Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE BILLIONAIRE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 5

EVANGELINE"Evangeline!" Mom burst into my room with characteristic energy, gasping when she saw me still in my robe. "You haven't changed yet? Your fiancé's family is already here!"When had he become my fiancé? The title felt foreign, uncomfortable, like wearing clothes that didn't fit properly. Just three weeks ago, I had been a free woman, focused on my psychology studies, planning a future that belonged entirely to me. Now I was being swept along by arrangements made by others, promises exchanged between families rather than hearts.My features twisted with barely concealed sarcasm. "Mom, was it really necessary to rent such an elaborate venue? This is just an engagement party. We could have held it at home, kept it simple, intimate. Why all this extravagance?"The ballroom downstairs was a testament to excess - crystal chandeliers casting rainbow light across marble floors, enough flowers to stock a greenhouse, a string quartet that cost more than most people's monthly salary. A

EVANGELINE ~Flashback~"Come in."Mom's radiant face appeared in the doorway and her eyes swept over my appearance with unmistakable pride. Despite the turmoil raging inside me, I kept my expression carefully neutral, unwilling to dampen her obvious joy."Darling, our guests have arrived."I managed a slight nod, feeling my heart pound against my ribs like a caged bird desperate for freedom and my hands trembled slightly as I smoothed down my dress one final time."I'll be down in a moment, Mom."She lingered for a heartbeat longer, taking in every detail of my appearance one last time."You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart," she whispered emotionally.Then she pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead before turning away. Her footsteps echoed softly down the hallway as she returned to our waiting guests.Alone again, I stood frozen in the center of my room as the silence pressed down on me.I drew in a deep breath, held it until my lungs burned, then released it slowly through parte

EVANGELINE"Let's see where this decision takes you, Evangeline." I whispered to myself while forcing my feet to carry me toward the stairs where Gael waited with his expression unreadable as granite.He extended his arm without looking at me. His distaste was evident in every line of his body and every reluctant gesture.I placed my hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles, and we descended the stairs in synchronized steps.The grand ballroom came into view. An opulent space filled with elegantly dressed guests, crystal chandeliers casting rainbow light across polished marble floors, all eyes focused on our entrance like spotlights.I unconsciously tightened my grip on his arm as nervousness overwhelmed me completely. Being the center of attention had always made me uncomfortable, made me want to disappear into the shadows where no one could see me stumble or fail.Gael glanced at me briefly. His expression remained indifferent, before returning his focus forward as if my