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21 - Richard
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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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
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 25 — Richard
I paused at the sound of Elena's voice, resting my forehead against Talia's bedroom door. Exhaling, I closed my eyes. Who was I kidding with here? The only reason I came here was because I knew this was where she'd be, and not because I wanted to speak with my cousin. I needed an excuse to see her.“Oh, Talia, I'm so worried that I won't be able to change her mind. I've tried everything,” I heard her say almost tearfully. “With each new day that passes, my anxiety grows. If Sarah doesn't show up in her wedding day, I'll be the one getting married instead. Someone, please wake me up from this bad dream. It's killing me.”“Would it really kill you?” Talia asked, her tone warm.My heart raced faster as I waited with bated breath for her answer, but all that followed was silence. A thick one that made me taste mud. I braced myself, straightened my spine, and counted from one to ten before I knocked softly on Talia's door. Almost immediately, the door was pulled open, and my cousin's eyes
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 26 — Richard
She looked into my eyes, her expression broken. “Richard,” she said. “I can't marry you. I can't. You've only seen me as a sister up until this point, and you've been in love with Sarah for such a long time. How can you be suddenly okay with this? Do you hate me that much? To make me your wife, when Sarah's the only woman your heart belongs to, do you?”I exhaled calmly, all my willpower suddenly evaporated. I was unsure on how to answer her. How to be honest. She had a strong point. Fuck, she was right. Even as I sat her with her, right now, my heart ached at the thought of Sarah and everything we'd gone through. Everything we'd built. All the love, attention, and devotion gone down the drain.“Elena,” I murmured, finding my voice at last. “I don't care. It's... It's an arranged marriage. Right from the start, that's what it is. So long as we're fond of each other, and we have that mutual respect, we'll be able to pull it off. To make it work. We've been best friends for long, haven'
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 27 — Elena
“Today feels like a fairytale,” Talia sing-songed as she hung Sarah's wedding dress on the wardrobe door in the bridal dressing room. She beamed at it, her face radiant. “I can't wait for you to put it in. You're going to look like an angel. Heck, you'll look more prettier than even the prettiest angel.”I scoffed, shaking my head. I was restlessly pacing the room. “Don't be ridiculous, T. Sarah's probably on her way now. She'll arrive any minute, I'm sure. There's no way she'll let Richard get married to someone else. Most especially me, her twin sister.”Talia rolled her eyes as she placed a hand on her hip, staring me down with an annoyed expression. “Come on, Elena,” she paused. “What are you doing? You've been madly in love with Richard ever since you set your eyes on him. Now you've got a chance to have him for yourself forever, you're praying for your sister to show up?”I stopped and stared at her, my chest heaving, heart sinking. “Because I lost my chance with him that night,
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 28 — Elena
I sat up straight as a quiet knock sounded on the door again, my heart clenching hard with anticipation...and panic. Otto and I looked up as the door opened quietly, and Mother walked in. My gaze swept over her, shocked, and she exhaled, hesitating for a moment before shaking her head. My shoulders deflated as treacherous relief washed over me. Sarah wasn't here yet.“I don't have the right words, Elena. I'm so sorry,” she said. She glanced at Otto and his girls before pressing her lips together for a moment. “I'm sorry your sister won't be here on this special day. Her day. I don't know what I did wrong, or what's gotten into her, but I sincerely hope she doesn't come to regret this in the near future.”“Me too, Mother. Me too,” I murmured, mentally drained. What would happen once she realized she had made a mistake? What if she went after Richard and asked for his forgiveness? His promise to me is nothing compared to the thousand of promises they must have made to each other through
Billionaire's Perfect Bride 29 — Richard
My three brothers and cousin stood by my side in the beautiful, concealed Southside chapel Sarah and I had personally picked out as our wedding venue. I couldn't count the number of Sarah's bosom friends that were seated in front of me, all of them chatting in low tones, and looking around conspiratorially.Their invites merely stated that they were jointly invited by the Williams and Delmontes, but no wedding was mentioned. We did it that way to ensure that our special day couldn't be swamped by the paparazzi, but it had currently worked in our favour in more ways than one and I couldn't be more relieved.I was meant to announce what we were gathered here for the moment I took my place at the altar, but how could I do that when I had no idea on who the bride would be?“Maybe this is truly for the best,” Frod said, and Emerson nodded in agreement.“Sarah might still change her mind. She might still make it,” I said, but they all looked at me as if I'd lost my mind.“Earth to Richard,”
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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
