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Chapter 26: The Weight of Expectations

Author: Reidpurplelh
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-09 23:44:19

Several days passed, and I began my work peacefully at the De Luca company. At first, adjusting was tough because the environment was so different. The people I encountered always had perfect posture, moved quickly, and seemed to be constantly chasing deadlines. Their expressions were mostly serious, their conversations brisk, and everything about the place screamed efficiency and professionalism. It was a far cry from the cozy, laid-back vibe I was used to.

I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed during those first few days. The constant hum of the office, the clicking of keyboards, the hurried footsteps, the quiet murmur of meetings happening behind closed doors, it was all so new to me. I would catch myself staring out the window, taking in the city skyline to calm my nerves. But despite all that, I was slowly getting used to it, slowly feeling like I belonged.

As a new jewelry designer in the Creative Design Department, I was part of a small but solid team composed of senior desig
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  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 45: The Price of Attention

    Once Leandro and I were away from the media, I finally breathed a little easier, though I still hadn’t fully relaxed when Luciana appeared before us again. Her irritation was etched across her face, as if she were not pleased that Leandro and I were together. Her eyes seemed like they could shoot fire, and every step she took carried a mixture of determination and anger that she always seemed to show me.Here she goes again. I seemed to know exactly what she was about to do next, which was exactly what I feared when I had agreed to go with Leandro earlier. I realized that Leandro was still holding my elbow, so I quickly pulled away from him, but I was certain Luciana had already noticed and would give it her usual insinuation.I swallowed hard as Leandro and I stopped directly in front of her. Once again, she looked me over from head to toe as if I were filthy. I could feel my anxiety rising because she might make a scene, especially with the media all focused on us.“You know what?”

  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 44: Where Success Meets Destiny

    One by one, the models emerged from behind the curtains, their heels clicking rhythmically against the polished runway floor. Every step was graceful, calculated, perfectly timed to the soft hum of music filling the grand hall. The spotlights above bathed them in a cascade of gold and white, catching the gleam of the jewels they wore.And those jewels...My designs.My creations.Each shimmering necklace, each delicate bracelet, each ring and earring — all born from sketches I had once made while hunched over my tiny desk, my pencil smudging faint graphite against crumpled paper. And now, they weren't just doodles on a page anymore. They were alive.The gemstones sparkled like frozen fragments of starlight, dancing under the lights with every subtle turn of a model's wrist or tilt of her chin. The elegant lines and intricate patterns I had agonized over for nights now rested effortlessly against their flawless skin, as if they were always meant to be there.My throat tightened, and I

  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 43: Under The Spotlight

    I could feel that the event was about to begin the moment I saw one of the hosts preparing on stage, and I noticed guests slowly taking their seats at their respective tables. I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but it didn’t help much because the weight of the entire room felt heavier with every passing second. The soft murmurs around me were fading, replaced by the dimming of lights and the glow intensifying on the stage.Then came the sound of a mic test, that familiar soft tap on the glass and a muffled “check.” And that was it, the official signal that it was starting.I swallowed hard. My chest tightened, nerves tightening their grip on me. Tonight was the night my designs would finally be unveiled to the public. Every piece I’d worked on for endless days and sleepless nights would be out there, under everyone’s scrutiny.I bit my lower lip without meaning to. Just earlier, I was dodging Luciana like my life depended on it, avoiding any unnecessary encounter with her

  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 42: A Seat Among Sharks

    Everything happened so fast, and suddenly, Miss Faith approached me, accompanied by one of the event organizers. Miss Faith came toward me with a smile, her eyes scanning me as if amazed by what she saw. It almost felt like she could tell right away that this was my first time wearing something like this. "Miss Cuevas," she said, glancing at the woman beside her. "This is Miss Krisha. She'll escort you to your seat." I frowned slightly, confused, but I forced a polite smile in front of them. "Good evening, Miss Cuevas. This way, please," Krisha said, gesturing ahead before walking in front of me. I kept my slight frown but started walking after her anyway. Miss Faith simply smiled at me again before staying behind, as a few people approached her to talk. No one had informed me that I had a designated seat because I honestly thought I could sit anywhere I wanted. My nerves tightened when I realized it was somewhere close to the front. "D-Do I really have to sit there? I'm fine s

  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 41: Eyes That Find Me

    If I had the choice not to attend the party, I would’ve taken it in a heartbeat. But that was impossible since I was required to be there. Tonight was the launch of De Luca Jewelry’s new collection, and I was the one who designed it. Leandro and my team made it clear that I couldn’t skip this event, even though all I wanted to do was hide under my blanket and pretend to be sick. I was now standing in front of the mirror at home, staring at my reflection. I clutched my silver bag so tightly it was as if it was the one holding me together. My chest grew heavier when I remembered this would be my first time attending a high-profile social event. I wasn’t ready for this and honestly, I doubted I’d ever be ready for this kind of world. Especially since I was sure I’d run into Luciana and Madam Celestine again. God, I just hoped they wouldn’t come near me tonight. The last thing I wanted was to be humiliated in front of all these people. “What’s with that face? You look like you’re going

  • The Billionaire's Borrowed Bride    Chapter 40: The Truth Behind Their Engagement

    Three days had passed since I spent that day with Leandro in his mansion, and somehow, the days that followed had been… peaceful. At least for the most part. I hadn’t seen a single trace of Luciana or Madam Celestine at the company these past few days, and honestly, that alone felt like such a relief. It was as if someone had lifted a heavy weight off my chest, even if just for a little while. Without their presence hovering around like storm clouds ready to rain on me, I could finally breathe. Maybe not freely, but enough to make it through the day without constantly glancing over my shoulder. But just because they weren’t around didn’t mean I was completely safe. Not even close. I couldn’t escape the stares. No one had said anything to my face. Not directly, at least, but I didn’t need to hear their whispers to know what they were thinking. That scene, the one where Leandro carried me out of the company lobby, had already done enough damage. I could still feel it burning at the

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