All Chapters of HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"Who is Catherine?" My voice sliced through the quiet tension in the room, sharp and demanding.Adrian looked up from his laptop, his dark brows furrowing. "How do you know about Catherine?""How do I know?" I repeated, crossing my arms as my heart thumped with indignation. "Oh, so you didn’t even want me to know? Did you seriously think you could keep it a secret that you have a fiancée?"Adrian sighed, his expression hardening as he closed his laptop with a deliberate snap. "Point of correction," he said in a clipped tone. "Had a fiancée, not have. She’s in my past.""And when exactly were you planning to tell me about this past of yours?" I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface.His jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, studying me with a measured gaze. "Where did you even hear about it?""A reporter," I said sharply. "She approached me earlier and decided to unload the charming tale of Adrian King and his perfect fiancée, Catherine. Oh, and how I’m supposedly th

“You think I don’t see what’s happening here, Adrian?”The words tore through my chest before I even realized I was speaking. From my hidden spot across the street, I watched him, my so-called husband, sitting in his car with Catherine. Her fingers grazed his arm, her smile sharp, calculated. The kind of smile that said, I still own you.Adrian was leaning back in his seat, his face taut, but he wasn’t pulling away.I wanted to storm over, throw open the door, and demand an explanation. But that wasn’t how this worked. Ours wasn’t a real marriage. It was a contract—a deal. And yet here I was, furious over something I didn’t even have the right to be mad about.But I couldn’t let this slide. Not this time.Carefully, I crossed the street, sticking close to the shadows. The wind bit at my face, and the city’s usual noise seemed muffled under the weight of my pounding heart. I stopped just behind a parked car, crouching low, listening.“I told you to stay out of this,” Adrian said, his v

“I’ll give you one thing, Catherine,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “You don’t know when to quit. But you should know, persistence won’t help you this time.”Catherine smirked, leaning casually against the café counter like she owned the place. “Oh, Mia,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “You’re so confident, aren’t you? I just hope you’re prepared for what’s coming.”---It started earlier that afternoon Adrian had left earlier in the day to meet with his grandfather about some new business proposal, and I’d decided to get some air—and coffee. What I hadn’t planned for was Catherine sitting there, perfectly poised at a table near the window. She looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine: effortlessly chic, her hair styled just right, her lips painted in that infuriating shade of confidence.I considered turning around, maybe finding another café. But then her eyes locked on mine, and she smiled. Not the warm, p

"Have you told Adrian everything about yourself yet?" Catherine’s parting words hit like a slap. I gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, my nails biting into the smooth surface as I watched her retreat. She didn’t even wait for a reaction—just walked out, heels clicking confidently on the floor. “Everything all right?” Adrian’s voice pulled me back. He had entered the room silently, his gaze flicking to where Catherine had disappeared. “Fine,” I lied, plastering on a smile that felt anything but real. “Your ex has quite the flair for dramatics, doesn’t she?” Adrian sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “What did she say this time?” “Nothing worth repeating,” I replied quickly, unwilling to open that particular can of worms. But the words stayed with me. Had I told Adrian everything? Of course not. Who does? Still, my thoughts lingered on the photo I’d received last night—the one of him and Catherine at some charity gala, looking a little too... familiar. I reached int

Catherine's POVMy plans are working. But they are not good enough. I need something sharper—something that will make Mia crumble and stay down permanently. This plan is taking too long, and patience has never been my strength.I swirled the glass of wine in my hand, the dim lighting of my study casting long shadows on the walls. Across from me, Lisa lounged on the couch, her smirk as sharp as the glint in her eyes. She was the perfect ally—cold, calculated, and equally eager to see Mia fall.“It’s not enough,” I said, breaking the silence. “I need a move that will end her for good. Something Adrian can’t overlook.”Lisa leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Then you’re thinking too small, Catherine. If you want to take her down, you need someone with real influence. Someone Adrian would never ignore.”I narrowed my eyes. “And who would that be?”She smiled slyly. “Victor.”My brow furrowed. “Victor? As in Adrian’s grandfather? The man’s practically bedridden.”Lisa chuckled.