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Chapter 16
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2025-03-15 17:37:24
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THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 17
Kehlani’s POVThe ride back to Alec’s penthouse was quiet, but the silence wasn’t comfortable—it was heavy, charged with thoughts I didn’t want to say out loud. Dominic, ever observant, let me stew in my own mind without pressing for answers.He pulled up in front of the building and turned to me. “You sure you want to go back in there?”I forced a smirk. “I don’t exactly have another place to stay.”His gaze flickered with something unreadable. “That’s not what I meant.”I swallowed. I knew what he meant. After what Rowley had told me—what he had implied—walking back into Alec’s home felt like stepping into a trap.“I’ll be fine,” I said, my voice more confident than I felt.Dominic didn’t look convinced. “If you need a way out…”“I can handle myself.”A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips. “That’s what worries me.”I exhaled sharply and reached for the door handle. “Thanks for the ride, Dominic.”“Anytime, Kehlani.”His voice was smooth, but something about the way he said my name s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 18
Kelhani's POVAlec's eyes never left Dominic's face. "I think it's time for you to leave, Hayes."Dominic raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to me before returning to Alec. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."Alec's expression turned glacial. "I didn't ask for your opinion. If you don't leave willingly, I'll have security escort you out."Dominic's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to sense that Alec wasn't bluffing. "Fine," he said, his voice dripping with annoyance. "But this isn't over."He turned to me, his eyes searching. "You okay, Kehlani?"I nodded, trying to reassure him. "I'm fine, Dominic. Thanks for checking in."Dominic's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Alec and me alone.The tension between us was palpable, but I tried to break the silence. "Alec, I think we need to talk about what's going on."The door clicked shut behind Dominic, leaving me alone with Alec. The air between us was thick with unspoken words, tension crack
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 19
Kehlani’s POVThe soft sound of conversation filled the café, blending with the clinking of silverware against porcelain plates. I stirred my tea absentmindedly, my mind elsewhere, until a familiar voice cut through the air like a blade."Fancy seeing you here, Kehlani."I tensed, my grip on the spoon tightening. Slowly, I looked up to meet Rowley’s smug expression. He slid into the seat across from me without waiting for an invitation, his suit pristine, his smirk sharper than ever."Rowley," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Oh, no need for the formalities. We’re friends, aren’t we?"I fought the urge to scoff. "We’re not."Rowley chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the sugar bowl. "You wound me. After all we’ve been through?""I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied coolly.He stirred his coffee, the spoon clinking against the ceramic. "You always were good at pretending. But
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 20
Kehlani’s POVI left the café with my mind spinning, Rowley’s smug expression still burned into my thoughts. The weight of his words clung to me, suffocating. A marriage certificate. Alec’s and mine. He had proof, and he wasn’t bluffing.The streets of Manhattan buzzed around me, but I barely noticed the noise. My phone buzzed in my coat pocket, and I pulled it out with a deep sigh.Alec.I hesitated before answering. “Yes?”“I need you at the office,” he said, his voice clipped.I frowned. “Now?”“Yes. Now.”He didn’t wait for my response before hanging up.Perfect. Just what I needed.By the time I arrived at Castor Enterprises, I was in no mood to deal with Alec’s usual cold demeanor. The receptionist gave me a polite nod as I made my way up to his office.I didn’t bother knocking. “What’s so urgent?”Alec was behind his massive desk, his sleeves rolled up, dark green eyes scanning a file. He didn’t glance up. “You took your time.”I crossed my arms. “You called me five minutes ago
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 21
Kehlani’s POVI arrived at Alec’s penthouse with my mind still tangled in knots. After the meeting at his office, I hadn’t been able to shake the uneasy feeling creeping down my spine. Alec knew something about Rowley—something that made him tense just at the mention of his name.I pushed open the front door and found Alec standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whiskey glass in his hand. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up, and his dark green eyes were locked on the city lights beyond. He looked...troubled.I folded my arms. “Are you going to tell me why you’ve been acting like I just waltzed into a death trap?”He didn’t turn around immediately. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, silent for a long moment. Then, finally, he spoke.“Rowley is dangerous.”I scoffed. “So you’ve said. Repeatedly. And yet, you haven’t told me why.”Alec turned then, his gaze sharp. “Because I was trying to keep you out of it.”I let out a humorless laugh. “News flash, Alec. I’m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 22
Alec’s POVI sat in the dimly lit VIP section of Nocturne, a private club known for hosting New York’s elite—the ones who ran the city in ways the public never knew about. A glass of whiskey sat untouched in front of me, its golden liquid catching the soft glow of the chandelier overhead. Across the table, Rowley leaned back, a smug grin tugging at his lips.“Didn’t expect you to reach out so soon, Castor,” he said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “You must really be eager to see me.”I exhaled through my nose, a slow, measured sound. “I don’t play games, Rowley. If I’m here, it’s for a reason.”He chuckled, taking a leisurely sip of his drink. “And here I thought you just missed our old times.”“Cut the bullshit.” My voice was calm, but the weight behind it was enough to make the smirk on his face falter for a second. “You’ve been making moves. I want to know why.”Rowley sighed dramatically. “Alec, Alec, Alec… You wound me.” He placed a hand over his chest mockingly. “Why do
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 23
Alec’s POVThe night air was crisp as I stepped out of Nocturne, the city lights flickering off the sleek black car parked by the curb. Rowan was already there, leaning against the passenger side, his phone in hand. When he noticed me, he pushed off the car and straightened.“You’re done early,” he remarked.I adjusted the cuffs of my jacket. “Not quite.”Rowan arched a brow, waiting.“I’ve got a meeting inside,” I continued, nodding toward the bar entrance. “Don’t wait up.”He gave a slow nod, but before he could reply, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. Kehlani.That was unexpected.I answered. “What is it?”“Alec,” her voice slurred, the sound of laughter and shuffling in the background. “Where are you?”I frowned. “Are you drunk?”A soft giggle. “Maybe.”That was all I needed to hear.I lowered my phone slightly, speaking to Rowan. “Bring the car around.”Rowan’s expression flickered with mild confusion. “What about your meeting?”“I’ll shift it.”Rowan didn't question it f
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 24
Kehlani’s POVA pounding headache greeted me the moment I woke up. The dull throbbing at my temples made me groan as I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to will away the pain. My mouth felt dry, my limbs sluggish, and worst of all—the events of last night came rushing back with horrifying clarity.The phone call.The drunken rambling.Alec.And then—Oh God.I shot upright in bed, only to regret it instantly as the world tilted and my head protested violently. I buried my face in my hands, trying to steady my breathing.I kissed Alec.The realization sent a fresh wave of panic through me. What the hell had I been thinking? Oh, right—I hadn’t been thinking. I had been drunk, careless, and apparently, far too impulsive for my own good.I groaned again, flopping back against the pillows, pressing my palms to my face."Kill me now," I muttered.The door creaked open."Well, well, well," came Natalie’s teasing voice, laced with amusement. "Someone looks like they had a very interesting nigh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17
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THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 72
Kehlani’s POVThe flash of Finn’s camera still burned behind my eyelids. Noah’s labored breathing filled the silence between us, each exhale a jagged reminder of what Finn was willing to destroy. Finn pocketed his phone, his smile a blade. “Alec’s going to love this. ‘Wife caught in secret rendezvous with ex-lover.’ The tabloids will feast.” “You’re pathetic,” I spat. The ropes bit deeper as I strained against them. “He’ll see through this. He’ll know it’s staged.” “Will he?” Finn crouched, gripping Noah’s hair and yanking his head back. Noah’s eyelids fluttered, a groan escaping his bloodied lips. “How *convenient* that you’re here, alone, with him. How… *intimate*.” “Let him go, Finn. This is between us.” “Us.” He released Noah and stood, circling my chair. “There *is* no ‘us’ until you admit the truth. You belong with *me*. Not with some corporate puppet who married you out of spite.” “Alec’s ten times the man you are.” Finn’s fist slammed into the wall beside my head
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 71
Kehlani’s POVThe warehouse door creaked as I pushed it open, the sound echoing through the hollow space. Dust swirled in the dim light filtering through broken windows. My pulse hammered in my throat as I stepped inside, my boots scuffing against the concrete. "Noah?" I called out, my voice bouncing off the walls. Silence. Then—a muffled groan. My breath hitched. I followed the sound, weaving between stacks of crates, my hands clenched into fists. And then I saw him. Noah. Tied to a chair, his head slumped forward, his dark hair matted with sweat and blood. His arms were bound behind him, his skin raw where the ropes bit in. *"Noah!"* I rushed forward, dropping to my knees in front of him. My fingers fumbled with the knots, but they were too tight. "Hey—hey, wake up. It's me. It's Kel." He didn’t stir. I pressed two fingers to his neck, relief flooding me when I felt the steady thrum of his pulse. He was alive. Just unconscious. Okay. Okay. Think. I stood, scann
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 70
Kehlani's POV“You should go back to bed,” Alec said, his voice low, yet laced with something more than concern—guilt, maybe.I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, phone still clutched tightly in my hand. My palms were damp with sweat. The words on the screen still echoed in my head: I’m watching you now.“I can’t,” I whispered, not trusting my voice to hold up if I said more.Alec moved closer. “I’ll keep tracking the number. I’ll stay up and work through the night.”I turned to look at him, studying his face. He looked so sure—like if he just clicked the right combination of keys, the answer would appear. But this wasn’t a math problem. It was a nightmare.“Alec…” I swallowed hard. “What if they hurt him again tonight?”“I won’t let that happen,” he replied firmly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I promise you. But you need to rest, Kel. Just for a few hours. You’re running on fumes.”I hated that he was right.I hated that I had no choice.“I’ll try,” I murmur
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 69
Kehlani's POVI could barely think. It had been days since Noah went missing, and I felt like I was losing my mind. Sleep was a distant memory, replaced with endless worry and a growing pit of frustration in my stomach. Alec, on the other hand, was buried behind his desk, endlessly combing through files, calls, and whatever else he was doing to track Noah down. But nothing had changed. Noah was still gone.And I was still waiting.When Alec finally returned home that night, his face was lined with exhaustion. He loosened his tie as he walked in, but I didn’t care about how tired he looked. I cared about the fact that he was moving too slowly. That every second wasted was a second Noah spent in some unknown place, alone and afraid.“You’re late.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take it back.Alec sighed, rubbing his forehead before setting his briefcase down. “Kelhani, I told you, I’m doing everything I can.”“That’s the problem!” I snapped. “You keep saying that, bu
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 68
Kehlani’s POV The café was sleek and modern, a place filled with professionals chatting over espressos and influencers snapping photos of their lattes. It was exactly the kind of place Natalie would choose—trendy, expensive, and a reflection of the success she loved to flaunt.I spotted her instantly. Seated near the window, she was dressed in a cream-colored designer jumpsuit, her perfectly manicured fingers scrolling through her phone as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Meanwhile, my world was falling apart.I marched up to the table, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. Natalie barely looked up before a smirk tugged at her lips. “Well, well. Look who decided to show up. I was beginning to think you chickened out.”I pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. “Where is he?”Her brows furrowed in mock confusion. “He? You’ll have to be more specific, Kehlani. I know a lot of ‘he’s.’”I clenched my fists under the table, willing myself to stay calm. “Noah. Did you take hi
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 67
Kehlani's POVThe weight of my phone pressed against my palm, my fingers hovering over the call button as my heart pounded in my chest. Every passing second felt like an eternity. Alec had left to search the surrounding areas, the police had already started their investigation, and I—I needed to do something.Taking a deep breath, I scrolled through my contacts and pressed on Natalie’s name. My thumb trembled as I brought the phone to my ear. It rang once. Twice. Three times.“Kehlani?” Natalie’s voice was sharp with surprise. “What’s wrong? It’s late.”I sucked in a breath. “Natalie, I—” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and tried again. “It’s Noah. He’s missing.”Silence stretched on the other end before she finally spoke, her tone turning cold with urgency. “What do you mean missing?”I gripped the phone tighter. “He was taking a nap. When I went to check on him, he was gone. I searched the house, the backyard, the street—he’s just…gone.”“Oh my god.” There was a rustling soun
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 66
Kehlani’s POV The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the kitchen as I set the plates on the table. The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the sweetness of syrup-drenched pancakes. Across from me, Noah swung his legs back and forth, his small hands clutching a fork as he absentmindedly pushed his food around the plate.I watched him for a moment before nudging his cup of milk closer. "You're awfully quiet this morning, buddy. Something on your mind?"Noah hesitated, his dark eyes flickering up to meet mine before dropping back to his plate. He let out a small sigh. "I was just thinking about my dad."My heart squeezed at the mention of Alec’s brother. Noah rarely talked about him, and when he did, it was always with that quiet sadness that never quite fit on his young face. I reached across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to talk about him?"He nodded slowly. "I miss him. A lot. Uncle Alec is great, but it's not the same."
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 65
Kehlani's POVThe afternoon light slanted through my apartment window, painting golden stripes across the floor. I had just finished going through some last-minute details for my next pop-up event when my phone vibrated against the table. Alec’s name flashed on the screen.I hesitated for only a second before answering. “Hello?”There was a pause, then his voice came through, steady as always. “Kelhani. I need a favor.”Alec never called unless it was important. I sat up. “What’s wrong?”“It’s about Noah.”My heart tightened. I had always been close to Noah, Alec’s nephew, and knowing he needed me set off an immediate wave of concern. “Is he okay?”“He’s fine,” Alec reassured me. “But my grandmother needs to stay in the hospital for a few days, and there’s no one to stay with him at home. I can’t leave work right now, and I know you two are close.”A rush of emotions filled me. It had been a while since I’d visited Noah, and if he needed me, I wouldn’t hesitate. “I’ll go,” I said imme
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 64
Kehlani's POV The café was quiet for a weekday afternoon—just the hum of low conversations and the occasional clink of porcelain. I stirred my latte absently, watching the foam swirl as I waited for Diana. She was late, as usual, but I didn’t mind. It gave me time to think. My phone buzzed. Alec. Meeting ran long. Still at the office. Don’t wait up. I smirked. As if I ever did. “Sorry, sorry!” Diana’s voice cut through my thoughts as she slid into the chair across from me, her designer bag nearly toppling the sugar dispenser. “Traffic was a nightmare. You’d think New York would figure out how to build wider streets by now.” I pushed her untouched cappuccino toward her. “You’re lucky I love you.” She grinned, taking a sip. “Damn right.” Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. “So. Spill. How’s the empire-building going?” I rolled my eyes. “It’s not an empire. Yet.” “Yet,” she repeated, tapping her nails against the cup. “That’s the spirit.” I exhaled, flipping open my
