All Chapters of HIS PRETENSE BRIDE: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Xander's POV Hearing the humming of a familiar tune from the bathroom, I sit on the edge of the bed trying to figure out where I know the tune from.Instead of recalling where, an image pops into my head.A forbidden image of Alex wearing nothing underneath as the shower keeps running alongside the tune.Realizing how silly of a thought it is, I shake my head, slapping myself mentally to shove away the thought. To keep my mind busy, I drum my finger on the bed as I think over what Mom and I discussed over dinner.I am wondering why she wants to have a lone time with Alex. What questions does she have? Is this a way to question her without my presence? Why exactly is she doing this?Suddenly, the tune stops, and my thoughts drift back to the woman in the frosted bathroom taking a shower.From the running sound of the shower, I am sure she is still bathing. Perhaps she is washing her hair from the strange scent of shampoo drifting through the closed door.Another image leaps into my h

Xander’s POVThe wriggling of her toes jerks me out of my reverie, making me stare at her delicate small feet.We've been in complete silence since we left Cuba. I was too mad to start a conversation with her or even ask if she was okay.I've been deep in thought, thinking of how best to get to this woman without having to use Alexa.Obviously, I can't do this without her and the agreement was not using her to get my revenge on that evil woman.I should have known that the trust fund had no condition whatsoever. Why she lied to me about having to be married is what baffled me even though I know it is all a ploy to get it all to herself.After what Daniella did, I vowed never to have a thing with any woman. I despise the thought of commitment or venturing into another relationship. Deep down, I know having lost Daniella means not having another woman ever again.Daniella was so good. Yet she left. She betrayed me. I can't wait to get to Costello’s office. I need to know what is going

Xander's POVTwo pairs of glassy green eyes flutter open to meet my intense gaze. My rage dies a quick death when she shifts her eyes to the palm I placed over her forehead.I take my hand away, relief washing through me.“How…how are you?” I demand against my will. Even though her desire for our paths to never cross again deeply infuriated me, the knowledge that someone was following her intensified my anger.I don't need any evidence to know who it was.She tries to sit up, but a wince leaves her mouth, making her lay back in bed with her eyes closed.For a second, fear jumps into my heart when she isn't opening her eyes. Before I can call her name, she flutters her eyes open again.“Where am I?” She demands, glancing around the room where she was rushed into five hours ago. The same room where the doctor attended to her.“In my villa,” I reply, flashing her a reassuring smile. She must have been so scared.I followed my instinct. I couldn't let her go away just like that when she k

Alexa's POVA tear slips down my eyes as I stare at the reflection of a woman I know and do not know.Some months ago, I was Alexa—super clumsy, poor, and single. Today, I have turned into a sophisticated, rich bride to Xavier Gold, the most eligible bachelor in New York.I refused to wear a white dress on principle.White dresses have their own significance, especially on a day like this. Brides wear white dresses to signify their purity, love, and faithfulness, among others, to their partners.But Xavier and I do not intend to share any of this. This marriage is based solely on the will to bear him an heir.No love. No faithfulness. No loyalty.Just like he mentioned yesterday, we are allowed to date other people after the baby is born.That was what I dreaded the most. He was not going to put in any effort to make us stick together, even after the baby was born. As soon as the baby is born, he will probably get rid of me, even if I want to still be here.Another tear rolls as Sofi

Alexa's POVThe maids in the house are the only normal people.Unlike the man I married, who has been grumpy and silent since I told him I was a virgin, the maids converse, laugh, and smile with me.That anger, which tightened his expression when I told him, made me regret my words as soon as they rolled out of my mouth.I signed up for this.Being a virgin or not doesn't matter. I just felt I should let him know.That probably turned him off because he left the bedroom, didn't return until I fell asleep, and woke up the next morning to an empty bed.I haven't seen Xander in three days. There is evidence to show that he has been coming home for those three days and spending the night here as well, but I haven't set my eyes on him.This morning, he forgot to take his wristwatch. Yesterday, the smell of his cologne filled the room.It felt like he was always around whenever I was sound asleep, and the moment I started to toss to wake up, he disappeared.“Did he take breakfast before lea