As the last guest offered their congratulations, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the reception ahead. My new life as a bride who was not truly a bride had begun, and I could only hope that I could keep up the charade long enough to set things right.
Finally, the day had come to an end, and as we settled into the plush seats of the limousine, my husband turned to me, his eyes shining with adoration."You were stunning today, my love," he said, reaching for my hand.I pulled my default smile, my fingers trembling slightly in his grasp. "Thank you," I replied, my voice betraying none of the turmoil inside me. All I did all day was say thank you, the term slowly becoming a mantra.He leaned closer, his voice soft. "Is everything alright? You seem... distant."I bit my lip, trying to quell the rising panic. "I'm just overwhelmed," I lied. "It's been a long day."He nodded understandingly, but I could see the concern in his eyes. I turned away, staring out the window as we drove, watching the unfamiliar city of Los Angeles as the car glided down the winding road.I found myself lost in thought, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. The landscape was a blur of colors and shapes, the trees lining the road blending into a sea of green, occasionally interrupted by flashes of colorful wildflowers dancing in the gentle breeze.The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over everything it touched. The sky was a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples as if painted by an artist's brush. The beauty of it all took my breath away, filling my heart with a sense of peace I so desperately needed.Lost in the beauty of the moment, I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, closing my eyes briefly as I listened to the soft music playing from the speakers. For a moment, all was right with the world, and I allowed myself to forget my troubles, if only for a little while.I was oblivious to the longing stare of the man beside me, but the warmth of my hands in his reminded me he was there. Watching. A gesture that greatly warmed my heart.As we pulled up to our new home, my moment of peace came to an abrupt end. Oh, how I wished it had lasted just a little longer. The grandeur of the estate only served to deepen my sense of dread. My husband squeezed my hand, offering me a reassuring smile. But as he led me inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that my carefully constructed facade was on the brink of crumbling.As I take a step into the foyer of the magnificent modern home, I'm immediately struck by the elegance that surrounds me. The walls are a soft, neutral tone, accented by intricate molding and tasteful artwork.A grand staircase with a sleek, modern design leads to the second floor, its steps adorned with a plush, luxurious runner. To my left, a spacious living area beckons, furnished with stylish, contemporary pieces that exude comfort and sophistication.A large, marble fireplace serves as the focal point of the room, its flames casting a warm, inviting glow. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of the sprawling grounds outside, where manicured gardens and a sparkling pool can be seen in the distance.Moving further into the home, I find myself in the state-of-the-art kitchen, equipped with the latest appliances and sleek, minimalist cabinetry. A massive island takes center stage, providing ample space for cooking and entertaining. The adjoining dining area features a large, modern table surrounded by plush chairs, perfect for hosting lavish dinner parties.As I explore the rest of the home, I discover a luxurious master suite, complete with a spacious bedroom, a private sitting area, and an opulent en-suite bathroom. The room is bathed in natural light, thanks to a wall of windows that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.Outside, the grounds are just as impressive, with manicured lawns, lush gardens, and a serene pond that adds to the home's sense of tranquility. A sprawling terrace provides the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining, with plenty of seating and a state-of-the-art grill.Overall, this exquisite home is a masterpiece of design and luxury, perfectly suited to the discerning tastes of a billionaire.“We begin a new chapter of our lives today, Verona.” His husky voice full of emotion gets my attention, snapping me out of my obvious gawking. I stiffen as his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me to the confines of his body.I bite on my lower lip as his hands begin to wander, skimming towards the zip of my dress as his head lowers to my neck. A shiver runs up my spine as his lips graze my skin, causing blood to immediately rise to my cheeks.Panic settles within me, and on impulse, I jerk away from his hold. I took a quick breath as I turned to see his dejected expression.“Verona?” He cracks out, and all color drains from my skin when he clutches his chest as if in pain, groaning loudly as he falls to his knees. And in that moment Laura’s words echo in my mind.“My brother has a rare heart condition…”Oh no.“The slightest shock could be lethal.”Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.What have I done?THANK YOU FOR READING, IF YOU'VE ENJOYED THE BOOK SO FAR PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE UPDATES.
“Anderson!” I hurried to his side, not caring if I soiled the pristine wedding dress as I kneeled before him, my hands reaching out to his face to calm him down. “Anderson!” my voice trembles with worry as my vision blurs with unshed tears as his face twists in pure agony. In a frenzy, I moved to get my phone as it was the only logical thing my mind could think of was to call for help, but before I shot up, I felt a pair of study hands wrap around me. My body moves in accordance with gravity as I stumble into his lap, my back pressing against his chest. I could feel the subtle beat of his stable heartbeat, and a lone tear slipped from my eyes as his grip on me grew comfortingly tighter “I’m fine,” he whispers sensually in my ear, resting his head on my shoulder as he peppers my skin with light kisses. “Don’t cry.” he cooed, his voice heavy with remorse and I did the exact opposite, biting down on my lower lip as I sobbed in pure relief. My shoulders quake as I burst into tears, drop
The next morning, I was woken up by a sharp pain in my neck, and I let out a low groan as my eyes fluttered open. It was then I realized that I had slept in the same position as last night, crouched and folded, and now I was paying dearly for it. I was still in my wedding gown, and it was clear evidence that everything that had happened wasn’t just a dream, even after I had profusely wished it was. I let out a small yawn as I dragged myself to my feet, wincing slightly as another wave of pain twists the muscles in my lower back.I walk towards the mirror in the dresser, stopping midway to take a moment to admire the serene view of the breathtaking landscape behind the glass screen windows. It was the only feature of the room that I appreciated. The sun had yet to rise but the bright blue sky did well to take its place.I reach the mirror and gaze at my reflection, taking in the image of the face that had landed me in his position. I internally cringed at the sight of myself, my eyes
THIRD PERSON POV “Come on pick up, pick up.” Briana frantically paced about her room, her brows furrowed in anxiousness as she continuously dialed Laura Shield's number. She looked over her shoulder with uneasiness, watching Celine silently arrange her luggage for the impromptu trip. Anderson had stepped out to finalize the arrangements, and he'd said they were scheduled to leave by noon. Leaving Briana little to no time to come up with a valid excuse to refuse. She was sure Anderson would get suspicious, because what newly wedded wife wouldn't jump at the thought of a lavish honeymoon. It was every woman's dream, but to Briana, it was nothing more than a nightmare. And finally, after a dozen solid attempts, she gets through to the enigmatic businesswoman. “What do you want? I'm sure I instructed you to call only during emergencies.”Came Laura's cold welcome, but Briana brushed it off and stopped pacing.She moves into the bathroom to avoid Celine from overhearing their conversa
*Third person POV*A shocked gasp escaped Briana's lips as Anderson sprung up to his feet and swept her off hers in one swift motion. She found herself effortlessly lifted and placed on the table, her breath catching in her throat as she stared up at him with wide eyes, her heart racing with exhilaration.With a boldness that left her breathless, Anderson gently but firmly parted her legs with his sturdy hands, stepping in between them with a confident stride. As he closed the distance between them, the skirt of her dress rode high, exposing the smooth curve of her thighs, and a rush of heat flooded Briana's cheeks as she felt his touch against her skin.His hand slid against her thighs with a tantalizing caress, sending electric currents dancing along her nerves and igniting a fire within her that she could barely contain. With each passing moment, the tension between them grew, thickening the air with anticipation as they teetered on the edge of something unknown.“Anderson, wait–”
BRIANA I felt hot, hotter than I'd ever felt in all my life. Anderson's lustful gaze washed over me, pinning me in place as his eyes silently studied my expression. He increased his pace as he ground against me, and I let out a shaky moan, my eyes rolling to the back of my head as the rush of sweet ecstasy clouded my mind, making me breathless as I trembled against him. “You weren't always this sensitive,” he observed in a soft whisper, his hand reaching out to gently caress my cheeks. “Seeing you like this is driving me crazy.” Oh, if only he knew how close I was to the brink of insanity. “Ahh…” a gasp escaped my lips as a tantalizing shiver ran up my spine. Anderson's free hand had slid against my open thighs, venturing into my most sensitive part. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I suppressed a moan, feeling his fingers press against my core with only my lace underwear acting as a barrier. “Fuck, I can't wait any longer,” Anderson growled, his patience slipping as he
“You look stunning, my lady,” Celine beams from beside me, seemingly more excited about my outfit than I am. The young girl has a peculiar way of speaking, like she has spent most of her time among royalty, but I could tell from her calloused hands as she applies the finishing touches on my makeup that she was raised in a harsh world.I look down at my own hands, hands that had once slaved in hard labor. Now, they look smooth and spotless, but I know very well what these hands have gone through.“Thank you, Celine,” I smile at her, meeting her bright eyes through the dressing mirror.“You're welcome, my lady. I'll go inform the chauffeur that you're ready to leave,” the young girl says, offering a small curtsey bow before heading for the exit.Once she's gone, I let my gaze sweep my reflection. I am dressed in a tailored, navy blue pantsuit that speaks volumes of understated elegance and professionalism.The blazer is cut to perfection, fitting snugly around my shoulders and cinched sl
After Anderson's declaration, he wordlessly turned to me, ignoring the pointed stares everyone threw our way as he grabs my wrist and ushers me away from the set.“Anderson,” I called after him, almost tripping on my own feet as I struggled to keep up with his pace. But still, he doesn't stop, not even bothering to look my way.I looked around us, the whispers getting louder as we passed a few employees on our way out.This was bad; the news of our marriage was supposed to remain private. It would have served me better if everyone in the office didn't know I was the boss's wife, especially when I wasn't really his wife.Now I'm sure the news will soon spread like wildfire. I had caught sight of a few employees taking pictures and videos of the dramatic scene on sight. I predicted it would surface on the internet, gaining thousands of views and putting me in the hot spotlight.I internally cringed at the thought of my face appearing on blog posts. It was already hard coming to terms wit
“So you're the wife huh?” my brows furrowed in confusion as our impromptu guest casually approached me, eyeing me from head to toe with childlike curiosity shining in his eyes. But then, Anderson steps forward, protectively standing in front of me. Both males faced off, silently staring at each other as if to pass a secret message. “Hmm?” The stranger named Daniel arched a brow as he observed Anderson's reaction, rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes as his lips split into a mischievous grin. “Ah, forgive my manners.” He shakes his head, his expression shifting to one of remorse as he glances between me and Anderson. “My name is Daniel Ross.” He starts, looking over Anderson's shoulder to meet my wary gaze. “I'm Anderson's beloved Best Frie–” “Business associate.” Anderson cuts in, giving Daniel a stern glare which he returns with a nonchalant eye roll. “You really gonna do me like that?” Daniel says to Anderson, taking a step back as his hands clawed at his chest. His