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Chapter 26: New Beginnings
publish date:
2026-03-05 15:39:22
Latest chapter
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 27: Hidden Plans
Amelia's POVTwo weeks after Alexander proposed on the beach, I woke up smiling.It had become a habit. Opening my eyes and remembering that we were choosing each other this time. Not because our families arranged it. Not because we needed protection or alliances.Because we loved each other.The ring on my finger was simple. A single diamond that caught the morning light. Alexander had it designed specially, nothing flashy. Just perfect."Good morning, future wife," he said, rolling over to kiss my forehead."Good morning, future husband."We'd spent the past two weeks in a bubble of happiness. Planning a small ceremony. Choosing the guest list. Deciding on flowers. All the simple, normal things we'd never gotten to do the first time.Life after the trial felt like waking up from a nightmare.The verdict had been read. Ethan was convicted. Sentenced. Gone.For the first time in over a year, I could breathe without looking over my shoulder.That morning, I had an appointment. Dress sh
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 26: New Beginnings
Amelia's POVThree months passed faster than I expected.My Phoenix Rising collection launched to incredible reviews. Critics called it my best work yet. Bold, emotional, powerful.Orders flooded in. More than I could fill.I hired ten new people. Expanded production. Opened a second studio.Lia Hart Designs was no longer just surviving. It was thriving.But the trial loomed over everything.Two weeks away now. Then one week. Then days.Alexander and I barely slept."Are you nervous?" he asked one morning over coffee."Terrified.""Me too."At least we were honest with each other.Agent Rodriguez called with final preparations."We'll go over your testimony one more time. Make sure you're ready for cross examination.""I'm ready.""Ethan's lawyers will try to rattle you. Make you look unreliable. Emotional.""Let them try."She was quiet for a moment. "You've changed since I first met you.""How?""You're harder now. Stronger. Less afraid.""I had to be.""I know. But don't lose yours
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 25: Going Public
Amelia's POVThe news broke at six AM."Breaking: Sterling Group Releases Evidence of Massive Fraud Network."Every major outlet picked it up within minutes.Alexander had released everything. The offshore accounts. The money trails. The connections between Ethan and his criminal partners. Documents showing years of fraud, money laundering, and theft.It was all there for the world to see.My phone exploded with notifications before I even got out of bed."Did you see?" I asked Alexander.He was already dressed, coffee in hand, watching the news coverage. "I saw.""How do you feel?""Satisfied." He turned to me. "And terrified. We just declared war.""Good." I got up, moving to stand beside him. "Let them come."The media response was massive.Financial news channels analyzed the documents. Crime reporters connected dots. Business journalists called for investigations.Ethan's name trended on social media for hours.So did mine.People praised us for exposing corruption. Others accuse
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 24: Breaking Point
Amelia's POVI woke up screaming. The nightmare had been so real. Ethan standing over me. Knife in hand. Smiling that smile I used to love.Alexander was already there, arms around me, whispering that it was okay."Just a dream," he kept saying. "Just a dream."But it didn't feel like just a dream.It felt like a warning.This was the third nightmare this week. Each one worse than the last."Maybe you should talk to someone," Alexander said gently. "A therapist.""I don't need a therapist. I need this to be over.""Amelia...""I'm fine." I pulled away, getting out of bed. "I just need coffee."I wasn't fine. We both knew it.Downstairs, Mrs. Cole took one look at me and started making breakfast without asking."You look exhausted, dear.""I am exhausted.""When's the last time you had a full night's sleep?"I couldn't remember.My phone rang. My business manager."We have a problem," she said.Of course we did."What now?""Three major retailers just cancelled their orders. No explana
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 23: The Warning Shot
Alexander's POVThe FBI took Isabelle into protective custody within three hours of my call.They also froze Ethan's offshore accounts before his criminal partners could access the money.Twenty million dollars, gone in an instant.Now we waited for the fallout."This was the right move," Agent Rodriguez said over the phone. "We've been trying to track these accounts for months.""And the people Ethan owes money to?" I asked. "What happens when they realize it's gone?""We're monitoring their activity. If they make a move, we'll know."That wasn't reassuring.After I hung up, I found Amelia in her studio, sketching despite everything."How do you do that?" I asked.She looked up. "Do what?""Stay calm. Keep working. Like we're not waiting for criminals to retaliate.""I'm not calm. I'm terrified." She set down her pencil. "But if I stop working, I'll fall apart. So I keep going."I understood that. Work was the only thing keeping me sane too."The FBI has Isabelle," I said. "They've f
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 22: Lockdown
Amelia's POVThe mansion became a fortress overnight.Guards patrolled the grounds in shifts. Security cameras covered every angle. Motion sensors on every window. Reinforced doors. Panic buttons in every room.I couldn't leave without a security team. Couldn't take a walk in the garden without someone watching.It had been two weeks since Isabelle's attack, and I was going insane."You need to eat," Mrs. Cole said, setting down breakfast I didn't want."I'm not hungry.""You haven't eaten properly in days.""I'm fine."She gave me that look. The one that said she knew I was lying but wouldn't push.After she left, I stared at the food, my stomach in knots.The house phone rang. I ignored it. Probably another journalist wanting a comment about Ethan's upcoming trial.My cell phone rang next. Adrian.I hesitated, then answered."How are you holding up?" he asked."I'm trapped in my own house. How do you think?""That bad?""Worse." I moved to the window, looking out at the guards patro
The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 19: The FBI Meeting
Amelia's POVThe FBI field office was exactly like I'd imagined from movies. Sterile. Cold. Full of serious people in suits carrying files marked confidential.Alexander held my hand as we were led through security and down a long hallway."You okay?" he asked quietly."Ask me after."We were shown
Last Updated : 2026-03-17The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 16: Cracks in the Armor
Amelia's POVThe morning after the press conference, I woke to three hundred new messages.Some were supportive. Many were not.“You're still a fraud.”“Using your husband's power to silence the truth.”“Everyone knows you slept your way to the top.”I deleted the app and threw my phone across the
Last Updated : 2026-03-17The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 21: Isabelle Returns
Amelia's POVThe call came at three in the morning.I woke to Alexander's phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand. He grabbed it quickly, trying not to wake me.Too late."Hello?" His voice was rough with sleep. Then he sat up fast. "When? Is she hurt?"I turned on the lamp. "What's wrong?"He
Last Updated : 2026-03-17The Billionaire's Substitute Bride Chapter 10: Walls Coming Down
Amelia's POVThe applause was still ringing in my ears hours after the showcase ended.I sat in Alexander's office, still wearing my showcase outfit, trying to process everything that had happened.My phone wouldn't stop buzzing. Messages from fashion editors, interview requests, congratulations fr
Last Updated : 2026-03-17
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