All Chapters of Beneath The Billionaire's Veil : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I frowned as I held the envelope tightly. My heart sank as I read the brief, impersonal words: Tomorrow Mark's the eve of the wedding. For last-minute arrangements, be ready to show up to the family by 7 p.m.Those words seemed cold, uncaring, as if I was being polished and put on exhibit for their own gain. I was left alone with the icy message as the messenger backed out of the room and curtsied.With shaking hands, I put down the message. Tomorrow was the first step toward losing what little of who I was left, not just another step toward a life I didn't want. More likely the beginning of the rest of my life.With the city lights below glistening like strewn diamonds, I walked to the window. I felt like screaming, tearing the letter to shreds, and fleeing from this golden cage.Where would I go, though? Returning to Marco? To a life in which Presley's impact followed me everywhere?Breathing became difficult as the weight of my choices weighed heavily on me.~~I felt as if I had e

The figure at the driveway came up, and the car slowed for a brief moment.My breath caught as Marco's gaze met mine. His expression was mysterious; a mix of defiance, longing, and an unidentified emotion.With a tone as sharp as a sword, my mother's voice broke the tense silence and said to the driver, "Drive." The driver obeyed quickly and sped off.I strained to look behind me, but Marco remained still.Before the car rounded a bend and he was out of sight, he just remained there, a lone figure against the expansive Presley estate. "How come he was there?" I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.My mother gave a mocking snort. “Making a fool of himself, as usual. Don’t waste your thoughts on him, Isabella. He’s nothing but a distraction.”Although I couldn't completely disagree with my mother, her words really hit me.In the past, Marco's presence had been consoling, but now it seemed like an anchor dragging me back into rough seas.~~When we arrived, the Presley mansion's

The faint chirping of birds outside pulled me from my restless sleep. My eyes fluttered open to the soft morning light filtering through the heavy velvet curtains. For a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was. The ceiling above me was too high, the bed too soft, the room too grand.Then it all came rushing back—the wedding, the vows, the suffocating weight of it all. I was in Alexander’s home now. No, not just a home. A mansion. A palace disguised as a house.I sat up, the silk sheets sliding down as I rubbed my eyes. My movements felt sluggish, as if the enormity of everything had physically worn me down. The events of the previous night played on a loop in my mind—Alexander’s promise to respect my boundaries, his unexpected gentleness. It left me more confused than comforted.A knock at the door startled me, and before I could respond, the door creaked open. A young woman in a crisp black uniform stepped inside, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.“Good morning, Mrs. Presle

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, the warm glow dancing across the lavish furnishings of my room. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the small velvet box on my dresser. Alexander’s unexpected gesture still lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside for now. Today was about reclaiming a piece of myself. I rose and moved to the closet, my fingers trailing over the expensive fabrics hanging neatly in rows. Nothing felt like me—too extravagant, too ostentatious—but I finally settled on a navy blue pantsuit, simple yet professional. I tied my hair into a low ponytail, hoping the look would exude confidence. The thought of stepping out into the world outside the Presley mansion was both liberating and daunting. After all, I wasn’t just Isabella anymore; I was Isabella Presley. And the weight of that name carried expectations I wasn’t sure I could meet. --- The driver, Thomas, was already waiting for me in the driveway when I came down the grand staircase. He nodd

Marco stood before me, his expression a blend of shock and something softer—relief, perhaps. My heart raced as the weight of the moment settled over us. Time felt like it stretched infinitely, and for a brief second, nothing else existed.Without thinking, I threw my arms around him. He hesitated only a second before his arms wrapped tightly around me, pulling me into a warm, familiar embrace. The scent of him—faint cologne and something uniquely Marco—tugged at memories I had buried long ago.“Marco,” I whispered, barely audible.“I can’t believe it,” he murmured against my hair. “Isabella...”The sound of my name in his voice sent a pang through my chest. It was as if no time had passed and yet, everything had changed.Around us, hushed murmurs and the shuffling of footsteps reminded me we weren’t alone. I pulled back, suddenly aware of the curious stares from my colleagues. Marco’s hands lingered briefly on my shoulders before he let them drop.“I... I didn’t know you worked here,