While looking at her own reflection in the mirror, Stephanie spotted a glimpse of her wedding ring. Unbelievable! She was married to Billy, the love of her life. A detail he wasn’t aware of, thankfully. Otherwise, Billy wouldn’t have accepted her help.
Her emotions we’re so many and contradictory. Stephanie was happy because she helped him save the company, and frightened because she didn’t know what to expect from this forced union. Stephanie would’ve loved to know Billy’s true intentions since he wasn’t in love with her.
Through the mirror, she saw the reflection of her ivory lace dress chosen to be worn on that special day. She didn't feel the need to put on a traditional wedding dress. Nothing that was happening between her and Billy on that day was the real deal.
&nbs
The dinner went on in perfect silence. Stephanie wasn’t even looking at Billy, afraid that he might go and lock himself into his room again. Eating with him from the same plate was a very unusual thing, but Stephanie tried not to make too much of it. It was the first time they had dinner together and she liked it very much. They continued to eat in silence, without looking at each other, without speaking about the ceremony, about the fact that they were already husband and wife. Stephanie finished before him, sipped some wine to work up the courage to start a conversation since the silence between them was getting heavy.“It was nice of Shawn to agree to be your best man,” she said softly putting the glass on the table. “From what I’ve seen, he wasn’t so glad about the idea of this marriage.”“What makes yo
When Stephanie reached the door to her bedroom, she turned towards him and smiled beguilingly before disappearing into the room and closing the door behind her. That look made Billy’s pulse starting to race. Her intention was pretty clear to Billy. Billy got up from his chair willing to follow her, but halfway he changed his mind. Retracing his steps, Billy went back to the kitchen, poured himself another glass of champagne, and drank it in one breath. Without so many words, Stephanie just invited him into her bed. She was claiming her wedding night. How the hell was he going to get through this without making her the victim of false hopes? Earlier, he had promised her not to make her unhappy, that she will be safe with him in this house.&nb
'You can hide in your little apartment, you can try to protect your perfect world, but I will still hit you… soon. Did you tell your hubby about these messages? Knowing you, I doubt it. I saw him the other day, so calm and happy. Perhaps, one of these days, I will let him know about our daily… dates. About the fact that his innocent little wife has a hundred thousand dollars put aside. You know, little Belle, you have what I want and I won’t stop until I’ll have it. This money is what your damned Daddy took from me!’ Isabelle looked at the message, the tenth in that week, and she couldn’t stop shaking. The person who sent her these threats seemed to know many things about her, things she hadn’t told Shawn yet. The e-mail was talking about the right sum of money, something only Lucy, the lawyer and her knew about.
He kissed her and caressed her until Isabelle was quivering drunk with desire. Then Shawn moved away and stared at Isabelle, lost in her beauty.“You’re so beautiful… Every time I look at you, I wish I knew new words to tell you how I feel. I wish I knew other ways to show you what you do to me...” he whispered caressing her body with his fiery gaze.“You don’t need new words, my love. Just tell me you will always want me. That you will love me forever, no matter what,” she murmured. “This is all I need from you. All I want to hear from you.”“I want you, my sweet love, now and forever. And I will love you as long as I’ll be able to breathe,” he added softly. And watching her, always watching her, he took her mouth. Slowly at first, and sweetly until her hands relaxed under h
She opened her mouth to talk to him, but no words were coming out. Isabelle began to cry desperately and clung to him with all her might. Shawn hugged her tight and let her cry until there were no more tears left. Finally, Shawn had the proof he was looking for. For days and days, Isabelle hadn’t quite been herself. She was distracted, moody, frustrated, depressed, always in her thoughts. In the beginning, Shawn thought it was all caused by her pregnancy. Earlier in the evening, before making love, she was showing the same signs. So, for now, he’ll let her calm down a bit and then he will find out what is going on with her. Shawn embraced her even after she stopped crying, but Isabelle continued to tremble and sob. He dried her face and kept her tight.“Belle, all this is making me
Was this how it was going to be? Would they occupy the same house, share rooms, breathe the same air, maybe have periodic sex, but live the lives of quiet desperation? Those questions were like knives cutting her flesh. Raising her head from the sink after washing her face with cold water, Stephanie started long and hard at her reflection in the mirror. It was a disheartening sight. Having silently cried most of the night, her eyes were puffy and red. What else was new? This was her routine lately: crying by night and covering the puffiness by day. So, she started to undo the damage. Luckily Shawn's assistant, the ever-irritating Amanda, wasn’t at the office yet, so Stephanie had plenty of time to make herself look presentable again. This was her workplace, the only place
“Ah, there you are!” Billy exclaimed rather irritated once he got out of the elevator. “Come into my office right now! We need to talk and we need to do it now!” Stephanie did exactly what her boss told her to do. She stopped in front of his desk and waited for Billy to look at her. Why was he so upset? What happened to him on his way to the office?“I thought I told you to wait for me…” he said, crossing his hands on his chest and looking at her harshly. But the moment he looked her in the eyes, Billy stopped abruptly.“What happened to you? Why are your eyes so red and puffy? Have you been crying?”“Nothing happened, I’m perfectly fine. In the cab, I rolled down the window a little bit and the wind got to me,” she replied softly. “Forgive me if I didn’t w
Once they got to their favorite restaurant, Shawn stood in silence, letting Billy do the talking.“I’m sure that the Germans will accept all our conditions, Shawn! They finally realized that the Chinese product is pure crap and that we are their only salvation. Tomorrow I will play my game and I will get out of them all that we have lost, including the 10 million I owe Stephanie,” Billy said after drinking all the wine in the glass and pouring some more. “I hope you will be present tomorrow... I really need you there, brother!”“I will be there, don’t worry!” Shawn replied, nodding.“How about going out to celebrate tomorrow night? Just you and me, like we used to!” Billy exclaimed finishing another glass of wine.“Can I take a raincheck? Isabelle and I have a date tomorrow evening. There are a few things that she and I need to clarify,