LOGINShare
CHAPTER 38
Last Updated:
2025-02-04 16:43:43
Related chapters
Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 39
The mood changed the moment Aaron's office door closed behind them. Aaron seemed to have not missed a beat because of his quick and deliberate movements. His tone was authoritative as he pointed to the desk before him without pausing. "Come closer", he commanded in a firm tone. "Please take care of this."She saw his eyes skimming the document as he slid a file across the table in her direction, his thoughts already elsewhere.“That’s easy. Make the required adjustments and adhere to the guidelines provided here. "Not daring to question his tone, Marie approached him with deliberate steps. As she positioned herself next to him, she could feel the cool edge of his desk at her fingertips and the suddenly thick air between them.She pretended to be focused on the task as she looked down at the file, but she could feel Aaron's presence pressing down on her. He drew her in with his masculine scent, a mix of pricey cologne and something more profound—something that was definitely him.Inv
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 40
Aaron left for his meeting, leaving Marie alone in his office's silent emptiness as the minutes dragged on. The only noises in the room were the air conditioner's hum, the faint rustle of papers, and the sporadic click of the wall clock.Because he was no longer there, the atmosphere in the room felt sterile and businesslike. Aaron had left a mess, and Marie glanced around. The desk was strewn with files, some open and some forgotten.Several coffee cups rest on the desk's edges, half-drunk and cold, and the inbox is bursting with unread emails. Aaron had been too preoccupied to clean up after himself as usual, so he left everything to someone else.That someone, of course, was Marie. She sighed, rolled up her sleeves, and went to work. The task didn't bother her; it was a minor aspect of her work. She disposed of the empty cups, organized the papers, and filed them neatly.She kept thinking about their time together before he left. When she was standing next to him, the way his body
Last Updated : 2025-02-06Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 41
Marie's heart pounded in her chest. She dared not turn around and give him a look. In anticipation of his next move, her body stayed motionless. He was too close, and even though she wanted to keep her calm, she felt a wave of heat wash over her cheeks.She was caught in the intense tension of the moment and stood motionless, uncertain of what to do next. There seemed to be a crackle of electricity in the air between them.With her thoughts dispersed, Marie's mind raced. The intimacy and the sensation of his body against hers felt utterly different from anything they had experienced together in years, she had to admit.The easy, carefree affection they had once shared was gone. It felt heavy now, full of memories they both wanted to forget, unresolved feelings and unsaid emotions. And yet once more, they found themselves standing this close together, the silence bearing down on them. It seemed there was no longer any world outside of the office. It appeared that only the breath that
Last Updated : 2025-02-07Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 42
Unspoken words weighed down the room as they finally parted ways. Marie’s heart continued to race as she stood there, her chest heaving. They were both absorbed in the ensuing silence and did not move.And it was evident in that silence that their relationship had changed forever. Aaron shifted uneasily, quickly stepping back and pulling his hand away from her face. He cleared his throat while his gaze shifted abruptly away from her.“I... I'm sorry," He muttered, his words seeming to be forced out. He turned to face the door after running a hand through his hair. "I should not have—" Marie reached out before he could say anything more. Her fingers found his wrist in an unexpectedly firm grip."Wait," She said in a firm but slightly tremulous voice. "Why, Aaron?" She kept his hand in hers and turned him back to her, her thumb lightly stroking his skin." Why are you like this? Why do you always act so distant and cold? “She asked.He scowled, his facial lines becoming more pronounced
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 43
Aaron stood motionless for a second after Marie hurried out of the office, his mind racing and his breath coming in short gasps. Instead of letting her go, he should have spoken up or acted. But he hadn't.He had allowed her to go as an alternative, and now the office's silence was pressing down on him like a physical weight. He walked slowly to his desk, his footsteps heavy. The leather creaked under him as he sank into his chair with a heavy sigh. In an attempt to stabilize his breathing, he leaned back and briefly closed his eyes. He had assured her that the kiss was merely a sign of weakness and had no deeper meaning. But something within him had recoiled even as he uttered the words.He was aware of his dishonesty, even though he didn't want to acknowledge it. It was true. He was tired. The thought kept returning to him no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.Marie.Her eyes... how she looked at him and spoke to him passionately. But he didn't expect what had happened. The ang
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 44
Aaron was sitting in his car, the engine running and his fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. The evening sky had already started to turn a dusky grey.The quiet in the car while he waited for Marie to come out made him uncomfortable, but he wasn't sure what to expect. Even though he had warned himself that he couldn't continue to keep her at a distance, he was still waiting for her to take the next step while his sense of guilt was eating away at him.His thoughts kept returning to their earlier meeting. He was aware of his wrongdoing. He could not deny the hurt that flashed in her eyes, no matter how hard he tried to defend his icy remarks. It stung and was there.She always managed to see through the barriers he had put up to protect himself, and now they were only suffocating him. His phone was buzzing in his pocket, and he chose to ignore it.Another diversion was the last thing he wanted.He was still trying to clean up the mess he had created. When he saw her, th
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 45
His mind kept returning to Marie, the way her presence seemed to draw him in and the uncontrollable ways her emotions affected him.As the silence dragged on, Aaron started to question whether this was how they would be riding the whole time. He tried to concentrate on the road and the outside world while driving, but it was impossible to ignore the weight of her silence next to him. It felt like forever before he finally spoke, his voice rough as though the words had been lodged in his throat for too long."Marie I— "He paused, uncertain how to use the final word. Despite not being able to see her face, he could sense her turning her head in his direction. Even though she didn't respond verbally, her body language was clear. She had tensed up, preparing for his next words.The longer he waited, the more difficult it became for him to say what he needed to say. He finally muttered, just above a whisper, "I didn't mean what I said earlier."She looked at him for a moment, then quickly
Last Updated : 2025-02-12Forced To Be The Billionaire’s Bride CHAPTER 46
Aaron's chest felt heavy. He realized his mistake multiple times. He also didn't have any justifications, and he didn't explain. The truth was all he had left, and it hurt like it was slipping through his fingers."Please just listen, Marie," he begged. "I never meant to cause you any harm. But I. I was unable to allow myself any emotions. Not for you. Not for anybody. I've been keeping everything out for years. And I—"She interrupted abruptly, "Aaron, I don't need to hear this...It is irrelevant. In any case, everything is the same. Simply saying you're sorry now doesn't give you the right to come back in and make things right. I'm done." "Marie, I—" he stammered, the guilt rising like a tempest in his chest. "Please, I—"Then, the first drops of rain fell before he could finish—a few light drops at first. Marie gazed up at the sky, her face hardening even more as the drizzle rapidly increased in speed.In a low, uncompromising voice, she said, "I don't want your apologies. It's to
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
Latest chapter
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
