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Chapter 18
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2025-04-09 16:19:55
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SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 19
Aria’s P.o.vI began to cry softly as I shared my burden with Rose. I didn’t know if it was because of her silence all through the while I spoke that I was able to release the burdens in my heart or because I trusted that she truly cared.“Aria, let me tell you an interesting lesson I learned when I decided to go on this journey. Life is not a bed of roses, especially in a place where you got into it by chance. Toughen up, I know how the burden and pains of the past can overwhelm you but avoid giving attention to it and make your life a bed of roses. You can only get the life you wish to get by yourself. In all honesty, no one can get it for you and you’d be hurt severally. You need to be mentally available for yourself and preserve your good heart.”I wasn’t sure I heard all she said deeply as I heard, “Preserve your good heart.” That word struck me in my heart and I knew that was what I needed to do for me to not become someone I was not.I ended the call with Rose and walked back i
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 20
Author’s P.o.vVaughn monitored the CCTV in his house on an iPad while in his vehicle. He knew when Aria slept and how Sandra walked in to wake her up. He watched them step out and every other drama displayed by the both of them. When he saw her step into his room like a thief, he thought she must have been looking for the file that joined them together to steal, so he watched closely.He scoffed, “This is why I never trust women.” Sir Rudolf was seated beside him in the car and he showed him what Aria was trying to do.He laughed to ease the air and said to him, “I’m sure she’s just curious. Look at her, she’s so young and innocent. She doesn’t even know the main reason why she was married to you. Anyone in her shoes would be seeking clues as well. I know for a fact that she is not trying to steal from you.” “I hope so because I cannot afford to be living with someone I cannot trust or one who is willing to sell me out at any chance.” Vaughn expressed his concerns and doubts to Sir
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 21
Author’s P.o.v“I have heard a lot about how you treat people like they are nothing and you forget that everyone sitting here at this round table has sacrificed a lot of things on your behalf. You can call it whatever you desire but you must respect us the appropriate way.” Gautier had a stern look on his face as he spoke and held the gun up to Vaughn.Vaughn’s guards pointed their guns at Gautier immediately he pointed his weapon at Vaughn. Vaughn gave a sign to his guards to let down their guns, which they all did. “I know you to be very outspoken, but sometimes you need to learn the room before you speak. I do not think anyone here is dissatisfied with my late arrival, is there?” He looked at each of them and said, “You see, no one. You, my friend, are fighting for a wrong cause and anyone that said I treat them in a certain way should get a group like this, put them together, and learn what it is like to lead.”Vaughn sat on his chair. His gaze changed into a stern one as he look
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 22
Aria’s P.o.vI stumbled as Vaughn pushed me off when I tried to hug him. I knew I should have been mindful of trying to hug him because the expression on his face said, “Don’t come near me.” I thought it must have been the stress from his meeting. I didn’t expect him to react the way he did.I got a hold of myself and walked into the mansion after him and his guards. Vaughn had gone up the stairs immediately. I wasn’t expecting him to remain downstairs anyway but I was concerned. I walked up to one of his guards who gave me more audience than the rest, Burlan, and asked him if he knew why Vaughn was offended.I stood beside him, leaned in, and asked, “Is he always this angry whenever he goes to the meeting or something happened today?” He did not look at me in the face, neither did he smile. He wore his stern look and whispered, “I think it’s best you let him be for now, ma.” His response was brief and it was clear that it wasn’t a time to be acting all funny.I walked back to my ro
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 23
Aria’s P.o.v“This is not a game, Aria. Everyone that stays around me dies.” That was the first time I saw fear and concern in Vaughn’s eyes. “But I have nowhere else that is saver for me than here. It’s high time you start making structures that ensure the people around you do not die and I’m going nowhere.” I could see the expression on Vaughn’s face become less angry as I told him what I felt could resolve his problem. Vaughn turned to me and leaned in. “Charlotte was killed at the meeting.” I could see him battle the pain he felt within. His eyes became red the moment he said that to me. “I told her to leave but she refused. I know it was greed that brought her there but she didn’t deserve to die like that. She was the one person I trusted and could lean on after I lost my father.”I never knew a time would come when I would see a great tough man like Vaughn express so much pain. It seemed as though he wanted to tear it apart even though he wasn’t yelling. At that moment, I bega
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 24
Aria’s P.o.vMaybe I took a little more time than expected to dress because I was happy that Vaughn was willing to go out with me. It was going to be our first time going out as a couple. I was anxious about if he would like the place o if he wouldn’t but I believed he should.I got back downstairs and ran out with so much enthusiasm. I should have noticed that there were very few guards in the living room as I ran down the stairs but I didn’t think much about it because I felt they must have gone out when they saw that Vaughn was dressed like he was leaving for somewhere.I walked out of the living room and it was clear that no one was outside. I could not find Vaughn’s vehicle, and neither did I see his guards. I felt so cold from within.In disbelief that Vaughn had left home, I returned to his room to check for him. “Vaughn, Vaughn…” I yelled just before I got there but there was no response. His room was cleared and cleaned as though I had not spoken to him in that same room minu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 25
Aria's P.o.v“Aria Vaughn Slade, the real Mrs Slade.” Mrs Slade seemed to be excited to hear from me. Her loud and sharp voice pierced my eardrums as she spoke.“I'm doing well ma. I think.”She hummed after I said that and asked, “Is Vaughn around? Had he done something you don't like?”I turned to Sandra who stood by the door, watched everything I was doing, and whispered, “Excuse me.”I let Sandra walk out of the door before I continued my conversation with Mrs Slade. I knew Sandra could not hurt me but I just did not want to keep looking vulnerable in front of her.“He told me he had a bad day at the meeting and I asked him if he would like to go out, so I could cheer him up, which he agreed to. I went to get dressed but before I returned, I was told that he left for an emergency.” Mrs Slade was quiet as I spoke so I continued, “I just felt bad because I thought he could have told me and left. I just returned to the same room and it was as though he vanished with his guards. He h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 26
Aria's P.o.v“Don't get ahead of yourself. This is just a movie.” Rose stood up and was ready to leave.“It's me, Aria. Aria Slade.” I held her arm as she stood up so she didn't walk out on me before I got the chance to properly introduce myself to her. She looked down at me, perplexed, then slowly sat back on her seat.“Aria, what on earth are you doing all by yourself, seeing a movie by this time of the night? Is Vaughn aware of this?” She seemed worried for me as if I was in the wrong place.“Why? Is there a problem with me being here? Vaughn left home yesterday, I do not know where he went or why he wasn't home but I'm not here alone. I don't think I'm allowed to be alone.” I looked at her in the face and responded.She hugged me and said, “You need to leave right now. It's not safe for you to be here or anywhere outside the vicinity of your house, especially when Vaughn is not around to protect you.” Roseline’s words began to frighten me as I felt my life must be in some sort of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09
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SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 40
Aria’s P.o.vVaughn's hands were soft as I placed mine on his and walked with him to the center of the dance floor. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to look him in the eyes and do those beautiful looks that a princess and a prince do when they fall in love. I knew that wasn't one of those kinds of moments but I wanted to feel something special. It was my first ball party and I was the center of attraction. I just thought it would only be nice if I got to act like I was living a Disney princess life.Vaughn made eye contact with me and gazed at me like he had never seen me before. I could see his eyes as they gleamed and he moved slowly to the side to get a better gaze at me. He moved two inches closer to me and back, with our hands joined together and serving as the string that attached us together.I could see that he wanted me but I was so uncertain about what was written in his eyes. I mean, this was Vaughn, he switches whenever he likes and might never notice me any longer.Vaughn
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 39
Aria’s P.o.v“Oh goodness! Aria! You look exceptional. I love your dress.” Mrs Slade walked up to me with her arms open wide as she shoved me into herself and hugged me tight. “You are perfect for tonight’s ball. I was wondering what was taking you all so long which was why I decided to come check for myself but what I found, I can’t even believe my eyes.” She turned to the team and Sandra, “You guys are the best! You’ve done a great job.”Mrs Slade held my hand and led me out of the room with her. I was a bit anxious as I walked out of the room with her because I didn’t know how Vaughn would react when he saw me. I wished deeply that I could attract his attention with my looks. Vaughn’s admiration was the highlight to me. I just wanted him to say something to me that would let me know that he saw me and acknowledged me.As we got to the beginning of the stairs, Mrs Slade called the attention of the crowd by hitting a spoon on the glass cup filled with wine that she had taken from on
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 38
Aria’s P.o.vSandra gazed at me and I could see that she was regretting her decision ahead of the consequences that could arise. “I don’t think this is a good idea but sure, I will see what I can get for you.” She smiled and walked away.I knew she was going to get me what I needed. Instead of going into my room I walked down the stairs and went to get a wine to drink. I felt happy that I was going to uncover their secrets as well. Vaughn was seated at the bar hut outside. I walked over to the table and asked for a Champagne. Vaughn and the bar guy looked at themselves, then, the bar guy went to get me what I requested.“I didn’t know that there was something we were celebrating other than the ball party. Would you like to share the reason for the celebration?”The bar guy brought me the champagne and poured me a glass. “Thank you… You can pour a glass for Vaughn too. He is the reason for the celebration.”Vaughn seemed surprised by the way I acted boldly in his presence. He looked
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 37
Aria’s P.o.vRachel’s response made me suspicious of why she was present and what exactly it was that Vaughn was all about that time around.“I know a lot is going on and I don’t think it will be of any importance for me to know anyway.” I tried to pretend to Rachel so she wouldn’t know that I was aware of the odd things that went on in the Slade family. I didn’t think she was any important to know much anyway.“I’m not angry at you. You made it easier for me to give in to this decision. You can see that Liam is always going to be an asshole now too, right?” I smirked because I knew that the both of them were no longer together and I had not seen them talk to each other since they came.I had not seen Rachel as calm as she was. It felt absurd that she wasn’t showing her shenanigans like she does. I knew there was something odd going on but I didn’t want to make it obvious to them. I decided I was going to find out what it must be that brought them all together.Rachel wore a smile tha
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 36
Aria’s P.o.v“I know we all have different perceptions about Vaughn. I must say that even I had such a negative perception about him. I think I still find him scary to an extent but I must say that he is a very nice and warm person also. Since I have been in this house as his wife, he has not inflicted directly any physical pain on me. He has cared for me as a man and I’m grateful for that. I know he is always busy and I would wish for more time with him but I think he tries with his tight schedules to be present, especially by keeping his eyes close to the camera.”They all laughed when I said that.“But on a more serious note, I don’t think I have seen someone as tough and loving as Vaughn. He blends well between both and I know that if he had the choice to be just loving, he would without a doubt do so but as it were, life demands both from him and he does it well. Thank you.”They erupted into clapping, including Sandra who stood in the corner as she smiled and nodded. “Gosh, I w
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 35
Aria’s P.o.vI could not believe that Liam thought he could bye me off with cheap words. I was so pissed by the manner he was trying to use to persuade me to leave Vaughn for him. By every means, Vaughn was better to be with than to be with him.“I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you are doing. If you do, you will never think to look at me in the face again, talk more of trying to persuade me to run away with you.” I laughed at Liam’s stupidity. I really couldn’t just believe that he thought I had not learned enough lessons from him. The disappointment on his face was priceless. I could see he had not expected me to want to stay back with Vaughn. Liam does not like it when he requests something from someone and he is rejected so he keeps pressing further.“Okay, I know you’re angry at me. I’m the reason why you decided to get married to him but we both know you’re not happy here. I know you more than the facade of joy displayed on your face. I know you don’t like it he
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 34
Aria’s P.o.vI raised my eyes up to see who it was who not only walked in late but had an irrelevant way of walking that caught our attention. It was Rachel, my cousin.“Rachel? This cannot be a good day. What on earth is she doing here?” I said to myself internally. I was offended to see her and the moment I laid my eyes on her, everything about her disgusted me.Rachel was the last person I expected to see that day. She was in no way family with The Slade’s and I thought she and Liam had ended their dirty relationship. It wasn’t even as though they made the relationship between them public so I still couldn’t grasp the reason why she was present.“Ah, Rachel…” Vaughn smiled and greeted her warmly as she walked in. I was shocked to know that they knew themselves. “I have been expecting you. I thought you were going to arrive later than this when I did not see you walk in with Liam.”Rachel gazed at me like she expected me to greet her or something. I had gotten up and punched her in
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 33
Aria’s P.o.vI gazed at Vaughn for a while before I decided to take the drug from him. I knew what I meant to him at that point and it made me feel so pained. I took the water, threw the drug into my mouth, and gulped the water down with it without making any complaints, then I laid back on the bed.Vaughn ignored my cold behavior and went on to do whatever he needed to do that night but I slept off.The following morning, I woke up to a loud music playing outside. I didn’t know where in particular the sound was coming from but I knew it was inside the house.As I tried to get up, I felt my head spin like I was going to fall. I normally don’t feel that way before so I wondered what must be the cause of why I felt my head spinning then I remembered I had taken a drug that I did not even know the name of.I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and had my bath. Then I wore a lovely gown and went down out to see what celebration or party was going on.The first face I saw as I walked d
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: My Cold Billionaire Husband. Chapter 32
Aria’s P.o.vI had goosebumps all over my hand and neck as Vaughn tried to have his way. I was supposed to stop him but I just couldn’t because I wanted it more than I didn’t want it. My body could not resist how hot Vaughn was so I let him have his way.Vaughn took me and turned the shower on to cleanse the soap off my body. As the water flowed down my skin, he massaged my body with his hand and it made me feel so calm. He pulled me close to himself and began to kiss me passionately. His lips were soft and juicy in my mouth. He began to kiss every part of my body, my face, my neck, and back to my lips. I didn’t know how we were going to do it while the water was raining on us but I knew since Vaughn was in charge, he would find a way around that.I kept enjoying the sweet romance that Vaughn decided to let me get to see. Then, he raised me from my thigh, with my back resting on the wall. He turned off the water with his left hand and placed his head on my boobs. More than that I coul
