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16 - Deeply In Love

Penulis: Grace Kara
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-08 17:57:24

The scale of Damien's estate overwhelmed me.

Every hallway seemed to extend into infinity, every room larger than my entire former apartment.

Rosa guided us through the main floor, pointing out rooms with casual mentions of priceless artifacts — 'That's the original Monet in the drawing room' and 'The library contains first editions from the sixteenth century' — as if discussing everyday household items.

I tried to maintain composure, but my eyes widened at each new revelation. The indoor pool with a retractable glass ceiling.

The cinema room with authentic vintage theater seating. The wine cellar that Rosa claimed housed bottles worth more than most homes.

"And this will be your suite miss." Rosa said, opening double doors to reveal a space larger than George's entire house.

A sitting room with plush velvet furniture opened to a bedroom dominated by a canopied king sized bed. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked manicured gardens and the distant shimmer of the lake. The bathroom fe
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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   17 - Surprised

    Izzy's eyes narrowed skeptically. "He's never even brought a woman here before. Not once in all the years we've lived here."My surprise must have shown on my face because Izzy grinned triumphantly. "Didn't tell you that, did he? Nonna says he keeps his personal life locked up tighter than the wine cellar.""We're still getting to know each other." I said carefully."Huh...." Izzy circled me slowly, her assessment unnervingly similar to her grandmother's. "You don't look like his type.""And what exactly is his type?" I asked, genuinely curious."Dunno. Models? Businesswomen with scary shoes?" She shrugged. "You seem... normal. Nice, even.""Thank you, I think.""You paint?" she asked suddenly.I blinked at the non sequitur. "Yes, how did you —""You have paint under your fingernails." She pointed to my hands. "Blue, at the cuticles. Hard to get out."I examined my nails, surprised to find traces of ultramarine blue from my last painting session still embedded despite multiple showers

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   18 - Butterfly

    He acknowledged this with a slight nod. "You're welcome to use any of the facilities. The stables, the tennis courts, the gardens, consider them at your disposal."" stables?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "You have horses?""Three. Do you ride?"I laughed softly. "I've never even been near a horse.""I'll teach you, if you wish."The offer caught me off guard. "You'd do that?""Why not?" He refilled my wine glass. "We have six months together. Might as well make them educational."Six months. The reminder of our temporary arrangement sobered me. I was already growing dangerously accustomed to this surreal existence after just one day."I should work on a more convincing backstory for us," I said, steering the conversation to safer ground. "In case your mother asks more specific questions."Damien set down his fork, giving me his full attention. "What did you have in mind?""Details about our relationship. First date, first kiss, when we realized it was serious. The things people usu

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   19 - Genuine Happiness

    I woke to sunlight streaming through windows I'd forgotten to close, momentarily disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings. The canopied bed, the silk sheets, the vast room, reality crashed back as I remembered where I was and why. This wasn't a dream or a fantasy...this was my new life, at least temporarily.The bedside clock read 7 13 AM. I stretched languidly, enjoying the luxurious feel of high thread count sheets against my skin. After years of secondhand mattresses and bargain bedding, this felt like floating on a cloud.A soft knock at the door interrupted my indulgence."Miss Winters?" Rosa's voice called. "Are you awake?""Yes." I replied, hastily sitting up. "Come in."Rosa entered carrying a tray with coffee, fresh fruit, and pastries. She set it on the small table near the windows."Good morning." she said, pulling back the curtains fully. "Did you sleep well?""Better than I have in years," I admitted. "This bed is incredible.""Memory foam imported from Sweden," Rosa sai

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   20 - Revelation

    Damien considered this, his brow furrowing slightly. "The estate belonged to my grandparents. My mother grew up here. After my grandfather died, the property fell into disrepair. I purchased it when my business first became successful, restored it for her."The revelation of this sentimental gesture from a man who presented himself as coldly pragmatic caught me off guard. "That's... incredibly thoughtful."He shrugged, dismissing the observation. "It was a sound investment."But I wasn't fooled. This massive estate, maintained at what must be astronomical expense, wasn't about investment returns. It was about preserving something meaningful for his mother.We reached the terrace where we'd started, and Damien checked his watch. "I have a video conference in twenty minutes. Rosa will show you to breakfast if you're hungry.""Thank you for walking with me."I said, realizing I'd actually enjoyed his company.He nodded, his expression returning to its usual composed mask. "I'll see you a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   21 - Among the Mediocre

    Damien's expression changed subtly. "You didn't know."It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "No. My father lost everything gambling, then killed himself. There was nothing left except his life insurance, which barely covered funeral expenses and helping me finish school."Damien opened a drawer, removing a file which he placed before me. "Your mother established a trust before her death. Your father was trustee until you turned twenty one, at which point control would transfer to you."I stared at the file, afraid to open it. "That's impossible. If such a trust existed, I would have known.""Not if your stepmother deliberately kept it from you," Damien countered. "When your father died, she became trustee. The funds were intended for your education and establishing your independence after college. Instead, she's been systematically depleting it through 'management fees' and questionable investments."With trembling fingers, I opened the file. Inside were financial statements,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   22 - Distraction

    DAMIEN~I stood on the second floor balcony, coffee cooling in my hand as I watched her through the morning mistAngel had found her way to the eastern garden, where the landscaping transitioned from formal arrangements to more natural plantings. She'd settled on a stone bench beneath the oak my mother had insisted on preserving when we renovated the grounds, her sketchbook balanced on her knees, pencil moving with confident strokes.She was talented. I'd known this instinctively upon seeing her callused fingers, but observing her work confirmed it. Even from this distance, I could see how her body language changed when she drew, her usual hesitancy replaced by purpose, her movements fluid and decisive.I hadn't meant to watch her for so long. Three urgent emails awaited responses, the Tokyo market had fluctuated unexpectedly overnight, and Marco was due to report on the Sinclair investigation within the hour. Yet I remained, coffee forgotten, studying the woman who had unwittingly

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   23 - Anger

    I was still considering these complexities when movement in the garden caught my eye. Angel had packed up her sketching materials and was heading back toward the house. I watched her walking the stone path, her movements graceful despite her obvious distraction. She paused occasionally to examine a flower or architectural detail, curiosity evident even from this distance."Spying on your fake fiancée, Mr. Salvatore?"The voice startled me, a rare occurrence. I turned to find Isabella standing in the doorway to the balcony, arms crossed, expression knowing beyond her years."Observation isn't spying, Isabella," I corrected, my tone deliberately neutral.She rolled her eyes with the dramatics only a pre-teen could muster. "Sure looks like spying from where I'm standing."I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you doing in this wing of the house? Your grandmother mentioned a science project requiring your attention.""Finished it." she declared proudly. "Volcano. Very original.""Imp

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   24 - Threatening

    I exited through the front entrance and made my way down the long drive to the security gate where Sinclair's BMW was parked. He stood arguing with the security guard, his gestures animated and increasingly aggressive."That's my wife in there!!!" I heard him shout as I approached. "You can't keep me from seeing her!""Ex wife." I corrected coldly, making my presence known. "Or soon to be. I understand the divorce papers have been filed. By you."Sinclair turned, his expression shifting from anger to calculated charm with practiced ease. "Mr. Salvatore, I presume? I just want to talk to Angel. Clear up some misunderstandings."I studied him with clinical detachment. He was conventionally attractive in an unremarkable way—medium height, decent physique, the kind of generic good looks that belonged in mid-range men's fashion catalogs. Nothing about him explained the devotion Angel had given him."There are no misunderstandings to clear up," I replied evenly. "You made your position abun

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   40 - Possession

    "Oh my god!!" Elena squealed once he was out of earshot. "Richard Knight wants to see your work! Do you know how many artists would kill for that chance?" "It's probably just courtesy," I said, slipping the card into my pocket. "Don't be stupid" she chided, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the staff room. "This is your chance to establish yourself independently. You know, so you're not just Damien Salvatore's arm candy." The barb stung more than it should have. "I'm not arm candy." Elena's expression softened into faux sympathy. "Of course not, honey. But let's be real - your engagement happened awfully fast after your divorce. People talk. Having your own career would shut them up." I disentangled myself from her arm, anger rising at her manipulative concern. "I don't really care what people say about my relationship." "You should," she persisted. "Especially since —" The gallery door chimed, cutting her off. We both turned to see George striding in, d

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   39 - Painting Again

    ANGELINA ~ The gallery had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks - the one place where I could exist as simply Angel, not Damien Salvatore's fiancée. I loved, loved losing myself for hours arranging exhibits, researching artists, and occasionally sketching during quiet moments. Today, I was cataloging a new shipment of sculptures when Elena's excited voice broke my concentration. "Angel! You won't believe who just walked in," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. I looked up from my inventory list to see her barely contained enthusiasm. Despite learning of her betrayal the previous day, I'd forced myself to act normal around her, following Damien's advice to 'keep your enemies closer.' The words still tasted bitter in my mouth each time I smiled at her, but perhaps it was my fault for asking Damien to help her get a job here, after she'd claimed that she'd been fired. "Who?" I asked, feigning interest. "Richard Knight," she whispered dramatically.

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   38 - A Weakness

    She startled, turning to find me watching her. A blush immediately colored her cheeks — the first acknowledgment of last night. "Damien," she said, setting down the brush without having touched the canvas. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly." I entered the room, noting the organized chaos of her supplies, brushes meticulously arranged by size, paints grouped by color family, palette scraped clean in preparation. "You've been here a while." "Just... thinking," she admitted. "About painting? ...Or about last night?" Her blush deepened, but she met my eyes directly. "Both." I appreciated her honesty. It was refreshing after years of dealing with people who calculated every word for maximum advantage. "Regrets?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "No" she said finally. "Do you?" "No." The simple exchange cleared some of the tension between us. Angel relaxed visibly, setting aside the brush she'd been clutching like a lifeline. "

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   37 - Bit Less Grumpy

    That, at least, didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was the twist of satisfaction I felt knowing George had betrayed Angel even earlier than she realized. "Keep monitoring the situation," I instructed. "Especially any further contact between Sinclair and Luciano's people. And increase security around Angel, discreetly. If she asks, tell her it's standard procedure." "Of course." Marco hesitated, something unusual for him. "There's a personal matter I feel I should mention." I raised an eyebrow, waiting. "Ms Winters spent the night in your quarters," he said carefully. It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes." "That... changes the parameters of your arrangement..?" Leave it to Marco to cut straight to the heart of the issue. "I'm aware." He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I've known you a long time, Damien. Long enough to recognize when you're...invested." "Your point?" I asked, my tone cooling. "Just that Ms. Winters isn't like your usua

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   36 - Deliberately Sabotaged

    I woke before dawn, my body immediately alert to the unfamiliar weight against my chest. Angel slept soundly, her breathing deep and even, one hand curled beneath her chin, the other resting over my heart. Her hair spilled across my pillow, a chaotic tangle of gold in the dim light filtering through the curtains.Last night had crossed a line I'd carefully drawn when proposing our arrangement. Physical intimacy without emotional entanglement — that had been my intention. Yet I'd stopped before taking what she'd clearly been willing to give, because something about Angel Winters made me want to be... better. More careful. More considerate than I had any right or reason to be.Fuck.I eased away from her, careful not to wake her as I slipped from the bed. She stirred, making a small sound of protest before burrowing deeper into the warmth I'd left behind. I stood watching her for a moment, struck by how young she looked in sleep, how vulnerable.The power had come back sometime duri

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   35 - About You

    "May I touch you here?" he asked, fingers dipping just beneath the elastic. "Yes," I breathed. "Please yes." His hand slipped inside both shorts and underwear, finding me already embarrassingly wet. He groaned against my breast when his fingers encountered the evidence of my arousal. "So wet for me," he murmured, circling my entrance teasingly before moving up to find the bundle of nerves that made me cry out when he touched it. "Oh god..." I whimpered as he began stroking in slow, deliberate circles. "No," he corrected, his voice a dark — almost teasing caress. "Just me." He continued his merciless attention to my body — mouth on my breasts, fingers between my legs, building a pressure that threatened to consume me. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, he withdrew his hand, making me whimper at the loss. "Patience," he said, pressing a kiss to my sternum. "I want to taste you." The words sent a flood of new arousal through me. I'd never experienced that before, Georg

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   34 - What Else?

    That single plea seemed to break something in him. He kissed me again, harder, deeper, his body pressing mine against the wall. I felt the evidence of his arousal against my stomach, hard and insistent through the thin fabric of his pajama pants.His mouth left mine to trace a burning path down my neck, teeth scraping lightly over my pulse point. I arched into him, fingers tangling in his hair to hold him there. When he reached the junction of my neck and shoulder, he bit down gently, then soothed the sting with his tongue."Oh..!" I gasped, unprepared for the jolt of pleasure the action sent straight to my core.He pulled back slightly, eyes dark with desire but still watchful. "Too much?""Not enough," I answered truthfully.Something like a growl rumbled in his chest. His hands moved to the tie of my robe, pausing there. "May I ?"I nodded, unable to find my voice as he untied the sash and pushed the silk from my shoulders. It fell to the floor in a whisper of fabric, leaving me

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   33 - Nerves

    I'd never been to his bedroom before. Our charade didn't extend to sharing living quarters, though Rosa and the staff assumed we sometimes did. I paused outside what I believed to be his door, suddenly uncertain. What was I doing? This wasn't part of our arrangement. This was crossing a line into territory neither of us had defined.Before I could retreat, lightning struck again, followed immediately by a deafening crack of thunder that made me gasp. My hand acted of its own accord, knocking on the solid wood door.Silence. Then the soft sound of footsteps.The door opened to reveal Damien in black pajama pants and nothing else. His hair was tousled, his chest bare in the dim light spilling from his room. He looked softer somehow, less impenetrable without his usual armor of tailored clothing."Angel?" His voice was rough with sleep. "What's wrong?""I — " Another crash of thunder made me flinch. "I'm sorry. The storm... I couldn't sleep."Understanding dawned in his eyes. He stepped

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   32 - Officially

    The day my divorce was finalized, the sky broke open.I'd spent the afternoon in a downtown law office, signing papers that officially ended my three month marriage to George. My lawyer, provided by Damien, of course, had handled everything efficiently, keeping George and his new attorney, a sharp featured woman named Claire, at the opposite end of the conference table. George had tried repeatedly to catch my eye, his expression cycling between wounded puppy and calculated charm. I kept my gaze firmly on the documents before me."Ms. Winters, if you'll sign here," my lawyer directed, pointing to yet another line requiring my signature. "And here. This formally dissolves your marriage and confirms the settlement terms."George had fought the divorce bitterly once he realized I wasn't coming back. He'd suddenly discovered a passionate attachment to our marriage vows, conveniently forgetting he'd been the one to file first. Only after weeks of legal maneuvering had he reluctantly agreed

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