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CHAPTER 30
Last Updated:
2025-01-25 18:23:12
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Forced 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 : 2025-01-27Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 32
Aaron was sitting at his desk, lightly tapping the polished wood. Since Marie always apologised, he had been waiting for her to return, but she hadn't.She hadn't even returned to talk to him. With each minute in the office, the silence grew more intense. His thoughts returned to what had happened—what he had said to her—the rage and the words that escaped his lips before he could stop them.He had no idea she would respond that way. Even more shocking to him was that he somehow respected her for advocating for herself. Lost in thought, he rubbed his lips, recalling their kiss. As if he could still sense the softness of her lips lingering on his fingers, he briefly touched his mouth once more.Something about it kept playing repeatedly in his head, even though it wasn't meant to mean anything. He hadn't expected the sweetness and softness of her taste. He wasn't expecting to enjoy it.His mind was still racing, so he leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. This was not som
Last Updated : 2025-01-28Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 33
Aaron's thoughts were racing when his footsteps reverberated down the hallway as he headed for the staff area. Since Marie had left his office, he had been plagued by a persistent feeling of uneasiness. He needed to find her. He had to give an apology. But where might she be? He suddenly stopped in front of the receptionist's desk and asked in a frustrated tone."Has my wife passed through here?"The receptionist was surprised as she glanced up at him. She gave a quick shake of her head. "No, sir. She hasn't."Aaron scowled, letting his frustration show. "Are you sure?"The receptionist turned to look at the other staff members, who were now whispering among themselves. She turned back to Aaron, and the murmurings suddenly ceased.“I’m sure she hasn't passed here since you got to the office this morning."Not waiting for more and without saying anything, he turned on his heel and went to the break room, hoping she had briefly slipped out of sight.But when he opened the door, nobody
Last Updated : 2025-01-29Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 34
As silent tears streamed down her cheeks, Marie sat in the water closet in the women's restroom. Even in the restroom, she could still feel the oppressive weight of her feelings pressing against her chest even after locking the door. Her nostrils were filled with the sterile smell of soap and bleach, but nothing could make her internal heaviness go away. With trembling fingers, she took out her phone, which flashed seven of Aaron's missed calls. Seven.He was almost comical in his persistence, calling repeatedly as if he were unaware of the actual wall she was erecting between them every second. She gazed at her phone, the tiny blinking alert taunting her."Why are you still calling me? You don't give a shit about me." She thought angrily.The thought tore through her mind like a raging fire. After all, it's a stupid contract. She unlocked the screen and scrolled past his desperate messages, each one more desperate than the last, and her eyes began to well up with tears once more.
Last Updated : 2025-01-30Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 35
Only when the day was over did everyone pack up and leave for home, and the office fell silent. Marie wiped her face.Marie stood before the bathroom mirror for a few more seconds, trying to collect herself. Trying to make sense of the emotions inside her, she shut herself in and allowed the tears to fall. Everything seemed to be crashing down on her: the lies, the anger... everything.She stood before the mirror, staring at his dull reflection. Her eyes were swollen and red, and her face was pale. She stood there for a long time and didn't know when the seconds turned into minutes. She felt empty and broken. She inhaled deeply before leaving the bathroom and moving slowly down the silent corridor. As her steps reverberated, the lights above flickered, creating long shadows.She needed to leave that area, away from everything that had transpired and away from him, but she wasn't even sure where she was going. She froze when she turned the corner and turned to face her office.The do
Last Updated : 2025-01-31Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 36
Marie opened her eyes slowly, squinting against the intense light that flooded the room. Her mind was cloudy, and her head felt heavy as she tried to remember what had happened.She was momentarily confused by her surroundings. It was not her room—not the plush sheets under her, not the strange smell in the air. She froze; she was in Aaron's room. Aaron had her lying in his bed. She also realised that her clothes were different from what she had previously worn.The sleeves of his loose, too-large clothing hung over her hands. She looked around, trying to make sense of the situation, and sat up quickly, her heart thumping in her chest.Aaron had his back to her, his attention elsewhere. She heard a cup clinking softly. The sound she recognised was the stirring of coffee. Aaron’s voice was flat when he said."You're awake." l wish I had lacked the worry that had been present the previous evening.The fact that she had just regained consciousness didn't seem to surprise him or concern h
Last Updated : 2025-02-01Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 37
Marie tried to stop her mind from racing as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her hands hovering over the chilly porcelain sink. Her mental storm had not been much calmed by the shower. She was angry at Aaron but she felt empty inside as if her rage wasn't enough to make up for the emptiness he had created. She gathered herself and wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye with a tired sigh. No more giving in.She couldn't afford to show him how much he meant to her. Not at this time. Before heading downstairs, she changed swiftly into a dress that was simple but elegant. The silence of the morning shrouded her in an eerie silence in the house.Aaron was reading the newspaper at the table in front of him, his breakfast still untouched when she got to the dining room. He didn't raise his head when she walked in. With his expression unreadable, he continued to stare at the paper.He seemed unconcerned that she had just walked into the dining room. Only the rustle of the ne
Last Updated : 2025-02-03Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 38
The ride to the company was uncomfortable. Neither of them spoke, maintaining a suffocating silence. The quiet hum of the car's engine seemed more audible than the silence that separated them.Marie gazed out the window and watched the passing landscape. She didn't want to dwell on the kiss, the rage or Aaron's heartless actions. She could practically feel the tension emanating from him, but it was better to concentrate on the city and the things she could not control. Aaron broke the ice when they eventually pulled up to the company. "Wait here," He said in a tone that made it impossible to argue with him as he got out of the car. Marie remained motionless as he strode to the opposite side of the car, opened her door, and extended his hand with a well-honed civility. She hesitated for a second before putting her hand in his. She reminded herself that this was all part of the performance. They made their way through the parking lot, hand in hand, toward the entrance of the company.
Last Updated : 2025-02-04
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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
