All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Elena The city lights were dim outside the car window as I clenched my hands in my lap, sweating despite the air conditioning in the car. My heart pounded, each beat a reminder of the choice I was about to make—a choice that felt more like a death sentence. I have been here before. The towering glass building. The suffocating scent of wealth and power. But tonight was different. Tonight, I was selling my soul. I tried my best to dismiss any second thoughts but I couldn’t help but think that I was making a mistake. Maybe I was. But did I really have a choice? The elevator ride to the top floor crawled at a slow pace. My worn-out dress felt like a second skin of shame among the sleek business attire of those around me. They barely spared me a glance. To them, I was invisible. But to him, I was a pawn. The doors slid open with a silent ding. A pristine office stretched before me, all cold steel and ruthless efficiency. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city like a king surveying h

Elena The blaring sound of my alarm startled me awake, but I was already exhausted before the day even began. I threw off the covers and dragged myself out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Across the room, my little sister, Sophia, was curled up in a ball under her blanket, her steady breathing filling the small space. In the other room, Jordan was likely still snoring, blissfully unaware of the storm raging in our lives. I took a deep breath and put on my best attempt at a cheerful voice. “Rise and shine, sleepyheads! Time for school.” A groan came from Jordan’s room. “Five more minutes.” “Nope. You’re going to be late,” I called out, walking over to Sophia’s bed. I gently shook her shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart. Get up.” She grumbled something incoherent but stretched her tiny arms before slowly opening her eyes. “I don’t wanna go to school,” she mumbled, burying her face into her pillow. I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “If you get up now, I’ll make your

Elena The morning air was crisp as I blinked awake, groggily stretching my arms above my head. The couch wasn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, but I must have been too exhausted to make it to my bed last night. A soft blanket had been draped over me—Dad. I yawned and rubbed the sleep from my eyes before glancing at the clock. 7:35 AM. My heart skipped. The kids! Jumping up, I rushed to Sophia’s room and found her still curled under her blanket, her small form rising and falling with each breath. “Sophia,” I nudged her gently. “Wake up, sweetheart. You’re going to be late.” She groaned and buried her face deeper into her pillow. I turned to the next room, knocking once before pushing the door open. “Jordan, up. Now.” He stirred, eyes cracking open slightly before shutting again. “Sophia, Jordan, if you both don’t get up in the next five minutes, I swear I’ll start pouring water over your heads.” That did the trick. Seconds later, they grudgingly got up from their beds.