All Chapters of Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Adrian’s POVSitting across from Emily, I couldn’t help but marvel at how utterly radiant she looked. Her laughter danced through the air, melodic and carefree, as she nudged Claire with a joke. Watching her with her best friend, I saw another side of her—one unburdened, glowing with a lightness I hadn’t realized I’d been desperate to protect.This was why I brought her here. Not for the food, not for the setting, but for this. For her to be surrounded by the people she loved, the people who loved her back.Vincent leaned closer to Claire, whispering something that made her roll her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her amusement. For a man as bold as Vincent, his quiet tenderness toward Claire was striking. He wasn’t trying to steal the spotlight tonight, which was uncharacteristic for him.“Earth to Adrian,” Emily teased, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Are you going to tell us what’s on your mind, or should I order you another dri

Emily’s POVSeeing Adrian like this—vulnerable, raw, and on the verge of breaking—filled me with a sadness I couldn’t put into words. My strong, invincible man, the one who always protected me, now needed someone to protect him. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his temple gently.“You’re strong,” I whispered, stroking his cheek. “But I promise to be stronger for you.”His eyes glistened with unshed tears. It made my chest tighten. I had never seen him this way before, so human and exposed. I wiped a tear that slid down his cheek with my thumb, then tilted my head to tease him.“You know,” I said with a small smile, “I think your tears are more expensive than mermaid tears. You shouldn’t waste them.”Adrian chuckled low, but before I could say anything else, he cupped my face, his lips capturing mine in a deep, soul-searing kiss. He pressed me against the wall, his body heavy and warm against mine, and the kiss turned desperate, almost punishing. I could feel his emotions bleedi

Emily’s POV“You may now kiss the bride.”The pastor’s voice echoed through the garden venue, and as Adrian cupped my face with gentle, possessive hands, the world around us melted away. Everything—every face, every sound, every moment—blurred into insignificance, leaving just him and me in a universe of our own. His lips captured mine in a kiss so tender yet electrifying that it didn’t feel like the start of something new, but rather the continuation of something eternal. It was a promise, a silent declaration that the past no longer held me hostage.The applause that erupted around us was distant, muffled. Tears brimmed in my eyes, spilling over as our lips parted. But for the first time, these weren’t tears of heartbreak or regret. They were tears of unfiltered, unrestrained joy.This wasn’t just a wedding. It was a rebirth.The scars from my first marriage no longer stung as they once had. They were still there, faint and faded, but they no longer had power over me. This was my se

Claire’s POVThe aroma of fresh coffee from the street below wafted through the slightly cracked window of my tiny apartment. I should’ve been up hours ago, but the sharp cramps in my abdomen had chained me to bed. The TV droned on in the background, filling the silence.“...breaking news this morning! Actress Mirabel Vanroe, known for her role in Empire’s Fire, has announced her engagement to none other than Vincent Everglow!”The mug I cradled in my hands slipped, shattering on the floor. My pulse raced as I grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. My chest tightened as the screen displayed picture after picture of Vincent and Mirabel, arm in arm, smiling like they belonged in a fairytale.“Fans are already swooning over the couple’s chemistry,” the anchor gushed. “Mirabel shared this photo on her social media last night, calling Vincent her ‘forever.’ And we’ve got to admit—they look absolutely perfect together.”I stared at the screen, my vision blurring with tears.“I guess I

Claire’s POVThe antenatal class was a space I’d dreaded since the beginning, but today, the air seemed heavier, thicker with judgmental stares and whispers that buzzed like gnats around my ears.I adjusted my maternity dress as I stepped into the room, my heart thudding louder than my footsteps. A cluster of women huddled in one corner, their conversations halting as their gazes flicked toward me.“Look who decided to show up,” a voice rang out, unmistakable in its biting tone.I turned to see Patricia, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the armrest of her chair. She had that effortless grace some people never lose, even when their insides are rotten. Once a famous model, she was now a cautionary tale of indulgence turned bitter. Pregnancy hadn’t been kind to her body, and she blamed everyone but herself for the change.Patricia had taken a liking to making me her personal target. Whether it was because I reminded her of her past or because she thought I was an easy victim,