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CHAPTER 23
Last Updated:
2025-01-17 16:36:54
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Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 24
Marie needed a rest. She could still feel the weight of the encounter with Howard, his icy gaze and eerie words ringing in her head. She could sense the tension seething beneath her flesh.After his father left, Aaron remained silent, but Marie could tellhe was harboring a lot of conflict. She hadn't witnessed him so tightly wound and in control in a long time.Marie decided to go out for coffee because she needed a moment to collect herself. She walked to the tiny kitchen area, her heels clicking lightly on the shiny floors. Even though the company's office was large and contemporary with white marble and glass walls Marie still felt alienated.Despite being courteous, the staff avoided her as though she reminded them of something they didn't want to face. A few women were talking in the corner as she approached the coffee maker. They were probably a little too engrossed in their chatter and were laughing too loudly.Marie chose her coffee while trying to ignore them and concentrate
Last Updated : 2025-01-18Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 25
Marie's heart pounded as soon as the three women froze. In an instant, the atmosphere seemed tense and everyone's gaze shifted to the voices. The person was Howard Sanchez. He radiates a raw power that adds to the oppressive atmosphere of the room. Standing at the kitchen area's entrance, he focusedon the women who had been encircling Marie moments before.The three women blinked in obvious surprise and before Marie could grasp what was happening, Howard's icy voice broke the stillness.He looked at the women, his jaw clenching, and “Is there a problem here”?They took immediate action retreating almost simultaneously. When the woman with the red lipstick opened her mouth to object, Howard ignored her."Leave" he ordered in a tone that would not budge.With glances back at Marie, the women exchanged awkward looks and filed out of the kitchen individually. Then Howard turned to face Marie staring at her with a cold ferocity that made her stomach turn.His voice was cold as he said "Co
Last Updated : 2025-01-20Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 26
Aaron's expression mixed confusion and something darker, making Marie uneasy. He stood tall in the doorway, his piercing eyes darting between her and his father, who slightly smiled despite the abrupt interruption.Howard stood up straight and unfazed." Aaron, no issue at all. I just had a brief conversation with your beautiful wife.” Theedges of his smile curled as he paused for a moment. "A friendly discussion. You are aware of how it is."Aaron's eyes squinted, but he held his tongue. He entered the space and walked to Marie with a protective aura. Howard nodded slightly, almost dismissively, with that eerie smile still on his face.Well, Howard said as though nothing significant had just happened," I'll leave you two to it. Marie, I hope to see you at the next family meal. And be careful." He turned on his heel and left the room without saying another word. The air between her and Aaron was now heavy with an unspoken emotion, and Marie stood there with her heart still pounding.A
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 27
Marie was sitting in her office, staring blankly at the papers strewn all over her desk, her back against the plush leather chair. She could almost feel the office's calm hum, but it didn't stop the storm that was building inside her head.The fluorescent lights outside buzzed softly, and she could see Aaron moving behind his desk, absorbed in whatever task he was working on, through the glass wall separating her office from Aaron's.A strange mixture of admiration and frustration rose in Marie'schest as she saw how confident and sure of himself his figure appeared. After observing him from the window, she slowly lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap.He had put his hand around her wrist earlier, and the memory was still vivid. Though it had only been a fleeting gesture, there had been a sense of connection. It was not the same. Firm, almost urgent, nothing about it was tender, even though he seemed to want to draw her closer to him and anchor her to him.Marie shifted uneasily in
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 28
As she tried to focus on the reports before her, Marie sat at her desk, tiredly tapping the surface with her fingers. Her patience was wearing thin after a long day.Just like clockwork, Aaron's office door clicked open with a swivel. He stood straight and commanding, staring at her through the glass partition with a furrowed brow."Marie," he called, his voice piercing the stillness." Come over here."Before she forced herself to get out of her chair, she looked up at him and briefly met his eyes. Even though her legs were stiff, she walked toward him, her heart pounding more quickly as she expected his following words.Aaron was less than polite when he saw her. Instead, he pointed to the pile of files on his desk and narrowed his eyes.He pointed at the pile." I need you to take care of this," he said in a curt manner. "By the end of the day, sort through these, arrange them, and provide me with the information."Marie blinked as she tried to understand the unexpected amount of wor
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 29
Notwithstanding the tiredness in her bones, Marie had meticulously completed Aaron's requested reports, accurately piecing together every detail.She knew she would experience another disappointment if she failed to meet his expectations. As she returned the files to his office, she hoped he would finally recognize her efforts.The soft click of the door closing behind her felt louder than ever as she knocked and stepped inside. Aaron was searching through a bookshelf at his desk with his back to the light.She walked over to Aaron's desk, laid the folder in front of him, and whispered," Here's the updated file, Aaron."Aaron reached for it, hardly looking at her, and flipped the file open as Marie watched him from a distance, hoping to gain recognition.She could feel the tension that seemed to seize every interaction between them. Aaron silently turned the pages for a moment without answering. His jaw tensed, and his brows knitted."This is wrong." He muttered, his voice brimming wi
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For a considerable time, the only sound in the room was their breathing, and Howard's eyes remained fixed on them.The tension was higher than before. Finally, Aaron withdrew just a little, his lips lingering close to hers. He said nothing and avoided looking at her. He held her arm tightly, worried that she might slink away.Marie's mind was racing to process what had just happened,causing her to breathe shallowly and her chest to rise and fall quickly. Her emotions had just been roused, and she was unsure of how to respond or what to do with them.Still standing at the door, Howard kept observing them, his face unreadable. Aaron spoke in a measured, low voice. With a sudden calmness as if nothing had happened, he said and stepped an inch away from her."Father, I'm so sorry."Howard took a while to reply. He moved into the room a little more, his eyes darting back and forth between them. A hint of amusement was visible in his eyes, but it was accompanied by surprise.“What’s going
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 31
Immediately after the door clicked shut, Aaron released Marie and gently pushed her away as if trying to restrain the intensity of his feelings.The tension that had previously existed between them lingered as his eyes met hers, crystal clear and icy. Aaron yelled, his voice barely controlled with rage, "Do you know what you just did? I promise you will be required to return everything if your stupidity causes you to break this contract. Everything—the house, the money…" Anger welled up inside Marie. Aaron's words felt like a kick in the face to her, who was already tense from what had just transpired. Aaron said quietly but firmly, “My dad can't see us fighting. We must continue to act as though we are. Do you understand?" The words stung Marie, but she swallowed hard enough to nod. Her voice was restrained as she said softly," I understand."For a moment, they stood silently, the pressure of the moment bearing down on them. Aaron sighed slightly in frustration while continuing to
Last Updated : 2025-01-27
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Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 93
Marie held the file to her chest with trembling hands. Her mind whirled with anger, incredulity and fear as her heart hammered against her ribs.She didn't give a damn.“Hey sweetheart, as smooth as ever Aaron said as soon as he entered the room, greeting her.Marie stayed put. Instead, with all the rage raging inside her, she slammed the file against his chest after lifting it. It hit with a sharp, loud thud.“Explain this,” she snapped before Aaron could even react. Confusion knitted his brows as he grabbed the file out of instinct. He flipped it open while glancing down at it. Then, his body froze.His voice was low and too controlled as he asked, “Where did you get this?”She swore, “That's what you have to say? Not a single attempt to tell me this isn't true? Not a single word to deny it?”Aaron let out a slow breath and closed the file. “Marie—”She interrupted him with a raised voice, saying, “No! Don’t ‘Marie’ me! Aaron, I want the truth. Everything. Now.”Aaron's jaw tighten
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 92
When Marie entered the house, it was still as quiet as before. A tiny chill went down her spine in the silence. It always seemed like a place with secrets, and she was resolved to find one today. With caution, she made her way to Howard's study, her bare feet making no sound on the cool floor.She was positive that Howard wasn't at home. Anger-fueled, he had stormed out earlier. Now was her opportunity. She went to the door, but it was locked. The heart of Marie skipped a beat. That was not what she had anticipated.She hesitated for a moment. Would she be caught by someone if she turned around? No. I need to locate that image. With her thoughts racing, she took a step back and bit her lip. Where would Howard store the key? And then she realised. His chamber. She turned and rushed up the grand staircase without another second's hesitation.Her heart raced with each creak of the ancient wooden steps. She moved swiftly but carefully looked around corners to make sure no one was observi
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 91
Marie ran.She was not able to breathe, no matter how hard she tried to hold on to something; the world around her was blurry. The ground beneath her feet seemed to go on forever; it was neither warm nor cold, nor was it soft or hard.However, she was aware that she needed to continue running. Her chest rose and fell with urgency as she held her breath in sharp gasps.The wind had stopped. There is no sound. Just a spooky emptiness that caused her chest to constrict uneasily. Then—. A voice. Soft. Muttering. Weak. Marie. . . . Pulse thumping against her ribs, she skidded to a stop. Her gaze swept over the shifting mist as she turned.The quiet pressed against her ears. Then—. Marie heard the murmur once more. Closer this time. She was gasping for air. At her sides, she balled her fingers into fists. Like a chilly breath against the back of her neck, the voice, familiar but far away, sent a weird sensation racing through her. Her throat was dry as she swallowed hard. As though the air
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 90
Aaron, whose whole body was glowing with rage, barged into their bedroom. His shoulders were tense, his feet were heavy, and he raked a frustrated hand through his hair. Closing the door behind him, Marie followed in silence.Something raw flickered in his dark, intense eyes, making Marie’s stomach knot. After a moment of hesitation, Marie moved closer. “Aaron. . . .” With a sharp exhale, he turned to her. His jaw was tight, his dark eyes blazing with anger. “He was without right,” he snarled. “He has no damn right to treat you that way.” “Please, Aaron—” “I ought to have done more,” he interrupted, his tone full of annoyance. “The instant he raised his voice toward you, I ought to have intervened.”Marie tried to calm him before his rage overtook him by gently reminding him, “You did” in a softer tone.Aaron's laughter was sour. “Not enough.” He paced the room like a confined animal while shaking his head. “I wasn't expecting him to say it aloud, but I knew he would react this way
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 89
Marie gripped the photo with shaking fingers. As she struggled to process what she was seeing, she breathed in sharp, short gasps. This is totally strange. There should be no such thing. How manage? She asked herselfThen—. The door flew open. Marie’s heart hit her ribs as she jolted. Howard entered, engulfing the room with his massive frame that blocked the doorway.The maids huddled together in fright.They were aware. They felt terror. Marie had hardly time to respond. Between her feet the picture fluttered to the floor as it slipped from her shaking fingers."What the hell are you doing here?” He yelled.Marie swallowed. “I was just—" “You were just what?” His fists were clenched at his sides, but his voice remained uncannily composed.Marie made herself talk. “I was only tidying up.” Howard's eyes strayed to the cloth she was still holding. His jaw muscle twitches. “Cleaning?” he asked again incredulously.Marie nodded and took a deep breath. Howard, however, was not persuade
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 88
Strangely, the mansion was silent.Marie was reading a magazine in the living room when her thoughts drifted. When she woke up, the bed was empty because Aaron had left early for the office. She usually spends the morning curled up in his arms with soft sheets, but today was different. Lonely. With a sigh, she threw the magazine on the coffee table. There was nothing to do. Her bones began to grow restless. Although she could have gone for a walk, she didn't enjoy the idea of being by herself in the expansive estate. Rather, she got up and walked toward the main hall, her bare feet softly tapping the marble floor.As she passed the open archway leading to the grand foyer, she noticed movement. A couple of maids were busy cleaning the staircase railing and polishing the furniture. Marie came over to them with a smile. “Do you require any assistance?”The maids' eyes widened as they turned to her in shock. A short woman with graying hair gave a quick shake of her head. “Oh no, Mrs. Sa
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 87
Aaron’s fingers lightly touched her smooth skin as he moved his hands down Marie's bare arms.Marie's voice was shaking as she uttered his name in a whisper, “Aaron.”There was a lot of uncertainty and longing in the sound. Aaron looked into her worried eyes with his dark ones. He could see the vulnerability that she was trying so hard to conceal, the fear that was still present behind her eyes.Her heart pounded, but this time it wasn’t out of fear. Something else—something more profound—occurred inside her whenever he was near. “I have always been scared. For a very long time, even before the nightmares, I was afraid.”As if he could protect her from all pain and anxiety, Aaron’s eyes grew softer, and he bent down to plant a kiss on the top of her forehead. “I understand,” he said in a whisper. “Marie, I understand. But you no longer need to bear it alone. I'm always here for you."His words were so genuine that they made her breath catch in her throat. She found comfort in the war
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 86
It was a suffocating dream for Marie. Her bare feet started to sink into the muddy ground as she ran through a pitch-black forest. She was caught by strong invisible hands that dragged her back and into the abyss. She snapped out of it. She was surrounded by warm arms from behind before she could even regulate her breathing. Aaron pressed his chest against her back and whispered “Shh…” against her ear. “You are safe. I've got you.”Eventually, Marie's tense body relaxed as he pulled her closer, his strong arms enclosing her and shielding her from the aftereffects of her nightmare. She nestled her face into his bare chest as she turned in his arms, inhaling his reassuringly fresh masculine aroma.She mumbled her voice trembling, “It felt so real.” Her fingers lightly touched his skin as she held onto him even more. “It felt like my whole being was being consumed.” As Aaron gave her back soothing strokes, his breathing remained steady. He said in a steady, quiet voice, “It was only a
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 85
Howard grabbed the steering wheel and got into his car, but he didn't turn on the engine. His stomach roiling with anxiety, he continued to stare at the house.Howard had acquaintances. He had been dealing with criminals, con artists and liars for years. The man at the door had all the telltale symptoms of someone hiding something: his forced casualness in speech, his stiff posture and the way his eyes darted away too quickly. He was making a false statement. Exhaling, Howard drummed his fingers on the dashboard. “What on earth went wrong here?” He grabbed his phone and quickly browsed through his contacts.A short while later, he hit the call button. After two rings, a recognisable voice answered. “Yes?” Howard was uninterested in polite conversation. “Tell me. How on earth did you make this so bad?” The pause. Then a sigh. “What do you mean by that?” Howard tightened his jaw. “I rapped on the door. Richard was gone according to the man who answered, left, departed silently.”One
