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Chapter 46
Last Updated:
2025-01-22 21:16:38
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 47
The moment I saw the envelope on the kitchen counter, my stomach twisted. Plain, cream-colored, unmarked except for my name scrawled across the front in black ink. It looked harmless enough, but there was something off about it. Something that made my skin crawl.I held it up as Alexander walked into the room, his tie loose around his neck, his sleeves rolled up in that casual yet devastatingly sexy way that had no business distracting me right now.“This was on the counter when I came downstairs,” I said, my voice tight. “Did you leave it here?”He frowned, crossing the room to take it from my hands. His fingers brushed mine, sending a jolt through me even in the midst of my unease.“No,” he said, his expression hardening as he examined the envelope. “Where did you find it?”“Right there.” I pointed to the counter. “It wasn’t here last night.”He flipped it over, inspecting the back before opening it carefully. His movements were calm, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, th
Last Updated : 2025-01-23The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 48
“I know you’re hiding something, Alexander,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling in my chest. The envelope sat between us on the coffee table, an unwelcome presence that neither of us wanted to acknowledge but couldn’t ignore.He didn’t look up from where he stood by the window, his posture rigid as he stared out at the glittering city lights. “Leila, I’ve told you everything I know.”“Have you?” I crossed my arms, taking a step closer. “Because it doesn’t feel that way. Every time we get one step closer to understanding what’s going on, another piece of your past comes back to haunt us.”He turned then, his expression hard but his eyes giving him away. There was something there—something raw and vulnerable. “I can’t change the past,” he said quietly. “But I’m trying to protect you from it.”I shook my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I don’t need your protection, Alexander. I need your honesty. Because whatever this is, it’s already affecting both of us, and
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The towering ballroom of the Grand Meridian Hotel glowed under the soft golden light of crystal chandeliers. Laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the air as New York’s elite mingled, their polished smiles masking hidden agendas. It was the perfect stage for appearances, the kind of event Alexander thrived in. But tonight, even his usual calm felt strained.“Relax,” I said, tugging at the sleeve of his tuxedo. “You look like you’re preparing for battle, not a charity gala.”His gray eyes flicked to mine, the tension in them softening for just a moment. “You don’t understand, Leila. This isn’t just a gala—it’s a chessboard. Every person in this room has a move to make, and most of them want to see me lose.”“Well,” I said, adjusting the diamond bracelet he’d gifted me, “it’s a good thing you’ve got me to keep you in check.”His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.“Alexander!”We both t
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“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Alexander said, his voice laced with the kind of resistance that made my chest tighten and my resolve harden. I stopped flipping through the glossy presentation folder and looked up at him. His jaw was set, his tie slightly loosened, and his arms crossed over his chest in a stance that screamed control. Always in control. Always Alexander. “And why not?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. He hesitated, his gray eyes flicking toward the windows of his office before meeting mine again. “Because this project is critical. There’s no room for error.” “Which is exactly why you should trust me to handle it,” I countered, stepping closer to his desk. “You brought me into this world, Alexander. Let me prove I can navigate it.” His brow furrowed, his grip on the edge of his desk tightening. “Leila, this isn’t about your capabilities—” “Isn’t it?” I interrupted, cutting him off. “Because every time I try to step up, you pull me back, like you’re a
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“You’ve been smiling all morning,” Alexander said, his voice carrying a teasing edge as he leaned against the kitchen counter. “Should I be worried?”I glanced up from my tablet, where I’d been reading through the latest updates from the project team. “Maybe,” I replied, grinning. “We just closed with another partner. That makes three this week.”He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “Impressive. I guess I was right to trust you with this.”“You guess?” I shot him a mock glare. “Careful, Alexander. You’re starting to sound like someone who underestimated me.”“Never,” he said, pushing off the counter and stepping closer. “But if I had, you’ve definitely proven me wrong.”His praise sent a rush of warmth through me, but it was quickly tempered by a flicker of frustration. I appreciated his support, but a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that he still saw this as his project, his victory.I set the tablet down and crossed my arms. “You know, it’s ok
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I stood in Alexander’s office, the morning sun casting long shadows across the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city buzzed below, oblivious to the storm brewing in this very room. Alexander sat at his desk, his expression darker than I’d ever seen it. A piece of paper lay in front of him—a resignation letter from David Lang, one of his most trusted executives.“I don’t understand,” I said, breaking the silence. “David’s been with you since the beginning. Why would he leave now?”Alexander’s jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together. “Because someone got to him,” he said, his voice low but sharp. “This isn’t a coincidence, Leila. David wouldn’t just walk away unless he was pushed.”I frowned, my chest tightening. “Pushed how? Do you think it’s Cassandra?”“It has to be,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “She’s been looking for cracks to exploit, and David… he was loyal, but he wasn’t invincible. She must’ve offered him something I couldn’t.”I stepped closer, p
Last Updated : 2025-01-28The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 53
The rooftop terrace glimmered in the soft glow of string lights. The sky was a rich navy, dotted with stars that felt impossibly close, as though they had gathered to witness this moment. Alexander had spared no detail, from the elegant table set for two to the faint strains of a live cello quartet in the background. It was romantic, perfect even, and for the first time in weeks, it felt like we were finally coming up for air.“You’ve been quiet,” Alexander said, his voice low and smooth as he poured another glass of wine for me. His gray eyes, always sharp and calculating, were soft tonight, vulnerable even.I smiled, swirling the wine in my glass. “I’m just enjoying this. It’s been a while since we’ve had a night like this.”His gaze lingered on me, a flicker of guilt passing over his face. “I know. I’ve been… distracted.”“Distracted is an understatement,” I teased, though the sting of truth in my words was undeniable.He reached across the table, his hand covering mine. “Leila, I
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The hum of cameras and murmurs of journalists waiting behind the velvet ropes buzzed in my ears as I smoothed the front of my blazer for the tenth time. The press conference hadn’t even started, but it felt like we were already under the microscope. Every glance, every whisper felt like a judgment, and I wasn’t sure if I was more nervous about the questions or the fact that this was my first time facing them as Alexander Steele’s wife—not just his silent partner.“You don’t have to do this,” Alexander said beside me, his voice low and calm. The words didn’t match the tension in his jaw or the way he adjusted his cufflinks for the third time in a row.“Yes, I do,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “We said we’d face this together, remember?”His eyes softened, the steel in them melting just slightly. “They’re going to come after you too, Leila. Not just me. The questions, the accusations—it won’t be easy.”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Nothing about being with you has ever been e
Last Updated : 2025-01-29
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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
