Behind the Billionaire's Mask! Chapter 17 Sophie's POV As we walked into the restaurant, a wave of warmth enveloped me. The soft glow of golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a romantic shimmer over the elegantly set tables. Each table was draped in crisp white linen. The air was filled with the rich aroma of gourmet dishes being prepared in the open kitchen. I could hear the gentle clinking of fine china and the soft murmur of conversations mingling with the soothing notes of a live pianist in the corner. The atmosphere was intimate yet vibrant, a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. As we made our way to our table, I noticed the plush velvet chairs that invited guests to linger a little longer, enjoying the culinary masterpieces that awaited them. The walls were lined with tasteful artwork, each piece telling a story of its own. I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness—this was a world I had glimpsed but never fully entered. As I settled in
Behind the Billionaire's Mask! Chapter 18 Sophie's POV "So, you are telling me your so-called husband knows you're coming here?" Isabella asked, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. She leaned back in her chair, her coffee cup hovering just above the table, as if she were afraid to set it down. "Yeah, he gave me his card and even assigned a car and a driver to me," I replied, a laugh escaping my lips. The absurdity of the situation still tickled me. Julian had been surprisingly accommodating since Evelyn had left a week ago, almost as if he didn’t want me to feel lonely in the mansion filled with memories and echoes of a life I hadn’t yet fully embraced. He told me I could go anywhere I wanted, but I must be back before nightfall. He has been going to work more frequently these days and only stay at home on weekends. "Wow, my friend is really a billionaire's wife now," Isabella teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. There was something about the way she said it that made me feel
Behind the Billionaire's Mask! Chapter 19 Julian's POV "Yeah, I will be there soon," I said on the phone to Caleb before he hung up. Today is Caleb's wedding day. "But why the fuck is Sophie delaying me?" I muttered, glancing up at the stairs. As if summoned by my frustration, she began descending the staircase. But why the fuck is she so beautiful? Her hair was elegantly pinned up, with a few rebellious strands curling delicately at the side of her face. She wore a deep emerald dress that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her curves while still maintaining an air of sophistication. The fabric shimmered in the light, drawing my eyes to her every movement. "Julian," she said softly, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Are you ready to go? You know Caleb won’t wait forever." I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the effect she had on me. "Yeah, just—give me a minute." I needed to gather my thoughts. She stepped closer, her gaze searching mine. "You okay? You
Behind the Billionaire's Mask! Chapter 20 Victoria's POV "What are you doing here?" Caleb appeared suddenly in front of me, causing me to halt just in time to avoid a collision. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. "And why do you care?" I shot back, my eyes narrowing into a death glare. Every part of me wanted to push past him, but he stood there, a wall I couldn't breach. "It's my wedding, so I should know why you are here," he replied, annoyance coating his words like a bitter aftertaste. I gritted my teeth, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. All I wanted was to catch a glimpse of Julian. Ever since I had arrived, my focus had been solely on him. When I saw him slip into the restroom, I seized the moment to nudge a guy toward Sophie, noting how his eyes lingered on her. I had expertly hidden myself away, determined not to draw attention. But then I saw Julian, the way he pulled Sophie out of the venue. Just when I thought I co
Chapter 21 PAST Victoria's POV "You are married to me. Why do you keep putting a watch on Julian?" Ethan burst out. "What do you mean? I never did," I replied defensively. "Then what's this?" He thrust a picture of Julian into my hands. I hadn’t seen this before. The person I had asked to keep an eye on Julian must have sent it, but why was he so careless? Couldn't he have made sure it reached me personally? "I... just...was..." I stuttered, grasping for words. "See? You don't know what to say. Let's get a divorce." He handed me the divorce papers, his expression cold and unyielding. I felt my heart drop. I can't lose Ethan; I love him. But I don’t want to lose Julian either. He’s mine, even if I don’t love him the way I love Ethan. "Ethan, when did you start planning this?" I asked, trying to regain some composure and look him in the eye. "You don’t need to know. Just sign it!" he snapped. "No, Ethan, I can't. Not after four years of marriage." I shook my head, feeling des
Chapter 22 Julian's POV What the hell had been wrong with me lately? I couldn’t shake this unsettling feeling that had taken root in my mind. Why was I suddenly so possessive of Sophie? It was as if a switch had flipped, and now, she occupied every corner of my thoughts. I tried to focus on the work in front of me—reports, deadlines, the endless stream of emails—but my concentration shattered like glass. Every time I glanced up from my screen, I found myself thinking of her. The way she laughed, the way her eyes sparkled when she was excited. It was maddening. "She loves someone!" I kept reminding myself. But who could this person be? The driver had only said she either went to Isabella's or the hospital. And only once in a while did she go salon and other fashion places. Or did she tell the driver to keep it from me? Just as I was about to lose myself in another spiral of thoughts, my phone buzzed, jolting me from my reverie. I glanced at the screen; it was Caleb.
Chapter 23 Victoria's POV We pulled up to the address Jaxon had given me, and my stomach twisted at the sight before me. The house stood in stark contrast to the life I was used to—its peeling paint, overgrown weeds, and the general air of neglect made it look like a relic from a different era. This wasn’t just an ordinary house; it was a symbol of everything I was trying to escape, a reminder of the kind of life I had no interest in leading. Jaxon parked the car, and we sat in silence, waiting for Alex to emerge. Minutes felt like hours as the tension in the car thickened. I could feel Jaxon’s gaze darting between the house and me, his concern palpable. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw a figure step out of the house. Jaxon honked the horn, the sound piercing the stillness like a gunshot. The young man who had been inside hesitated, his brow furrowed with confusion as he ambled over, taking his time as if weighing the risks. “Alex?” I greeted him with a sm
Chapter 24 Sophie's POV I opened my eyes to the gentle morning rays streaming through the window, their warmth caressing my skin. Beside me, Julian was sleeping peacefully, his features relaxed and serene. The sight of him brought a smile to my face, a feeling of safety enveloping me. I had wanted him to touch me last night to bridge the distance that sometimes felt insurmountable between us, but he had gently insisted we get some rest instead. I couldn’t help but stare at his handsome face, tracing the contours with my eyes, and a warmth spread through me as I tried to recall where I might have seen him before because his face looks so familiar. Perhaps I had seen him on TV, or maybe he was just a figment of my dreams. After a moment of quietly admiring him, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and padded softly into my room. The cool tiles felt refreshing under my feet, grounding me in the reality of my life. I turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over