THE BILLIONAIRE’S EXCHANGED BRIDE

Ariana ~

Ten minutes.

That was all the time I had left before the entire foundation of my life collapsed into dust.

My fingers trembled so violently I could barely grip the edge of the marble island. Across from me, Ethan was still watching me, his dark obsidian eyes sharpening as he absorbed every micro-expression of panic flashing across my face. He didn't say a word, but the terrifying, predatory stillness in his posture told me everything: he knew I was lying, and he was closing in.

"I need some air," I blurted out, my voice cracking slightly as I stood up so fast my stool scraped loudly against the hardwood floor.

Before Ethan could reach out or demand an explanation, I spun around and practically sprinted down the hallway toward the master bathroom, locking the heavy wooden door behind me.

I pressed my back against the cool wood, sliding down until I hit the floor, dragging in ragged, desperate breaths. My phone was clutched in my palm like a lifeline. I unlocked it with a shaking thumb and dialed Aria's number.

It rang once. Twice.

"Well, look who decided to call me back," Aria's smooth, mocking voice purred through the speaker on the other end, dripping with toxic amusement. "I was beginning to think you forgot how to use a phone in that billionaire cage of yours."

"Are you out of your mind?!" I hissed into the receiver, keeping my voice down to a frantic whisper. "What do you mean you're back in New York? You can't just show up here!"

Aria let out a bright, melodic peal of laughter that echoed mockingly through the phone.

"Oh, relax, you absolute idiot," Aria giggled, her voice oozing playful cruelty as she savored my terror. "It's a joke! I'm still sitting in a luxury suite in Paris eating room-service strawberries. You should see your face right now—well, I can practically picture it, and it's hilarious."

I froze, the air caught halfway in my throat. "A joke...?"

"Of course it's a joke," Aria scoffed lightly. "Do you really think I'm dumb enough to fly back and deal with Ethan's terrifying interrogation before my European vacation is over? Please. But honestly, it's pathetic how easily you panicked."

A cold shudder ran down my spine, the relief instantly warring with deep humiliation.

"Why would you do that?" I breathed out, my voice shaking.

"Just a little reminder to keep you on your toes," Aria replied, her tone turning sharper and more serious. "And while I have you on the phone, let me give you some free advice, dear sister: you better make damn sure you don't actually fall in love with my man."

The words hit my chest like a physical blow.

My breath hitched, and for a terrifying second, I couldn't find my voice at all. I could only squeeze my eyes shut, offering a silent, trembling nod into the empty air of the bathroom, even though she couldn't see it.

"Good," Aria purred, misinterpreting my silence. "Just remember your place. Besides, in two months, it will make it almost a year you've been playing house with my husband—time flies when you're living a lie, doesn't it? I'll call you when I actually feel like coming back. Toodles!"

The line clicked dead.

I remained frozen on the cold tile floor, the phone still pressed tightly against my ear long after the dial tone began to hum.

*In two months, it will make it almost a year you were with my husband.*

The reality of those words crashed over me with crushing force. A whole year of sleeping in his bed, breathing in his scent, letting him hold my hand, and letting him look at me with raw, devoted adoration.

I pressed my hands hard against my face as silent, burning tears slipped past my fingers.

*Please,* I prayed frantically in the quiet darkness of my mind, squeezing my eyes shut as my heart ached with a terrifying, undeniable truth. *Please God... never let her come back.*

Because even though I was a fraud living on borrowed time, and even though every gentle touch was built on a dangerous foundation of deceit... I was already hopelessly, irreversibly beginning to love Ethan.

Suddenly, a sharp, heavy rap echoed against the bathroom door.

"Ariana."

Ethan's deep voice cut through the silence like a blade. It wasn't gentle anymore. It carried the low, dangerous rumble of a man whose patience had officially run out.

"Open the door."