chapter 12

THE BILLIONAIRE'S REVENGE BRIDE

CHAPTER 12: LILY'S GAME

Adrian POV

I was in my office, working late, when my secretary knocked.

"Mr. Cole, Miss Lily Carter is here to see you. She says it is urgent."

I frowned. "Lily? Let her in."

Lily walked in wearing a short red dress, too much perfume, and a smile that did not reach her eyes.

She closed the door behind her.

"Adrian," she said softly, sitting on the edge of my desk. "We need to talk."

"Talk about what?" I asked, not looking up from my papers.

"About Mia," she said. "Mia does not love you. She is using you. She only married you to make Daniel jealous. Once she gets her revenge, she will leave you."

I finally looked up at her. "Lily, I do not have time for games."

She moved closer. "I am not playing. I know Mia. She is my sister. I know her heart. She does not love you. But I... I could love you. I can give you what she cannot. A real wife. A woman who truly wants you."

She tried to touch my hand. I pulled it away.

"Lily," I said, my voice cold. "Get out."

She did not move. "Adrian, please-"

I stood up. "Get out. If you come here again, I will show the world the video of you and Daniel stealing money from Mia. I have the bank records. I have everything. Do you understand?"

Lily's face went pale. Her smile disappeared. She grabbed her bag and ran out of the office.

I thought it was over. It was not over.

As she left, she brushed past me quickly. I did not notice what she did.

Until I got home.

Mia POV

That night, Adrian came home late. He looked tired.

I went to hug him, to welcome him home, like I always did now.

Then I saw it.

On his white shirt collar, there was a red mark. Lipstick. Lily's shade of red.

My heart stopped.

All the air left my lungs.

Adrian saw my face. "Mia, what is wrong?"

I pointed at his collar. "What is that?"

He looked in the mirror. His eyes widened. "Mia, it is not what you think. Lily came to my office today. She tried to seduce me. I threw her out. She must have left this there on purpose."

I did not shout. I did not cry. I just felt very cold inside.

I took a deep breath. "Adrian, if you want her, tell me. I will sign the divorce papers. I will not beg you to stay. I did that once with Daniel, and I will never do it again."

Adrian grabbed my hand. His grip was strong. Desperate.

"Mia, look at me," he said. "I do not want her. I have never wanted her. I have never wanted anyone except..."

He stopped. His mouth opened, but the words would not come out.

Except what? Except who?

My heart was beating so fast. "Except who, Adrian? Tell me."

He looked at me. His eyes were soft. Not the cold billionaire's eyes. The eyes of a man who was afraid to say the truth.

"Except you," he whispered. "I have never wanted anyone except you."

I froze.

He took a step back, as if he was scared of what he had just said. He cleared his throat. "I... I mean... as a partner. As my wife in the contract."

But I knew. He did not mean the contract. He meant for real.

I smiled, tears in my eyes. "Adrian, take off that shirt. It has Lily's poison on it. I will burn it."

He laughed, a little nervously. "Burn it?"

"Yes," I said. "Because from now on, the only lipstick allowed on your shirt is mine."

He looked at me, surprised, then he smiled. A real, warm smile.

That night, Lily's plan failed. She wanted to break us.

Instead, she made us say the truth we had been hiding for weeks.

Adrian did not want Lily.

He wanted me.