ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

Ariana POV I sat on the bed’s edge for five solid minutes before I could move.My heart wouldn’t quit racing. I ran my trembling hands through my hair,trying to calm my brain. The shaking refused to stop.I needed answers. I had to go downstairs.Deep breath, Ariana. Sort this mess out, then never see him again.The receptionist spotted me approaching. Her face was drained of color.“Ms. Cross, I’m so, so sorry.” Words tumbled out before I could speak. “There’s been a terrible mistake. The Presidential Suite we gave you… it wasn’t yours. It belongs to Mr. Alex. He booked it three months ago.” Her fingers attacked the keyboard frantically. “When Mr. Carmichael cancelled this morning, I accidentally reassigned his reservation code to you instead of marking the cancellation. I gave you Mr. Alex’s room by mistake.”The words hit like a blow. “So I’ve been… that was his room?”“Yes, ma’am. I’m deeply sorry.”Heat flooded my face. Of course. Of course it was.“Can I get another room then

Ariana POV The past three months had been a blur.I moved out of David’s apartment the day after I got back from the resort. I packed my things while he was at work, left his key on the counter, and never looked back. I blocked his number. Blocked Jessica’s too. starting over with a clean slate.I moved back home. Which was a big mistake.Living with my family again reminded me why I’d been so desperate to leave in the first place. Growing up, Mom made it clear who the favorite was. Maya, my younger sister, was the pretty one, the talented one, the one with a future. I was just… Ariana. The older sister who existed to make Maya’s life easier.Mom immediately put me to work running errands for Maya,—picking up her dry cleaning, fetching her specific coffee orders, driving her to photoshoots when she “couldn’t be bothered.” I was back to being the family servant.And sometimes, late at night when I couldn’t sleep, I thought about him.The mysterious man from the resort. Alex. The way

Ariana’s POVGoing home felt like defeat.I didn’t want to admit that, not even to myself, but the feeling sat heavy in my chest as I walked through the familiar crowded bus station. Every step made me feel more like a child running back to safety after scraping her knee. I had wanted to be strong, independent, unbothered. But instead, I was returning home because I didn’t know where else to go—not with my heart spiraling and the weight of Alex’s coldness still pressing on me.By the time I reached my street, the early evening breeze couldn’t wash off the heat from my embarrassment. My house came into view, its faded yellow walls, the narrow balcony with clothes hanging over it, the sound of Maya’s loud voice echoing from inside. Nothing had changed. Well, nothing ever really changed here.I paused outside the gate and let out a long breath.“This is temporary, I whispered to myself. Just until I figure out what I’m doing tomorrow.” I encourage myself. I pushed the gate open.The

Ariana’s POV I told myself his coldness towards me didn't hurt.That's what I said to myself between leaving his office and stepping into the ladies room, where I had to grip the sink because my hands wouldn't stop shaking. The way he dismissed me, God, it felt like walking straight into a wall made of ice. I step at my reflection. My lips were pressed together to keep them from trembling. I had worked God damn hard these past months to shut down this person. Maybe that was the problem.I felt too much.No. I straightened my shirt and wiped the under of my eyes. I couldn't fall apart with her, not on the first day of my job. I would have to get used to it and forget about the amazing night that we had. I would have to realize that I was nothing, but a one night stand. And that’s all I will ever be to Alex. I walked out of the bathroom and went straight to my office. I buried myself in spreadsheets for hours. I typed until my fingers were sore and answered emails like a robot. E

Alex’s POV The invitation came disguised as a text message from my mother which should’ve been my first warning.Family brunch today. 11 a.m. Dress well.That was all she wrote.No explanation, no hint. Nothing.I should’ve known then that she was planning something. My mother never used words sparingly unless she was hiding a grenade behind her back.Still, I didn’t expect this.The Sterling estate was buzzing when I got there. It was too busy for a simple family brunch. There were extra cars in the driveway, a valet and the sound of unfamiliar voices drifting from the courtyard.My jaw tightened.This wasn’t brunch.This was an ambush………A family ambush.The second I walked into the foyer, my suspicion was confirmed.My mother stood near the long marble console, smiling far too brightly but she wasn’t alone.Standing next to her was Victoria.She looked beautiful, composed, smiling like she wasn’t part of the nightmare unfolding in front of me.And behind her were her parents — Mr. a