Mag-log inShare
Chapter 10 - Second Chance
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-04 05:33:51
Kaugnay na kabanata
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée Chapter 11 - His Lips To Mine
Panic fluttered in my chest. "But what if... what if I say something wrong? What if she doesn't believe we're engaged?""She will." His confidence was absolute. "Because you'll be wearing this."He slid a small velvet box across the table. I opened it with trembling fingers to reveal a stunning vintage ring, a center diamond surrounded by smaller stones in an intricate platinum setting."As I told you, it was my grandmother's." Damien explained, his tone matter of fact. "My mother will recognize it immediately, which will lend credibility to our engagement."I stared at the ring, afraid to touch it. "It's beautiful..""Try it on."Carefully, I removed the ring from its velvet nest and slipped it onto my left hand. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly, the weight of it unfamiliar but somehow less burdensome than my wedding band had been.Rosa reappeared with breakfast, avocado toast, poached eggs, and fresh fruit for me, and plain steel-cut oatmeal for Damien. The domesticity of sharing brea
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée Chapter 12 - My Fiancée
"He takes some getting used to," Rosa's voice startled me. I turned to find her clearing the breakfast dishes with efficient movements. "Has he always been so..." I searched for the right word. "Cold?" Rosa supplied, a hint of motherly concern softening her expression. "Damien has had experiences that would freeze anyone's heart. But ice can melt, with the right kind of warmth." Before I could ask what she meant, the elevator chimed, announcing the arrival of someone else. "That'll be Natasha, the stylist." Rosa explained. "I'll show her in." The next two hours were a whirlwind of measurements, fabric swatches, and more clothing than I'd ever seen in one place. Natasha, a razor thin woman with a severe bob and Russian accent, approached dressing me like a military campaign. " No no NO!" she exclaimed, yanking away a blue dress I'd selected. "This is all wrong for your coloring. You are spring palette, not winter!" By noon, I'd acquired more clothing than I'd owned in my entire
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 13 - Like Her Son
My hand tightened instinctively around Damien's arm as Sophia's penetrating gaze assessed me . I could feel sweat beading at the nape of my neck, threatening to ruin Natasha's careful styling. This woman might be physically frail, but her presence filled the room with commanding energy."It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Salvatore," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "Damien has told me so much about you."Sophia's eyebrow arched elegantly. "Has he? That would be a first." She gestured to the chairs across from her. "Sit. Both of you."Damien guided me to my seat with a hand at the small of my back. The touch was light but deliberate, a silent reminder of our practiced intimacy. As he helped me into my chair, his fingers lingered on my shoulder a moment longer than necessary. I glanced up to find him looking at me with an expression I hadn't seen before. Softer, almost fond. For show, of course, but convincingly done."The ring suits you," Sophia said, nodding toward my left h
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 14 - Quite An Effect
I tensed, knowing this was dangerous territory. Damien's hand squeezed mine imperceptibly. "My mother died of cancer when I was seventeen," I said, the truth easier than fabrication. "My father... passed shortly after. I have a stepmother and two step siblings, but we're not close." "I'm sorry to hear that," Sophia said, genuine sympathy softening her features. "Cancer is a terrible thief." She glanced at Damien, an unspoken acknowledgment of her own diagnosis passing between them. "It is," I agreed quietly. "Though I'm grateful for the time I had with her. She taught me everything important — about art, about life." I swallowed, surprised by the emotion welling up. This wasn't pretense; thinking about my mother always affected me this way. Damien's arm slipped around my shoulders, drawing me closer to his side. The gesture seemed protective, comforting, so unlike the cold man I'd met yesterday. "Angel doesn't speak much about her family," he said, his voice low. "It's painful fo
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 15 - Endearment
After Sophia was safely ensconced in her town car with her nurse, Damien and I stood on the sidewalk, maintaining our couple's facade until her vehicle disappeared around the corner.The moment it was gone, Damien stepped back, breaking our physical connection. The sudden withdrawal left me feeling oddly bereft."You did well." he said, his tone reverting to its usual businesslike cadence. "The details about carrying you through the rain and bringing you soup when you were sick, good improvisation. Believable without being excessive.""Thank you," I replied, uncertain whether to feel proud or disturbed that I'd become such a convincing liar in the space of twenty-four hours. "Your mother is remarkable.""Yes." A flicker of genuine emotion crossed his face. "She is."Marco appeared with the SUV, holding the door as we slid into the backseat. The privacy partition was already raised, separating us from the driver's compartment."We're heading to the estate now," Damien informed me, re
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 16 - Deeply In Love
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 31 - Naivety
The walk back to the house felt like marching to my own execution. My anger at Damien had been tempered somewhat by the unexpected discovery of his hidden artistic side, but I was still determined to confront him about hiding George's visit.I found him in his study, jacket off and sleeves rolled up as he reviewed documents at his desk. He looked up when I entered, his expression guarded."Marco said you wanted to see me." I began.Damien set his papers aside. "George sent flowers.""He did," I confirmed. "With a note claiming we're soulmates."A muscle twitched in Damien's jaw. "An interesting perspective from a man who threw you out and filed for divorce.""What's more interesting is that you knew he came here two days ago and didn't tell me," I countered, unwilling to be diverted.Damien didn't attempt to deny it. "I handled the situation. There was no need to upset you.""That wasn't your decision to make," I said, my voice rising slightly. "George is MY problem, not yours!""You
