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CHAPTER 21 : A burden too heavy
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2024-12-24 06:53:49Related chapters
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 22: Liquid Courage; a heavy heart
Angelo’s texts to Mia had gone unanswered for hours. At first, he told himself she was probably busy—work could run late, or maybe she just needed space. But as the evening stretched on, a gnawing worry crept in. This wasn’t like her.Sitting in his apartment, he scrolled through his message thread with her:Hey, I’m back in town. Let’s catch up soon?Mia?You okay?No response.Her silence wasn’t intentional, but the weight of the day—her mom’s reckless mistake and the looming debt to Derrick—left her too drained to face anyone, even Angelo.Angelo tossed his phone onto the sofa, raking his fingers through his hair. He had just come back from spending weeks in Italy dealing with family issues, and all he desired was to hear her voice, to ensure she was alright. Yet with each minute that passed, his discomfort grew.Grabbing his phone again, he dialed her number. Straight to voicemail. Again.He exhaled deeply, walking around the room. “Where on earth are you, Mia?” he whispered unde
Last Updated : 2024-12-26THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 23: The price of Vulnerability
The first thing Mia felt was the coziness of a gentle duvet enveloping her tightly. The mattress underneath her was soft, much more comfortable than her own. Gradually, her eyelids opened to the warm pendant light hanging on the ceiling. She blinked, her head heavy, as blurry memories of the previous drifted through her mind. She had been at the bar. Somehow Angelo was there, was he? For a brief period, everything seemed like a dream, fragmented and unreal. However, as she brushed her fingers against the duvet and sat upright, reality hit her. This was not her room. Her eyes scanned the strange surroundings. The interior was simple but graceful, featuring off white walls and a carefully arranged dresser. She looked down at herself and halted. She had on a baggy white shirt, obviously not hers. Her heart raced. Swinging her legs off the bed, Mia paused momentarily before rising. The shirt reached her mid-thigh, excessively oversized for her small figure. Her exposed feet made conta
Last Updated : 2024-12-27THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 24: The birth of a love Triangle
Mia tugged at the hem of Angelo’s oversized shirt, feeling the fabric brush against her bare thighs. The atmosphere in the dining room was tense—not overtly hostile, but heavy enough to make her wish she could vanish into thin air.“What are you doing here?” Zac asked, his voice calm, though the sharp undertone was impossible to miss.Mia froze, keeping her eyes down. She wasn’t used to being the focus of anyone’s attention, let alone the center of an exchange like this.Angelo, seated at the dining table, raised a brow, his usual relaxed demeanor intact. “How long have you been standing here?”“Long enough.” Zac stepped further inside, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as they flitted from Angelo to Mia. “Nanny said you were here, so I came in. Didn’t realize you had… company.” His gaze lingered briefly on Mia before returning to Angelo. “Nice breakfast spread by the way.”Mia cleared her throat. “Good morning, sir.”“Morning, Mia,” his gaze flicked over her unexpected appearance. “
Last Updated : 2024-12-28THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 25: Unspoken Intentions
Angelo leaned back in his chair, a nervous chuckle escaping his mouth as he met Zac’s gaze.“Zac,” he said, his voice steady despite the faint humor. “None of those girls are in my life anymore. Like I said, I’m taking it slow—one step at a time.”Zac arched an eyebrow. “Wait, wait—did you just turn over a new leaf or did I miss something?”Angelo smirked faintly and shrugged. “I’m a single man now—free as a bird. I’m taking a break from relationship drama, especially now that my dad’s retirement ceremony is around the corner. Once that’s done, I’ll pick my bride. But right now? Not my priority.”“Then what’s up with you and Mia lately?” Zac’s gaze sharpened.Angelo hesitated, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. He exhaled, forcing an easy tone into his voice. “Mia… she’s… nice. Smart, beautiful—obviously. We’ve been getting along pretty well, but I feel like she’s not open with me yet. Still, I value our friendship.”The words felt foreign as they left his mouth. He liked
Last Updated : 2024-12-29THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 26: Seth vs Mia: A Truce
Seth wasn’t the type to be liked or make friends—and he didn’t care to. As Vice Chairman, his power came from one thing: always getting what he wanted. People avoided him when possible. His sharp words and disregard for rules made it clear he played by his own game. Small talk and kindness weren’t his style, but respect—or fear—kept others in line. Months ago, Seth had attended a high-profile charity event in Costa Rica as a sponsor—one of those gatherings where the wealthy mingled under the guise of philanthropy. For Seth, it was a brief distraction from his routine life. Divorced and untouched by romance for years, he found himself drawn to a particular hostess—Mia, disguised as Miranda at that time. Unlike other women who usually indulged his desires, she humiliated him.That slap had done more than just bruise his ego—it imprinted her face into his memory. Now, seated in the boardroom of his family’s company, he found himself staring at a woman who strikingly resemble
Last Updated : 2024-12-30THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 27: Zac’s Other Side
When Zac and Mia entered his office, he walked over to the cozy corner with a small sofa and table, gesturing for her to follow. Mia hesitated, standing awkwardly near the door, her eyes darting between him and the room. “Did I do something wrong?” Her voice was quiet, unsure. Zac turned back to her, offering a calm smile. “No, come on in.” He motioned for her to join him on the sofa As Mia stepped closer, she glanced around nervously. “Um, are you expecting someone?” Zac shook his head, glancing at the table set for lunch. “No. I know we got off on the wrong foot.” He met her gaze. “But despite the circumstances, you’re smart, Mia. A good P.A. Maybe we should consider each other as work partners now.” Mia blushed slightly, caught off guard by the compliment. “Thank you,” she said quietly, still unsure of his intentions. Zac continued, his tone more casual now. “I ordered lunch for us, just as a small way to show my appreciation.” Wow—I mean, that’s really thoughtful,” Mia
Last Updated : 2024-12-31THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 28: Caught in-between
It was still dark outside—too early for anyone else to be up. Even Bella was sound asleep, wrapped under the soft comforter in his bedroom. Zac had entered his study last night without a word. The study was his refuge—a place he could retreat to when his thoughts grew too loud. The dim glow of his laptop screen lit up the otherwise quiet room. Emails and messages waited for his attention, but his thoughts were miles away. They circled back to Mia. Over the past few weeks, her story had come together in fragments. She kept most of her struggles to herself, but Zac was good at connecting the dots. Her overwhelming debt, the job she’d been forced to take, and her longing hope for freedom showed a life she hadn’t willingly stepped into. She had made it known that completing this job would give her the freedom to leave New York with her family and perhaps settle in a quiet location, like Iceland or Austria. Zac couldn’t picture her in a quiet, far-off country like that. It didn’t suit
Last Updated : 2025-01-01THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 29: Whispers of the Heart
“Jason’s not coming. Something came up, and he had to cancel,” Mia replied quickly. As soon as Zac mentioned staying for dinner, Mia stepped inside briefly and sent Jason a text, fabricating an excuse about needing to reschedule his appointment. “That’s sad. Good thing Zac is here, right?” her mother said cheerfully, but the expression on Mia’s face remained clearly uninterested. As Sarah served the dish, the atmosphere in the dining room became thicker with the tempting aroma of a homemade banquet. The table, carefully arranged, displayed roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and a rich, shiny sauce that glimmered in the light. “This looks amazing, Mrs. Williams,” Zac said, genuinely impressed. “Thank you, Zac,” Sarah replied with a warm smile. “It’s just a simple dinner, but I like to add my little touch. Try the sauce—I think you’ll like it.” Zac took a bite, his brow lifting in surprise. “This is… incredible. I’ve never had anything like this.” “Well, you’re wel
Last Updated : 2025-01-02
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 39: Bella’s Plea
Bella stepped out of her sleek black car as the gates of Seth’s villa closed shut behind her. Her face was puffy from crying, so she had to wear big dark shades to mask her pale face. Seth's guards positioned at the entrance shared looks, uncertain if they should restrict her access or ignore her.Seth was just stepping inside his living room when he heard the sound of fast footsteps behind him. He stopped at the doorway, his eyes narrowing as one of his men approached and whispered something in his ear.“Let her in." Seth instructed, gesturing with his hand, his tone composed yet authoritative. He had already seated himself in the living room by the time she reached him, his expression neutral.“Uncle!” Bella whined, throwing herself onto the couch opposite him. Her voice trembled as she buried her face in her hands. “Zac broke up with me! I—I don’t know what to do!”Seth leaned back in his chair, a faint expression of surprise appearing on his face. “What?” he asked, his tone ti
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 38: Cutting ties with Zac
Mia’s heels clicked against the pavement, the sound echoing like a countdown in her mind. She tried to run faster, but the tight straps of her boots betrayed her. She tripped, twisting her ankle, and quickly reached for a streetlight pole to stop herself from falling completely. Suddenly, the sensor light above her snapped on, revealing the man trailing her. He came to a stop, raising his hands to pull back his hooded sweatshirt. Her breath hitched as she stared at the face now exposed. “Derrick?” she whispered, barely audible over her heavy breathing. “It’s me,” Derrick smirked, stepping closer. His tone was teasing, almost playful. “Why are you running? I was just messing with you.” “Messing with me? Derrick, you scared me!” She struggled to catch her breath, even though her heart was still pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from her chest. “Come on, Mia. Get up,” he said, extending a hand to her. She stared at his hand cautiously, as if it might bit
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 37: Take me home
Zac had no plans to show up at Angelo’s birthday party initially. He didn’t enjoy those kinds of gatherings, and being around a crowd of strangers wasn’t appealing to him. But as time passed, staying at home with Bella around left him with no choice. The party suddenly felt like a good excuse to get away—a break from the chaos waiting for him back home.When he arrived, Angelo looked surprised. “You’re here?” He asked, his grin faltering slightly.“I guess so.” Zac shrugged it off, offering no explanation. It was Angelo’s birthday, after all. There was no need to ruin it with his own troubles.Rather than sitting with the others, Zac chose a spot away from the crowd, one where he could blend into the background. He hadn’t told Angelo about his fiancée—now ex-fiancée—and her attempt to hurt Mia. How could he? It wasn’t the right time or place.And then Mia arrived.Her arrival caught everyone’s attention. The room seemed to pause, conversations stopping as heads turned her way. The th
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 36: Angelo’s party
You’re telling me all that happened today?” Samantha asked, throwing a set of clothes on top of Mia’s bed. She was already dressed in her pajamas, wrapped her ginger hair up in a bun. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she watched Mia comb her tangled hair in front of the mirror. “You know I don’t make things up,” Mia replied, her voice tired. “It’s been one drama after another. To be honest, I’m done worrying about it.” She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. Samantha picked up a black silk top from the stack and held it up. “What about this? It screams edgy-but-cute, right?” Mia barely glanced at it before flopping back onto the bed with a groan. “I don’t even want to go. I should just cancel, Sam. I’m serious.” “You dare not cancel!” Samantha spun around dramatically, her hands on her hips. “Girl, it’s Angelo’s party. You have to be there. Besides, you can’t leave him hanging after everything. Remember, he even stayed back to clean up after your mom’s birthday p
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 35: It’s Over between us, Bella
Zac noticed Mia’s gaze and turned to look over his shoulder. His body stiffened the moment he saw her.“Bella?” he said, his voice sharp with surprise. “Weren’t you supposed to be on the boat cruise?”Bella didn’t answer right away. Her cold, furious eyes darted between Zac and Mia.Zac frowned as his gaze scanned her outfit—a tight leather fit, transparent lace—and her tense posture.“How did you even get in?” he asked, his tone more serious this time.Bella’s cold, sharp laugh cut through the air. “Oh! The cruise? Really?” Her eyes darted toward Mia, narrowing like a hawk zeroing in on prey. “Is that why you brought her here?” She stepped further inside, her heels clicking against the floor, each step full of purpose.“Is that why, Zac?”Before Zac could respond, Bella grabbed a delicate glass sculpture from the table and threw it at Mia.Mia dodged it just in time, and the artifact shattered into pieces on the floor.“What the hell, Bella?!” Zac shouted. He jumped to his feet and
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 34: The Enchanted Idea
It was a beautiful sunny Monday morning, and it felt even brighter knowing she didn’t have to go to the office. Zac had called earlier, saying he’d be tied up with a meeting and she could work from home. She’d planned a quiet day, until his text came through.“I need your help—meet me at The Royale Golf Course.”The address led her to a golf course. It was huge, with wide, green fields that seemed to go on forever. Players were scattered across the course, swinging clubs and chatting.She spotted Zac near the entrance, leaning against a golf cart. He was dressed in tailored khakis and a navy polo shirt, exuding his usual polished charm. When their eyes met, he motioned for her to approach with a small wave.“Good morning, sir,” she said, walking up to him.“Morning,” he replied with a small nod. “Come on. Let’s sit somewhere quiet.”He led her to a quiet lounge overlooking the course. The place was calm, with soft chairs and a perfect view of the green. As they settled in, Mia hesitat
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 33 : A plan to Wreck it all
“Mia,” Xiang’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “I know you’ve been doing a good job, but we need more info. BioCorps is breathing down my neck. If you can’t deliver something, we’re both done for.”Xiang paced around the dusty warehouse as if he was almost running mad. One of his group members—a skilled hacker—sat at one end, his eyes stealing glances at them, wondering what could have made their leader tense.Mia took a step forward, her expression tight. “I’ve been on this for months, Xiang. Every move he makes, I’ve watched. Every deal, I’ve tracked. He’s clean. I can’t find anything to put him in the black list. Nothing.”“You have to dig deeper, then.”Mia bit her lip, her frustration clear. “Xiang, if it were that easy, I’d have done it already.”Xiang let out a cold laugh. “No one is that clean. No one.” His gaze pinned her in place. “If you can’t find any, create one. Isn’t that what we do? There has to be something to blackmail him with, at least.”“You don’t get
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 32: The debts that Binds
“Happy Birthday!” Laughter and cheers welcomed Sarah and Samantha as they stepped into the cozy living room, where her mother’s birthday celebration was already in progress. Sarah, Mia's mom, swung the door open only to reveal a total surprise. Her only thought was to enjoy a peaceful day and make a brief trip to the mall for essentials. Instead, she was welcomed by an explosion of vibrant balloons, ribbons, and a large birthday cake that stood majestically in the middle of the dining table. The room was thoughtfully adorned, each corner filled with vibrant hues that created a celebratory atmosphere. Mia and Samantha exchanged a satisfied glance, while Sarah stood at the entrance, too shocked to speak. “Really?” Sarah finally managed, her voice a mix of surprise and amusement. “I thought we were just going to the mall for a few things. Maybe cook something small.” She had spoken to Samantha earlier, laughing about how simple things were going to be. “Did you know about t
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 31: A Bouquet of Apologies
Mia smiled to herself, thinking back to the previous evening. A strange man had opened the car door and asked her to get in, only for her to see Bella, sitting at the other end of the back seat, her expression remained calm like she had been waiting for this moment. “I don’t like you, Mia,” she said, her voice cold and to the point. “Let’s just get that clear.” Mia leaned back, unfazed. She crossed her arms, meeting Bella’s gaze with a steady calmness. “Is that enough reason for my kidnap?” Bella smirked, lifting her hand to flaunt a diamond ring on her finger. “See this?” she said, twirling it as though it held all the power in the world. “This can never be yours—so, keep your distance, okay?” Mia raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Let me make this easy for you,” she replied, her tone measured but cutting. “I’m only working here temporarily. So, in a couple of months, you won’t even have to see me again. Does that help? Does that ease your… mental state?” Bella’s smirk faltere
