Chapter 53

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• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 59

  Ava's POV"Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s your wedding day." Angela's voice broke through the haze of sleep.My eyes fluttered open to the soft glow of sunlight peeking through the curtains. For a split second, I forgot what day it was. Then it hit me like a bucket of ice water.Today, I was getting married to Nathaniel Hargrave.Angela was standing beside the bed in her robe, a smug look on her face, holding a cup of coffee. "You don’t look like a bride about to marry one of the richest bachelors alive.""That’s because I feel like I’m about to be handed a three-year prison sentence," I muttered, rubbing my face."Come on," Priscilla called from the bathroom. "The glam squad is downstairs. They brought more makeup than a runway show. You’re gonna look like a goddess.""Hopefully one that doesn’t cry through her foundation," I grumbled.Priscillia had come the night before to spend the night with

• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 58

  Ava’s POV"Do you think Nathaniel will show up for the wedding? We have just one week until the wedding day," Angela asked, folding her clothes into neat stacks on the bed.I stared out the window absentmindedly, watching a bird peck at the edge of the fountain in the garden below. The morning sun spilled into the room, but it felt like nothing could warm the ice that had slowly crept into my chest these past three weeks."Ava! Can you hear me?" Angela shouted, throwing a small pillow at me."What?!" I snapped, startled, the pillow hitting my arm. I turned to her with a blank expression."Geez," she huffed, hands on her hips. "You’ve been zoning out ever since that jerk walked out. Are you sure you didn’t already fall in love with him?""What? No way," I said quickly, sitting up and tossing the pillow back at her. "That will never happen."Angela smirked. "You say that, but you’ve been brooding like a rejected protagonist in a slow-burn romance novel.""I have not!" I crossed my arms,

• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 57

  Ava’s POV"I don't need Nathaniel, I can do this on my own." I muttered to myself.I took one shaky step toward the cabinet near the vanity, leaning slightly on the wall. I could manage this. I had to. The tub had been perfect—warm and calming—but now I needed a towel, and I wasn’t about to call for Nathaniel while naked, soaking wet and humiliated.But my legs were not cooperating.The moment I shifted weight to my right side, my foot slid on the tile and I fell.Hard.I hit the floor with a loud, echoing thud, my elbow banging against the vanity.“Ow!” I screamed, instantly curling into myself, clutching my side.“AVA?” Nathaniel’s voice boomed from outside the door. “Are you okay?”“I’m fine—NO, DON’T COME IN!” I shrieked. But he didn't listen. The door flung open and there he stood, shocked and eyes wide open.Then there was me. Flat on the bathroom floor, stark naked.Our eyes locked. I froze. He froze. For few seconds. Then, I screamed.“CLOSE YOUR EYES!”“I—yeah, I am!” he yelpe

• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 56

  Ava’s POVA loud knock.Then Mr. Hargrave’s voice, sharp and firm, just beyond the door.“Nathaniel. We need to talk.”Nathaniel and I both stared at the door. I squinted at the bedside clock. 5:19 AM.Seriously?Nathaniel didn’t say a word. He threw the blanket off, stood up, and left without looking back at me. No explanation. No reassurance. Just silence and footsteps.The door clicked shut behind him and then I was alone.I stayed awake, waiting. My legs ached, my brain spun, but my curiosity spun faster. What were they talking about? Had Mr. Hargrave seen the headlines? Was he mad Nathaniel let things get out of control? Or worse—was this about me?By the time the door opened again, it was 6:01.Nathaniel stepped in, not looking the least bit apologetic for disappearing for 40 minutes.“Everything okay?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested.He ignored the question. “We need to get ready. Breakfast is at 7:30.”I blinked. “What?”“There’s a family breakfast. Mandatory. You

• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 55

  “Can I ask you something?” I said, my voice softer than usual.I remembered something Sarah said. That he wasn’t always like this. That he wasn’t always a playboy. This was my best chance to ask him; now that we are talking like civilians.He didn’t look at me. "Yeah sure."I’ve been thinking,” I said slowly. “About the rules.”“Oh boy.”“No, I mean—" I held up a hand. "We made that rule about not bringing up past entanglements, right?”“Rule three, yes. Also known as ‘don’t poke the trauma bear.’”I gave him a look. “But what if we… slightly poke it? I’m not saying details. I’m just… curious.”He narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “Curious how?”“Sarah said something the other day.” I tried to sound as soft as possible.His head turned slightly. “Sarah?”“The maid. You know, the fifty-something-year-old who somehow manages to intimidate me with just her silence?”Nathaniel looked mildly amused. “Oh her! Guess you were snooping around, suddenly picked an interest in me?"I waved my hand a

• Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him   Chapter 54

  Ava’s POVI didn’t sleep.The couch was too small, my body too sore, and the air in this room was uncomfortable. Every time I closed my eyes, I’d hear the creak of the bed as Nathaniel shifted or turned. It wasn’t like I wanted to watch him sleep or anything—I just couldn’t stop feeling him there. Breathing. Existing. Resentful.Around 3 a.m., I finally gave up. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling, blanket pulled to my chest, my thoughts tangled like a knot I couldn’t undo.Would our marriage be like this?Should I apologize to him for snitching?Why did I even care?“You still awake?” Nathaniel’s voice came out of nowhere, cracking the silence.I froze. Then quietly, “Yes.”Then there was silence for about ten seconds.“Can’t sleep?”I rolled to face the backrest of the couch, my voice muffled. “Could’ve something to do with the couch I was exiled to.”Another silence. Then, “You’re dramatic.”“And you’re heartless.”He didn’t respond. Not right away. Then, “I wasn’t going to le