her until she was called. Their boys, Axel and Kai were 4 and 1 respectively and perfect carbon copies of their father. Iris felt like a stranger in their house and even Autumn behaved just like Luca, it was scary sometimes. "Princess?" Luca called, climbing onto the bed. She stretched and felt her bones crack before turning to see him. A smile graced her face when she saw their youngest in his arms. Kai's eyes widened and a smile wider than Iris's own graced his face and he giggled while stretching his arms for her so she could take him. She pulled herself up and reached out to take him, wincing when his fingers cur
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Iris was so comfortable laying on Luca’s chest while his breath fanned her face and his hands traced meaningless patterns on her back which made her shiver every two seconds.She didn’t want to move because that was why bliss and perfection were to her. Luca had fucked her into oblivion that even when she woke up, her legs were still shaking even though she had yet to stand up.She didn’t hate it though. It was the best way for her to wake up but Luca had other plans. He said he had something she needed to see so they couldn’t stay in bed longer as she would have liked instead of being in the back seat of the car as they drove to their destination which he also wouldn’t tell her.“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me where we are going?” She asked again and Luca rolled his eyes, taking them off his phone to stare at her again.That was also part of the reason why she was mildly irritated. He had forced her out of his arms and still wouldn't give her any attention.“Sorry, Princess.
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Iris kept turning. It was very late and yet she couldn’t get herself to fall asleep. The sleeping pills Jasmine had given her did nothing to help and she was certain that it kept her awake instead of doing its job.Her eyes watched the moon and followed the owl that flew past it. She had left the window blinds open, hoping the calming view would make her fall asleep but all she had done was count the number of stars she could see and try to trace outlines with them.At the back of her mind, something nudged her. She knew what was keeping her awake and what she needed to do but something was holding her back, pinning her so she wouldn’t move towards what her body craved.She crossed her heart and made up her mind, sitting up and flinging the covers which felt heavy instead of comforting against her skin and threw her legs off the side of the bed, getting on her feet and making her way out of the room.She was sure her guts were strong but they failed her as she stood in front of their
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 103.
Iris laid her head against the window, mind fuzzy as the car raced towards the Taylor’s mansion. The loud blaring of the sirens from the police cars trailing behind and in front of their car prevented her from thinking. She thought she knew what exhaustion was but she didn’t until now. The past few days had been hectic with compiling all the evidence Selene had against Vera and pulling strings to make sure her arrest was sure and nothing would be done by anyone wanting to interfere.Since she couldn’t bury herself in her thoughts, she was aware of the heat teasing her fingers as they tingled in anticipation of touching Luca’s hands lying in the space between them.He was on the phone, typing away furiously and Iris wondered if she should just use the opportunity to brush her fingers across his hands while pretending it was a mistake.Her decision was made for her when Luca absentmindedly lifted his hand to trace his fingers lightly over her hands and she flinched away from his touch
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 102
Iris sat in front of the mirror in her hotel room in a pensive mood. They had arrived in New York yesterday with Selene and were staying at the penthouse in the Rutherford’s latest hotel and it was a beauty to behold. It was a four-bedroom penthouse which Iris knew would cost a fortune for a night.A knock came on the door and she softly told the person to come in. Ace peeked his head through the tiny hole.“Are you ready? We have to leave soon. Luca is waiting for you” He told her before disappearing, closing the bedroom door behind him.Iris sighed again. Luca had given her the master suite while he took the bedroom opposite much to her disappointment. She knew he did it because of their recent sleeping arrangement but he should have asked her if she wanted to stay with him but he went ahead to softly tell her to get a good sleep while gesturing at the bedroom before he disappeared into the opposite room.Since they started sharing a bed, it was the first time she had slept in a new
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 101.
“Princess” Iris heard Luca call from behind her closed door. She peeked above her computer where she stayed working on some manuscripts that the new assistant had sent her. Iris had not yet gotten used to working with Lucy who took over Hailey’s position.To her, it felt weird seeing her instead of Hailey, but the girl was nice and knew how to give her space, space that Hailey had no problem invading. Iris missed Hailey sticking her nose in her every business but now, it was so quiet in the office because Hailey had been her only friend there.“Princess? Are you sleeping?” Iris hated the uncertainty in his voice but there was nothing she could do. Something was holding her back from telling him she wasn’t angry at him and just needed time to sort out her feelings.“There is someone you need to meet. I know you don’t want to see or talk to me at the moment, but you would really like to meet her” He spoke, this time grasping her interest.She frowned in surprise and racked her head to s
A Substitute Bride for the Billionaire 100.
“Are you okay?” Alanna asked from where she sat beside her while Luca sat opposite her. She could feel his eyes on her the past twenty minutes they had been sitting in the court’s waiting room but she kept her gaze on the floor, adamant not to meet his lingering eyes.She snapped her head up to meet Alanna’s worried gaze and she gave her a reassuring smile “As okay as my nerves would allow me to” She replied and dared to cast a glance towards Luca’s direction where she saw him looking at her as expected and she quickly looked away to meet Alanna’s knowing gaze.“You don’t have to do it if you are not okay with it. They can’t force you to testify and it won’t stop Helen from being locked up forever. They have solid proof against her” Alanna said, holding onto her arms.Iris shook her head in refusal “No, I have to. It’s going to be some sort of closure for me” Iris replied, her voice thick with so much emotion but she was glad the tears didn’t appear.She had finally been able to get a
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Iris never meant to keep standing by the door with her ears pressed against them after she disappeared behind them before Luca could get to her.She couldn’t find the courage to face him. She had not been able to sort out her emotions. They were conflicting and dangerous and it messed with her head and her thoughts.When she moved out of Luca’s room, she had hoped it would give her the room to fix her thoughts and decide where her head was.Iris wanted to leave the house altogether but she wasn’t stupid enough to think it would be possible.Luca may think she didn’t notice but she had. There was an increase in the guards around the house; sometimes she could hear footsteps parade the hallway in front of the room.She knew when Luca left, the familiar heavy steps fading away into the hallway and Ace’s own which never left.She sighed in defeat and removed the black dress she was wearing. She had said her final but was reluctant to one of her best friends today so her head was a mess.I
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The ride home was stifling. Iris kept her gaze on the road the entire ride and when the car rolled to a stop in front of the house, she was out of the car before anyone could say a word.Luca ran after her but her legs were faster. He hurried up the stairs just as she entered the hallway and opened the door.“Princess” Luca tried to stop her before she disappeared into the guest bedroom but failed. Maverick and Ace gave him that pitiful glance that he had come to hate but he waved them off.“Is she close?” He asked Maverick before the bulky man could step out of the room with Ace.“Yes. She should be here in a few minutes” Maverick replied and gave him a nod before they disappeared.Luca leaned on the wall across the guest bedroom and folded his hands over his chest as he stared at the closed doors.She was particularly more sensitive today since it was Hailey’s burial ceremony and he understood so he would give her the space she needed no matter how much it killed him to see her in
