The Billionaire's Affair Bk.4 A Poor Man's Heart

CHAPTER 1.

THE BOY FROM THE FOG

Today is the day i am getting married to the Alpha.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror,trying to recognize the girl in the white dress.My heart should be full of joy ,but all i feel is fear. My thoughts drift back to that day, five years ago.The day everything started.

It was my eighteenth birthday. i had no expectation for something special because i knew my family status in the park. I knew there was going to be no celebration,no party and not even a gift .But it was the day of an annual ball,an event i had dreamed of attending for years and this year it just had to be on my Mundane birthday.

Only the high class socialites were invited,and i knew i didn't belong. Still, I couldn’t resist the urge to go, even if it meant standing outside, just to catch a glimpse of the magical night.

I stood outside the grand hall, shivering in my thin dress, watching the other girls walk past in their beautiful gowns. My heart sank as I saw the doorman eye me with suspicion. I swallowed my pride and approached him.

"Please," I begged, "I know I’m not on the list, but it’s my birthday. Can’t you let me in, just for a little while?"

The doorman shook his head. "This ball is for the elite, girl. You don’t belong here, Nobody cares if it's your birthday”

I felt tears sting my eyes as I turned away, the weight of embarrassment settling on my shoulders. But just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice behind me.

"Let her in.”

I turned around and my breath caught in my throat. It was him—the Young Alpha. Zayn. He was tall, with an air of authority that made everyone around him seem insignificant. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, were fixed on me.

The doorman’s expression changed instantly, and he stepped aside. "Of course, sir."

Zayn walked over to me, a small smile playing on his lips. "It’s your birthday, isn’t it?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

"Come with me," he said, extending his hand.

I hesitated for a moment, then placed my trembling hand in his. He led me through the grand doors and into the hall. My breath hitched as I took in the sight before me—glistening chandeliers, tables overflowing with food, and people dressed in the finest clothes. I felt out of place, but Zayn’s presence beside me gave me courage.

"Let’s get you something more fitting," he said, guiding me through the crowd. He took me to a room filled with dresses, more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. "Pick one," he said, "whichever you like.”

I stared at the dresses in disbelief. "I... I can’t," I stammered. "These are too much."

"Nonsense," Zayn replied, his tone firm yet kind. "Tonight, you deserve to feel special,I will pick one for you”

He moved around and picked the sexiest red dress,my eyes opened in shock.

“ Red…It will suit you”

He tossed the dress to a lady standing beside us and she quickly helped me changed,What was going on ? Was it my prayers being answered,This wasn't just an ordinary birthday anymore,I felt like I was getting married to him, Which is impossible by the way but it felt great.

When I turned and looked at the mirror,I could hardly recognized myself and I turned to Zayn,he was dumbfounded.

“ Do I look bad?”

“ Bad ? You look amazing…I have never seen someone this beautiful and trust me I have seen a lot of girls” He said and my face turned red,This was the Young Alpha to be telling me that I looked pretty.

“ Come and see for yourself, You look amazing” He said guarding me to the mirror.

When I looked in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself.

Zayn smiled as I stepped out, his eyes taking me in. "Perfect," he said, offering me his arm. "Shall we?".

We walked back into the ballroom, and as we entered, heads turned. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, whispering, wondering who I was. But Zayn didn’t seem to care. He led me to the dance floor, and as the music started, he pulled me close. We moved together as if we had done it a thousand times before, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged.

As we danced, Zayn leaned in and whispered, "What’s your wish for your birthday'

I looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I want to see you again," I said, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

His eyes softened, and he nodded. "Then it’s a promise."

But before I could say anything more, a thick fog began to roll in, covering the dance floor and everyone around us. It was so sudden, so strange, and then... he was gone. I searched for him, called his name, but there was no trace of him. The fog lifted, and I found myself alone, standing in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by strangers who looked at me as if I didn’t belong.

I left the ball that night, my heart shattered. I never saw him again after that, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. For five long years, I held onto the memory of that night, of the promise he made. I watched from afar as he became more powerful, more distant, but my feelings for him only grew stronger and I couldn't even say a word about our encounter to anyone because who was going to believe me ?.

And now, here I am, about to marry him. The daughter of the poorest man in the clan, handed over like a debt repaid. The ceremony was done without him even being present, and now I’m to be taken to his clan. I should be happy—I’m getting what I wished for. But something feels wrong, like a storm is coming, and I’m walking right into its path.

I took a deep breath and smooth down my dress. This is it. The beginning of my new life, my new reality. But as I step out of the room, all I can think about is that night five years ago and the boy who vanished into the fog was he still the same?

I’m about to marry the Alpha... but does he even remember me?