All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

EVANGELINE My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I took the mysterious package from his hands. My mind started racing through every guy I knew, trying to figure out who could've sent something like this. The thing felt solid and weighty, and whoever wrapped it clearly put some thought into it - maybe artwork, judging by the size and shape. Curiosity got the better of me, and I started peeling away the wrapping. My breath caught when I saw what was inside - an incredibly detailed portrait of myself that looked almost like a photograph. But it wasn't just the technical skill that stunned me. The painting somehow captured something deeper - a melancholy and longing in my expression that I didn't even realize showed on my face. There was something about the brushstrokes and the way the light was painted that immediately made me think of someone specific. I excused myself from the party and headed toward the front gates, my heart starting to race. As I got closer to the ornate iron entr

EVANGELINE The rest of the party went smoothly on the surface, but I was basically just going through the motions. I smiled when I was supposed to, laughed at the right moments, and thanked people for their birthday wishes and gifts, yet all my good feelings had completely vanished, replaced by a growing sense of frustration and sadness. Eventually, as the night wore on, only Cordelia, Nari and Seraphina were left in the garden with me. The other guests had gradually said their goodbyes throughout the evening, promising to call soon and thanking me for a lovely time. "Evangeline, is everything okay? You look really disappointed." I looked at Cordelia with tired, emotionally drained eyes and nodded weakly. I didn't have the energy left to pretend everything was fine and that I was still enjoying my birthday. "Gael got into it with her because of her friend after he found them alone together in the guest room-" "Seraphina!" I snapped her name in obvious irritation at her love

EVANGELINEI looked at Thaddeus with growing alarm while he frowned in complete bewilderment. Yara's face had gone pale with concern, and she instinctively moved closer to her brother."Who is this crazy person?"Thaddeus got up and walked toward the door with determined steps.I held him back desperately, my fingers wrapping around his arm when the familiar voice crept into my ears like poison."Open the door, you bitch! I'll make you regret it!"My body shivered in terror from the force of his fist hitting the door.My limbs began to tremble uncontrollably and my heartbeat went absolutely wild, hammering so hard I was certain it would burst."Oh my God, he found me!"Thaddeus wrapped his strong arms around my shoulders, drawing my panicked attention to his concerned face. "Evangeline, calm down. You know him?"I nodded frantically, clinging to his shirt as panic took complete hold of me. "Please don't go to him. He looks dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt because of me again."

EVANGELINEI flinched in absolute terror and slowly looked up at the two men standing in front of me, fear crawling up my spine like ice water.They looked like predators, their eyes scanning me from head to toe in a way that made my skin crawl.One was tall and lanky with greasy hair hanging in his face and yellowed teeth when he smiled. The other was shorter but stockier, his arms covered in crude tattoos and a jagged scar cutting down his left cheek.Both reeked of alcohol and cigarettes, their clothes wrinkled and dirty.I quickly scrambled to my feet and tried to walk past them, forcing my legs to move with determined steps. But I could feel their footsteps echoing behind me, matching my pace.I looked around frantically for someone - anyone - to call for help, but the street was completely empty.The restaurant district had seemed so safe and well-lit when Thaddeus dropped me off, yet now it felt isolated and threatening. The other businesses were closed, their windows dark, and

EVANGELINEI'm not sure how long I was out before consciousness returned.I slowly cracked my eyes open, immediately regretting it when bright light hit me like a slap to the face and squeezed them shut again.Hospital lights are evil.A few seconds passed before I tried again, this time opening them just a sliver to let my eyes adjust. Everything was blurry at first, but gradually the room started to come into focus.Yep, definitely a hospital. The white walls, the weird antiseptic smell, and the annoying beeping sounds gave it away. I could feel an IV tube taped to my arm, which explained why it felt so stiff.I blinked a few more times, trying to clear the fog from my brain. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and everything seemed distant, like I was watching someone else's life through a hazy window.Then the memories started trickling back. The attack, the pain, and then... Gael.Speaking of the devil, my gaze settled on his face. He was sitting on one of those uncomfo