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The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride
Penulis: Insertwritername

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last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-09 21:57:07

Bella's POV

I may be the bride at this wedding, but I’m definitely not the center of attention.

Stella stood out, wearing a stunning white gown. White.

Everyone knew the first rule of attending a wedding was to not wear white but Stella didn't care.

I stared at her as she walked into the wedding, her head glancing left and right, I knew who she was looking for, my soon-to-be husband, and her brother who treated her like she was the whole world, Leo.

Sensing my gaze on her, she started to walk our way.

I closed my eyes tight, my fist in a ball beside me.

It had been three years since Leo and I got together, and since I started living with him in his family's mansion.

No one had taken me in after losing my parents in that wretched accident sixteen years ago but Leo was the first to keep me by his side.

He was my Mr. Perfect, if I could forget Stella, his adopted sister, existed .

She was like a barnacle that clung stubbornly to him, popping up during our every crucial moment.

Leo kept comforting me, saying Stella was my family too, while I was nearly suffocated by her unspoken feelings. I knew more than anyone that she didn’t see him as just a “brother” but he was too naive to see it.

I had no idea why he cared this deeply for his adoptive sister.

I turned to look at him, he was waving his hand to let Stella know where we were.

I pursed my lips into a thin line as I watched my six-feet-three husband, his cupid lips formed into a smile, his other hand raking through his perfectly slicked hair.

There was nothing wrong with his affection for his sister, he loved her so much, he never saw past her surface.

Just hold on for one more day Bella. I assured myself. Now that we were getting married, Leo promised me we would move to our new place, away from his family, away from Stella.

I placed my hand on my belly, tonight was going to be special, I was going to let him know about our baby, it was going to be the start of a new life.

My smile was short-lived as Stella caught up with us.

She had that snug smile glued to her freckle stained face as she walked towards me.

I held my breath, knowing exactly what was coming next.

"Leo!" She beamed at him, "my God, you look like a freaking model," she shoved me aside, stepping next to him, like my presence was non existent.

I took a step back to avoid falling over, my hands balled into fists as I held onto the sides of my gown, trying to stay calm.

Everything was going perfectly until she showed up, this beautiful private forest wedding we'd set up, and the peace of having him by my side.

She clung to Leo’s arm, laughing too loudly, "we have to take pictures together!" She clapped her hands, not wiping the smile off her face as she pulled him away to pose for photographers.

The cameras flashed, and everyone stared at the two like they were the most perfect things to ever walk the earth.

I closed my eyes tight, trying to control my breathing, my knuckles were completely pale by now from how tight my grip on my dress was.

I didn’t want to cause a scene. Not today. So, I took a deep breath and walked towards them, making sure the jewelry I wore sparkled perfectly in the light. Jewelry was my life, and my craft after all. I wouldn’t let anyone dull me, not even Stella. Especially not Stella.

But then, the whispers started as I began to walk down.

“She should really change. It’s rude to the bride,” one woman muttered, her lip curling as she leaned toward her friend.

“Doesn’t she know it’s not her day?”

Around them, heads turned, whispers spreading like wildfire. A few exchanged glances, their expressions filled with judgement.

I stopped in my tracks as their words filled my ears. They thought Stella was the bride. Most of these people had been invited by Leo's family, since I had no one on my side, so they didn't know who the bride was.

I didn't need to look at her to know she was wearing a proud smile on her face.

That must have finally caught Leo's attention because he peeled his gaze from the cameras, glancing first at the source of the rumors before turning to look at me with furrowed eyebrows.

I forced a smile, even as the sting settled deep in my chest. Before I could say anything, Leo stepped in. His voice was calm but firm.

“She’s not the bride. Bella is," his deep voice called as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

He glanced at me, his green eyes softening. I stared at his perfect face, the one I'd fallen so hard for. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and clicked his tongue, “I’m sorry for this,” he said, nodding towards Stella. “I’ll make it up to you.”

I knew what he meant—the heirloom from my grandmother. He’d spent years looking for it, searching everywhere. My grandmother had been the one to raise me after my parents' accident, and had passed her heirloom to me. I resented myself for having to sell it so cheaply when I had to pay the bills for her health, and now I was determined to get it back after she passed away.

Leo had committed to looking for it with me, it wasn't just a thing. It was the last connection I had with my family.

“When are you going to give it to me?” I asked, my eyes widening with the hopes he'd found it.

But then, with that usual teasing smirk of his, he said, “tonight”

“Wait, you really found it?! I would prefer to have worn it at the wedding..." my eyes shot open wide.

Before I could finish my words, he lowered his head so he could match my height, “It’s me, I'm the present," he tilted his face to whisper in my ears.

I widened my eyes when I suddenly realised what he meant. My face burned a bright red, my eyes widening a little.

"Sir," someone tapped him on the shoulder, "Mr Frederick is here to see you," they told him.

Leo nodded, barely taking his eyes off me, adjusting his collar and turning around to leave. My eyes followed him until he was out of sight and that was when I felt her deadly gaze on me.

Before I could turn to leave, Stella was already making her way to me. Her smile was sharp, like a blade wrapped in velvet. “Well, don’t you look thrilled to be here,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “shouldn’t the bride look happy to be at her own wedding?”

I knew it was pointless to argue with her, so I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.

“Cake,” she said as she stopped in front of me, folding her hands across her chest.

"Huh?" I pulled my eyebrows together in confusion.

"Get me a slice of the goddamn cake," she said through gritted teeth. By now, I knew what was best for me wasn't to argue with her. Stella was Leo's precious sister, and he paid the most attention to her, so everyone had to serve her to avoid his wrath regardless of who they were. I just didn’t want her to ruin my wedding.

I nodded and went to get her a slice. I returned quickly, searching the sea of heads for Leo as one of the servers handed me a slice of cake on the plate.

I handed it over to her and turned to take my leave.

"You must feel so proud of yourself, the fact that you get to be with someone like Leo," she scoffed, causing me to stop in my tracks

I closed my eyes, pursing my lips together, trying to hold it in. I spun around on my heels to look at her, opening my mouth to speak but then, her face had changed. Her skin paled, and her hands were shaking, out of control.

“Stella?” I asked, panic rising in my chest, my brows pulling together. I leaned in to hold her but she collapsed to the floor, earning gasps from around us.

Out of nowhere, I felt someone push me out of the way and that was when I saw Leo. He'd taken his suit off in a hurry, kneeling beside her.

In a weak voice, Stella managed to mutter to him, "Leo… I’m so sorry for ruining Bella’s day. I just wanted to be here for both of you… I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

And just like that she trailed off into unconsciousness.

His face was tight with worry as he lifted her into his arms. His bloodshot eyes burned into me, pinning me in place “What did you give her?” he snarled.

I froze to the ground, I had never seen him stare at me with so much anger.

“I didn't-" I couldn't find my words as my voice trembled, "It was just cake."

Judie, Leo’s housekeeper stepped between us. “Oh, my Stella,” Her tearful eyes were blazing with anger. “You did this on purpose!” she yelled, shoving me so hard I almost fell. “You know she’s allergic! How could you do this?”

“I didn’t know!” I protested, still trying to process what the hell was going on.

“Is it really worth getting this jealous over a stupid dress? You wanna kill her just for that? Look at what you’re doing! You don’t deserve to have a family!” Leo's voice cut through the air, each word a dagger to my heart.

Leo’s mother, Carla, stepped forward, I opened my mouth to say something but her hand came fast, sharp, and loud across my cheek.

“Enough,” she snapped. “You’ve done enough. "

The world blurred as I hit the ground, the sting of her slap mixing with the ache in my heart.

“Leo, you must trust me,” I pressed one hand to my face, my eyes widened in shock as I watched Leo leave with Stella, carrying her like she was something fragile, not caring to look back at me once, while a faint smile on Stella’s face …

The guests followed, murmuring in shock. The venue emptied, and silence filled the space.

I sat there on the cold floor, my head felt like it was spinning.

Slowly, I noticed a warmth trickling down my thighs. I looked down.

Blood.

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Lilys
Was this the same man who claimed to love her ? Unbelievable…
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  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   2

    I stared at the blood beneath me, my entire body frozen. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. “Help! Somebody, please help!” I screamed, my voice breaking and echoing into the empty forest. No one answered. No one ever looked back until the last guest disappeared from my sight. As if to make things worse, I heard the cracking sound of thunder through the skies, immediately followed by pouring rain that drowned out my cries. My hands trembled as I pressed them to my stomach, tears streaming down my face. “No, no, no,” I whispered, shaking my head. My breaths came in short, shallow gasps as fear hooked me. I grabbed my phone, dialing Leo with shaking hands. It rang once, twice, then straight to voicemail. My stomach sank. He wasn’t coming. I decided to text him instead, ‘Leo I’m bleeding , I need help.’ For a moment, I just sat there, helpless and scared. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe through the pain. “You can do this,” I whispered. M

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   3

    I resumed walking slowly and my confusion soon turned to dread as I reached the door and peered inside. My hands fell limp to my side and the color drained from my face. Stella’s laughter reached my ears first. She was lying on the hospital bed, she didn’t look sick one bit but she smiled as Leo fussed over her. He adjusted her blanket, brushed her hair away from her face, and spoke to her in a low, tender voice. So he was here this whole time, while I cried alone, and wanted to die, he was here with her, ignoring my calls, my messages, leaving me in the dense forest alone struggling to live. Tears stung at my eyes and I couldn't bring my feet to move. My heart sank further when I saw what he held in his hand—the ruby necklace. My grandmother’s heirloom. He placed it gently around her neck, his fingers lingering just long enough to make my stomach twist. Stella’s face lit up with joy, and she touched the necklace like it was a treasure. The way they looked at each other—it

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   4

    As I walked out of the ward, I expected to hear his voice, to listen to him call me back, to hold my wrist and stop me, to ask me what bullshit I was doing.But he didn't.He let me walk out of that room without looking back.Once I was out of the ward, a sarcastic smile spread across my lips as the tears continued to pour down my cheeks, "what were you expecting?" I almost laughed at myself.I wasn't Stella, so why would he pull at me like I mattered?*I flinched at the loud thunder rumbling as soon as I stepped outside the hospital room.The rain pouring right after was soaking me to the bone.The nurses had pleaded with me to stay, citing my condition, but I couldn’t. Not with Stella just down the hall, basking in Leo’s attention. Not with Leo’s indifference cutting me deeper than any physical pain.I signed the discharge papers, ignoring the doctor’s concerned look, and stepped into the storm. Looking like a lunatic in a hospital gown and barefoot in the rain.None of the taxis

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   5

    Two years later Leo pov Dennis knocked softly on my office door, peeking in. He cleared his throat as if he was trying to announce his presence. “Mr. Rathore, it’s time for the business banquet. The car is ready.” I adjusted the cufflinks on my shirt. “I’ll be down in five," I said, without looking up. "Yes sir," my assistant nodded before taking his leave. I slipped my suit on, got to my feet after closing the laptop on the desk and headed towards the door. The secretary—her name escaped me—followed me as I stepped out of the office. She walked quickly, her heels clicking against the floor with every step. Her dress was bright red, tight, and it showed off her curves. It looked like she was trying a little too hard for an office outfit. Her lips were painted the same bold shade, matching her dress perfectly. She kept her expression focused, but there was something off about it. Her eyes flicked over me, not just looking at my face but taking in everything else, too. As she

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   6

    Bella pov My eyes were fixed on the man I thought I would never see again, his assistant guiding me through the crowd at the banquet. His eyes were locked on mine, I couldn't read what his expression was, but I knew he was astonished. He looked the same as the last time I'd seen him, if anything he looked more handsome than I remembered. My eyes were locked on him but just before I reached his side, I saw her. Stella. Stella stepped in front of Leo, smiling brightly, she seemed to have aged in such a short time. Stella turned to me and froze. Her eyes went wide, and she took a step back, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Bella?” she whispered. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say more, but nothing came out. She didn’t hesitate. Her hand rested on his arm, and she looked at me with that same smug, condescending smile. "Leo, I was waiting for you to join me," Stella said, her voice dripping with sweetness, her gaze never leaving mine. I couldn’t stop

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-14
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   7

    The shock on Stella's face is something I wish I could capture. Her jaw dropped opened, her eyes shot open wide and her face paled. Leo didn't peel his eyes off me as he left her side, leading the way. Her piercing eyes followed our steps until we were completely out of sight. Even I was taken aback by Leo's behaviour. His assistant attempted to follow us but he clarified, "alone," causing his assistant to nod and step back. I turned to Ryan, mouthing a 'I will be back'. "Okay dear," he said with his intense gaze fixed on Leo, "Jack and I will be waiting in the car." With that, Leo took me all the way to his office in the banquet. We were barely a few steps in, when he shut the door, grabbing me by my wrists, and pinning me to the wall next to the door, holding my hands by the sides of my head. I was surprised but did well to conceal it. I tilted my head to the side, raising one eyebrow, "what do you think you're doing Mr Rathore?" I raised a brow at him. "Where were

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   8

    I stared at Leo, my knees still planted on the cold ground beside my grandmother’s tombstone. My eyes widened in shock, did he hear everything?I swallowed hard, pushing myself to my feet. “What are you doing here?” My voice came out colder than I intended.Leo crossed his arms, his suit pristine despite the damp air. “I could ask you the same thing, Bella.” His tone was low, calm even, but I could hear the edge in it. His confusion gave me a sense of relief, he definitely hadn't heard me."Why would you be at my grandmother's.." I trailed off, I didn't want to get any further involved with him.I brushed the dirt off my hands, my heart hammering against my ribs. “I don’t owe you an explanation," I turned to leave but he immediately grabbed my arm, stopping me and forcing me to face him.“Don’t you?” His eyes narrowed. “You disappear for two years, and now you show up with a child and a man. Were you ever planning to explain any of this?”"Explain? To you?" I stared at him like he had

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15
  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   9

    The silence between us stretched thin, I was frozen in place, Leo’s words sinking in like ice. All those months ago, I walked out of there, leaving the lawyer to deal with the finalising of the divorce.I hadn't wanted to encounter Leo in any way and thought that was the perfect solution.“We’re still married,” he said again like he wanted to carve it into stone.Shocked, I could barely breathe, let alone speak. Then anger started to simmer under my skin. He had the audacity to say that after everything?“Stop this nonsense, Leo.” My voice came out sharp, trembling with restrained fury. “You’re just trying to mess with me. I’ve moved on. I remarried, I have a child—”“And I’m supposed to believe that?” His eyes darkened, his voice dripping with disdain. “Tell me, Bella. Do you even love him?”“That’s none of your business,” I snapped, folding my arms to keep myself steady. “What I do or who I’m with isn’t your concern anymore. You don’t get to ask me questions about my life.”Leo step

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15

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  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   69

    I barely remembered the drive to Ryan’s place. My grip on the wheel was so tight my knuckles hurt.Every minute Bella stayed silent, every minute I did not hear her voice, my patience thinned to nothing.I pulled up hard in front of the house, the tires kicking dust across the sidewalk.The door was cracked open slightly. No sound came from inside.I did not wait. I shoved the door wider and stepped in without knocking, my fists already curled, my chest heaving with the anger I had been holding back for too long.Ryan sat slumped on the couch, his elbows resting heavily on his knees, staring blankly at the floor.He didn’t even flinch when I entered."What the hell did you do to her?" I said, my voice cutting through the stillness.He looked up slowly, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused, like he wasn’t really seeing me.My temper snapped.I crossed the room in three long strides, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and hauled him halfway off the couch."Talk," I growled, shoving him back ha

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   68

    Leo povI checked my phone for the sixth time that morning, there was till nothing.The screen lit up, but it was just another calendar alert, not her, not even a text. I turned it off, waited, then turned it back on again like that would change something.Bella hadn’t called.Had something happened? Was she avoiding me? Was this her way of pulling away after what she said?My chest tightened. I hated this feeling. My phone buzzed again. I grabbed it without thinking, already bracing for disappointment.It wasn’t her.Stella.I answered, jaw tight. “What?”“Leo,” she said like she had been rehearsing it, soft and breathy, “I’ve been trying to reach you. It’s important. I haven’t been able to access you these days and...”“I’ll let you know when I’m free,” I cut in.“But I really need to...”I hung up and tossed the phone back on the desk and leaned back in my chair. The silence felt heavier now like it was sitting on my chest.I stared at the screen then at the window and then back a

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   67

    The airport buzzed with quiet tension. The kind of tired that settles in your chest after too many days of pretending everything is fine. We had said our goodbyes to the client hours ago. We’d packed up, handed off the last of the materials, and smiled for one final photo. The trip was over.Leo didn’t speak much. He just walked beside me. He carried my bag through the terminal without offering or asking. He simply reached for it when I shifted my weight, like he already knew it was getting too heavy.He was calm. Collected. Gentle in all the ways that used to make me suspicious. Now I just let it be what it was.We got through security without much delay. He kept checking the signs like he wasn’t used to waiting in lines. I stayed close, quiet. We didn’t talk about what would happen once we landed. We didn’t talk about what we were now. We just moved.At the gate, I sat by the window. He sat next to me. He didn’t scroll through his phone. He didn’t check his email. He just sat back,

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   66

    The papers were already on the table when I walked in. A pale folder, two pens, and silence.Ryan was sitting on the other side, dressed neatly, the same calm expression he always wore when things got heavy. His tie was slightly loose, like he’d taken a deep breath before I arrived. He looked up when I stepped in.“Hey,” he said quietly.“Hey.”I sat down across from him. The room was private, not too cold. Neutral tones, thick carpet, tall windows. A space designed to make final things feel manageable.We didn’t rush.The lawyer explained everything, but we barely listened. We already knew. There was no fight over assets, no long arguments over rights or blame. There had never been any mess between us—just a quiet arrangement, born from need.I flipped through the pages slowly. It felt strange, how easy it was. How quickly things ended when there was no damage to undo.I reached the signature line.He’d already signed.I picked up the pen.My fingers hesitated for just a second. Not

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   65

    knew something was different the moment the client pulled me aside. He looked like he had something to say that couldn’t be said in front of cameras. He waited until the end of the panel, after the last flash faded and Bella had stepped aside to speak with one of the stylists.“Mr. Rathore,” he said quietly, hand on my shoulder. “Can we talk for a moment?”“Of course.”We stepped into the shade beneath one of the trees lining the venue courtyard. The crowd was still buzzing behind us, photographers packing up, reporters chatting among themselves. Bella stood in the center of it all—tall, calm, a little flushed from the attention but holding her own effortlessly.He gestured toward her. “You didn’t know, did you?”“Know what?” I asked, my attention snapping back.“That the woman you and Miss Delano helped last week—the one in the parking lot—was my daughter.”I stilled.He nodded slowly. “She never told the hospital who she was. She’s stubborn. Wanted to keep things quiet while she sor

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   64

    he call came just after midnight. I was sitting alone at the small desk in our suite, answering emails, pretending I wasn’t listening for her soft footsteps from the other room. I didn’t expect to see her tonight. She had been quieter than usual during dinner, not cold—but pensive. I didn’t push.My phone lit up with her name. Mother. I stared at the screen for a moment before answering. I knew what this was.“Leo.”Her voice was sharp, not angry yet, but on the edge. Controlled. Intentional.“Mother.”“I don’t like what I’m hearing.”I didn’t say anything.“People are talking,” she continued. “The board, the press, your aunt, your uncle—do you know how many calls I’ve taken in the last two days?”“I can imagine.”“You’re embarrassing yourself,” she said. “You’re embarrassing this family.”The words didn’t hit like they used to. There was a time I would’ve flinched. Not anymore.“Is that what you think I’m doing?”“I think you’re letting emotion cloud your judgment. Again. You’re atta

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   63

    We were back on the couch again, wine glasses half-full, legs curled loosely beneath us, the dim lamplight softening everything around us. There was something about the way Leo sat—relaxed, patient, dangerously close—that made the air between us buzz, even when we weren’t saying anything important.“Are you ever going to stop looking at me like that?”“Like what?”“Like you’re trying to memorize me.”“Maybe I am.”“You already know what I look like, Leo.”“Not like this. Not after everything. Not when you’re actually letting me near you again.”“I’m not letting you near me. You just keep showing up.”“And you’re letting me stay.”“I didn’t say you could stay.”“You didn’t say I couldn’t.”“…You’re impossible.”“And you’re not saying no.”“Don’t push it.”“I’m not. I’m just sitting here. Drinking wine. Staring at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”I rolled my eyes, but my lips fought a smile. He leaned forward just slightly, resting his elbow on the back of the couch like he ha

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   62

    T he next few days passed like a quiet breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding for years. There were no confessions. No apologies repeated. No grand displays of love. Just small, careful gestures that lingered longer than they should have.Leo didn’t crowd me. He didn’t follow me too closely or fill the air with words just to hear himself speak. He simply stayed close. In step. In sync.When we walked to meetings or down quiet hallways with our clients, he carried my samples without needing to be asked. Not in a way that said he thought I couldn’t, but in a way that said he noticed the way my ankle still bent awkwardly if I put too much pressure on it. He reached for the heavier bags with ease, his hand brushing mine only briefly, and then let the moment pass without making it more than what it was.When we stood beside each other at tables or inside crowded booths, he never touched me first. But if my fingers grazed his, he didn’t move away. Sometimes, without thinking, his hand wo

  • The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride   61

    The air was cooler by the time I stepped out of bed. The curtains swayed gently from the breeze sneaking in through the open balcony door. I didn’t hear him, but I could feel that I wasn’t alone. The night had that charged stillness, like something was waiting to be said.I walked across the room, barefoot, careful not to put weight on my sore ankle. The ache had dulled to a throb. I reached the doorway and saw him.Leo stood with his back to me, leaning slightly on the railing, one hand resting flat on the cold metal, the other holding a glass he hadn’t taken a sip from. His sleeves were rolled up. His shirt clung gently to his back, just loose enough to move with the breeze.He didn’t turn when I stepped onto the balcony. I think he knew I was there the whole time.“You don’t sleep much, do you?” I asked.His shoulders lifted in a quiet shrug. “Not when I feel like I missed something.”The stars were brighter out here. The sky stretched above us, open and wide, but his voice pulled

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