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CHAPTER 16
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A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 17
Isabella's POVStepping inside the church and walking slowly towards the altar without a best lady but my arms entangled with my Grandma's, the groom of the day is patiently standing on the wedding arbor for the bride.I am holding flowers with a transparent veil covering my face. My head is lowered in shame and guilt.Shame that this isn't my dream. The shame of doing this and not being courageous enough to back out at the last minute to tell Grandma what this is all about, and wait for the man for me. The man who would be waiting at the altar for me with anticipation of me becoming his bride. A man who would love me for the depth of his heart and would never do anything to make me sad or cry.Guilt for letting Grandma do this. Guilt for not telling her the truth. Guilt for lying to her all through till this day. Juliet never came. She didn't show up for the preparations. She didn't call to apologize for what she did, leaving me with no one to stand in for me as my maid of honorI
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 18
Jayden's POVThe water washes through me as I stand under the shower with my eyes tightly closed, the memories come rushing making me tighten my fist in frustration.This wasn't supposed to happen. Getting married to someone else apart from Helena was not part of the plan. I never thought I would ever do a thing like this. But here I am, married to a woman who isn't Helena. I am married to someone I don't feel any atom of tenderness or affection for.Can life be any better? Can my guilt be lessened with this?Of course not! I am already feeling the heightened effect of my guilt. I promised to remain faithful to her forever and now this.I have broken the vow once again. I have broken the promise I made to her. The first was never to go back into the Mafia business and I have been doing that successfully. The second promise I made after she died was for me to remain faithful to her even in death.Helena won't be happy with me. She would be sad. And angry. I betrayed her once. I have
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 19
Isabella's POV"Mother?!" I gasp as a tear rolls down my eyes when I hoist my head to lock eyes with her blazing red face."How dare you lie to me, Bella? How dare you?!" She yells, her hands shaking with tears streaming down her eyes."Grandma", I hear Jayden call before he steps in beside me. My face stings and I shift my gaze to Juliet.She has a proud smirk on her face and she winks at me.Bitch!"Don't you dare talk to me, you idiot", she attacks Jayden too. "How dare you lure her into a deceitful affair such as this? How dare you!" She grabs at his shirt."Mother, stop it", I try to take her hands off him while he is standing calmly as though nothing is happening. "Please stop it."I succeed in taking her hands off him as she glares at him in anger.The maids appear from the door which opens right behind Jayden and they all come out, looking from me to the others with curiosity written all over them. It is apparent that all is not well and they want to know what is happening on
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 20
Jayden's POVHelena looks beautiful now more than ever. There is a smile on her face which adds to the brightness of her face.She wasn't this beautiful when she was alive. Do the dead look more beautiful than when they were alive?I find myself smiling as she inches her face closer to me, and my gaze settles on her soft pink lips.My eyes close on its own accord as I lean forward for a kiss. Just then, I hear a loud sound and my eyes flicker open."Ouch!" Someone screams and a loud thud on the floor follows.I sit up in bed, looking confused for a while and wondering what has happened and where I am.Then I remembered. I am not the only one sleeping on the bed. I am married now. Not to Helena but someone else.Someone else is Isabella, my secretary. The same person who just fell off the bed. Probably because I was leaning in for a kiss, thinking she is Helena, my dead ex-fiancee.I scramble out of bed immediately, running over to the other side to help her up.The pillow was separa
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 21
Isabella's POVAfter knocking for several minutes without a response, I conclude that Grandma isn't home.She must have gone somewhere but I am baffled by her absence at home because it is still early in the morning.Now that her legs are healed, I am sure she is going to go back to her former work or look for another. Grandma isn't the type to stay at home, she is hardworking and that added to her sorrow when she was still unable to use her legs.She complains a lot about the pain but the complaints about not being able to leave the house on her own were more.I wanted her to get her life back. The pain too was an addition. It was enough reason for me to look for a fast solution to it. I wanted to get rid of it. Get rid of anything that will hinder us from being happy.We didn't have enough money before she lost her legs but we were living a happy life. When she lost her legs, Grandma became a shadow of herself and the happiness was short-lived. Sometimes, I used to think that she w
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 22
Jayden's POVWhen I got to work this morning, I was met with a bunch of reporters, waiting to interview me about my so-called quiet wedding.I was questioned about why it wasn't an elaborate one with dignitaries from all over the world and what would change now that I am a married man.If I had the power to ignore all the questions, I would have done that but to avoid arousing suspicions and to avoid letting them form up a story, I answered calmly but when the questions were becoming too much, I excused myself. This is the type of life I am living. Having to stick to everything social and making up things and appearances to please the public. This is what it takes to be the sole heir to my father's multi-million dollar company in addition to mine. This is what it takes to be a billionaire.Now that I am married, I am open to a lot of business deals. I know they will surely come in.I am married now and considered responsible even though I was questioned on why I had to resume work o
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 23
Isabella's POVToday's outing is half-productive.Grandma is still mad at me even after she threw the door open to allow me in after several minutes of sitting still on the porch where I fell with tears in my eyes.I didn't dare to stand up and leave. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to tell her everything and how it happened.She was aloof.When she allowed me in, she sat down without facing me and I kept on ranting till I fell asleep.Grandma didn't say a single word to me.When I woke up, there was lunch in front of me and I quickly ate without bothering to look for her.I waited for her to show up until this evening when I decided to just come home. Jayden had texted to ask me why I canceled the shopping appointment with his Assistant.I really do not know why he wants us to go together. Is it because he doesn't trust me enough with his credit cards? Is it because he wants her to monitor my spending?I am not extravagant and I plan to get just a few clothes. I won't be making mu
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 24
Jayden's POVShe perks up and her eyes pop up in surprise while I am still sitting like nothing is wrong with what I just said.I really do not know why I said that too but it shouldn't be a big deal to her. This is just a pretense but we need to make sure it looks real, as long as we both know deep down inside that it is nothing but a facade.What if my mother is still behind the doors peeking or eavesdropping on our conversation?My mother is an amazing woman with foresight. When she asked Isabella to undress me, I knew something was up and I have a feeling she already knows that this marriage is fake or probably she is suspecting that it is.Whatever it is that is making her have these suspicions will be cleared soon. I will make sure to clear it but Isabella has a lot to do here."Never mind!" I wave her away when she is still watching me with shock.She gulps loudly as I rise from the sofa. This is when I remember how my body ached so much this morning because of how I slept on
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A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 101
Jayden's POVAfter collapsing for the third time, I was sent out of the ward where Isabella was wheeled into.My mind is in disarray. My heart is racing and my head is spinning.This anticipation in me is killing me slowly. Isn't collapsing better than being left off hanging without knowing if Isabella is fine or not or if she is giving her best in pushing out our baby?I don't want fate to repeat itself. I want mother and child to be fine. I might not survive another disaster. Isabella means the world to me, and so does the baby.For the first time in my entire life, I look up to the heavens, gradually becoming conscious of my surroundings.I am still looking up, praying deep in my heart for the Almighty to perform a miracle; to make this easy for Isabella, and let the baby and mother survive this.Before I can finish up with my prayer, I see my mother rushing toward someone who turns out to be the doctor.I run over to him. "Doctor, doctor?" I chant breathlessly. "How is she?"Gabri
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 100
Isabella's POVCries, giggles, adult laughter, and chattering were the sound coming from the dining area the moment Jayden and I stepped into his parent's mansion.It is still as huge as I could remember with antique furniture and high chandeliers with artistry paintings.It is a mixture of old and modern and I would say this is the largest mansion I have ever seen. Jayden's home is next in line.When we approached the dining area, the noises became louder, it dawned on me that this dinner is not only for us but for other members of the family.Jayden is leading me in with his hand on my back instead of the entwined arms locked together the first time we were here and I am glad he has agreed to take things slow.I still haven't let go of everything totally because I am not done with my course titled "Jayden 101."He needs to be thoroughly studied before I give in. We have shared a few kisses but I haven't agreed to move back to the mansion yet.We are taking things slow.To be honest,
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 99
Isabella's POVPretending has never been an easy task for me. But Jayden taught me that. He taught me to learn how to pretend. He taught me how to hide my emotions. He taught me how to pretend as if I don't feel anything towards him again. But I do.Yes, I still do.And I rejected him. When he knelt on the floor with a diamond ring in his hand to promise me eternity, I rejected him. Not because I don't love him. I still do. I rejected him because I still have my doubts. I rejected him because I want to take my time to know if this is true or not. To know if his feelings for me won't change a bit.The first mistake I made was making decisions in a hurry and I don't want that to repeat itself. I want to take my time to study him, ponder deeply and decide on what is best for me and my baby.Jayden and I have been through a lot. I watch him each time he comes visiting. I can still see the hurt in his eyes and how hard he is pushing to move past the healing process.All of a sudden, I be
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 98
Jayden's POVThe ride to the lake house is in complete silence. At a point, I believe Isabella wasn't only giving me the silent treatment but was dozing off to even know that we are headed to the lake house.When I skipped work today, I was hoping it would be worth it. I visited her and told her I wanted to take her somewhere.She was reluctant but I could see that Isabella had gone past that stage. The stage of despair, anger, betrayal, and frustration.I was hoping my letters to her will reveal all that she needed to know and I was hoping it will help heal her just like it healed my wounds.I guess it worked. But I don't want to be over-excited about it. I am going to take one step at a time till everything is cleared off, even though I doubt if she would ever trust me again.I doubt if she would trust me with her heart like she once did. I trampled upon it, breaking it into pieces and she is still trying to fix up the pieces back in their place.She asked me where we were going and
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 97
Isabella's POVBefore I can let out the tears threatening to fall down my eyes, the doorbell rings and my eyes fly to the door which Jayden took out a few minutes ago.I can't believe I actually stood up to him that way. I said I wasn't going to ever cry because of him but here I am on the verge of crying again.Why does it feel like everyone is up against me and in support of him? Is it because he was traumatized by the experience of the accident?I was traumatized too and I got out of it alone, without anyone's help. Why should it be so difficult for him?The doorbell rings again and I stalk towards the door, throw it open, about to shout at him in anger not to ever come here again when I see a familiar face I haven't seen in months.Jude."Jude?" I can't hide my surprise. When his gaze falls on my belly, he smiles."Good day, ma'am", he bows slightly in greeting, stretching some things to me. I take them without hesitation. It's a white box, a bonquest, and a package.I don't need
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 96
Jayden's POVFinally, the car halts in front of Isabella's place after three stops away from here before I could summon up the courage to ask Jude to drive me here.Those stops were for two reasons; to get some gift for her and to muster up the courage to come here to see her after several months of being apart.I still don't know what I am here to say but I feel it's high time we talked. It's time I stopped being a coward and talk to her about it, about everything.Writing all my thoughts and mistakes down for her to read won't solve anything. I need to be man enough to face her, accept my mistake, and apologize for all I have done.Staring down at the box, the flower, and the package beside me, I come down from the car with them to go in with it as a present for Isabella.On second thought, I feel it is wrong for me to do this when I haven't apologized to her properly. I turn back to Jude and stretch the things towards him."You will take it inside when I am back, ok?" I say to him
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 95
Isabella's POVI watch his car drive away even before Sabrina could point that to me. Grandma and I were discussing in the sitting room when the doorbell rang and Safina isn't around to answer the door.To be honest, I thought it was Jayden and I didn't want to answer the door until Grandma ordered me to.I am sure she must have thought he was the one too.But seeing him drive away now makes me feel disappointed. Even though the question of whether he is back in America or not has been answered."Look at you, pregnancy looks good on you", Sabrina comments, making me remember that she was a few months pregnant before I left America."Thank you. How is the baby?" I ask her as I step away from the door for her to come in. I wish she is here with the baby but now that she isn't, I will make sure to visit her and the baby very soon.I really appreciate the fact that she is here to visit me this late in the night. It means a lot to me. And it makes me realize how much I have missed her.Aft
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 94
Jayden's POVI knew that Adrianna Vineyard would do the trick. That was the only way I could make Isabella know that I have been the one behind all those strange gifts and notes on her doorknob.Grandma's insistence for me to give her more time before showing up in front of her, coupled with my lack of courage, I had to keep low till she is back in America.Now that she is back, I want to finally see her but today is definitely not that day.I didn't book the same plane with Grandma. My plane took off after theirs and this is done on purpose so that she won't bump into me somewhere.I hope she has read the note I left behind this morning and I hope it will explain everything.I have realized my mistake and I want to make amends if only she would give me a chance to do that.By the time my plane landed in America, it was already getting dark because of the time difference and Jude was already waiting for me at the airport. I asked him and Fred to come back yesterday since we have found
A YEAR WITH THE BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 93
Isabella's POVA knock pulls me out of my thoughts and I get down immediately from the bed to answer the door.It must be Grandma. I know she can't stay angry with me for too long. I have been waiting for days for her to come back since I don't know where she is staying in Paris.We cried. We both cried. And she left.It is high time she came back so we could talk and I can tell her the real reason why I did what I did.I didn't do that for no reason. I did it for a good reason.I get to the door and turn the doorknob but surprisingly, there is no one in front of the door. I step out and look around but everywhere is silent and empty.My neighbor has gone to work already. I heard her muttering some French words as she locked her door before taking the staircase down.She isn't the one.Who could it be? Is it Grandma? Did she change her mind about coming to see me so we could talk?Realizing that Grandma must still be mad at me, I sigh and step back inside. The moment to close the door
