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CHAPTER 1
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-10 21:05:31The ballroom is massive,it is too large for me to truly understand it. A sea of polished marble stretches beneath my feet, the high ceilings is very far above, decorated in gold ornamental work. The chandeliers sparkle as the stars in the sky sparkle, and every corner of the room is bathed in a golden light.
Be that as it may, regardless of how lovely the space is or the way in which stunning the visitors are, I feel thoroughly like a gatecrasher who doesn't have a place there.All I taste is dread in me. My heels against the marble floor as I'm strolling reverberations noisily in my ears, yet the clamor is immediately gulped by the mumble of discussion and the clunk of glasses. I don’t belong here. The dress is great—an intricate blend of satin and lace—lace that clings to my body in ways that make it feel unnatural. I never imagined I’d wear something like this. It’s beautiful, yes, but it feels like a mask, a costume, something I’m expected to wear to play a role that isn’t mine — just like a movie. The weight of it presses down on my shoulders, heavier than I ever anticipated. But it’s not just the dress. It’s the life that comes with it—the life that’s been planned for me without my knowledge whether I wanted it or not. I feel small in this room, small in this life. My father’s world of high society, of power and money, is foreign to me. It always has been. I glance through the crowd, my eyes landing briefly on the people who fill this space and they are perfectly poised, effortlessly graceful, each one in their element. None of them are like me. I’m out of place. But none of them matter, either. I turn my head, seeking some eyes that are familiar in this sea of strangers. And then I see him. At the far end of the room,my father stands there surrounded by his usual entourage,business partners, associates, people who live in the world he’s built. His back is straight, his posture is impeccable. He’s shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries with a smile that never quite on his face. The perfect businessman. Always performing. But when his gaze flickers toward me, there’s something I’ve seen countless times in it. A glint and a glimmer of expectation. What's more, it makes my stomach beats. I've done my part however I don't feel like I'm in charge of anything any longer. I've gone through my whole time on earth attempting to satisfy my dad's unimaginable guidelines, continuously remaining in the shadow of my ideal more established sister, Veronica. And now,this marriage is one thing that was never my choice. “Leila.” I stiffen at the sound of his voice. My father’s tone is calm, cold as always. “You’ve made it,my dear daughter,” he says, his eyes flicking over me in the same way he would assess any business deal. “Good. Keep your head up dear. You’re representing this family tonight.” I nod, though the words pierce me like a pin. “I know.” “You should be proud of yourself darling,” he adds, though I can hear the strain in his voice, as if he’s convincing himself more than me. “This marriage– you are doing— will ensure our future.” Our future. The words make my stomach twist. “Is it everything you expected?” he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assesses me again and again, the smile on his face just a little too perfect. I force a fake smile, but it feels brittle. “It’s... fine.” He looks at me as if he’s waiting for something more, but the silence stretches between us, very thick and suffocating. Finally, he speaks again and his voice is now softer, but there’s an edge to it I don’t miss. “I didn’t have the luxury of choice when I was your age, Leila. You should comprehend that. This is your duty. This marriage will secure your place.” “Understood,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. I turn away before he can say more words. I can feel his eyes boring into my back as I walk away, but I don’t dare look back at him. As I walk through the crowd, I spot Veronica across the room. She’s talking with some man I don’t recognize, but her posture is perfect and her smile radiant, as always. She’s everything I could never be. Confident. Successful. Accomplished. She fits here. I never will. I calm my nerves and take a deep breath. "Leila." The voice stops me. I turn slowly, almost feel extreme reluctance to look at anyone, and there he is. Alexander Hawke. The man I’m about to marry. The billionaire. The stranger. He’s taller than I expected, his presence is commanding. Even in a room full of great and powerful people, he stands out. His dark hair is neatly combed, and his sharp suit fits like it was tailored for him. He looks at me assessing me with his gaze, and I can’t help but feel like I’m being weighed and measured. "Mr. Hawke," I manage, my voice feels small in comparison to his own voice. “Leila,” he says in a low voice, smooth and almost too calm. “I trust you're enjoying the evening?” I force a fake smile, but it feels like it’s held together with strings. “It’s... fine.” He nods, but doesn’t smile back. “Good. The arrangements have been made. Everything is in place. Your father is now satisfied.” The words sting. “I’m glad to know.” He seems to study me for a moment, his dark eyes flicking over my face with an intensity. “I hope you understand the gravity of what this marriage means.” I try to ignore the fear in me, but it’s impossible. "I do." "You’re not just marrying me, Leila. You’re becoming part of something far bigger than you’ve been prepared for. Your family’s future depends on this." Hope you understand? There it is. The truth. I’ve been nothing more than a pawn all along. My stomach twists again, but I keep my face neutral. "I understand," I repeat. "Good," he says, "I’m not one for pretense, Leila. You know why this arrangement exists. You know why we’re here tonight.” I nod, unable to speak the words aloud. Yes, I know. This isn’t about love. This is about survival. About saving my family from the mess my father has made of their finances. I see the irregular move of something in Alexander’s eyes—something I can’t quite place. But before I can ponder it further, he turns, his hand gesturing toward the crowd. “Shall we mingle?” he asks.But it’s not just a question, rather; it’s an order. I nod and step beside him, the silence continues to hover between us,filled with unspoken things. As we make our way through the crowd, the tension between us grows and thickens like smoke. Alexander doesn’t speak again, but his presence looms over me, the weight of his status, his power, undeniable. Finally, we stop near a window where the city lights of New York are stretching out in front of us. He looks out over the skyline, his posture rigid, his gaze faraway. “What do you want from me, Leila?” he asks, I looked up at him surprisingly with the question he asks. He turns to face me, and for the first time, I see something more than just business in him. I try to calm my nerves,but my heart still pounds in my chest. “I... I want to understand. I want to know what this is. What you expect from me.” His lips tighten slightly, looking at me, but he doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he watches me with an intensity that makes me feel more exposed and vulnerable. And then, just as I think he might speak, just as I think I might finally understand what he wants from me, the door to the ballroom swings open and a sharp, harsh voice cuts through the air, the last thing I ever expected to hear tonight. "Leila, you’re needed." I freeze. It’s my father.
Kaugnay na kabanata
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 2
The moment the door to the bridal suite closes behind us, everything feels too much—too heavy, too loud and too unreal. The quiet click of the lock resonates in the hollow silence that follows. I remain stand there, I don't know what to do .My heart beats loudly, and my head is full of noise. I can't figure things out. They say, the wedding was beautiful,it was a grand spectacle of wealth and status. I barely remember it, just the blur of faces and the stiffness in my back as I stood by the altar.", staring at the man I was marrying. Alexander Hawke. I know almost nothing about him—his reputation precedes him, and the whispers I’ve heard from my father are far from reassuring. A man who thrives on control.And yet, here I am. His bride. Bound to him by duty, not by choice. I glance at him now. He stands by the window, looking out at the city skyline, his broad shoulders beneath the tailored suit tense. The dim light from the street below casts shadows across his sharp features,
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 3
The penthouse feels too big for me. Its elegant, of course, every inch of it designed with a kind of perfection that makes me feel like Im living inside a museum. The floors gleam underfoot, the walls adorned with modern art pieces that scream wealth. The view from the floor-to-roof windows is confounding — a general scene of New Yorks skyline that feels as far off as all the other things in this world. I step into the living room, my heels clicking against the cool marble floors, however the sound appears to be suppressed here, consumed by the huge space around me. Alexander is now sitting on the lounge chair, a glass of whiskey in hand , the cool amber liquid getting the light. He doesnt even look at me when I enter. Make yourself comfortable,he says, his voice smooth but detached. It’s as if he’s speaking to a guest, not a wife. I nod awkwardly, uncertain where to start. The quiet stretches between us, thick and choking. He hasn't spoken much since we left the wedding. In fact
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 4
The days blur into each other in the penthouse. Morning fades into afternoon, and evening brings nothing but silence. The silence has become a constant companion—thick, heavy, and inescapable. It fills each edge of this vast, generic space, repeating stronger than any words Alexander and I have exchanged since our wedding night. I sit by the window in the lounge, my knees tucked underneath me, some tea developing cold in my hands. Outside, the city hums with life, the roads underneath overflowing with individuals who have places to go, lives to live. I envy them. They’re moving forward while I feel stuck—stuck in a marriage that feels more like a transaction, in a life that doesn’t feel like mine. Alexander has been gone most of the day. Not that it's uncommon. He leaves promptly in the morning, his suit impeccably tailored, his expression is quite unreadable, and doesn't return until well after dinner. Sometimes he calls. Sometimes he doesn’t. But when he does come back, the sil
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 5
The evening feels different from the others. There's an unpretentious change in the air, a slight pressure that I can't exactly put. It's like something is going to occur — something that could either break us apart or unite us. I sit in the lounge area, tinkering with my fork, not really tasting the food before me. I've never been a lot of an eater, however this evening, the food feels particularly unappealing. The lavish dishes Alexander ordered are all fine dining, too rich and elaborate for my simple tastes. The flavors are too bold, too fancy, and I find myself pushing the food around on my plate, lost in thought. Across from me, Alexander is focused on his phone, eyes flicking from the screen to his glass of wine. He doesn’t look up at me. The distance between us is as it always has been—an unspoken wall that neither of us has bothered to address. But then, something shifts. Just a flicker, a small moment, but it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat. “Leila,” he says sud
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 6
The world I’ve entered feels like an entirely different realm—a futuristic terrain of gleaming glass and steel illuminated by artificial lights. Every detail of Alexander’s life radiates a level of perfection that feels beyond my understanding, let alone my ability to replicate.It’s a world where people wear confidence like armor, where wealth is the only language spoken, and where the air feels thinner, sharper, as though it’s been conditioned for someone stronger than me.Tonight is the first of many events Alexander has insisted I attend with him. A charity gala. A routine part of his life, but for me, it feels like a performance I wasn’t trained for. My gown clings too tightly to my frame, the shoes pinch my feet, and every smile I offer feels like it’s held together with invisible threads that might snap at any moment.“Relax,” Alexander says beside me as we step into the grand ballroom. His voice is low, smooth, but there’s no warmth in it. It’s a command not reassurance.“I’m
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-12The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 7
The morning light is simply starting to channel through the blinds of our penthouse, creating long shaded areas across the cleaned floors. The city outside murmurs with life, the usual chaos of blaring vehicles and the blur of individuals hurrying to their next destination. Yet, inside, everything is still. The air feels as if it's not moving, as if it's holding its breath, waiting there expecting something.I sit at the kitchen island, gazing down at a cup of coffee that has gone cold. My fingers twist around the porcelain, however my mind is somewhere else. It's been right around fourteen days since I moved into this penthouse, and I've become used to the quiet between Alexander and me. The briskness, however, still present, feels less choking out now, more like a far-off murmur. Yet, it's still there, waiting like a shadow I can't exactly shake off.Just as I take a sip of the now tepid coffee, the lift tolls, signalling Alexander's return. He steps into the room, his presence as
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-12The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 8
The phone rings, the sharp, piercing sound pulling me from my thoughts. I look at the screen: ‘‘Dad’’. The name alone sends a shock of frenzy through me, a similar feeling of fear I've felt each time he's called recently. I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves. "Hi?" "Leila," my dad's voice pops through the line, harsh and stressed. "We need to talk." I can hear the heaviness of his words even before he says anything more. The most recent couple of months have been loaded up with cryptic warnings, commitments of 'things improving,' and repeated affirmations that everything was under control. However, I realize it's all falling apart. I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. "What's happening, Father?" I ask my voice scarcely over a murmur. I need to sound quiet, but the nervousness crawling into my chest is almost difficult to shake. "We're in a tough situation," he says gruffly. "The company... it's failing. We can't keep up any longer." I sit down on the edge of
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 9
I look fixedly at the clock on the wall, counting the seconds that slip by without anything changing. The quietness between Alexander and me feels heavier tonight. It’s the kind of silence that stretches out into hours, pressing on me, chocking me. I’ve learned how to continue to be in this silence, how to feign it that it doesn’t bother me, that it’s just a part of the arrangement. But, it’s different, tonight.I’ve reached my limit.I can feel this biting emptiness that has been creeping up on me since the day we said our vows. I’ve been endeavouring to ignore it, trying to persuade myself that this is exactly what my life has turned to, that this is the price I pay for saving my family from mess. But tonight, I can’t push the thoughts aside any longer.I’ve had enough.Taking a deep breath, I move in the direction of the man turning over a financial report like it’s the most interesting thing in the world,who’s sitting across the room. His attention is fixed on the papers before hi
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-26
Pinakabagong kabanata
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 172
You’d think after everything we’ve been through, we’d know how to keep our promises.I stood in the middle of our kitchen, barefoot, wrapped in one of Alexander’s oversized shirts. The silence in the penthouse was loud—only broken by the hum of the refrigerator and the dull buzz of my phone on the counter. Again.Work messages. At nearly midnight.The trip had ended three days ago. Three perfect, disconnected, sun-drenched days where we remembered what we were without the world pulling us in opposite directions. But the second we landed, the floodgates opened.He’d already broken our no-work-after-seven rule twice. I’d ignored it the first time. Justified the second. But now?Now I was pissed.I didn’t hear him walk in until his voice cut through the quiet like a wire snapping.“You’re still up?”I turned, crossing my arms. “That’s your opening line?”Alexander stilled, already sensing the storm brewing in me. He looked tired—no, wrecked—but I didn’t let it soften me this time.“I had
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 171
"Just when we thought we had it all figured out, life threw us a curveball wrapped in dollar signs."The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our penthouse, casting a deceptive calm over the chaos brewing beneath. Alexander sat at the dining table, a thick dossier open before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. The sight was both familiar and unsettling."Leila," he began, his voice measured but tinged with an undercurrent I couldn't quite place. "We need to discuss this proposal."I set down my coffee, the rich aroma suddenly nauseating. "Another one? Didn't we agree to take a step back after the last project nearly consumed us?"He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know. But this... this is different. It's a partnership offer from Global Innovations. The potential here is massive."I approached, glancing over his shoulder at the documents. The figures were staggering, the kind that could solidify our company's position at the pinnacle of the industry. But
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 170
"Love isn't tested in the calm; it's forged in the storm."I stood at the edge of our penthouse balcony, the city lights stretching out like a sea of stars beneath me. The cool breeze did little to calm the storm brewing inside.Alexander's voice broke through my thoughts. "Leila, what's going on?"I turned to see him leaning against the doorway, concern etched on his face. His presence, usually so grounding, now felt like a lifeline."It's Daniel," I began, my voice barely steady. "He's back, and with him, all the memories I've tried to forget."Alexander's eyes narrowed. "What does he want?""He says he's in trouble," I replied, wrapping my arms around myself. "But his return has stirred up doubts about who I was... and who I am now."Alexander crossed the space between us, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Your past doesn't define you, Leila. We all have shadows. It's how we move forward that matters."Tears welled up, blurring my vision. "But what if those shadows catch up? What
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 169
"Just when you think you've buried your past, it has a way of knocking on your front door."The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our penthouse, casting a golden glow over the minimalist decor. I stood at the kitchen island, nursing a cup of coffee, its rich aroma filling the air. Alexander sat across from me, engrossed in the financial section of the newspaper, his brow furrowed in concentration."Anything interesting?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.He looked up, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just the usual market fluctuations. Nothing that can't wait."I nodded, taking another sip of my coffee. The tranquility of the moment was shattered by the sharp chime of the doorbell. Alexander and I exchanged puzzled glances; we weren't expecting anyone."I'll get it," I offered, setting my mug down and moving toward the door.As I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. Standing before me was a ghost from my past—Daniel. His once-boyish face was
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 168
“Success had always been my compass, but lately, it felt like I was navigating without a map.”I stared at the half-empty espresso cup on the kitchen island. The crema had gone flat, the kind of detail I usually wouldn’t notice. But now it felt like the perfect metaphor for everything that had gone dull lately—even the parts of life that were supposed to taste rich.Leila padded in barefoot, wearing my faded CalTech hoodie and holding a mug of tea. Her hair was a mess, and her cheeks were still pink from sleep, but damn if she didn’t still stop me cold.“You didn’t sleep again,” she said.I gave a non-answer shrug and kept my eyes on the city outside the window.She set her mug down and leaned on the counter, not pressing yet. Just... waiting. That was something she’d learned recently. How to wait for me to come to her instead of dragging it out of me.“I’ve been thinking,” I finally said.“Uh-oh,” she said, smiling a little. “That’s your ‘change the company overnight’ voice.”“No. No
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 167
“Grief doesn’t ask permission. It just shows up, wrecks everything, and dares you to clean it up.”It started with silence.Not the peaceful kind. Not the kind where two people sit next to each other and don’t need to fill the space. This was the heavy kind. The kind that sat between us at the dinner table while Alexander pushed food around his plate and pretended to be somewhere else.He hadn’t touched the roasted chicken. I made it from scratch. It used to be his favorite.“You haven’t eaten all day,” I said, not looking up from my own plate. I’d barely taken a bite myself.“I’m not hungry.”"You said that yesterday."He finally looked up. His eyes were dull, rimmed red from nights I knew he wasn’t sleeping through.“Leila,” he said flatly. “Please. Not tonight.”I set my fork down. “It’s been nine nights.”He exhaled sharply and shoved his chair back. “I can't do this right now.”And just like that, he was gone—down the hall, the door to his study clicking shut behind him.At first
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 166
"Alex, it's your dad."I heard the change in his voice before I heard the words. He'd just picked up a call—early, too early for it to be anything good. His body stiffened. His shoulders pulled back like someone punched him from behind.I was halfway down the stairs in a T-shirt and one sock when I saw his face.“What’s wrong?” I asked, breath catching.He lowered the phone slowly like it weighed fifty pounds. “It’s my father,” he said. “He’s had a heart attack.”---We didn’t talk much on the drive to the hospital. He gripped the steering wheel like he needed it to keep breathing. I sat there, silent, staring out the window, trying to do something—anything—but think about what it would mean if this went badly.He didn’t need me to talk. Not yet.He just needed me there.---When we got to the hospital, we found Emily pacing outside the ICU. Her face was blotchy. Her hands shook.“They rushed him into surgery two hours ago,” she said, and when Alex hugged her, her voice cracked. “They
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 165
"We need to get away."Alexander's voice cut through the ambient hum of our penthouse, his tone resolute.I glanced up from my laptop, fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Away? Now?""Yes, now." He crossed the room, his movements deliberate, and gently closed my laptop. "We've been running on fumes for months, Leila. It's time to hit pause."I leaned back, studying his face—the tension etched in the lines around his eyes, the tight set of his jaw. "And you think a getaway will fix everything?""Not everything," he admitted, perching on the edge of the coffee table opposite me. "But it's a start."I sighed, the weight of unending responsibilities pressing down. "Where would we even go?"A slow smile curved his lips. "Leave that to me."---Two days later, we were airborne on his private jet, destination undisclosed. Alexander reveled in the mystery, his eyerevelledling with unspoken secrets."You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I teased, nudging his shoulder.He chuckled, a rich sound
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 164
"You can't be serious, Leila."Alexander's voice echoed through our expansive living room, his tone a mix of disbelief and frustration.I stood my ground, meeting his intense gaze. "I am serious. This is my project, and I need to do this on my own."He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I knew all too well. "Why now? Why this?""Because I need to prove to myself that I can," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.Alexander sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I just don't want to see you get hurt.""I know," I said softly. "But I have to take this risk."---The opportunity had come unexpectedly—a chance to lead a project without Alexander's influence overshadowing me. It was a small tech startup looking for investors, and I saw potential where others saw risk."You're sure about this?" Jessica, my closest confidante and our company's CFO, asked as we reviewed the proposal.I nodded. "Absolutely. This could be the breakthrough I've been waiting for."She raise
