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Shattered Illusions
Last Updated:
2024-10-18 23:33:21
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Last Updated : 2024-10-19The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Fractured Loyalties
She turned around to see the smug look on Damian’s sister, Nina.Elara tensed up as her words filled the air with disdain. The crowd, fully engaged in the unfolding drama, shifted uncomfortably, hungry for more spectacle.“Don’t you have anything better to do, Nina?” Damian’s voice was cold as he fixed his gaze on his sister. He was clearly losing patience with the situation.Nina raised an eyebrow, unbothered by his tone. “I’m only stating the obvious, brother. Everyone can see your wife is affected. Don’t pretend this is just some harmless misunderstanding.”Elara looked at her. She knew Nina was trying her best to paint her red in front of everyone, but she refused to be humiliated any further. She straightened her back, forcing a smile.“Nina, if you’re so keen on discussing other people’s emotions, maybe you should start with your own,” she said, her voice calm but edged with steel.Her expression faltered, and for a brief moment, a flash of anger crossed her features. But she qu
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Unseen Wounds
She watched as Vera was escorted out, her chest tightening with conflicting emotions. She felt a strange mix of relief and guilt over what had just happened. The evening had taken a dark turn, and though Vera’s attack was unjustified, seeing Damian react with such violence unsettled her. His possessiveness, though meant to protect, felt suffocating.Damian’s grip on her hand loosened slightly as he turned to face her, his intense gaze softening. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly, his voice gentle amidst the chaos that had just unfolded.She nodded, though she wasn’t sure if she was being truthful. The way everyone’s eyes were on them was unbearable. She could feel the whispers, the judgment, and the assumptions swirling around the room. It was too much. Too much to bear.“I need some air,” she murmured, pulling her hand free from Damian’s grasp. Without waiting for his response, she headed for the exit, her mind replaying everything that had transpired.Stepping outside, the cool night
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Jackson
Damian’s words echoed in Jackson’s head as consciousness slowly returned. The pounding headache and the bitter taste in his mouth were stark reminders of last night’s breakdown. He groaned, attempting to piece together the fragments of his memories.“Here,” a soft voice spoke, and he opened his eyes to find Elara holding out a glass of water and some aspirin. “This should help.”Jackson accepted them gratefully, taking in his surroundings. He was in Damian’s guest room, still wearing his rumpled suit from the party. The events of the previous night came rushing back—his emotional outburst, the things he’d said to Damian.“God,” he muttered, pressing his palms against his eyes. “What have I done?”“You needed to let it out,” Elara said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Sometimes pain demands to be felt.”Jackson lowered his hands and looked at her. There was something different about her today. A sadness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. He remembered her taking his win
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Bills
Days melted into weeks, life settling into a rhythm that felt both familiar and hollow. Elara threw herself into her routine with almost mechanical precision—morning coffee, work meetings, social obligations, all performed with a smile that never quite reached her eyes. She mastered the art of looking fine, of laughing at the right moments, of making small talk with the house staff as if her heart hadn’t been shattered that night.In Damian’s presence, she was the perfect picture of composure. Their interactions became a carefully choreographed dance of polite exchanges and measured distances. She attended his business dinners with practiced grace, played her role as his wife flawlessly, all while building walls around her heart brick by brick. To anyone watching, she was the same Elara she’d always been.“Damian,” she called, knocking on his door.“What do you need?” he asked immediately as he opened the door.“I need to talk to you,” she replied with a heavy heart. He looked at her,
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride The visit
Elara gazed at her reflection in the penthouse window, the city lights below shimmering like fallen stars. The burden of her promise to take Damian to the hospital lingered on her mind. How could she bring him to see her mother when their marriage was merely a business deal? The idea of revealing their arrangement to her mother filled her with dread.Her phone buzzed with a message from James: “Mom keeps talking about meeting him.” She placed the phone face-down on the marble countertop, unable to bear the reminder of her mounting lies.The sound of the front door opening pulled her from her thoughts. Damian’s footsteps echoed through the foyer, steady and measured as always. She turned to face him, gathering her courage.“We need to talk,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.Damian loosened his tie, raising an eyebrow. “About?”“My mother.” She watched his expression carefully. “She wants to meet you.”“I see.” His face remained impassive, but she noticed his shoulders tense
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Another visit
The week passed slowly with a blur of board meetings and spreadsheets, but Elara couldn’t shake off the memory of Damian’s interaction with her mother. His gentle smile and thoughtful questions replayed in her mind, a flawless act that tugged at her heartstrings.She buried herself in work, staying late at the office to avoid the penthouse’s oppressive silence. But on Friday evening, a text message lit up her phone:“Car will pick you up at 2 PM tomorrow. - D”No question mark, no room for negotiation. Typical Damian. She started typing a response about having plans, then stopped. The truth was, she wanted to see her mother again. If that meant enduring another afternoon of pretense with Damian, so be it.Saturday arrived clear and crisp. When Elara stepped into the car, she found Damian already inside, reading something on his tablet. He wore a casual blue sweater that probably cost more than her first car, but it softened his usual sharp edges.“You’re early,” she said, settling int
Last Updated : 2024-11-06The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Elara
Elara stood before her closet, scanning rows of carefully organized dresses. “Wear something nice,” he’d said, as if every piece of clothing she owned hadn’t been meticulously selected to meet his exacting standards. She pulled out a deep burgundy dress she’d been saving for their next business dinner, its silk material flowing like wine through her fingers.Seven o’clock approached with maddening slowness. She found herself checking her appearance in every reflective surface, adjusting her hair, second-guessing her choice of jewelry. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered to her reflection. “It’s just dinner with your fake husband.”At precisely 6:55, she emerged from her room to find Damian waiting by the elevator. He wore a charcoal suit that made his shoulders look impossibly broad, his usual severe expression softened by something she couldn’t quite read.“You look...” he paused, his eyes traveling from her face to the hem of her dress. “Appropriate.”Elara bit back a retort. Of cour
Last Updated : 2024-11-06
Latest chapter
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Introducing my new project
Six Ten years. Ten fucking years of blood, bullets, and brotherhood.I stared at the ornate ceiling of Don Vicenzo's study, counting the cherubs painted in some long-dead artist's vision of heaven. Ironic, considering the hell that transpired in the room below them."You understand what you're asking, Six?" The Don's voice carried the weight of tradition. Of rules written in blood. "La fratellanza is for life."I kept my expression neutral, years of training holding my features in check. "I understand, Don Vicenzo. But I've served faithfully. I've never asked for anything before."The Don's fingers drummed against his mahogany desk – the same desk where I'd pledged my loyalty a decade ago. A frightened kid with blood on his hands and nowhere else to go. Now I was his best enforcer, the shadow that kept La fratellanza's enemies awake at night."The number six," he mused, "has become quite the legend. Our rivals whisper about it. The police have entire task forces dedicated to it." A wr
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Epilogue: Legacies and Redemptions
Five years had passed since the tumultuous events that had reshaped their lives. The world of Damian and Elara had transformed, each piece falling into a complex but harmonious puzzle of success, love, and calculated revenge.Jackson and Tessa’s relationship had blossomed into something unexpected and profound. What had begun as a professional connection had gradually evolved into a passionate romance. Jackson, now known for his cold, calculated approach to business, had found a softness in Tessa that he never thought possible.She brought light to his structured world, her carefree spirit balancing his intense personality. They had married a year after Damian and Elara’s epic wedding - a celebration that had been the talk of high society.That wedding - Damian’s grand gesture to Elara - had been nothing short of spectacular. He had spared no expense, transforming an entire historic estate into a breathtaking venue. Thousands of white roses lined the pathways, crystal chandeliers hung
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride The Prison Visit
Elara stood at the doorway, waving at Tessa until her car disappeared down the driveway. A soft smile lingered on her lips, but it quickly faded as she turned back to the house, her thoughts drifting back to Damian.His presence always left her both breathless and overwhelmed, and the way he had looked at her this morning stayed imprinted in her mind. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.Walking back inside, she passed a few maids tidying up the living room. They greeted her with polite smiles, and she returned the gesture before heading to Ace’s nursery. She found him sound asleep, his tiny hands curled into fists. Elizabeth had decorated the nursery in soft pastels, filling it with warmth and love. Elara stood by the crib, watching her son’s chest rise and fall.***The concrete walls of the women’s correctional facility felt cold and unforgiving. Elizabeth walked with measured steps, her elegant demeanor unchanged despite the stark surroundings. Her purse was carefully
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Tessa
They rested for a while before Elara stood up.“I need to bathe,” she said, rising to her feet.“Are you sure?” Damian asked, noticing her legs trembling slightly.“Yes,” she replied. She knew she needed some space from him; otherwise, he might take her again. “I’ll be back.” With trembling legs, she carefully made her way to the bathroom. Under the spray of the shower, she sighed contentedly, still feeling the lingering warmth of Damian’s affection on her skin.She quickly washed herself, then reached for a towel to dry off. Wrapping it securely around her, she walked back to the bedroom. At the nightstand, she found her moisturizer and began applying it to her skin. Her body trembled under Damian’s intense gaze, which followed her every movement.“Stop looking,” she said, glaring at him.“Why should I? I can never get enough of you.”A blush crept onto her face as she turned away. “Don’t say that,” she whispered.“I won’t get tired of saying it, honey. You’ll just have to adapt.”Ela
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Elara
The first light of dawn gently filtered through the sheer curtains of the penthouse, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Outside, the world was slowly waking up, but inside their bedroom, a peaceful stillness enveloped them, as if time had paused.Elara was nestled against Damian, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His arm was wrapped around her, his hand gently tracing circles on her bare shoulder.Damian stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find Elara already gazing at him. Her soft smile greeted him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the serenity of her presence.“Good morning,” she whispered, her voice still husky from sleep.“Good morning, love,” he replied, his voice deep and warm. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if savoring the simplicity of the moment. “Did you sleep well?”Elara nodded, her fingers tracing the defined lines of his chest. “I always sleep well when you’re here.”A
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Intimate
“She’s finished,” Jackson said quietly, his voice filled with grim satisfaction. “There’s no coming back from this.”Damian nodded, though his mind was already elsewhere. “She made her choice.”Jackson glanced at his friend, studying the hard lines of Damian’s face. “And Daniel?”“He won’t get far,” Damian replied, his voice low and confident. “By the time he realizes his escape route is compromised, it will be too late. The authorities will handle the rest.”For a moment before Jackson spoke again. “Do you think she meant it?”Damian arched a brow. “Meant what?”“When she said she loved you.”Damian’s lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. “Love?” He scoffed. “Vera doesn’t know the meaning of the word. What she feels isn’t love. It’s an obsession. An insatiable need to possess what she can’t have.”Jackson exhaled softly. “I guess I always knew. I just hoped…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter now.”Damian’s gaze softened briefly. “You deserved better, Jackson.
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Truth
Vera stumbled backward, her legs shaky beneath her as the walls of her reality closed in. Her heart raced, and her mind screamed for a way out, for a lifeline, but none appeared.The calculated calm she once wielded like a weapon was shattered, leaving only the raw, frantic fear of a woman cornered.“You... you don’t know anything!” Vera spat, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. “You’re bluffing.”Jackson’s smirk only deepened. “Am I?” He leaned against the edge of the mahogany desk, arms crossed, watching her unravel with an almost clinical detachment. “Let me guess, you’re thinking of running, aren’t you?” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Trying to calculate how far you can get before we catch you?”Damian’s cold gaze remained fixed on her, unyielding and unmerciful. “You’re not going anywhere, Vera. Not until you answer for your sins.”“I’ve committed no sins!” she shouted, her voice cracking under the pressure. “You’re just trying to pin your failures on me. Y
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Trap
“Jackson.” Vera’s voice echoed through the silent room. She had been called by him, and now she stood in his study, surrounded by towering bookshelves and the lingering scent of old paper.She smiled as she walked around, her fingers trailing along the spines of leather-bound volumes, searching for something she couldn’t quite name. The late afternoon light filtered through heavy curtains, casting long shadows across the Persian rug.She was still searching the room when Jackson walked in. His footsteps were nearly silent on the thick carpet, but something in the air changed – a shift in pressure, perhaps, or just the weight of his presence.“You’re here.” His voice startled her, making her stop immediately. She rose to her feet, trying to compose herself. “Vera.” His tone was cold, like ice, as he walked toward her.“Yes,” she replied with a smile. A smile she knew Jackson always looked forward to. “You called me here? Is something wrong?” She placed her hand on his chest as Jackson
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Illusions of Victory
The sterile lights of Damian’s penthouse cast a cold, artificial glow across the room, but the atmosphere between him and Jackson was anything but sterile. It buzzed with an undercurrent of controlled chaos, the final pieces of a counter-plan falling seamlessly into place.Damian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his sharp gaze locked on Jackson. “You’ve done well, Jackson. Vera and Daniel need to know who they were planning for. I will make them suffer and regret ever thinking of hurting me or my loved ones.” His voice was calm, but the satisfaction lurking beneath it was unmistakable.Jackson met his gaze with equal confidence. “She underestimated me. So did Daniel. They thought I was nothing more than a pawn.”Damian’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “You’ve proven otherwise.”Jackson appreciated the rare acknowledgment, but his mind was already on the next move. “Daniel will act soon. His pride won’t let him sit idle. He’s desperate, and despe
