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Chapter 18
Last Updated:
2024-12-01 20:57:54
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Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 19
The church was enormous. The ceiling seemed so far away it was lost in the shadows, and the walls stretched higher and higher until I felt like a tiny speck beneath them. Chandeliers dripped with golden light, casting long, flickering shadows over everything. Rows of seats were filled with people, but none of their faces were clear.They whispered to one another, their voices blending into a strange, unsettling hum. Some of them laughed softly, and though I couldn’t see their expressions, I could feel their judgment.I walked slowly down the aisle, the soft rustle of my gown the only sound I could make out over the murmuring. My dress was beautiful—exactly what I had dreamed of as a little girl. The fabric shimmered under the light, and delicate lace trailed behind me.But the aisle wasn’t decorated the way I imagined. Instead of white roses and soft greenery, the flowers lining the path were black and wilted, their petals drooping sadly onto the polished floor.Something felt wrong.
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Morning arrived with a quiet stillness, broken only by the distant chatter of staff preparing for the wedding. The faint glow of sunlight filtered through the curtains, teasing my eyes open. I stared at the ceiling, wishing I could stay in bed forever.The weight of everything felt unbearable. The nightmare from last night lingered in my mind, vivid and haunting. My heart pounded as the memory of Viktor’s skeletal face and the collapsing church resurfaced. My throat tightened as I struggled to shake off the dream’s hold.Sighing deeply, I sat up and instinctively placed a hand on my stomach. The faint curve under my palm was unmistakable now. The twins. My twins. And Lukas’ children.My breath hitched, and my heart ached with the same question that haunted me every day: What kind of life will they have?I felt a pang of guilt as tears pricked my eyes. These innocent lives growing inside me hadn’t asked for this. And yet, I was helpless to change their fate—or mine.Another knock at th
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The sharp ring of the clock jolted me awake at exactly 5:30 a.m., though I hardly needed it. Sleep had been elusive the night before, and the heavy feeling in my chest hadn’t left me since I’d finally drifted off. Today was the day.The nightmare from the night before lingered at the edges of my mind, its weight pressing on me like an unwelcome guest. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the pale face staring back at me. My eyes dropped to my stomach, and for the first time, I noticed the slight curve beneath my nightgown. My babies. I gently placed my hand over my belly.They didn’t deserve this life—trapped in a marriage built on lies and obligation.I couldn’t stay in the room a second longer. The air felt stifling, the silence unbearable. I slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound, and left my room. Passing the busy halls unnoticed, I made my way outside, my heart heavy with thoughts I couldn’t voice.The garden was as vast and grand as ever, but its
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The air inside the church was heavy, thick with incense and the weight of a thousand unspoken expectations. My steps echoed across the polished marble floor, each one a reminder of the path I could no longer veer from. The grandeur of the place was suffocating—the towering stained glass windows filtering streams of light that painted the space in colors too vibrant for the emptiness I felt. Every detail was perfect, pristine, and hollow, like me.I felt the stares of everyone as I walked down the aisle—not the wedding aisle, not yet, but the path leading to the waiting room at the side of the church. Servants hurried past, murmuring among themselves, their voices a dull hum against the pounding in my ears. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the choir rehearsing, their voices rising in a hymn that sounded more like a dirge.I reached the small room where I was to wait until the ceremony began. It was lavishly decorated, with velvet chairs, gilded mirrors, and a table laden with re
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The reception was a blur of faces, laughter, and clinking glasses. The grand hall was decorated to perfection, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the room and flowers arranged in tall, elegant vases on every table. The air smelled of roses and champagne, and the hum of chatter filled the space.I sat at the head table next to Viktor, trying to keep my composure. The gown that once felt beautiful now felt heavy, almost unbearable. Every time I shifted, the layers of fabric seemed to grow tighter, as if they were trying to trap me in this moment.Viktor barely looked at me, his attention on the guests who came to greet us. When he did speak to me, it was in clipped, polite tones, like we were business partners rather than husband and wife.“Smile,” he muttered under his breath as another couple approached to offer their congratulations.I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace, my cheeks aching from the effort.“Congratulations,” the woman said, her voice sugary swe
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The first rays of sunlight streamed through the heavy curtains as I stirred awake, the unfamiliar feel of the grand bed beneath me a stark reminder of the life I had just entered. The Petrov estate was quiet, unnervingly so, and the weight of the silence bore down on me like an unwelcome guest. My chest tightened as I sat up, the events of yesterday playing on a loop in my mind. The vows, the kiss, the façade—each moment felt more surreal than the last.I glanced around the room, its opulence doing little to ease the unease creeping into my heart. Everything was pristine, perfectly arranged, and cold. My gaze drifted to my reflection in the mirror across the room. The high neckline of my nightgown covered the bruises left by my own trembling grip as I tried to steady myself the day before. My hands instinctively moved to my stomach, and I let out a shaky breath.The faint knock on the door startled me. Before I could respond, a maid stepped in, bowing slightly. "Madam, Mr. Petrov has
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The following morning, the air was thick with an unspoken tension that I couldn’t shake. Adjusting to my new reality—the Petrov estate, the cold formality of my new life, and, most of all, Viktor’s chilling presence—was proving to be more challenging than I had anticipated. Breakfast was no different.I stepped into the dining room, where the same imposing table stretched out before me. Viktor sat at the head, his posture impeccable, his expression unreadable. As I entered, his gaze flicked toward me, as though measuring my every move. I was no longer just Irina; now, I was his wife—a piece in a game I didn’t understand.“Good morning,” Viktor greeted me, his voice smooth as always. “I trust you slept well.”“Good morning,” I replied, my voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in my chest. “Yes, thank you.”I sat across from him, feeling the weight of the silence settle between us. The staff moved efficiently around the room, placing food on the table with quiet reverence. But I c
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The early afternoon sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my coat. The reflection staring back at me felt almost foreign. This wasn’t the woman who had fled to escape a marriage she never wanted. No, this woman was tethered to Viktor Petrov, bound by an unspoken promise, and every day that passed made it harder to ignore the weight of that connection.Despite the grandeur of the Petrov Estate, the ache of longing in my chest was unbearable. I hadn’t seen my family in days, and I missed them more than words could express. The laughter of my brother, Aaron, the stern yet loving gaze of my father, the familiarity of the chaotic Marchenko Mansion—these were the things that had always grounded me. Here, surrounded by opulence, I felt untethered, adrift in a gilded cage.I exhaled deeply, my fingers brushing the cold surface of the vanity. There was only one thing left to do. I had to see them. I straighte
Last Updated : 2024-12-29
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Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 38
The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Lukas’ study, casting long shadows across the room. I sat in the corner, clutching a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind, each detail sharpening my resolve.Across the room, Lukas stood by the window, his posture rigid. Klaus had left at dawn to follow up on the drone’s signal, leaving us in a tense silence that seemed to thicken with every passing minute.“Irina,” Lukas said, breaking the quiet. “About the pendant—you said it felt familiar. Can you think of any connection, no matter how small?”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like a memory on the edge of my mind, but it’s just... out of reach.”Lukas crossed the room, his intensity making the space feel smaller. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting for it to come to you. If Viktor—or whoever is behind this—knows something about your past, they’ll use it against you.”I flinched at the truth in
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 37
The morning sun bathed the room in a warm, golden light, but its brightness did little to dispel the shadow of the letter’s threat. Lukas paced back and forth, the crisp sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor a stark contrast to the unease settling over us.Klaus stood nearby, his usual stoic demeanor strained as he waited for Lukas’ next instruction.“I want the entire property swept,” Lukas ordered, his tone clipped. “Every inch of it. Cameras, motion sensors, anything that can give us a heads-up if someone comes within a mile of this place.”“I’ll see to it immediately,” Klaus replied before leaving the room with a curt nod.Lukas turned to me, his piercing gaze softening slightly. “Are you okay?”I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. The letter had rattled me to my core, but I didn’t want him to see how scared I truly was. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “What about you?”His lips pressed into a thin line. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with thr
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 36
The next morning, I woke to the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the room. Sunlight poured in through the windows, spilling over the soft cream-colored walls. For a moment, I stayed still, taking in the peaceful quiet of the estate. It felt like a dream, but I knew better. This was our reality now.Lukas wasn’t in bed when I turned to his side, the sheets cool where he had slept. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and saw a note resting on the nightstand.Gone to finalize some arrangements. Klaus will assist you today. Enjoy the morning. -LI stared at the note for a moment, the elegant scrawl so distinctly his. Despite his attempts to shoulder everything alone, I could see the strain he was under. It made me even more determined to find my footing here, for him and for the twins.Klaus greeted me in the dining room, where breakfast was already laid out—a spread of fresh bread, jams, cheeses, and fruit. He bowed slightly, his polished demeanor reassuring. “Good morning, Mr
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The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the master bedroom, bathing the space in a soft, golden glow. I woke to the sound of birds chirping, an unfamiliar yet soothing melody compared to the bustling noise I was used to. For a moment, I forgot where I was, but the elegant furnishings and the faint scent of pine reminded me—this was Salzburg, our new beginning.I turned to find Lukas already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed. He was dressed in casual slacks and a dark sweater, a far cry from his usual sharp suits. His gaze was fixed on the view beyond the window, his expression contemplative.“Morning,” I said, my voice still heavy with sleep.He glanced over his shoulder and offered a small smile. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”“Well enough,” I replied, sitting up and pulling the blanket around me. “You?”“Barely,” he admitted. “Too much on my mind.”I hesitated before asking, “About Viktor?”He nodded, his jaw tightening. “And about you, the twins... everything.
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 34
Morning came with the pale hues of dawn spilling across the sky, a quiet herald to the changes about to unfold. I woke to the sound of Lukas moving around the bedroom, his steps deliberate but soft, careful not to disturb me.“You’re up early,” I murmured, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.Lukas turned, his tie half-knotted, and offered a faint smile. “It’s a big day. Thought I’d get a head start.”I glanced at the packed bags near the door, their presence a sharp reminder that today was the day we’d leave everything behind. The thought made my stomach churn, though whether it was nerves or the twins, I couldn’t tell.Lukas crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed. “I had breakfast sent up. Thought it might help calm your nerves.”“You’re assuming I can eat,” I said, managing a weak smile.His hand found mine, his grip firm but gentle. “You need your strength, Irina. For you, for them.” He nodded toward my growing belly.I took a deep breath, letting his steady presence ancho
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 33
The hours that followed Aaron’s departure seemed to drag and blur at the same time. Every small task I took on—folding clothes, organizing papers, even packing a few items—felt monumental, like I was dismantling pieces of a life I hadn’t fully lived yet.Lukas stayed close but gave me space, sensing that I needed the quiet to sort through the storm inside. He busied himself with finalizing arrangements for our trip, taking calls in hushed tones as I moved through the apartment.By mid-afternoon, I found myself in the nursery. The soft hues of the walls, the neatly arranged crib, and the stuffed animals waiting patiently on the shelves felt like a promise we hadn’t yet fulfilled. I ran my fingers over the edge of the crib, imagining our babies sleeping peacefully there.A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts. Lukas appeared moments later, his brow furrowed. “Sophia’s here,” he said.Sophia. My heart leapt and sank all at once. I hadn’t told her about our decision yet.When I
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 32
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the room as I sat by the window, watching Lukas and Aaron converse in hushed tones near the doorway. Their faces were tight, their postures tense, and I didn’t need to hear their words to know they were discussing Viktor.Aaron’s visit, though brief, had been a welcome distraction from the ever-looming threat of my past catching up to us. But now, as the weight of reality bore down on me, I felt a pang of guilt. He had come to help, yet I hadn’t asked how he was holding up.When Lukas excused himself to take a call, I stood and crossed the room toward Aaron. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his face set in a mask of quiet resolve.“Aaron,” I began softly, and his eyes flicked toward me.“What’s on your mind, Irina?” he asked, his voice rough but kind.I hesitated, unsure how to put my thoughts into words. “I’ve been so caught up in everything… I never asked how you are. How’s Greta? Is she okay?”Aaron’s
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 31
The cottage was meant to be a safe house, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too quiet—too perfect. I sat in the small living room, the faint scent of lavender mingling with the crackle of the fire Lukas had started in the hearth. Outside, the darkness pressed against the windows, broken only by the distant hum of his men patrolling the grounds.Lukas had insisted I rest, but I couldn’t. My thoughts spiraled endlessly, replaying the events that led me here. My conversation with him earlier felt like a dam breaking—one I’d held together for far too long. For the first time, I had laid my fears bare, and Lukas had taken each one with a steady determination that both comforted and terrified me.He was in the adjoining room now, speaking in low tones on the phone. His voice carried a sharp edge, a quiet intensity that made me wonder if he was already planning his next move. Against Viktor? Against whoever had tried to tear us apart? I didn’t know.The door creaked open, and Luka
Billionaire’s Forbidden Cinderella Chapter 30
The night before my departure felt impossibly long. Sleep was a distant concept as I sat with Sophia in her small kitchen, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound between us. The clock ticked closer to dawn, and with it, the moment I would leave the sanctuary she had given me.Sophia’s kitchen, with its mismatched chairs and a single flickering bulb overhead, had become my safe haven over the past few weeks. Here, I had rebuilt fragments of myself, piece by fragile piece. But even this space, comforting as it was, couldn’t shield me from the weight of what was to come.“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Sophia admitted, her brow furrowed as she watched me from across the table. Her hands clasped a steaming mug of tea, the warmth seeping into her fingers.I shook my head. “It’s the only idea I’ve got. I can’t keep running, Sophia. Lukas needs to know... And... I can’t do this without him.”She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before finally nodding. “I jus
