All Chapters of The CEO'S SECRET BRIDE : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I woke up in a bed that was too soft, in a room too big, too perfect. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was. Then suddenly it hit me that I had gotten married and I'm no longer in my own house.I sat up quickly, my heart pounding. My hand held onto the bed sheets like it was going to save me. The large mirrors, the expensive perfumes, the huge wardrobe filled with clothes that weren’t mine, none of this belonged to me. Nothing here was mine, not even my own life and very soon I'll be his.A sharp knock at the door made me jump."Miss Annabel," a voice called from outside. "It’s time to get ready."I swallowed hard. Get ready? For what? I was already married. I had already walked down that aisle, said the words they forced me to say, and signed my name on a paper that sold my freedom away.But deep inside, something felt wrong.I turned to the nightstand beside me. My wedding ring sat there, shining under the dim light. I stared at it, and I felt like a heavy weight in my heart. I w

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the small silver key in my hand. It wasn’t heavy, but it felt like it carried the weight of something important or maybe something dangerous.Carson had placed it in my palm before walking out last night, his voice low and firm."Keep this safe, Annabelle."That was all he said. Nothing more. No explanation. No warning.I haven't slept since then. My mind kept spinning with questions. Why did he give me a key? What was it for? And most importantly, did he expect me to use it?I wasn’t stupid. Carson Clair was powerful, careful, and always in control. He never did anything without a reason. If he gave me this key, it wasn’t by accident. It was either a test… or a trap.A sharp knock came at the door.I quickly placed the key under my pillow just as the door opened.Carson walked in.He was dressed in black again—black suit, black shirt, like he belonged to the darkness. His face, as always, showed nothing. No anger, no concern, it's just there.

I could not sleep no matter how hard I tried, even when I had closed my eyes so tightCarson's reaction wasn’t what I expected. He was too calm, too composed. He didn’t even try to deny anything, he just told me to mind my business.I wanted to believe he was telling the truth. I really did. But something felt off.“Maybe I'm overthinking”.I said to myself trying to shake off the feelings.If those documents weren’t important, why was he hiding them? And why did I see my father’s name on one of the files?I sighed, rubbing my forehead.The more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed to talk to someone. Someone I trusted. And that person was Fred.Fred had been there for me when my father was arrested, he was the one who supported me when I had nothing. He even convinced me to take this job, even though I hated the idea of working for Carson.He was my best friend, but something insideme whispered that I should be careful..I needed answers, and I wasn’t going to find them l

Last night was too much to handle, it started from seeing Fred with Victoria, to getting chased, and then Carson showing up at the right moment to save me.I still couldn’t wrap my head around the stunt Carson pulled out there. I knew he was cold, distant, and clearly didn’t like me. So why did he help me?I shifted in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every part of me wanted to believe I was just overthinking things. But I wasn’t stupid. Carson didn’t do things without a reason. And Fred—Fred, my best friend—was now someone I couldn’t trust.A soft knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts."Come in," I said, sitting up.Carson walked in, dressed in a black suit. He didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, watching me like he was trying to figure something out."You’re awake," he said.I rolled my eyes. "Obviously.""Eat something before you leave this room. And don’t go anywhere without telling me first."He said."Excuse me?"I said rather surprised."You heard me," he said

The door opened,Carson walked in and everything went silent.Victoria positioned well on her chair, crossing her legs slowly, unsurprised. Fred’s face on the other end was full of confusion. He opened his mouth to speak but was so short of words.Carson didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, with hands in his pockets, looking around the room. His face didn't show anger but I'm sure he wouldn't leave without a fight. His eyes finally turned to me. “You okay?”I nodded in affirmation.Victoria smirked. “Oh, how sweet. He came to check on you.”Carson ignored her. He turned to Fred. “You. Stand up.”Fred hesitated. “Listen, Carson, I—”“I said, stand up.”Fred slowly pushed back his chair and got to his feet. His hands were shaking slightly. “Look, I didn’t mean for things to—”Carson cut him off. “You had one job, Fred.”Fred’s face turned pale. “I—”“You were supposed to make sure she was safe,” Carson continued, his voice calm but sharp. “And yet, here she is, sitting in