All Chapters of Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Emily's POVThe morning sunlight streamed into the room, casting soft shadows across the dining table. Despite the warmth, the cold silence between Adrian and me made the room feel hollow. He sat across from me, nursing a cup of coffee like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t kissed me senseless last night, pinning me to the wall, his hands everywhere.I tried to ignore the tension that hung between us like a dense fog. We both knew it was there—thick, undeniable—but neither of us dared to address it. Instead, we played this game of polite indifference.I cleared my throat, picking up my fork but barely able to focus on the plate of food before me. “Thanks for breakfast,” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.He didn’t even look up from his coffee. “It’s nothing.”I bristled at his casual dismissal. Nothing? Was last night nothing to him? Was the kiss we shared ju

The new office looked like a tornado had ripped through it, with papers stacked high, files overflowing, and not a single aide in sight to help. I sighed, massaging my temples as I glanced at the massive workload ahead of me. It was my first day as CEO, and the weight of duty felt both exciting and exhausting. But as my gaze fell on the finalised divorce papers, a rush of relief washed over me. At least that chapter in my life was now over. One load was relieved, but so many others remained.Camille, the properties and most importantly, Adrian. It was way past noon and almost time for the staff to clock out when I suddenly felt an overwhelming thirst.Unable to ignore my dry throat, I stood to get a glass of water, but a sharp pain surged through my abdomen, causing me to wince. I wanted to dismiss it, telling myself it was just stress as I always had a nervous stomach whenever I was feeling stressed, but with each step that I took towards the dispenser, the pain increased and I bega

Emily's POVI’m still adjusting to life without Adrian. The days are long, filled with the mundane rhythm of work and the quiet hum of my apartment. I fill my time with meetings, deadlines, and the occasional late-night brainstorming session with my colleagues. Each day, I inch closer to reclaiming the independence I had lost in the whirlwind of our entangled lives.But the shadow of Adrian’s rival still looms large. The fallout from the scandal is a spectacle, and I can’t help but watch as the media unravels the sordid details. It’s fascinating and horrifying, a reminder of how deeply rooted the corruption is in our industry. I sip my coffee, scrolling through headlines, noting the subtle ways Adrian’s name flutters through the articles, like a ghost that refuses to be laid to rest.At a recent company function, someone asks about my history with him, and I carefully craft my response. “We had a professional relationship,” I say, my tone measured. Inside, though, memories cascade—his

Emily’s POVClaire was just settling into the couch, a hand resting protectively over her small but growing bump, her face alight with a hopeful grin as she recounted the latest gossip on Camille's impending trial."See? Karma," Claire said, grinning as she sipped her decaf coffee. "Camille finally overplayed her hand, and now she’s right where she deserves to be."I forced a small smile, trying to absorb Claire's positivity, but a nagging feeling lingered. “You think it’s over?” I murmured, the thought slipping out.Claire scoffed. “She’s done. Even Adrian had to cut her loose, right?”"Yeah," I agreed, but the unease persisted, prickling at the edges of my mind. Camille had always been cunning—sneaky enough to have a backup plan. Even in ruin, she didn’t seem like the kind of person to just disappear quietly.A sudden vibration broke the silence, and I glanced at my phone, realizing Adrian’s name was flashing on the screen. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly turned it face down,

Emily’s POVI stared at the nearly empty wine bottle on the table, its deep red contents mocking me, taunting me for the mess I’d managed to turn my life into. I took another gulp, my words slurring as I muttered to no one, “Unfair... it’s all so damn unfair. Here I am, trapped between... between a rock and a hard place, with a man who never lets me forget he’s there.”The only response was the echo off the cold, gray walls and the occasional rumble of thunder outside, as if the universe was reminding me that it, too, had no sympathy for my plight. Rain began tapping against the window, its rhythmic patter mingling with my own growing bitterness. I finished the wine in another swig, the burn making my eyes water as I grumbled into the empty space, “Why can’t anything just... just be simple?”Eventually, the bottle slipped from my fingers, and I drifted into a restless, alcohol-induced haze.The next morning was an assault to every one of my senses. The sunlight piercing through my blin