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15 - Endearment
Last Updated:
2025-04-08 17:38:36
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The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 16 - Deeply In Love
The scale of Damien's estate overwhelmed me. Every hallway seemed to extend into infinity, every room larger than my entire former apartment. Rosa guided us through the main floor, pointing out rooms with casual mentions of priceless artifacts — 'That's the original Monet in the drawing room' and 'The library contains first editions from the sixteenth century' — as if discussing everyday household items.I tried to maintain composure, but my eyes widened at each new revelation. The indoor pool with a retractable glass ceiling. The cinema room with authentic vintage theater seating. The wine cellar that Rosa claimed housed bottles worth more than most homes."And this will be your suite miss." Rosa said, opening double doors to reveal a space larger than George's entire house.A sitting room with plush velvet furniture opened to a bedroom dominated by a canopied king sized bed. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked manicured gardens and the distant shimmer of the lake. The bathroom fe
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 17 - Surprised
Izzy's eyes narrowed skeptically. "He's never even brought a woman here before. Not once in all the years we've lived here."My surprise must have shown on my face because Izzy grinned triumphantly. "Didn't tell you that, did he? Nonna says he keeps his personal life locked up tighter than the wine cellar.""We're still getting to know each other." I said carefully."Huh...." Izzy circled me slowly, her assessment unnervingly similar to her grandmother's. "You don't look like his type.""And what exactly is his type?" I asked, genuinely curious."Dunno. Models? Businesswomen with scary shoes?" She shrugged. "You seem... normal. Nice, even.""Thank you, I think.""You paint?" she asked suddenly.I blinked at the non sequitur. "Yes, how did you —""You have paint under your fingernails." She pointed to my hands. "Blue, at the cuticles. Hard to get out."I examined my nails, surprised to find traces of ultramarine blue from my last painting session still embedded despite multiple showers
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 18 - Butterfly
He acknowledged this with a slight nod. "You're welcome to use any of the facilities. The stables, the tennis courts, the gardens, consider them at your disposal."" stables?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "You have horses?""Three. Do you ride?"I laughed softly. "I've never even been near a horse.""I'll teach you, if you wish."The offer caught me off guard. "You'd do that?""Why not?" He refilled my wine glass. "We have six months together. Might as well make them educational."Six months. The reminder of our temporary arrangement sobered me. I was already growing dangerously accustomed to this surreal existence after just one day."I should work on a more convincing backstory for us," I said, steering the conversation to safer ground. "In case your mother asks more specific questions."Damien set down his fork, giving me his full attention. "What did you have in mind?""Details about our relationship. First date, first kiss, when we realized it was serious. The things people usu
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 19 - Genuine Happiness
I woke to sunlight streaming through windows I'd forgotten to close, momentarily disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings. The canopied bed, the silk sheets, the vast room, reality crashed back as I remembered where I was and why. This wasn't a dream or a fantasy...this was my new life, at least temporarily.The bedside clock read 7 13 AM. I stretched languidly, enjoying the luxurious feel of high thread count sheets against my skin. After years of secondhand mattresses and bargain bedding, this felt like floating on a cloud.A soft knock at the door interrupted my indulgence."Miss Winters?" Rosa's voice called. "Are you awake?""Yes." I replied, hastily sitting up. "Come in."Rosa entered carrying a tray with coffee, fresh fruit, and pastries. She set it on the small table near the windows."Good morning." she said, pulling back the curtains fully. "Did you sleep well?""Better than I have in years," I admitted. "This bed is incredible.""Memory foam imported from Sweden," Rosa sai
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 20 - Revelation
Damien considered this, his brow furrowing slightly. "The estate belonged to my grandparents. My mother grew up here. After my grandfather died, the property fell into disrepair. I purchased it when my business first became successful, restored it for her."The revelation of this sentimental gesture from a man who presented himself as coldly pragmatic caught me off guard. "That's... incredibly thoughtful."He shrugged, dismissing the observation. "It was a sound investment."But I wasn't fooled. This massive estate, maintained at what must be astronomical expense, wasn't about investment returns. It was about preserving something meaningful for his mother.We reached the terrace where we'd started, and Damien checked his watch. "I have a video conference in twenty minutes. Rosa will show you to breakfast if you're hungry.""Thank you for walking with me."I said, realizing I'd actually enjoyed his company.He nodded, his expression returning to its usual composed mask. "I'll see you a
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 21 - Among the Mediocre
Damien's expression changed subtly. "You didn't know."It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "No. My father lost everything gambling, then killed himself. There was nothing left except his life insurance, which barely covered funeral expenses and helping me finish school."Damien opened a drawer, removing a file which he placed before me. "Your mother established a trust before her death. Your father was trustee until you turned twenty one, at which point control would transfer to you."I stared at the file, afraid to open it. "That's impossible. If such a trust existed, I would have known.""Not if your stepmother deliberately kept it from you," Damien countered. "When your father died, she became trustee. The funds were intended for your education and establishing your independence after college. Instead, she's been systematically depleting it through 'management fees' and questionable investments."With trembling fingers, I opened the file. Inside were financial statements,
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 22 - Distraction
DAMIEN~I stood on the second floor balcony, coffee cooling in my hand as I watched her through the morning mistAngel had found her way to the eastern garden, where the landscaping transitioned from formal arrangements to more natural plantings. She'd settled on a stone bench beneath the oak my mother had insisted on preserving when we renovated the grounds, her sketchbook balanced on her knees, pencil moving with confident strokes.She was talented. I'd known this instinctively upon seeing her callused fingers, but observing her work confirmed it. Even from this distance, I could see how her body language changed when she drew, her usual hesitancy replaced by purpose, her movements fluid and decisive.I hadn't meant to watch her for so long. Three urgent emails awaited responses, the Tokyo market had fluctuated unexpectedly overnight, and Marco was due to report on the Sinclair investigation within the hour. Yet I remained, coffee forgotten, studying the woman who had unwittingly
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 23 - Anger
I was still considering these complexities when movement in the garden caught my eye. Angel had packed up her sketching materials and was heading back toward the house. I watched her walking the stone path, her movements graceful despite her obvious distraction. She paused occasionally to examine a flower or architectural detail, curiosity evident even from this distance."Spying on your fake fiancée, Mr. Salvatore?"The voice startled me, a rare occurrence. I turned to find Isabella standing in the doorway to the balcony, arms crossed, expression knowing beyond her years."Observation isn't spying, Isabella," I corrected, my tone deliberately neutral.She rolled her eyes with the dramatics only a pre-teen could muster. "Sure looks like spying from where I'm standing."I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you doing in this wing of the house? Your grandmother mentioned a science project requiring your attention.""Finished it." she declared proudly. "Volcano. Very original.""Imp
Last Updated : 2025-04-08
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The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 45 - Hospital
DAMIEN~The hospital corridor stretched before me, sterile and unforgiving under fluorescent lights. .I'd spent the past three hours watching doctors come and go from my mother's room, their faces carefully neutral while delivering progressively worse news. Angel had remained by my side the entire time, her small hand occasionally finding mine when she sensed my tension rising.Now, as we waited for the latest round of test results, she'd finally succumbed to exhaustion, her head resting against my shoulder as she dozed. I studied her face in repose...the sweep of her lashes against her cheeks, the slight part of her lips as she breathed. The vulnerability she displayed without hesitation continued to baffle me."Mr Salvatore?" I looked up to find Dr Jones approaching, clipboard in hand. Her expression told me everything I needed to know before she spoke a word."I'll wake her," I said quietly, gently rousing Angel with a light touch to her arm.She blinked awake immediately, disor
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 44 - Support Each Other
As I came down from the high, I became aware of Damien watching me with naked hunger. "I want.... to taste you," I whispered, surprising myself with the admission. His eyes widened fractionally, the only sign of his shock at my requestb. "Angel, you don't have to— " "I want to," I insisted, sliding off the desk to kneel before him. "Show me how.... to please you." For a moment, I thought he might refuse. Then he nodded once, his hand gentle as he guided me. "Start slow," he instructed, his voice strained with restraint. "Use your tongue first." I followed his directions, exploring this new intimacy with curiosity and growing enthusiasm. The taste of him, the weight on my tongue, the way his breath caught when I found a particularly sensitive spot—all of it was intoxicating in its novelty. When I finally took him fully into my mouth, his hand tightened in my hair, not forcing but anchoring himself. "Christ, Angel," he groaned, the rare profanity telling me more about his pleasure
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 43 - Exploration
I had no answer that wouldn't reveal too much of myself. Instead, I did the only thing that made sense in that moment, I rose on tiptoe and pressed my mouth to his. Unlike our previous kisses, this one began gentle, almost questioning. His lips moved against mine with careful restraint, letting me set the pace. But when I parted my lips in invitation, something snapped in his control. His arms wrapped around me, hauling me against his chest as he deepened the kiss with a hunger that matched my own. I threaded my fingers through his hair, marveling at how soft it felt despite its controlled appearance. He walked me backward until I felt the edge of his desk pressing against my legs, his body caging mine against the solid wood. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. "If this isn't what you want..." "Don't stop," I breathed. "Please." The plea broke his remaining restraint. He lifted me onto the desk in one fluid motion, stepping between my le
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 42 - Jealous
The tension between us was unbearable during the ride back to the estate. Damien's declaration, ' You're mine' — echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying me. His hand remained possessively on mine, thumb occasionally brushing my palm in a way that sent shivers up my arm. Neither of us spoke, the silence filled with unresolved questions and unspoken desires. Marco kept his eyes carefully forward, though I caught him glancing at us in the rearview mirror once or twice. I wondered what he thought of this arrangement that had clearly evolved far beyond its original parameters. When we arrived, Damien escorted me inside with his hand on the small of my back, a touch I was becoming familiar with, even dependent on. The mansion felt emptier than usual, with Rosa having taken Izzy to a doctor's appointment in the city. "I'll be in my study," Damien said, his voice formal again as we reached the grand staircase. "Take some time to rest. Today was... eventful." I watched him retr
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 41 - Belong With Me
The possessive declaration should have triggered every feminist alarm in my body. Later, I'd examine why it had instead sent a thrill of something dangerously close to longing through me. For now, I stood silently beside Damien, aware of every patron and staff member watching the drama unfold.George's hands clenched at his sides. "You think you've won Salvatore. But I know Angel. She needs more than your money and your cold bed." His gaze shifted to me, suddenly gentle. "When you remember what real love feels like Angel, call me."With that parting shot, he stalked out, leaving uncomfortable silence in his wake.Damien's hand returned to my back, his touch steadying. " Are you alright?"I nodded, not trusting my voice yet. The confrontation had left me shaky, caught between anger at George's presumption and confusion over my reaction to Damien's territorial display.Elena approached, her expression a masterpiece of false concern"Oh my god, Angel! That was intense. Are you okay?""F
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 40 - Possession
"Oh my god!!" Elena squealed once he was out of earshot. "Richard Knight wants to see your work! Do you know how many artists would kill for that chance?" "It's probably just courtesy," I said, slipping the card into my pocket. "Don't be stupid" she chided, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the staff room. "This is your chance to establish yourself independently. You know, so you're not just Damien Salvatore's arm candy." The barb stung more than it should have. "I'm not arm candy." Elena's expression softened into faux sympathy. "Of course not, honey. But let's be real - your engagement happened awfully fast after your divorce. People talk. Having your own career would shut them up." I disentangled myself from her arm, anger rising at her manipulative concern. "I don't really care what people say about my relationship." "You should," she persisted. "Especially since —" The gallery door chimed, cutting her off. We both turned to see George striding in, d
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 39 - Painting Again
ANGELINA ~ The gallery had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks - the one place where I could exist as simply Angel, not Damien Salvatore's fiancée. I loved, loved losing myself for hours arranging exhibits, researching artists, and occasionally sketching during quiet moments. Today, I was cataloging a new shipment of sculptures when Elena's excited voice broke my concentration. "Angel! You won't believe who just walked in," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. I looked up from my inventory list to see her barely contained enthusiasm. Despite learning of her betrayal the previous day, I'd forced myself to act normal around her, following Damien's advice to 'keep your enemies closer.' The words still tasted bitter in my mouth each time I smiled at her, but perhaps it was my fault for asking Damien to help her get a job here, after she'd claimed that she'd been fired. "Who?" I asked, feigning interest. "Richard Knight," she whispered dramatically.
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 38 - A Weakness
She startled, turning to find me watching her. A blush immediately colored her cheeks — the first acknowledgment of last night. "Damien," she said, setting down the brush without having touched the canvas. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly." I entered the room, noting the organized chaos of her supplies, brushes meticulously arranged by size, paints grouped by color family, palette scraped clean in preparation. "You've been here a while." "Just... thinking," she admitted. "About painting? ...Or about last night?" Her blush deepened, but she met my eyes directly. "Both." I appreciated her honesty. It was refreshing after years of dealing with people who calculated every word for maximum advantage. "Regrets?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "No" she said finally. "Do you?" "No." The simple exchange cleared some of the tension between us. Angel relaxed visibly, setting aside the brush she'd been clutching like a lifeline. "
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 37 - Bit Less Grumpy
That, at least, didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was the twist of satisfaction I felt knowing George had betrayed Angel even earlier than she realized. "Keep monitoring the situation," I instructed. "Especially any further contact between Sinclair and Luciano's people. And increase security around Angel, discreetly. If she asks, tell her it's standard procedure." "Of course." Marco hesitated, something unusual for him. "There's a personal matter I feel I should mention." I raised an eyebrow, waiting. "Ms Winters spent the night in your quarters," he said carefully. It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes." "That... changes the parameters of your arrangement..?" Leave it to Marco to cut straight to the heart of the issue. "I'm aware." He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I've known you a long time, Damien. Long enough to recognize when you're...invested." "Your point?" I asked, my tone cooling. "Just that Ms. Winters isn't like your usua
