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CHAPTER THREE— IMPROMPTU VISIT

Author: Sasha Smith
last update Huling Na-update: 2024-11-23 22:08:57

"What? What do you mean you're now engaged to Luca Russo?” My best friend Georgina asked over the phone.

It had been six days since the ordeal in form of a hunk of a man barged into my life. Four days since Dad locked me up in my room, thankfully with my phone and TV, although I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I'd just mustered up the courage today to call Georgina and deliver the tragic news.

I nodded even though she couldn't see me. “It's true, Georgie. I'm even surprised the news hasn't flown around. News sure does flies around in this society.”

“Urggh, tell me about it,” she groaned. “Remember when Gianna got pregnant by her bodyguard? No one would stop talking about it for years.”

“I know right?” Gianna was a topic five years ago. Parents warned their daughters not to be like her. She was a prime example of what not to do as an elite, and a ridicule to her family. I felt sorry for her, but it seemed in our world, you could never want who you wanted.

“So, what are you going to do now?” She squealed. “Don't tell me. You plan on eloping with Matt, don't you?” She laughed, earning an eye roll from me.

“Like I could ever. And we both know Matt would never do that. If I did, his family's lives would be at stake. We can't do that to each other.” I heaved a sigh. “Besides, we already agreed to go our separate ways.”

“Doesn't mean it can't still happen,” she argued. I started to berate her when she finally dropped the issue. “Fine! This is reality, and I shouldn't be here wishing it could be like my dreams, but… don't you sometimes wish you were born in a different place? With different beliefs and all? Other girls get to choose who they want while we are offered in a platter of gold to whomever our parents or the society think is better for us.”

“Or as an atonement for whatever mistakes our parents made in the past,” I supplied and she heaved a sigh. “Yeah, that too.”

“Well, I do wish it too, but there's nothing we can do about it,” I confessed. “That's why I've accepted my fate. I am getting married to Luca Russo and there's nothing I can do about it.”

“Well, my thoughts and prayers. You sure as hell are going to need it.”

“Gianna stop swearing,” I chastised, but a laugh bubbled out of my chest. “Girls don't do that.”

“I'm not like you girls. I move in my own direction.”

We both shared a laugh and then talked about other things. I wasn't even married yet, and I already missed Gianna. What more if I finally got to my prison?

A thought came to mind. What if Luca Russo restricted me from a whole lot of things? What if he orchestrated me from the world? Would I be just a sex slave to him? A baby machine? Would he be faithful?

I immediately pushed the last thought from my head. I didn't care if he would be. In fact, if I had a way to make a deal with him to have as many women as he liked without the requirement of warming his bed, I sure would. Although, after our encounter last time, I doubted he was a man who appreciated being told what to do.

I sighed. How did my life get to this? It was easier knowing Santiago was the man I would be married to. At least he didn't have a ruthless reputation. I should have known life would simply not let me catch a break.

With these thoughts in my head, I slowly let sleep engulf me into its warm embrace, and offer me its comfort.

I didn't stir until I felt hands shaking my shoulder and when my eyes fluttered open, I made direct eye contact with Mom's concerned gaze.

“You never take a nap, Ariadne,” she observed. “Are you feeling under the weather?”

I wanted so badly to go off on her. Accuse her and Dad of being terrible parents, but I bit the accusations back and instead mumbled, “it was either sleep or subject myself to an eternity rest.”

She glowered at me, seemingly understanding what I meant. “That's not a good thing to say, Ariadne!”

“Wishful thinking,” I whispered with a shrug. I caught the box she was holding with my eyes and looked up at her. “What's that?” I pointed with my chin at the box.

She raised the box, staring at it like she hadn't known she was holding it. “This? Your future husband Luca Russo’s assistant dropped by this afternoon to give you this. He said he wants you wearing it for the party next week.” She grinned like a Hyena and I wanted to smack that smile off her face.

How was it that she couldn't see what was wrong here? Her daughter being sold off to a man who didn't even value her enough to show up with the ring by himself and put it on her? His assistant? Hell no. I was young, but I wasn't stupid.

I sat up from my bed, grabbing my phone ( I always took it with me everywhere. It was like my other best friend) feeling very defiant. “Well then, I guess you'll have to call his assistant and tell him that I'm not putting this ring on.”

“What?”

I started making my way to the bathroom ignoring her shock. I guess I'd been the obedient child, but did they really think I was stupid to go along with this circus they were slowly turning my life into?

“Ariadne, now is not the time to unleash your stubborn streak,” she reminded me. “Luca Russo is—”

I turned sharply, cutting her off. “A formidable man. Ruthless, murderous. I know that, Mom. And still I choose to not take the ring. What's the worse that can happen? He's going to kill me?” I snorted at that. I wouldn't mind that. At all.

Without waiting for a response, I made my way to the bathroom and locked the door behind me.

Wheew! I guess that wasn't so bad. Maybe it was high time I showed them who I was, that I was a person with feelings too. Maybe then they'd take me seriously.

I sat on the toilet seat, alternating between shooting my friends texts and watching videos on TikTok. I don't know how much time passed, and when I glanced at my phone clock, I winced on how long I'd been here. It was almost thirty minutes until dinner. How had I lost track of time?

Standing, my butt protesting from the position I'd been in for hours, I made my way to the door and unlocked it. With a quick sweep of the half lit room with my eyes, I smiled when I saw the room was empty.

I stepped away from the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I was surprised Dad hadn't barged into my room and yelled at me for my disobedience, but I guess they were shocked that I —

“Going somewhere?”

I yelped in fright at the sound of the voice behind me, spinning on my heels and wielding my phone as a weapon. Pathetic really.

“I've been waiting for you for… almost an hour now, future wive.”

My heart skipped a beat and then beat faster at that reference. Future wive. I recognized that deadly, bored voice before the man came out of the shadows, looking like sin.

And I just knew.

I was fucked.

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  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER FOUR— KISSES AND BUTTERFLIES

    You ever wonder why sin was irresistible and sweet? Why bad habits were the hardest to quit? Well, I think I just found the answers to those questions in the form of the enigmatic man who sat in one corner of my room. Luca Russo. The ruthless billionaire. Here in my bedroom. Staring— no, rather, glaring— at me with those blue eyes. I had no idea why I hadn't been scared of him, but seeing him now, at this hour, in my half lit room, I couldn't fight the goosebumps that spread on my body. He was doing things to my body, and I could feel it in between my legs. Oblivious to him obviously. “Wh… what… what are you doing here?” I stuttered when I finally found my voice. He stood up dangerously slow, his steps to me dangerously slower. The glare seemed to magnify this time and if looks could kill, I would have been dead the moment I walked into the room. “How did you even get in here.” When I got no reply, I snapped my head over my shoulder to scream for the one person who woul

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER FIVE — UNDRAFTED PLAN

    I was going to kick something. Or someone— I wasn't sure which yet. Today was my fitting day and Mom, having taken me to shop for bridal gowns, wouldn't stop ranting about how my wedding was the most anticipated. How everyone kept talking and wishing it was going to come faster than planned.I'd been shocked and almost yelled the house down when I was informed my wedding was in less than a week. Saturday to be precise. Why Luca and my parents were rushing for the wedding, I didn't know, but I knew one thing: I was screwed. In less than a week, I would be married to an arrogant, condescending bastard, and my freedom kept slipping through my fingers day by day.So here I was, shopping for the outfit I would be wearing when I traded and I could do nothing but smile at the strangers who kept praising me on how I looked beautiful in every gown I put on.“Fix your face, Ariadne,” Mom gritted in annoyance after one of the sales girl praised that I could be dressed in a trash bag and still lo

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-22
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER SIX— ACCOMPLICE

    The plan was simple: pay a visit to Matt in his grandmother's house since that was where he loved to stay for a while. A little bit of talking, and then bring up the discussion about wanting to run away.I had no clue what I was hoping would come out of it and last night, I'd told myself that whatever the repercussions were, it was better than living in a hopeless marriage with that ruthless man who'd taken my first kiss without permission. God, there were some nights when I lay, staring up at the ceiling and when I remembered that day he'd come into my room uninvited and eaten my mouth like I was his favorite meal, I felt the tingle between my legs. I shook my head as the memory came swirling back. Now was not the time to start daydreaming about what those expert hands could do. I needed to figure out a way for my freedom rather than letting my body make a fool out of me. If my plans worked out, it was only a matter of time until I found a man who would love me and treat me how I

    Huling Na-update : 2025-02-17
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE    CHAPTER SEVEN— MAYHEM

    If Matt suspected anything about me constantly visiting his grandmother he didn't say anything or show it. That didn't surprise me though. I'd always visited when I was much younger. His grandmother was like one I never had and so it didn't come as surprise.Today was the D–day to finalize my escape plans. His grandmother had already sorted everything out and all that was left was me making the move. I'd told Georgina and begged her not to tell anyone no matter how much they'd questioned her. She'd promised, but I was still wary of her ability to effortlessly lie and so I'd not told her where exactly I was headed to.Philadelphia.I'd always wanted to visit that city my entire life and now it seemed like this was my opportunity to. I was finally going to live a carefree life— drink, club, experience love, get married to a man I loved someday and start a family with him, finish my education and get a good job. I wasn't going to be the Ariadne Moretti who was the good girl and was bound

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-07
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER EIGHT— NEGOTIATION

    I think I fell asleep sometime during the car ride to his house. I wasn't sure how long. My eyes fluttered open when warm hands gently shook me and then I heard that familiar voice call my name. With a groan, I slowly came to and then jolted up when I remembered the past event. Luca at my house. Georgina's betrayal. Father and Mother letting Luca hold me hostage. “Where are we?” I asked, losing the ability to admire the mansion that stood in the middle of this massive beautiful compound. This is too much of an upgrade from my family's house and even I thought our house was one of the biggest houses. This however, didn't do it much justice.“My home. Which will he your home in less than three days,” Luca said it as a matter of fact and the way he said it so casually, I almost would have missed what his words meant.I frowned. “Three days?”He nodded. “Our wedding has been moved to three days’ time. After the stunt you almost pulled, I'm not willing to take anymore risks with you, Aria

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER NINE— ECSTASY

    "I would like to watch you come undone. With my tongue." I could feel the tingling sensation down there at his words, and without being able to stop myself, I squeezed my thighs between his legs. There was something hot about all of these: him on top of me, staring down at me like his next meal. In this moment, we didn't hate each other. If any stranger were to see us right now, they wouldn't mistake the lust pouring out of both of us. But even if desire wanted me to say yes, I still had my senses. I pushed him away from me and rose from the bed. “No, thank you. I would rather kiss a toilet seat than make that happen.” “We can arrange that,” he mumbled and I glared at him. I huffed. “What is this anyways? Dragging me from my parents’ house and then volunteering to… you know. Don't you have billions to make?” He chuckled, rising to his feet. My cheeks turned red when he arranged the bulge in his pants and then looked back up at me with a smirk. “Contrary to what you think, Ari

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-16
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER TEN— HATE TO HATE

    I didn’t bother to turn around. Even when I knew he was still there, standing at the foot of the bed, staring at me. I could feel his presence, thick like the scent of sex still lingering in the air— evidence of what we'd done, what I'd allowed him to do, but I forced myself to focus on the slow rhythm of my breathing, pretending that what just happened meant nothing. Pretending that I hadn’t just given him a part of myself no other man had ever had before. Luca wasn’t the kind of man who accepted defeat easily. I knew that much. And when he finally spoke, his voice was low, measured, but carrying an undercurrent of something I couldn’t quite place. “You think you can just use me and toss me aside, Principessa?” he said the endearment mockingly. There was amusement in his tone, but it was laced with something darker. Something possessive. I finally turned, raising a brow at him. “I would hardly call what just happened ‘me using you and dumping you.’ It's more of a mistake that wo

    Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03
  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER ELEVEN—SANTIAGO RUSSO

    I stormed up to my room, gripping Luca’s phone like a lifeline. I slammed the door shut behind me and sank onto the bed, my fingers moving swiftly as I dialed my mother’s number. The phone rang twice before she answered. “Mr. Russo?” I exhaled, pressing a hand to my eyes. I suddenly had the urge to cry, but I held back.. “Mom, it's me. Ariadne.” She gasped. “How are you, sweetheart? I’ve been worried.” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Worried? Are you really? I was under the impression that you were okay with selling me off to the devil.” My mother sighed. “Ariadne, please let's not throw blame right now.” “Well, what do you expect me to do, Mum? The asshole took my damn phone! He’s a controlling, arrogant asshole, and you just handed me over like I was some kind of bargaining chip.” “Ariadne,” my mother said gently, but firmly. “It’s our tradition. It’s the way things have always been. You knew this would happen.” “I didn't know I would be given out to a ruthless, cold bastar

    Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03

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  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER FIFTEEN—CONFESSIONS

    The next morning, I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window, the soft light filtering through the blinds. I groaned, rubbing her eyes as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. The warmth from the car ride was still lingering, but my mind was filled with memories of the previous day. I had managed to get through the dinner with Luca’s family, and despite my initial discomfort, I felt... different. It wasn’t the kind of ease I’d expected, but maybe it was a start.Rolling out of bed, I stretched my arms over my head, letting the cool air of the room settle on my skin. Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it. As I made my way to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. My hair was mussed, but aside from that, I looked well rested. My eyes lingered on my reflection a bit longer than usual. A frown crept its way to my face.What was I doing? What had I gotten herself into?I immediately shook the thoughts away, splashing cold water on my fac

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE    CHAPTER FOURTEEN — TEASES AND ATTRACTIONS

    I woke up with a start, the coolness of the sheets against my skin sending a shock through my body. Oh, holy… I was naked! Completely naked. My heart raced as my mind scrambled to piece together what had happened.Where was I? How had I ended up here?The last thing I remembered was having fun dancing at my wedding, and then… nothing. Did I do something? And where the hell was Luca?My eyes frantically darted around the unfamiliar room. The walls were dark, luxurious, and ornate. Whose bedroom was this? The luxurious space felt too grand, too personal for me to be here. My pulse quickened, and I froze, a sick feeling crawling up my throat.Oh, my God ! Had I been kidnapped? Or had Luca decided he didn't want me and pimped me out? No. The thought made my stomach twist. There was no way. He couldn’t have. And why couldn’t I remember anything past the wedding. I couldn’t remember… my eyes darted down to the sheets, and I quickly checked the bed. No blood. No sign of anything that would

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER THIRTEEN — VOWS

    The D–day arrived faster than I anticipated. One moment, I was picking out a wedding dress with Luca watching me like something to be devoured, and the next, I was standing in front of a mirror, fully dressed in white, and at the mercy of the makeup artists dolling me up. In less than an hour, I would be walking down the aisle to a man I still claimed to despise. The dress fit me perfectly. Lace sleeves graced my arms, delicate embroidery wrapping around my torso before cascading into layers of soft tulle. A veil, sheer and ethereal, was pinned into my hair, completing the picture of the perfect bride. Except I didn’t feel perfect. I felt trapped. A soft knock on the door made me jump slightly. Then my mother entered, eyes misty with emotion. “So, Ari, my dear. You look stunning.” I didn’t bother to reply. Just stared at my reflection, trying to find some semblance of the girl I used to be—the one who had dreams that didn’t involve marrying a billionaire out of duty. She was go

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER TWELVE —UNWANTED ATTRACTION

    I think I lost my ability to breathe. Or think. Or conjure a word. Or any basic human necessity. Santiago’s words lingered in the air, heavy and catatonic:Tell me something, Ariadne… Do you ever wonder what would’ve happened if you had? If circumstances were changed and I was the one you would be walking down the aisle to meet and vow your undying love to? Tell me.I finally opened my mouth, but still no words came out. What was I even supposed to say to that? I could barely process being forced into marriage with Luca, and now his nephew was throwing this into the mix?“What? Cat got your tongue?” Santiago mused, watching my reaction with amusement.“I—” cleared my throat as I tried to put on a brave face, my mind racing. “I actually don't —”“Oh, don't tell me you've never thought about it. Not even once,” He was towards me as he said those words and I kept staggering back for reasons I didn't know. This guy made me flustered and not in a good way. Seeing my reaction, he smirked.

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER ELEVEN—SANTIAGO RUSSO

    I stormed up to my room, gripping Luca’s phone like a lifeline. I slammed the door shut behind me and sank onto the bed, my fingers moving swiftly as I dialed my mother’s number. The phone rang twice before she answered. “Mr. Russo?” I exhaled, pressing a hand to my eyes. I suddenly had the urge to cry, but I held back.. “Mom, it's me. Ariadne.” She gasped. “How are you, sweetheart? I’ve been worried.” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Worried? Are you really? I was under the impression that you were okay with selling me off to the devil.” My mother sighed. “Ariadne, please let's not throw blame right now.” “Well, what do you expect me to do, Mum? The asshole took my damn phone! He’s a controlling, arrogant asshole, and you just handed me over like I was some kind of bargaining chip.” “Ariadne,” my mother said gently, but firmly. “It’s our tradition. It’s the way things have always been. You knew this would happen.” “I didn't know I would be given out to a ruthless, cold bastar

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER TEN— HATE TO HATE

    I didn’t bother to turn around. Even when I knew he was still there, standing at the foot of the bed, staring at me. I could feel his presence, thick like the scent of sex still lingering in the air— evidence of what we'd done, what I'd allowed him to do, but I forced myself to focus on the slow rhythm of my breathing, pretending that what just happened meant nothing. Pretending that I hadn’t just given him a part of myself no other man had ever had before. Luca wasn’t the kind of man who accepted defeat easily. I knew that much. And when he finally spoke, his voice was low, measured, but carrying an undercurrent of something I couldn’t quite place. “You think you can just use me and toss me aside, Principessa?” he said the endearment mockingly. There was amusement in his tone, but it was laced with something darker. Something possessive. I finally turned, raising a brow at him. “I would hardly call what just happened ‘me using you and dumping you.’ It's more of a mistake that wo

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER NINE— ECSTASY

    "I would like to watch you come undone. With my tongue." I could feel the tingling sensation down there at his words, and without being able to stop myself, I squeezed my thighs between his legs. There was something hot about all of these: him on top of me, staring down at me like his next meal. In this moment, we didn't hate each other. If any stranger were to see us right now, they wouldn't mistake the lust pouring out of both of us. But even if desire wanted me to say yes, I still had my senses. I pushed him away from me and rose from the bed. “No, thank you. I would rather kiss a toilet seat than make that happen.” “We can arrange that,” he mumbled and I glared at him. I huffed. “What is this anyways? Dragging me from my parents’ house and then volunteering to… you know. Don't you have billions to make?” He chuckled, rising to his feet. My cheeks turned red when he arranged the bulge in his pants and then looked back up at me with a smirk. “Contrary to what you think, Ari

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE     CHAPTER EIGHT— NEGOTIATION

    I think I fell asleep sometime during the car ride to his house. I wasn't sure how long. My eyes fluttered open when warm hands gently shook me and then I heard that familiar voice call my name. With a groan, I slowly came to and then jolted up when I remembered the past event. Luca at my house. Georgina's betrayal. Father and Mother letting Luca hold me hostage. “Where are we?” I asked, losing the ability to admire the mansion that stood in the middle of this massive beautiful compound. This is too much of an upgrade from my family's house and even I thought our house was one of the biggest houses. This however, didn't do it much justice.“My home. Which will he your home in less than three days,” Luca said it as a matter of fact and the way he said it so casually, I almost would have missed what his words meant.I frowned. “Three days?”He nodded. “Our wedding has been moved to three days’ time. After the stunt you almost pulled, I'm not willing to take anymore risks with you, Aria

  • THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE    CHAPTER SEVEN— MAYHEM

    If Matt suspected anything about me constantly visiting his grandmother he didn't say anything or show it. That didn't surprise me though. I'd always visited when I was much younger. His grandmother was like one I never had and so it didn't come as surprise.Today was the D–day to finalize my escape plans. His grandmother had already sorted everything out and all that was left was me making the move. I'd told Georgina and begged her not to tell anyone no matter how much they'd questioned her. She'd promised, but I was still wary of her ability to effortlessly lie and so I'd not told her where exactly I was headed to.Philadelphia.I'd always wanted to visit that city my entire life and now it seemed like this was my opportunity to. I was finally going to live a carefree life— drink, club, experience love, get married to a man I loved someday and start a family with him, finish my education and get a good job. I wasn't going to be the Ariadne Moretti who was the good girl and was bound

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