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16 - Elena
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Billionaire's Perfect Bride 17 - Elena
My heart tore apart even more as I took my sister's wedding dress off the hanger. We'd just gotten it back from the fashion designer last night, and it was stunning. I was sure, without a doubt, that it would look beautiful on her. Every second of making the design for this dress was a torture like no other. It was a constant reminder that my feelings for Richard was meant to have ended a long time ago. That my unrequited love was soon to go down the drain. Luckily, Richard kept to his word, and didn't tell Sarah about that disgraceful night. Which meant he hadn't given much thought to it himself. I'd tried to keep my distance, believing I'd destroyed our friendship, but instead he kept calling, texting and stopping by my office to check up on me a lot more now. He seemed genuinely worried about me, which was ridiculous because he was the reason I was in so much pain.I exhaled as I brushed my fingers over the contours of the wedding dress, my chest hollow. I couldn't even see proper
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 18 - Richard
I tightened my grip on my phone, running a hand through my hair as I tried to suppress the urge to shout. "What the fucking hell is this, Sarah? You know how Grandmother Willow feels about our weekend dinners. Everyone is waiting downstairs already. What do you mean you can't make it?"She exhaled. "Believe me, Richy, I tried. I tried to get away, but there's just so much to do here. We even got a new patient into the theatre a few minutes ago, and I'm supposed to be in there right now. I'm so sorry." She sounded apologetic, but something in my gut felt it wasn't genuine.Almost as though she was free but didn't want to come down here for dinner at all."This is the fourth consecutive time you're skipping dinner with this same excuse, Sarah. I'm tired of lying through my teeth for you." It was obvious and annoying that Grandmother Willow wasn't happy with Sarah lately, and she had every reason to be. She made it very clear during breakfast with the entire family earlier this week, and
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 19 - Richard
"Richard, honey," Grandmother Willow called softly, forcing me to drag my gaze away from Brock and Elena. She was leaning forward, her face expressionless, much to my surprise. I expected her to be pissed at Sarah missing out on yet another dinner with us for the fourth consecutive time, but she wasn't. When she spoke, there was a tinge of concern in her voice. "I'm guessing that Sarah couldn't make it this time again?"I nodded, bracing myself to get lectured about the value of family and how sacred our weekend dinners were, but she simply nodded. "It's fine. Elena is here anyway. She'll do."I glanced back at Elena and nodded, weirdly pleased. She was more than sufficient. Over the last couple of years, ever since our families had gotten closer due to the merger and proposal between Sarah and me, she'd attended more family dinners and functions than Sarah ever did. Was that how she'd gotten so close with Brock? Was she here for him, and not for Talia?And why did that make me even m
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 20 - Richard
“I'll inform the fashion designer to start getting your gold suit ready. He seemed to be in panic the last time I called due to how expensive the material for it would cost, but Grandmother Willow told him to go ahead and prepare it. It ought to be ready four days before the wedding so you can test it, and he'll see that the necessary fittings be corrected,” Gideon, my personal assistant said as he gave me an extensive run down of the upcoming wedding arrangements from my end, but I could hardly focus on him.Exhaling softly, I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back further in my seat as he prattles on about the groom's men and how awkward they'll look in black suits instead of gold which was the Delmonte color, and how many guests would be accommodated for the wedding after-party, as well as the proper way to break the news of my marriage to the public.I had always loved listening to these details, and chipping in my own input to ensure a hitch-free wedding for Sarah and I, but re
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 21 - Richard
Emerson, Frod and Stacey stared me, surprise written boldly on their faces. I could care less about them. What bothered me most was the fact that my elder brother, Alexander sat opposite me in my living room. It was rare for everyone to be together like this, and the fact that he'd flown in overnight meant they were worried sick about me.I hated being the centre of attention. It was so uncomfortable.“Now, Richard. What's all this talk about you and Sarah breaking up a week before the wedding?” Alex asked at last. “This is a nightmare. All of us thought you were the luckiest among us, dickhead. You're the only one of us that actually gets to marry the person you love, and all of a sudden you pull the plug like this.”I ran a hand through my hair and looked up at the ceiling, feeling so out of place than I'd ever felt in my entire life. “This is not my doing, Alex. It's not like I wanted to do this. I'm as confused as you are. We had our issues as couples, and I know we're far from pe
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 22 - Elena
“Hello, Elena.”“Hey, Mom,” I said, sitting up straight at once, alarm bells already ringing in my head. When I saw her name on my caller ID, I cleaned my eyes twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Mother never called me out of the blue like this unless something was terribly wrong, or if she needed me to run an errand for her. “How's father? Is everything fine at home? Do you need me to help you get anything?”“Calm down with the questions, my love,” she laughed, but I could detect a hint of nervousness in her tone. And did she just call me her love? What the hell was going on? “Your father's doing great, and everything is fine. I don't need you to get anything from me.”“Okay...” I said after a few minutes silence. “Then why — ”“I just wanted to know how you're faring. I know I don't normally call like this, but that's something that can be changed, right dear?”Who was she, and what had she done with my mother?“Mom you're scaring me,” I blurted out honestly. “There's no need
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 23 — Elena
I rose up from my seat and walked toward the door, my thoughts all over the place, my heart breaking. I needed some time to process this, to speak with Sarah and Richard. I was doubly sure that it was a mere misunderstanding or fight that led to Grandmother Willow's radical decision-making. It had to be it. I could fix it. Make them see reasons why they shouldn't let go of each other at this point in time.“Elena,” Grandmother Willow's voice halted me in my tracks just as I wrapped my hand around the doorknob. “You can do whatever you want, but your efforts will be worthless at the end of the day. There's no backing away from this. Should you wish this merger to proceed, you'll have to do your part. You'll have to marry Richard, whether you like it or not. That's the only way. The ball is now in your court.”I glanced back at her, noting the fierce determination in her hardened eyes. I nodded politely and pulled the door open, letting myself out. Her words echoed in my mind countless
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 24 — Elena
“Lord save me,” I whispered as I pulled up in front of Sarah's grande duplex apartment. I got out of the car in a heartbeat, and rushed straight in without even ringing the doorbell. I knew Sarah. I knew that whenever something huge happened, something bad, Sarah always hid away at home instead of confronting the situation head-on. I was right. She was lying haphazardly on the couch, sitting up the minute I came in, her eyes bloodshot red thanks to hours from crying.“Oh, Sarah,” I sighed as I took in the pink Hello Kitty pajamas she was wearing, and the melting bowl of ice-cream on the table. Of course she was watching A Walk To Remember. Part of me wholeheartedly understood and sympathized with her. The choice she made, at a sensitive time like this wasn't an easy one. It meant she was dead serious. She didn't just wake up to make such a huge decision like this. It took her months of mulling over it. It was heartbreaking of course, finally coming to terms with the fact that she coul
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Billionaire's Perfect Bride Epilogue - Richard
I slipped into my wife's dressing room and leaned back against the wall, taking a moment to just watch her. Her makeup artist was putting the final touches on her, and she looked fucking magnificent. Tonight, her long hair was loose and wild, spread all over her body, accentuating the blazing-white gown she was wearing.It was the same gown I watched her draw on Sarah's birthday. Seeing it on her tonight was surreal. Her creativity knew no bounds, and I couldn't be more proud of her.Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and I pushed off the wall. I grinned when she dismissed everyone in her room, no doubt reading the look in my eyes.“Richy," she said, smiling. I would never tire of the way she said my name. On her lips, it was simultaneously a prayer and a sin."Baby," I whispered. "You look far too fucking beautiful in this. I can't take this. I can already imagine what all your pervs will have to say about the photos of this book launch." She chuckled. “It's the last one, my love," she
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 90 - Richard
My heart was pounding wildly as I led Elena to the helicopter that was waiting for us. I had negotiated more multi-million dollar deals than I could count, and never before have I felt fear like I felt today.“Are you okay?" she asked as I buckled her in. “You're so quiet."I nodded, unable to suppress my nerves as I sat down next to her."Where are we going?" Elena asked through the headphones.I beamed at her. “You'll see.”I held her hand tightly as we flied toward the cabin where our story started. I knew that there was no point in pondering on what-ifs, but lately I couldn't help but wish things had played out differently.What if I'd drank a little less and actually remembered my night with Elena? Would we have been happily married years ago? We'd have made so many more memories together, and we'd both have saved each other from so much pain."Wow!" Elena pointed out the window, a huge smile on her face when she saw the hundreds of flowers spread across the lawn...She was so rid
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 89 - Elena
I walked through the home Richard and I built, my heart heavy. There was no trace of Sarah left, our cleaners ensured it. Yet I could still feel her here. I wondered if the scars she left would ever fade.I was trembling as I sat down on the sofa, still reeling from the news that was released about her. Countless affairs, and irrefutable proof that the child she was carrying was not Richard's.Climbing her way to the top like that...I never would have expected that. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. It was like I never really knew her at all, and it made me feel even worse for sacrificing so much for her.I felt like an idiot, and I was ashamed of my subservience. I catered to her all our lives, feeling guilty for having had the childhood she'd always wanted, when it was obvious that she lacked for nothing.She'd always had this way of making me feel inferior, and if not for Richard, I never would've been able to untangle myself from her web. I didn't even dare think about what would
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 88 - Richard
My heart felt heavy as I walked into the house I arranged for Sarah. I wished it hadn't come to this, because despite the rift between them, I knew Elena still loved Sarah. I wished I didn't stand at the center of their fallout. All I wanted to bring my wife was happiness, not torment. I knew Elena. I knew she was still hoping that Sarah would change, but the bitter truth was that she wouldn't."Richard," she called, smiling. That intimate and smug smile of hers irritated me a great deal. I may have been able to dispel many of the rumors she circulated, but I wasn't able to get rid of them entirely."Congratulations, " I said. "The doctor told me you're in the clear, and the baby is doing well. Looks like a change of scenery is exactly what you needed."She nodded. “Yeah. I love this place. It's much better than your place. We'll have to renovate that. It isn't child-friendly, and I hate the interior."I nodded as I sat down on the sofa, opposite her. “Yeah, we're not doing that. Elen
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 87 - Elena
I watched as Alanna joked around with Talia and Felicia, my heart full. Emerson, Ford, Brock, Talia and Felicia have been staying here with me, much to Alanna's delight and Silas's annoyance.Felicia and Talia have been taking turns sleeping next to me, ensuring I didn't get caught in a downward spiral caused by social media. Though truth be told, there wasn't much being shared anymore. Richard's plea worked, and people massively took down their posts. It sparked discussions about cyber bullying and the mental health of celebrities, but while that topic was on people's minds, so were we."Elena," Alanna called.I walked up to her, and she frowned as she pulled their security feed up on the TV. It showed Richard walking into the building, and my eyes widened.Silas groaned and gritted his teeth. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my least favorite Delmonte."Alanna and I stared at him wide-eyed as he called up the police and requested that Ares be taken off their property. He turned to me
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 86 - Elena
I was absentminded as I took a bite of the breakfast Alanna made for me. I tried not to, but I ended up scrolling through my social media feeds all night, and I found nothing but hatred directed at me. Despite Richard's best attempts, screenshots of deleted content were making their rounds across all channels. We've made it into every single gossip magazine, and they were all scrambling to create timelines of Richard and Sarah's relationship.It came to no surprise to me when The Herald reported on Sarah's pregnancy, which only villainized me further. Now I was not just the woman standing in between two childhood sweethearts, I was also the evil stepmother-to-be.Watching my love for Richard being turned into a spectacle for everyone to witness was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do. Photos I couldn't recall taking were being posted online, showcasing how we used to look at each other when Sarah and Richard were still dating. The media had everyone convinced that I'd been se
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 85 - Elena
My heart felt heavy as the driver that picked me up parked in a large elevator. It started to rise, until the car was parked in the corner of my friends' living room.The passenger door opened, and my friend Alanna offered me her hand. Her arms instantly wrapped around me, enveloping me in a tight hug, and that one small human gesture was more than enough to make me fall apart. I burst into tears, loud, heart wrenching sobs escaping my throat as she led me to the sofa. “I didn't know where else to g-go,” I said to her.Alanna and I have been best friends ever since she walked into my boutique in search of a wedding gown. No one has ever understood our friendship, but it was one of the most genuine and closest I've got. Alanna was one of a kind, and right now, she was the one person that could give me the solace I needed, without judgement.“I'm going to kill him," she whispered.“Easy, Little Psycho," her husband, Silas, said.Silas handed me a handkerchief with a small ¥ embroidered
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 84 - Elena
I was barely thinking straight as I walked to our bedroom, tears streaming down my face andRichard on my heels.“Baby," Richard pleaded. “Please. Please trust that I'll fix this."I whirled around to face him. "How?" I screamed. “How will you fix this, Richard? Articles about us are all over the internet. It isn't as simple as suing just one single magazine, and even if we do, it's too late!"I walked into our wardrobe and yanked my clothes off the hangers, my movements erratic."Elena," Richard called in panic, his voice breaking. "What are you doing, Ponyo? You can't... don't do this. I beg of you, don't do this, Elena."I shook my head and grabbed my suitcase. "I'm not spending another moment in the same house as her. I've tried, Richard. For years, I've tried, sacrificing my damn soul to keep her happy in the process. I can't take much more.”He grabbed my shoulders and held onto me tightly, panic flashing through his eyes. "You're insane if you think I'll let you go."I shook my
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 83 - Elena
I walked into the kitchen to find Sarah sitting by the breakfast bar, dark circles marring her beautiful face. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with defeat. She knew. There was no doubt in my mind that Richard confronted her about what she did five years ago.She huffed and looked away as she picked up her teacup, her hands trembling. I wished I had the energy to keep up the facade, but I didn't. After what Richard told me last night, I could barely stand to look at her. How was I supposed to allow her into my life, knowing how much she tookfrom me? "Why did you do it?" I asked, unable to keep the question buried.She looked up at me and gritted her teeth. “Do what?""That night... why did you sneak into Richard's room? Why did you pretend it was you he slept with?"She looked away and shook her head, avoiding my gaze. I'd never seen her at a loss for words, but she was today. It was clear that she thought she got away with her deception. Just how long had she gotten away with m
