All Chapters of Billionaire Adrian's Fake Fiancee: A Deal with Deceit: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

Zara James stared at her phone as another rejection email landed in her inbox, its cheerful "Thank you for your interest" heading a stark contrast to the desperate pounding of her heart. Six months ago, she'd been New York's rising star investigative journalist, her byline gracing the front page of the city's most prestigious paper. Now, she couldn't even get hired to write lifestyle pieces for a local blog. Her exposé on Senator Williams' embezzlement scheme was supposed to be her breakthrough. Instead, it had broken her career.The eviction notice on her kitchen counter seemed to mock her, its red letters burning into her vision every time she glanced that way. Two months behind on rent, and her landlord's patience had finally run out. She ran her fingers through her dark hair, tugging at the ends in frustration as she glanced around her small apartment. The space that had once felt cozy now seemed to be closing in on her, suffocating her with the weight of her failure. Her eyes lan

The sound of Adrian's laughter turned heads across the ballroom—a rich, deep sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Zara's spine. It wasn't warm or genuine, but it was perfectly calculated, designed to draw attention. His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close enough that the expensive wool of his suit jacket brushed against the bare skin of her shoulders. The heat of his body seeped through her silk dress, making her dizzy with a combination of champagne and his intoxicating presence."Smile," he murmured against her ear, his lips brushing her skin. "We're being watched."Zara forced her lips into what she hoped was a believable smile, though her skin tingled where his breath had touched her. Her hand came up to rest on his chest, and beneath her palm, she could feel his heartbeat—steady and strong, unlike her own racing pulse. "Your brother's at my four o'clock," she whispered back. "He doesn't look happy.""Nathaniel's happiness isn't my concern." Adrian's fingers trace

The dress was Valentino, the shoes were Louboutin, and Zara's hands wouldn't stop shaking. She stared at her reflection in the massive bathroom mirror, barely recognizing herself. The styling team had transformed her into someone who belonged at Adrian Cross's side—elegant, polished, perfect. The cream-colored dress hugged her curves before flowing gracefully to the floor, its neckline offering just a hint of décolletage. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, and her makeup emphasized her eyes while keeping her looking natural.A knock at the door made her jump, sending her heart racing."Five minutes," Adrian's voice called, deep and commanding even through the door.Zara took a deep breath, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from the dress. The engagement ring on her finger caught the light, its weight still unfamiliar. The massive diamond seemed to mock her with its brilliance—a perfect symbol of how far she'd fallen, wearing a multi-million dollar ring while her bank account hovered near ze

Sleep proved elusive, a luxury as foreign to Zara as the silk sheets that twisted around her restless body. She spent the night tossing and turning in Adrian's guest room, her mind spinning with conspiracy theories and unanswered questions. The room was a study in understated luxury – cream walls, abstract art worth more than her yearly salary, furniture that probably had its own insurance policy. The silk sheets felt too smooth against her skin, the mattress too soft, everything a reminder that she was living in a world that wasn't hers.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those photos – Adrian's hands covered in blood, Rachel's lifeless form, the look in Nathaniel's eyes as he exposed his brother's secrets to the world. The pieces didn't fit together, no matter how she arranged them in her mind. Adrian's confession about the baby added another layer of complexity that made her journalist's instincts tingle with possibility and danger in equal measure. Was it his baby? That woul