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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
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 10
I stared blankly at him. I didn't spend all my time working this hard, just for him to attempt to threaten me.This time I inched closer to him, a smirk on my face, I ran my fingers through his hair, "Mr Rathore? I'm not your sister, I'm not something you can own," I reduced my voice to a whisper, "wake up from your dreams."I turned around to leave, driving off without looking back once.When I walked into Ryan’s house, Jack was sitting on the floor surrounded by his toys. His head was down, and he was fiddling with a toy car, but his usual cheerful humming was missing.“Jack?” I crouched beside him, placing a hand on his small shoulder. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”He looked up, his big brown eyes filled with worry. “Mummy Bella, Daddy had a fight.”I frowned, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. “A fight? With who?”“An old man,” Jack said quietly, his lip trembling. “They were yelling a lot.”My heart squeezed. Jack didn’t handle arguments well, and I hated that he had to see
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 11
I watched as Bella drove off in her car, raking my angry fingers through my hair. The thought of another man even breathing close to her was driving me insane, let alone, touching her enough to-"Fuck!" I cussed at the top of my voice, my breathing pattern slowly changing. I hated the way things were going. I kicked a stone out of my way.Ever since she left, I showed up at her grandmother's tombstone almost every other night, hoping I would meet her here. I knew how much she had loved her grandmother, but I never once saw her here.I thought it was a dream when I saw her today and now she had to rub it in my fucking face.I closed my eyes tight, there was only one way to go tonight.As I got in my car, my phone beeped multiple times, calls from my mother that I ignored, I was still upset by how she had treated Bella earlier and then Stella's endless text messages kept my phone going off. Frustrated, I turned the phone off, not wanting to have to talk to anyone at all.I stopped at th
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 12
Bella pov I sat cross-legged on the couch, my laptop perched on my knees. My eyes scanned the screen, my fingers hovering above the keyboard as I absorbed the details of the competition Stella had mentioned. “International Jewelry Design Showcase,” I murmured, reading the bold title again. The prize money was enough to boost my studio, but it wasn’t the only thing driving me. This competition was hosted by Leo. And if I played my cards right, I could negotiate the return of my heirloom as part of the prize. I bit my lip, that piece wasn’t just jewelry. Winning this competition could mean getting it back. And I wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip through my fingers. I leaned back, chewing on my bottom lip as I skimmed through the requirements. The deadline was tight, but I’d worked under tighter constraints before. This was doable. A gentle tug at my sleeve snapped me out of my thoughts. “Mummy Bella?” Jack’s soft voice pulled me back to the present. I t
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 13
We strolled down the street, stopping at a small ice cream shop. Jack’s eyes lit up as he pressed his face against the glass display, his little fingers pointing excitedly at the colorful flavors.“Chocolate or strawberry?” I asked with a smile.“Both!” he exclaimed, bouncing on his toes.I laughed and ordered a scoop of each. The cashier handed me the cone, and I bent down to give it to Jack, who accepted it like it was the greatest treasure in the world. His happy grin was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth.But my smile immediately faded when I turned to pay and realized Jack was no longer by my side.“Jack?” I called, my voice rising in panic.I spun around, scanning the busy street. My heart pounded as I pushed through the crowd, calling his name over and over.And then I saw him.In the middle of the sidewalk, held securely in the arms of the one person I didn’t want to see—Leo.My heart dropped. For a second, I froze in placs, unsure of what to do. But w
Last Updated : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 14
Leo’s POV "Is this the last meeting with the organizers?" I flipped my wrist to check the time as I headed to the location Dennis had texted me while he took care of things at the office. "Yes sir," he said, "you also need to meet with the-" "Oh no!" A tiny voice gasped. I looked down with furrowed eyebrows at the figure that had bumped into me. At first, I thought it was my imagination, since I'd spent all night thinking about it but it was Bella's son. "I will call you back," I said to Dennis who was still mid way through speaking, hanging up and crouching to the boy's height. "I'm sorry," he said. "Where's your mom?" I'd asked him, knowing Bella wouldn't have left him to wander off and heavens when I saw her, her panicked face staring in confusion, I almost died. She was ethereal. Her hair was in a simple ponytail, and the way those jeans hugged her curves, I felt a shift in my pants, unlike I ever had. I knew I couldn't let her go just like that, I needed more t
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
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The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 28
Leo slammed the door shut behind him pinning me to the wall both his hands by the sides of my head.“What is this?” he demanded, his voice low and intense, his face only inches from mine. “What are you playing at?”I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze without a hint of fear. “And what is this?" I frowned, staring at him in irritation.His eyes searched mine, still in shock. “Why?” His voice cracked just slightly. “Why are you doing this?”I pushed against his chest, slipping out from under his arm. “If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”He grabbed my wrist, his grip tightening just enough to stop me but not hurt. “Bella.” His tone softened for a brief second. I yanked my hand away, my eyes cold. “I think I made myself clear, if you have anything to say, speak with my team."Without waiting for a response, I walked to the door.But just as I stepped into the hallway, Stella was there, her face twisted in rage. She stormed toward me, her heels clicking sharply against
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 27
I stopped right in front of Leo, folding my arms across my chest, a smirk curling at the corner of my lips.“I want to be part of the competition,” I said, my voice calm but firm, “and in exchange, if I win, I want the necklace you gave to Stella. The one from that day in the hospital.”A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.Stella’s face twisted in shock, then fury. Her eyes darted to Leo, her hands clenching into tight fists at her sides.“No!” she nearly screamed. “No way! That necklace is mine! You can’t take it from me!”Her voice echoed through the hall, her carefully polished image cracking right in front of everyone.The flashes kept coming, reporters whispering, trying to get every word.Leo didn’t move or say anything at first, still staring at me like he wasn’t sure if this was real.“Leo!” Stella’s voice shook. “Tell her! Tell her she can’t have it!”His eyes finally left mine, glancing at her briefly, but there was no reassurance in his expression."You need to speak
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 26
The boutique was elegant, the kind of place where everything was overpriced, and the staff only treated you well if they thought you had money.I had money. More than they could imagine.I ran my fingers over a silk gown, considering it, when a sharp, familiar laugh made me pause.“I still can’t believe it,” a voice drawled behind me. “After all those years, and she ended up with nothing.”I didn’t turn around. I didn’t need to.Stella.“Oh, come on,” another voice joined in, dripping with false pity. “She didn’t end up with nothing. She married some nobody. That counts for something, right?”Laughter.My grip on the fabric tightened.“She thought she could do better than Leo.” Stella’s voice was laced with amusement. “And now look at her. No power, no name, no future. Honestly, it’s a little pathetic.”More laughter. Whispered comments.They wanted me to hear them.They wanted a reaction.Slowly, I turned, letting my eyes settle on Stella. She was standing with two other women, both
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 25
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks. My black tux fit perfectly, sharp and tailored. The crisp white shirt underneath, paired with a dark silk tie, made the look complete. My shoes were polished until they shined, and my hair was styled neatly. I looked every bit the part for tonight’s event.But I couldn’t focus on how I looked. My mind was elsewhere.“Dennis,” I called out as I fixed my tie one last time. “Any news from her team?”Dennis stood by the door, his phone in hand. He glanced at the screen and shook his head. “No news, sir. Nothing at all.”I frowned. “She hasn’t said why she’s doing this? Others have begged her to show up before, and she always refused. Why now?”Dennis cleared his throat. “No reason given, sir. No statement from her team.”I nodded slowly, the same questions running through my mind. Why this event? Why here?“You ready?” Dennis asked.I adjusted my jacket, giving myself one last look. “Yeah, let’s go.”We arrived at the event, and the
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 24
“Who?” I frowned, narrowing my eyes at Dennis.Dennis cleared his throat. “Le Deon, sir.”I froze. “Le Deon?” I repeated slowly.He nodded, adjusting his tie nervously. “Yes, sir. The Le Deon.”For a second, I said nothing. Le Deon was the biggest name in jewelry design. She sold her pieces to billionaires and high-end companies. Everyone in the industry knew the name, but no one had ever seen her face. She was a complete mystery—just a name behind a massive empire.And now, apparently, she had signed up for my competition.Dennis shifted on his feet, looking more uncomfortable by the second. “Sir, you can’t cancel the event. She’s already spread the news that she’ll be participating. And…” He paused, hesitating.“And what?” I asked, my voice sharp.“She’s… doing a face reveal at the event. It’s causing a stir on social media. Millions are talking about it,” Dennis finished.I blinked, processing his words. Le Deon. The most secretive designer in the world. Doing a face reveal—at my e
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 23
Leo’s POVI woke up with a sharp headache, my hands instinctively went to search the space beside me.Empty.She was gone.I sat up wincing and groaning, massaging my temples.I stared at the empty space, so none of last night was a dream after all. I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening on the blanket.She chose him. A man who couldn’t even love her the way I did. The child wasn’t mine. Every illusion I’d clung to was all shattered in an instant.Two years. Two fucking years of searching for her, chasing shadows, thinking I could fix what was broken. What a joke.I swung my legs off the bed, grabbing my clothes from the floor. My movements were stiff, cold.“Enough,” I muttered to myself. “No more.”I stormed out of the cabin and got into the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I drove back to the house, the anger simmering beneath my skin.The front door swung open as soon as I parked. My mother stood there, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.“Leo!” she snapped. “Where were you? I
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 22
Bella’s POVI stared down at his hand holding mind, trailing my gaze up until I met his eyes and then back at his hand. I snatched my hand from his grip and repelled. I could still feel the warmth of his hand on mine, even though I wasn’t holding it anymore. His eyes had been so intense, pulling me in, making me forget, just for a second, everything that had happened. Everything he’d done.For a brief moment, I let myself get lost in it. In him. His gaze. His warmth. The familiar feeling that used to make my heart race.But then it hit me.Like a slap to my own face.I pulled my hand away fast, my heart pounding for a different reason now. Anger. Disgust. At him. At myself.What the hell was I doing?I stood up quickly, putting distance between us. His eyes followed me, confused, maybe even hurt. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to fall for it. Not again.I heard the bed creak as he shuffled in bed. I crossed my arms over my chest, my jaw tight. “No,” I muttered under my breath,
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 21
Bella’s POVThe rain was cold. It soaked through my clothes, chilling me to the bone. But none of that mattered. I was focused on Leo. His breathing was uneven, his eyes wide and unfocused. I didn’t understand what had happened. I didn’t ask. I just knew I had to get him inside.I’d left angered, hating that for a short minute I had kissed him back. But more than that I was completely shocked by what just transpired. “Come on,” I whispered, wrapping my arm around his waist. He was heavy, his body tense, but he didn’t resist. His steps were slow, uneven. Like he wasn’t really here. Like his mind was somewhere far away.We stumbled back into the cabin. The door creaked shut behind us. The rain kept pounding outside, but in here, it was quieter. I guided him to the small couch, helping him sit. His shirt was soaked, clinging to his skin. His chest rose and fell fast, like he couldn’t catch his breath.I didn’t know what to say. So, I said nothing.I found a towel draped over a chair. I
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 20
Leo’s POVListening to her speak, my eyes were focused on her lips. They were just as beautiful as I remembered, her words started to fade away anf I found myself leaning closer.Her lips were soft, warmer than I remembered.For a second, she kissed me back. Her hands almost reached for my neck, pulling me closer. I could feel her heartbeat racing against mine.But then, she froze.Bella pulled back fast, eyes wide, breath uneven. Without warning, she reached in, striking my face with a slap.It stung but barely did a thing to make me move."What-what was that?" Her voice cracked, full of panic.I didn’t know how to answer."You fucking bastard, Leo, how dare you?!" She took a step away from me, "so not only did you choose to kidnap me, you assaulted me too?"Hearing the genuine hurt in my voice made me realise I crossed the line, unlike me, she really wasn't stuck on two years ago.It stung my chest how she repelled from me."Bella, wait." I reached for her, but she stepped back, s
