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Chapter 21: The shadows of the past
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2025-11-15 05:43:21
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The Billionaire's undercover bride Chapter 72 — Part 1: Quiet Moments Before the Storm
VIVIANThe house smelled faintly of Damian’s cologne when I returned from the office. Not the heavy, commanding scent he wore to meetings, but the lighter, calmer fragrance he kept for home — subtle and grounding. It reminded me of him in a way that made my chest tighten. The drive from Charlotte’s office had been torturous, each red light, each stop sign a tiny drumbeat of guilt echoing in my skull. Every thought screamed at me: You’re playing with fire, Vivian. One misstep and it all comes down.But when I stepped inside, Damian was there, leaning casually against the kitchen counter, a mug of coffee in hand, watching me with that soft, calculating smile that somehow always made my knees weaken.“You’re home earlier than I expected,” I said, attempting to sound normal. My voice came out higher than I intended.“I finished earlier,” he said. “Thought I’d come home before traffic got worse.” He set the mug down and extended a hand. “Come here.”I hesitated, feeling the weight of the d
The Billionaire's undercover bride Chapter 71 — Where He Chose Me Again
VIVIANDamian didn’t come home late that evening.That alone unsettled me.I had grown used to the long hours, the delayed dinners, the quiet tension that followed him back through the door like a shadow. Tonight, the door opened earlier than expected, and when I looked up from where I was sitting on the couch, my heart skipped in a way that had nothing to do with fear.He looked tired — but lighter.Not free of worry, not untouched by responsibility, but softer around the edges. Like the weight he carried had shifted just enough for him to breathe.“You’re home early,” I said.He smiled faintly. “I wanted to be.”Those four words settled deep in my chest.He loosened his tie as he walked toward me, setting his phone down without checking it again. That alone felt intentional. When he sat beside me, his knee brushed mine, familiar and grounding.“Long day?” I asked.“Productive,” he said. “But my head wasn’t there.”I swallowed. “Where was it?”He turned toward me fully. “Here.”The h
The Billionaire's undercover bride Chapter 70 — The Choice He Made to Believe Me
VIVIANI didn’t sleep.Not really.I lay beside Damian, my body perfectly still while my mind screamed itself hoarse. His arm was still draped across my waist, warm and possessive in a way that once felt safe. Now it felt like a weight — not because I didn’t want him there, but because I didn’t deserve it.The drive burned in my pocket like a secret that wanted out.Every breath he took felt like another chance I was stealing from him.I stared into the darkness until my eyes ached, replaying the moment he’d stood in the doorway of his office. The way his gaze had lingered. The way his voice had softened even while something inside him sharpened.You’re shaking.He’d noticed.Of course he had.Damian didn’t miss details. That was the problem. That was always the problem.When his breathing shifted, deepening slightly, I knew he was drifting back into sleep. I didn’t move. I didn’t dare. I stayed frozen until the rhythm of his chest steadied again.Only then did I allow myself to breat
The Billionaire's undercover bride chapter 79_ The door I was never meant to open
VIVIANI waited until the house fell asleep.Not just quiet — asleep.There’s a difference. Quiet still listens. Quiet notices footsteps and breathing and doors opening. Sleep lets its guard down.Damian lay beside me, his arm heavy around my waist, his breathing slow and even. I lay still, counting the seconds between each rise and fall of his chest, waiting for the rhythm to deepen. Waiting for the moment when his body fully surrendered to rest.Every part of me screamed not to move.Every part of me knew I had to.Charlotte’s voice echoed in my head like a ticking clock.Tomorrow. Bring it to the office.I stared at the ceiling, my eyes burning. My heart felt like it was being squeezed from the inside, each beat painful, deliberate. This wasn’t bravery. This wasn’t loyalty. This was survival — twisted into something ugly.Damian shifted slightly, his grip tightening unconsciously.“Don’t go,” he murmured in his sleep.My throat closed.“I’m here,” I whispered, even as I began to sl
The Billionaire's undercover bride Chapter 68 — The Trap That Tightened Quietly
VIVIANI knew something was wrong the moment my phone vibrated.Not because of the sound — it was on silent — but because of the name glowing on the screen.Charlotte.The room felt suddenly smaller.Damian was beside me on the couch, half-leaning against the armrest, scrolling idly through his tablet. One of his legs brushed mine, warm and familiar. He looked relaxed — calmer than he had been in days — and the sight of that calm made guilt flare sharply in my chest.I didn’t answer the call.Not immediately.Charlotte didn’t call casually. She didn’t check in. She didn’t ask. When she called, it was because something had shifted — something she wanted control over.The phone vibrated again.Damian glanced at it. “You’re popular today.”I forced a small smile. “Just work.”His gaze lingered on my face, searching. “Do you need to take it?”I hesitated for half a second too long.“Yes,” I said finally. “I’ll be right back.”I stood quickly, walking toward the hallway before he could say
The Billionaire's undercover bride Chapter 67 — The Truth on My Tongue
VIVIANThe evening felt heavier than it should have.Not loud. Not dramatic. Just… weighted. Like the air itself knew I was standing at the edge of something irreversible.Damian was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, quietly rinsing a mug. The soft sound of running water filled the space between us, but it didn’t ease the tightness in my chest. I sat on the edge of the dining chair, fingers twisting together in my lap, watching him like I was memorizing him for the last time.He moved with a calm that didn’t match the storm inside me.“You’ve been quiet,” he said without turning around.My heart skipped.“I’m okay,” I replied automatically.The lie tasted bitter.He turned then, leaning against the counter, arms folded loosely across his chest. His gaze wasn’t sharp or suspicious — it was gentle. Curious. The kind of look that invited honesty instead of demanding it.“You say that a lot,” he said softly.I forced a small smile. “Habit.”He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded.
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