All Chapters of A Deal With The Billionaire: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER 12ROSE'S POVThe sunlight streamed through the windows, nudging me awake. I groaned, rubbing my eyes, and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was early—too early, really—but the nerves in my stomach wouldn’t let me go back to sleep.I swung my legs off the bed, feeling the cold floor beneath my feet. My heart was already racing, knowing what today meant. Meeting Damien’s mother. My stomach churned at the thought."This is bad. This is really bad," I muttered to myself, pacing the room. "I’m meeting his mother for the first time, and I’m living in his house. I’m not even married to him. What will she think? That I’m just some shameless woman freeloading off her son?"I stopped and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my face still bore the faint imprints of the pillow, and my nerves were written all over my features."Pull it together, Rose," I whispered, shaking my head. "You can do this. Just… be polite. Smile. Don’t say anything stupid."With a

CHAPTER 14ROSE'S POV“Honestly, Damien,” she began, lounging back in her chair dramatically, “how are you still this uptight? What happened to the brother who used to sneak out of family dinners with me and bribe the chef to send us cake in the garden?”Damien pinched the bridge of his nose. “That brother grew up and learned how to manage his money instead of squandering it on frivolous things, like you.”“Frivolous?” Diana gasped, clutching her chest in mock outrage. “I am a Sterling, Damien. Everything I do is art, not frivolity.”The sudden image of Diana dramatically arguing her way through a fashion boutique popped into my head, and I couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out of me.“You think it’s funny?” Diana asked, swiveling to face me with an exaggerated pout.“Uh—” I began, but before I could explain, Evelyn cleared her throat.The sound was subtle, yet sharp as a knife. It cut through my amusement instantly, and I snapped my mouth shut, feeling like a child caught misbehavin

CHAPTER 16ROSE'S POVMy phone buzzed incessantly on the coffee table, the vibrations like a persistent mosquito refusing to leave me alone. I groaned, glancing at the screen from my spot on the couch. The group chat with my colleagues had lit up like a Christmas tree, messages popping up faster than I could read them.Why aren’t you picking up, Rose?Seriously, are you ghosting us now?Are you really with Damien Sterling? THE Damien Sterling?We need DETAILS.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. For the past month, I’d been dodging their calls and ignoring their texts. I hadn’t intended to shut them out completely, but explaining my current situation felt impossible.How could I even begin to tell them that I was living in Damien Sterling’s mansion, pretending to be his fiancée, while trying not to implode under the weight of his world?The phone buzzed again.“Fine,” I muttered, picking it up and answering the call. “Hello?”“Finally!” Karen’s voice shrieked through the speaker

CHAPTER 18ROSE'S POVI froze, realizing how close we were. My heart raced, partly from the storm, partly from... well, him.I pulled back quickly, brushing my hair out of my face. "Don’t," I said, more to myself than to him.He chuckled, the sound deep and infuriating. "You’re the one who jumped into my arms, Rose. I’m just standing here.""Whatever," I said, shaking my head. "Are you still planning to go outside?""Yeah.. I’m not the one who’s terrified of the dark," he said, his tone maddeningly calm."I am not terrified of the dark," I retorted, narrowing my eyes."Really?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt. "Then why are you holding that flashlight like it’s a lifeline?"I glared at him. "I’m just being practical.""Uh-huh." He crossed his arms, studying me. "So, tell me, can you actually sleep in the dark alone?""Of course, I can," I said, lifting my chin. "What do you take me for?"His gaze was steady, unblinking, and the silence stretched between us. Finally, I sighed, thr

CHAPTER 20DAMIEN'S POVThe drive to meet Adrian was quiet, but my mind wasn’t.What the hell is wrong with me? Why does her smile stick with me like that? She’s just Rose. Nothing more.I pulled up to the sleek, glass-front building where Adrian’s office was located, forcing those thoughts to the back of my mind. I had bigger problems to deal with.Adrian was already waiting when I arrived, sitting at the long conference table with a folder in front of him. He stood up as I entered, offering a sly smile.“Damien,” he said smoothly. “I was starting to think you’d never show.”I sat down across from him, keeping my expression neutral. “Let’s just get this over with.”Adrian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “You always did have a way with words.”I ignored his jab, glancing at the folder on the table. “So? What’s the deal?”He slid the folder toward me, tapping it with his finger. “The same as before. You sign this, and we finalize the merger. It’s a win-win for both of us.”I opene