Semua Bab My Billionaire’s Redemption : Bab 1 - Bab 10

“Marry him.”The words hung in the air between us, heavy and sharp, slicing through the fragile peace of the kitchen. My paintbrush slipped from my hand, landing with a soft clatter on the floor. I stared at my father, his shoulders hunched, his hands trembling as they clutched the edge of the worn oak table.“What?” My voice came out quieter than I intended, a hoarse whisper that barely contained the confusion clawing at my chest.He didn’t look at me. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the mug in front of him, the chipped ceramic rim flecked with the remnants of his morning coffee. “Alexander Wells,” he said, his tone flat. “He’s agreed to marry you. It’s…it’s the only way.”The only way.Those three words hit me harder than they should have, weighted with an unspoken finality that I couldn’t yet comprehend. My legs felt unsteady beneath me, and I reached for the back of the chair, my fingers gripping the wood so tightly my knuckles turned white.“You can’t be serious.” My voice rose th

“Elena, are you even listening?”Mia waved a hand in front of my face, her hazel eyes narrowing with concern.“Sorry,” I muttered, pulling my focus back to the café table. The mug of hot chocolate in front of me had long gone cold, untouched except for the swirls I’d absentmindedly made in the whipped cream.Mia leaned forward, crossing her arms. “You’ve been weird ever since your dad called the other day. What’s going on?”I hesitated, my chest tightening under the weight of what I hadn’t told her. If anyone would understand, it was Mia. She’d been my anchor through every storm, the sister I never had. But how do you tell someone you’ve agreed to marry a stranger to save your father’s company?“It’s complicated,” I said finally, staring at the table.Mia snorted. “Complicated? That’s what you say when you’re choosing between two paint colors. This—” she gestured to me, lowering her voice “—looks like something bigger. Spill.”I swallowed hard, glancing around the bustling café. The h

“Elena, sweetheart, you’re overthinking it. Trust me, I’ve planned events for people ten times more important than Alexander Wells.” The wedding planner, a sharp-dressed woman with a clipboard that looked heavier than my art supplies, smiled at me with practiced charm.“I’m not overthinking,” I replied, tugging at the hem of my blouse. “I just want the wedding to feel like me, not some… corporate gala.” My voice faltered when I said it, as though voicing the truth would somehow jinx this entire thing.From the corner of the room, Alexander watched in silence, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. He’d been like that all morning—distant, almost brooding. The tension in the air was thick, and it wasn’t just about floral arrangements or cake tastings.The wedding planner glanced at him, clearly picking up on his mood. “Mr. Wells, is there anything you’d like to add? Perhaps we could look at the venue options again?”“No,” Alexander said curtly, his voice sharp enough to cut gla

I stood at the foot of the grand staircase, the weight of my father’s words and Mia’s quiet warnings still swirling in my mind. It felt as though the entire mansion was holding its breath, waiting for me to take that final step, the one that would seal my fate. My father, Mia, and Victor all stood behind me, their eyes fixed on the grandiose doors that would open to the ceremony.The wedding. The real thing. It was no longer just an idea, a vague promise or a distant future. It was here. It was now.The butler’s footsteps echoed down the hall, and his soft voice reached me before he even rounded the corner. “Ms. Spears, it’s time.”I took a deep breath, clutching my bouquet tightly, and let my eyes briefly close. Alexander was already waiting for me. I could feel his presence, even though I hadn’t seen him yet. This wasn’t just any wedding. This was our wedding—the culmination of secrets, lies, and a love that felt both real and fabricated all at once.Mia squeezed my hand lightly, he

The morning after the wedding felt oddly still. The villa was quiet, too quiet, as if the weight of what had just happened was settling in. I sat at the dining table, the steaming cup of coffee in front of me untouched. The sunlight poured through the windows, painting golden streaks across the floor, but even that couldn’t chase away the heaviness in my chest.Victoria’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and venomous: “You’ve only just stepped into the lion’s den.”I hated how her words lingered, digging into me like barbs. I hated that she seemed so certain, so unshakable. More than anything, I hated the small, traitorous part of me that wondered if she was right.I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of footsteps—Alexander’s. When I looked up, I saw him already dressed for the day, his navy suit tailored to perfection, his tie knotted neatly at his collar. He moved with the kind of confidence that made the space around him feel smaller.“You’re up early,” he said casually, pourin