All Chapters of The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

“You’re going to want to sit down for this.”The words from Grayson, Alexander’s trusted advisor, hung heavy in the room, laced with a tension that coiled around my chest like a snake. I glanced at Alexander, who was already seated at his desk, his posture rigid, his dark eyes narrowed at the folder Grayson had just placed in front of him.I lingered near the door, unsure if I should stay. But one glance from Alexander—the kind that told me this was as much my fight as it was his—kept me rooted in place.“What’s this about?” Alexander asked, his voice low but laced with authority.Grayson hesitated, his usually unshakable demeanor faltering for just a moment. “It’s about the Westbridge acquisition from seven years ago.”Alexander leaned forward, his brows furrowing. “What about it?”Grayson exhaled, his jaw tightening. “There’s a clause in the contract we overlooked. Or rather... someone deliberately buried it.”Alexander opened the folder, his eyes scanning the document with the prec

"How long were you planning on lying to me, Alexander?"The words flew out of my mouth before I even realized they were forming. I stood in the middle of his office, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear anything else. The pristine space, all polished wood and towering glass windows, suddenly felt claustrophobic.Alexander, seated behind his sleek black desk, slowly raised his head. His stormy gray eyes locked on mine, unreadable yet piercing. "What are you talking about, Leila?" His voice was calm—too calm.I tossed the photograph onto the desk. The glossy paper spun before landing face up, the image taunting us both. Him, standing too close to a woman I didn’t recognize. Their heads bent together as if they shared something secret, something intimate.He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "Where did you get this?""Does it matter?!" My voice cracked, a mixture of anger and something more fragile—betrayal. "She looks at you like you’re her world, and you’re standin

“Alexander,” I said, gripping the phone tightly, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s my dad. He’s… he’s in the hospital.”I heard his sharp intake of breath, followed by a heavy pause. “What happened?”“I don’t know.” My voice cracked as I paced the length of our living room. “Mom called me a few minutes ago. She said he collapsed at home. They’re running tests now.”“I’m coming with you,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.I stopped pacing, closing my eyes against the wave of emotion threatening to swallow me. “You don’t have to. I know you’re in the middle of—”“Screw that,” he interrupted, his voice firm. “You’re my wife, Leila. I’m not letting you go through this alone.”The word “wife” hit me like a punch to the chest, a reminder of the fragile state of our marriage. But in that moment, I couldn’t dwell on it. There wasn’t room for anything but the fear coursing through me.“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay.”The drive to the hospital was a blur. Alexander’s hand rested

“I know you’re hiding something, Alexander,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling in my chest. The envelope sat between us on the coffee table, an unwelcome presence that neither of us wanted to acknowledge but couldn’t ignore.He didn’t look up from where he stood by the window, his posture rigid as he stared out at the glittering city lights. “Leila, I’ve told you everything I know.”“Have you?” I crossed my arms, taking a step closer. “Because it doesn’t feel that way. Every time we get one step closer to understanding what’s going on, another piece of your past comes back to haunt us.”He turned then, his expression hard but his eyes giving him away. There was something there—something raw and vulnerable. “I can’t change the past,” he said quietly. “But I’m trying to protect you from it.”I shook my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I don’t need your protection, Alexander. I need your honesty. Because whatever this is, it’s already affecting both of us, and

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Alexander said, his voice laced with the kind of resistance that made my chest tighten and my resolve harden. I stopped flipping through the glossy presentation folder and looked up at him. His jaw was set, his tie slightly loosened, and his arms crossed over his chest in a stance that screamed control. Always in control. Always Alexander. “And why not?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. He hesitated, his gray eyes flicking toward the windows of his office before meeting mine again. “Because this project is critical. There’s no room for error.” “Which is exactly why you should trust me to handle it,” I countered, stepping closer to his desk. “You brought me into this world, Alexander. Let me prove I can navigate it.” His brow furrowed, his grip on the edge of his desk tightening. “Leila, this isn’t about your capabilities—” “Isn’t it?” I interrupted, cutting him off. “Because every time I try to step up, you pull me back, like you’re a