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Chapter 30
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2025-01-12 19:35:39
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 31
The air in Alexander's office was thick with pressure. The weak murmur of the city underneath scarcely arrived at the glass fortification where we sat, encompassed by mahogany work areas and racks fixed with leather-bound books. The morning sunlight filtered in through the windows, casting sharp lines across the room, but it did little to warm the chill that had settled between us.Alexander was seated at his desk, his elbows resting on the dark wood, his hands steepled under his chin. His jaw was clenched, his look fixed on the reports spread before him. It wasn't the typical controlled certainty I had generally expected from him. This was unique. He looked... cornered.I moved in my seat opposite him, the heaviness of implicit words pushing on my chest. I had gone through the whole evening sorting out an arrangement — a strong one — and presently, as I arranged to lay everything out, the questions started to sneak in. Could he try and pay attention to me?"Alexander," I started relu
Last Updated : 2025-01-12The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 32:
“You don’t get to dictate my life, Alexander.” My voice cut through the charged air of the penthouse like a blade, sharp and unrelenting. The words felt foreign coming out of my mouth, but I didn’t flinch. Not this time.Alexander turned slowly from the floor-to-ceiling window, the Manhattan skyline glittering behind him. His jaw tightened, the faintest flicker of something—anger? Frustration?—crossing his face. His silence pressed down on me, but I refused to back down.He crossed the room in deliberate, measured steps, his presence consuming every ounce of space. “I’m not dictating your life,” he said, his tone calm, controlled—infuriatingly so. “I’m trying to protect you.”“By smothering me?” I countered, standing my ground despite the way his piercing gray eyes seemed to see straight through me. “Every decision, every move I make, you’re right there, questioning it, redirecting it. I’m not some pawn in your world, Alexander.”A muscle ticked in his jaw. “And yet you’re still ali
Last Updated : 2025-01-14The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 33
“Secrets don’t stay buried forever.” The words hovered in my mind as I stared at the manila folder on Alexander’s desk, my heart racing like it was in a sprint I’d never prepared for.I knew better than to pry. I wasn’t some naïve girl stumbling into unknown territory anymore. But curiosity? It was a dangerous thing—one I couldn’t shake no matter how tightly I gripped the desk to steady myself.“What are you hiding, Alexander?” I whispered, the question barely audible over the roaring in my ears.The answer lay in my hands. And once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.The folder was full of damning evidence: emails, contracts, financial statements—all of them pointing to one conclusion. Samuel Grayson wasn’t just another competitor. He was a man with a vendetta, a grudge so deep it bled through every single page.My fingers trembled as I flipped to a grainy photo paperclipped to a sheet. It was of Alexander and Grayson, standing side by side, years younger, smiles painted on their faces.
Last Updated : 2025-01-14The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 34
“Trust me,” Alexander said, his tone like steel. “And whatever you do, don’t blink first.” The conference room was a battlefield, its air thick with tension and veiled hostility. The walls gleamed with polished glass, reflecting the sharp glares of the board members seated around the sprawling table. I could feel their eyes on me, dissecting, doubting, judging.Alexander stood beside me, the picture of composed confidence. His tailored suit fit him like a second skin, and his cold, calculated gaze moved across the room like a hawk circling its prey. But even his unshakable demeanor couldn’t hide the pressure simmering beneath the surface.I adjusted the notepad in front of me, not because I needed it, but because it gave my hands something to do. “Are they always this friendly?” I murmured under my breath, the hint of sarcasm doing little to mask my nerves.“Welcome to corporate politics,” he replied, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “Smile, Leila. They can smell fear.”The
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 35
“You want me to sit in a room full of sharks and pretend I belong there?”Alexander glanced at me from across the kitchen island, his brow arched in that infuriating way that made me feel small and challenged all at once. He stirred his coffee with the precision of a man who controlled empires, as though the fate of the world depended on the perfect swirl of cream.“You don’t have to pretend, Leila,” he said coolly, his voice a low rumble. “You already belong there.”I snorted, leaning against the counter for support. “Oh, is that why half your board can’t stop staring at me like I’m an intruder every time I walk into a room?”His hand froze mid-stir, the subtle tightening of his jaw the only indication that my words had landed. “They stare because they’re curious,” he said, setting his spoon down with deliberate care. “You’re a wildcard. Unpredictable. That’s what makes you valuable.”“Valuable?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “I feel more like a liability.”He rounded the island in
Last Updated : 2025-01-16The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 36
The email landed in my inbox at exactly 2:00 a.m., its subject line a stark warning: “You’re playing a dangerous game, Mrs. Hawke.”I stared at it for a long moment, the weight of those words sinking into my chest like a stone. My fingers hovered over the trackpad, indecision clawing at my throat. Should I open it? Forward it to Alexander? Ignore it altogether and hope it disappeared into the digital void?But deep down, I knew ignoring this wouldn’t make it go away.I clicked.The email was short, concise, and terrifying:Your influence is growing. Your boldness is admirable, but let me remind you, Mrs. Hawke, every move you make has consequences. You care about your family, don’t you?Attached was a photo.My heart stopped when I opened it.It was my parents’ home—simple and unassuming, the place where I’d grown up. The photo was recent; the leaves on the oak tree in the front yard were the brilliant red of early autumn. But it was what—or who—stood in the foreground that made my st
Last Updated : 2025-01-16The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 37
“Get down!”Alexander’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade, sharp and unyielding. I barely had time to process his words before he yanked me behind him, his body shielding mine as the deafening crack of shattering glass echoed through the penthouse.“What’s happening?” My voice trembled, panic rising like a tidal wave in my chest.“Stay here,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. He moved swiftly, his movements precise, controlled.I didn’t listen.“Alexander, wait!” I grabbed his arm, my nails digging into the fabric of his suit. “You can’t go out there alone.”His dark eyes bore into mine, filled with a mix of frustration and something far more tender—fear. “Leila, I need you to trust me. Please.”The word hung between us, rare and raw, cutting through the noise in my head. I nodded, even as every instinct screamed at me to follow him.He slipped out of the room, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me in suffocating silence.I pressed my back against the w
Last Updated : 2025-01-18The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 38
“You’re avoiding me,” I said, crossing my arms as I leaned against the doorway to Alexander’s office. My voice was steady, but my heart was pounding.Alexander didn’t even flinch. He sat behind his massive desk, the glow of his computer screen illuminating his chiseled features. His fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard, his focus unbroken.“I’m working,” he said without looking up.“You’ve been working all day,” I countered, stepping into the room. “And yesterday. And the day before that.”Finally, he looked up, his dark eyes locking onto mine. There was a weariness in his gaze, one I hadn’t noticed before. “What do you want me to say, Leila?”“I want you to talk to me,” I said, my voice softening as I approached his desk. “Really talk to me. Because right now, it feels like we’re just two people living in the same space, not a couple trying to figure this out.”He sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing a hand over his face. “This isn’t the time for heart-to-hearts,” he said
Last Updated : 2025-01-18
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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
