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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
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 : 2025-01-15The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 15
Bella’s POVJack had been unusually quiet on the ride back, his little hand gripping mine tightly as if sensing my unease. I couldn’t shake the image of Leo holding him, the way he’d looked at Jack like he was searching for something.As soon as we walked inside, Jack ran straight to Ryan, who was sitting on the couch with a book in hand. His face lit up when he saw Jack, but his smile faltered the moment Jack started talking.“Daddy! Guess what happened today!” Jack’s voice was bright, but I could hear the excitement fading as he recalled the details. “I bumped into a man, and he said I got ice cream on his pants. Then Mommy got mad at him!”Ryan put the book down, his expression instantly serious. “What man, Jack?”Jack hesitated, looking at me for reassurance. I sighed and stepped closer. “It was Leo,” I said quietly.Ryan’s jaw tightened. “Leo?”Jack nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. He was nice! He helped me when I got lost.”Ryan turned to me, his voice sharp but low, mindful of
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
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The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 41
Bella’s POVI turned sharply, grabbing the hotel phone on the nightstand. My fingers pressed the buttons fast, my other hand gripping my hip. The line rang twice before a voice answered.“Front desk, how may I assist you?”“Yes,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even. “There’s been a mistake. I was assigned a shared room, but I need my own. Fix it.”A brief pause. “May I have your name, ma’am?”I clenched my jaw. “Bella.”More typing on the other end. Then, “I’m very sorry, ma’am, but all rooms have been assigned. We are fully booked.”I exhaled, pressing my fingers to my temple. “There has to be another room.”“I do apologize, but we don’t have any available at the moment.”I closed my eyes. “So, you’re saying there’s nothing you can do?”A slight hesitation. “Not tonight, ma’am. I can put in a request to see if anything opens up tomorrow.”Tomorrow.I pulled the phone away, staring at it like I could crush it with my mind. Then I brought it back to my ear. “Forget it.” I slammed it
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 40
Bella’s POVI grabbed Leo’s wrist the moment he stepped closer. Without a word, I pulled him away from the others, ignoring the murmurs and questioning looks. The second we were out of earshot, I let go and crossed my arms.“What is she doing here?” My voice was low, sharp.Leo ran a hand through his hair. “She’s sick.”I scoffed. “And?”He exhaled. “I couldn’t leave her behind like this.”I narrowed my eyes. “Leo, this is a business trip.”“And she needs me,” he shot back. “No one can take care of her the way I can.”I let out a slow breath, my patience thinning. “Do you have any idea how bad this looks? You showing up late with her—”“Then let them think what they want,” he interrupted. His voice was calm, but I could see the frustration behind his eyes.I stared at him, my fingers tightening against my arms. “You always do this.”His jaw clenched. “Do what?”“Put her above everything,” I said. “Even when you know it’s a bad idea.”His expression didn’t change. “She’s important to m
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 39
Bella’s POVThe airport lounge was filled with noise—shareholders chatting, assistants running around, the occasional announcement blaring through the speakers. I sat in one of the sleek black chairs, legs crossed, fingers drumming lightly against my knee. My patience was wearing thin.Leo was late.I glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. He had fifteen more minutes before I made a decision he wouldn’t like.Across from me, Mr. Carson, one of the older shareholders, adjusted his glasses and leaned forward. “should we be concerned?”I turned to him with a small smile, controlled, professional. “Concerned about what, Mr. Carson?”He gestured vaguely. “Our CEO. If he doesn’t show up, it won’t be a good look for us when we land. The investors expect strong leadership.”I nodded, giving him a reassuring look. “And they’ll get that. Trust me, Mr. Carson, Leo knows how important this is.”Mrs. Patel, sitting beside him, arched a brow. “Then why is he late?”I kept my exp
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 38
Bella’s POVMy bags were packed. My flight outfit was laid out. Everything was set.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the blazer I had picked for the trip. Simple, professional, and most importantly, untouchable. I needed to be untouchable on this trip. No room for distractions. No room for Leo.Ryan sat on the couch, staring at his phone, his expression unreadable. His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, a sure sign that something was bothering him.I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorway. “Alright, what is it?”He glanced up, hesitated, then sighed. “My dad. He’s mad at me for something again.”I rolled my eyes and walked over to sit beside him. “What is it this time?”Ryan shook his head. “Who knows? He just called, asked if I was really coming back, and then when I said I wasn’t sure, he just… sighed. You know that disappointed sigh he does?”I did know. I’d heard it before.I patted his knee. “Ryan, you can’t keep stressing over this. You know he’s never go
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 37
Leo’s POVI stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. My bags were packed, my schedule cleared, and lodged in the hotel ready to leave and yet here I was, stuck listening to Stella cry for the past fifteen minutes.“You can’t go, Leo!” she wailed, gripping the edge of my desk like her life depended on it. “You just can’t!”I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Stella, I have to.”She shook her head violently. “No, you don’t! Why do you have to follow her? Why do you have to go on this stupid trip?!”I exhaled, forcing patience into my voice. “This is business.”“This is Bella!” She looked at me, eyes red and swollen. “She’s dragging you into something. You know she is!”I didn’t answer. Instead, I walked over to my wardrobe and grabbed the last of my things. Stella let out a frustrated noise and stomped her foot like a child. “Leo! Are you even listening to me?!”I turned to her. “Enough.”Her mouth snapped shut.I hated that I was snappi
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 36
I kept my expression calm, my posture straight, my hands lightly clasped in front of me. Unbothered. Collected. Like I had everything under control.But inside?Oh, I was spiraling.This wasn’t the plan. Not at all.I had only called the meeting to push Leo out of sight. Not to launch an entire international expansion. That wasn’t what I came here for.But the moment the words left my mouth, I saw it—the shift in the room.The way the shareholders leaned in. The way their skepticism turned into consideration. The way Leo’s eyes narrowed at me like he was trying to figure out what I was up to.And I knew.If I backtracked now, they’d question everything. They’d start picking apart my motives, wondering why I suggested it in the first place. They’d doubt me.Doubt meant weakness.So, with the same unfazed smile, I said, “Sure.”And just like that, it was decided.The meeting continued for a while—discussions, planning, logistics—but my mind barely kept up. I nodded when needed, answered
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 35
I leaned back in my chair, watching as Bella stood at the front of the boardroom. Her posture was confident, her chin slightly raised like she owned the place.She looked around the room, taking her time, making sure everyone’s eyes were on her.“I called this meeting,” she began, her voice smooth, steady. “Because there’s something important we need to discuss.”I crossed my arms, waiting.“The competition,” she continued. “It’s already a success, but I don’t believe in settling. We are going to take it further.”Murmurs spread through the room. Some of the board members exchanged glances. Others leaned forward, curious.Bella didn’t pause. “We are expanding the competition. Internationally.”Silence. Then, almost at once, the reactions came.“What?” One of the older board members frowned. “Internationally?”“Do you know how much work that would take?” another man asked, shaking his head.A woman near the end of the table adjusted her glasses. “That’s… a huge leap. Do we even have th
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 34
Leo pov I drove back, my grip tight on the wheel, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt.Bella had looked me in the eyes and walked away. Like I was nothing. Like she didn’t care.She didn’t even hesitate.The streets blurred past me, but my mind was stuck on her. The way she stood there, cold, unshaken. The way she threatened to call the police, as if I was just some stranger in her way.I let out a harsh breath, slamming my palm against the steering wheel.So that was it?She really had no care for me. None.I pulled into my driveway and killed the engine, but I didn’t get out. I just sat there, staring ahead, my hands still gripping the wheel.Fine.If that’s how she wanted to play it, then I’d show her.She thought she could walk back into my world, make a statement, and then toss me aside?Oh, I was going to show her.She shouldn’t mess with me.I ran a hand through my hair, scanning through the report on my desk. The numbers were steady, but steady wasn’t good enough. We needed more.
The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride 33
stared at Leo, my heart pounding, my hands clenched so tight my nails dug into my skin. He looked at me, waiting, like he had just said something that should change my whole world.I took a step closer. “And even so?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. “What’s it to you?”Leo’s jaw tightened. “Bella—”I didn’t let him finish. “You think you can just stand here and tell me that like it matters? Like it changes anything?”His eyes darkened. “It does.”“No,” I snapped. “It doesn’t.” My breath was heavy. “You have no right to stand in my way, Leo. None.”He exhaled sharply. “Bella, listen—”“No,” I cut in again. I pointed a finger at him. “You listen to me. If you don’t get out of my way right now, I will call the police, and I will get you arrested. Do you hear me?”Leo stared at me like he couldn’t believe what I had just said. His lips parted, but no words came out.I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned on my heels, walked straight to the car, and got in.Ryan shu
