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The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 57
I didn’t notice right away because I knew she was avoiding me and so I was trying not to look at her but Bella was missing from the group. She had been walking ahead the whole time and I had been stealing glances at her. The trail curved left, the group slowed behind me, and I looked up expecting to see her, but there was nothing. No gray shirt. No tied-back hair. No Bella.My stomach dropped.I quickened my pace, eyes scanning the narrow path. I called her name, quietly at first, hoping she’d turn around and roll her eyes the way she always did when I sounded too concerned. But there was no answer.The trees thickened. I pushed forward faster, ignoring the chatter behind me, ignoring the twisting in my gut that told me this wasn’t just her trying to avoid me again.I called her name louder. Still nothing.She was gone.I broke into a full sprint. My breath came hard, my legs cut through the brush, and the only thing in my head was her face. The last time I saw it. The way she hadn’
Last Updated : 2025-04-12The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 58
The door closed softly behind us. I locked it without thinking, then turned and saw her sit down, slow and careful, on the edge of the bed. She bent her leg with a wince, pressing her hand lightly against her ankle as if even breathing on it hurt. I crossed the room without speaking, grabbed the cold pack from the minibar, wrapped it in a small towel, and knelt in front of her.She didn’t stop me.Her leg trembled when I touched it, but she let me slide off her shoe and lift her foot into my lap. I was gentle, more than I’d ever been with anything in my life. Her sock was damp from sweat, probably pain too. She hissed quietly when I rolled it down, and I slowed my hands.The swelling was worse now. Purple already setting in. I adjusted the towel, pressed the cold gently against the side of her ankle, and held it there with one hand while the other braced her knee.She didn’t look at me, but she didn’t pull away either.Her breath was shallow. She leaned back slightly, resting her palm
Last Updated : 2025-04-13The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 59
He didn’t say anything else after placing it in my palm. He just stepped back quietly, giving me room to breathe. My fingers had curled around the necklace before I even realized it. It was instinct. Muscle memory. The second I felt the shape of it the weight, the smooth stone, I couldn’t let go.I couldn’t look up at him either.The box sat open on the table, the air between us still. He didn’t speak, didn’t ask, didn’t reach for me again. He just waited. For what, I didn’t know.But I couldn’t hold it in anymore.“Can you… give me a moment?” I asked softly, my voice tighter than I meant.He nodded. There was no hesitation, no look of confusion or hurt. Just a quiet understanding in the way he stepped out of the room and closed the door gently behind him.The second it clicked shut, something in me broke.I turned away from the door, walked to the far corner of the room with the necklace still in my hand, and sank to the floor. My back hit the side of the bed, my knees folded to my c
Last Updated : 2025-04-14The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 1
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
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-09The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-09
Latest chapter
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 59
He didn’t say anything else after placing it in my palm. He just stepped back quietly, giving me room to breathe. My fingers had curled around the necklace before I even realized it. It was instinct. Muscle memory. The second I felt the shape of it the weight, the smooth stone, I couldn’t let go.I couldn’t look up at him either.The box sat open on the table, the air between us still. He didn’t speak, didn’t ask, didn’t reach for me again. He just waited. For what, I didn’t know.But I couldn’t hold it in anymore.“Can you… give me a moment?” I asked softly, my voice tighter than I meant.He nodded. There was no hesitation, no look of confusion or hurt. Just a quiet understanding in the way he stepped out of the room and closed the door gently behind him.The second it clicked shut, something in me broke.I turned away from the door, walked to the far corner of the room with the necklace still in my hand, and sank to the floor. My back hit the side of the bed, my knees folded to my c
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 58
The door closed softly behind us. I locked it without thinking, then turned and saw her sit down, slow and careful, on the edge of the bed. She bent her leg with a wince, pressing her hand lightly against her ankle as if even breathing on it hurt. I crossed the room without speaking, grabbed the cold pack from the minibar, wrapped it in a small towel, and knelt in front of her.She didn’t stop me.Her leg trembled when I touched it, but she let me slide off her shoe and lift her foot into my lap. I was gentle, more than I’d ever been with anything in my life. Her sock was damp from sweat, probably pain too. She hissed quietly when I rolled it down, and I slowed my hands.The swelling was worse now. Purple already setting in. I adjusted the towel, pressed the cold gently against the side of her ankle, and held it there with one hand while the other braced her knee.She didn’t look at me, but she didn’t pull away either.Her breath was shallow. She leaned back slightly, resting her palm
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 57
I didn’t notice right away because I knew she was avoiding me and so I was trying not to look at her but Bella was missing from the group. She had been walking ahead the whole time and I had been stealing glances at her. The trail curved left, the group slowed behind me, and I looked up expecting to see her, but there was nothing. No gray shirt. No tied-back hair. No Bella.My stomach dropped.I quickened my pace, eyes scanning the narrow path. I called her name, quietly at first, hoping she’d turn around and roll her eyes the way she always did when I sounded too concerned. But there was no answer.The trees thickened. I pushed forward faster, ignoring the chatter behind me, ignoring the twisting in my gut that told me this wasn’t just her trying to avoid me again.I called her name louder. Still nothing.She was gone.I broke into a full sprint. My breath came hard, my legs cut through the brush, and the only thing in my head was her face. The last time I saw it. The way she hadn’
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 56
Bella pov. I didn’t want to be here. I wasn’t sure how many days had passed by now but I had gotten an email earlier saying that we needed to show up to an overnight trip at a jungle. Being here at the jungle traumatized me since it reminded me so much of the forest wedding and losing my child. I hated it with all of me but worst of all I hated that Leo would be here too. This whole thing was for the client. They wanted a “natural bonding experience,” something about being closer to the earth to match their new luxury eco-brand. Everyone acted excited. I wasn’t. I didn’t care about the forest, the trees, the birds, or the fresh air. I just wanted to get through it, finish what was required, and go back to the hotel. The only reason I was here was because it was mandatory. I kept walking, putting space between me and the others. I didn’t want to be in the middle of the group, and I definitely didn’t want to be anywhere near Leo. He hadn’t said much all morning. I was glad. I d
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 55
Leo’s POVLeo’s phone buzzed for the fifth time, but it wasn’t her. Another meeting reminder. Another notification that didn’t matter. He tossed it on the desk and leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling like it might give him answers.“She won’t talk to me,” he muttered.“Sir?” Dennis’s voice came through the speakerphone.Leo rubbed his face. “She moved to another floor. Won’t take my calls. Only responds to work texts—and barely.”There was a pause.“What would you like me to do?”He didn’t answer right away. He stood up, walked to the minibar, opened it, then shut it again without grabbing anything. He paced twice before stopping beside the chair.“I need you to look into something. Bella… she told me something the other day. About the wedding. About losing a baby.”Dennis went quiet.“She was pregnant,” Leo said. “And I didn’t know. I didn’t even notice anything was wrong. I left her that night. You remember?”“I do.”“She said she went to the hospital. Walked there.
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 54
B ella’s POVThe hallway outside the emergency room buzzed with fluorescent light. I sat motionless in a stiff plastic chair, arms folded, trying to slow my breathing. A nurse had promised to update me when they could, but it had already been over twenty minutes. I didn’t care about the time. I wasn’t leaving until I knew she and her baby were safe.Leo had been pacing nonstop. His dress shoes tapped rhythmically against the linoleum floor, each step sharper than the last. He wasn’t subtle about his frustration. But I stayed where I was, watching the emergency doors like they might open with answers.Eventually, his patience snapped.“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, stepping closer. “We’ve done our part. We brought her here. They’ve taken over. What more do you want to do?”“I’m staying,” I said calmly.“Why?” His voice rose slightly. “You don’t even know her. You gave up an important meeting, Bella. You’re acting like this is your child—”“I know what it feels like,” I said, standi
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 53
Bella’s POVThe silence in the car was heavy.I sat with my arms crossed, staring out the window, pretending Leo wasn’t just inches away from me. He hadn’t said a word since we got in. Neither had I. The air between us was cold enough to choke on.The driver kept glancing in the rearview mirror like he could feel it too.I kept my eyes fixed outside. We were heading to the client meeting Leo had been hyping up for days. Some luxury firm with international reach, the kind of partnership that would keep his company at the top of its game. I was supposed to care. I didn’t.Not after that lobby scene.Not after the look in his eyes when he said he knew.My fingers dug into my sleeves. I still didn’t know how he found out. It didn’t matter now. The damage was done.We turned a corner, and the car slowed unexpectedly.“What is it?” Leo asked the driver, his first words since we left the hotel.“There’s someone on the road,” the driver replied, braking fully.I looked ahead and saw her.A pr
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 52
Bella’s POVI saw him the second I stepped off the elevator. He was standing by the front desk, talking to someone, but his eyes flicked to me the moment I walked into view. Of course they did. Leo always looked for me like I was something he owned, something he lost but still expected to find again.I kept walking. Not too fast. Not slow enough to be noticed. Just… unaffected. That’s what I wanted him to see. Me, in control. Me, composed. Me, completely untouched by last night.“Bella,” he called out behind me. His voice was calm, but there was a warning in it. Like he knew I’d ignore him, and he wasn’t going to let it slide this time.I stopped near the lobby’s coffee stand. I didn’t turn. I let him come to me.“Tell me the truth,” he said, just close enough for only me to hear. “Is it real? You and Ryan.”His question startled me, and I furrowed my eyebrows. My heart racing in my chest but then I turned, slowly, arms folded, face blank. His jaw was tense. His eyes looked like they
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 51
Bella was gone again.Just like that. Like last night didn’t matter. Like I didn’t watch her fall apart in my arms and whisper my name like it still meant something.The bed was a mess. Her perfume still lingered in the room. But she left behind nothing. Not even a damn goodbye.I sat at the edge of the bed, jaw clenched, my fingers gripping the sheet so tight I thought it might tear. I should have gotten used to this by now. But it still hit the same.A knock came from the door. Room service. Breakfast for two. I didn’t even remember ordering it. It didn’t matter now.I didn’t touch it.I just sat there, chest tight, anger building in a place I didn’t know how to reach.My phone buzzed. Dennis.I snatched it up. “Talk.”His voice came in calm, like he didn’t just have answers I’d been chasing for months. “I’ve finished the research you asked for. I confirmed it. Bella and Ryan’s marriage… it’s not real.”I froze.“What?” My voice cracked in the middle.Dennis cleared his throat. “The
