All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

EVANGELINEThe next morning, I woke up to loud noise outside.I squinted in annoyance and tried to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of me.One of my eyes cracked open to check where I was and nearly had a heart attack. I shot up, staring around in complete shock.When the hell had I moved from the sofa?My eyes swept the room and landed on Gael crashed out on the uncomfortable sofa where I'd originally fallen asleep.His head was tilted back, arms crossed over his chest.Had he actually slept in that cramped position all night?I crept over to him quietly, studying his face with confusion. He'd been the one who moved me to the bed. It wasn't just some weird dream after all."Being a gentleman doesn't suit you at all," I whispered, shaking my head.He opened his eyes and looked at me with sleepy irritation, making me jump back in surprise. Then I quickly pretended to stretch like I was just doing morning exercises."I'm not."I bit my lip when I realized he'd heard every word. R

EVANGELINESeraphina came out first, her face flushed with anger and tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She shot me a venomous look before stalking past me toward the stairs.Gael appeared in the doorway moments later, his dark eyes finding mine immediately.We stared at each other for a moment before I turned and returned to the garden, finding myself an empty table tucked away in a corner.The white tablecloth fluttered gently in the evening breeze, and the centerpiece of white roses seemed to mock my turbulent emotions.I was clearly not happy.I exhaled deeply, trying to convince myself that I hadn't done anything wrong. He was already a terrible person, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd set up the whole thing himself. He and Seraphina were cut from the same cloth, thinking only of themselves.My gaze was fixed on empty space, lost in thought about everything that had happened. The kiss, the confrontation, the overheard conversation... it was all too much to process.Three li

EVANGELINEThe atmosphere at breakfast was tense. Everyone was busy with their plates until Mrs. Dettling started discussing plans for a charity luncheon with Cordelia, while Mr. Dettling read his newspaper and sipped his coffee.A devilish idea came to me as I watched Gael methodically eating his breakfast.Had I had enough of teasing him? Of course not! The memory of how he'd reacted upstairs, the way his eyes had darkened when I'd mentioned Sebastian, gave me courage."Darling!"I said sweetly, getting his attention and that of everyone else at the table.Gael actually looked up at me with furrowed eyebrows, probably because of the endearment I'd never used before."Can you pick me up this evening from my friend's place? I'd hate to make my friend drive me all the way back." I blinked innocently and gave him my most charming smile.I'd intentionally mentioned going out with Nari earlier, but now I deliberately avoided repeating that lie by simply saying "my friend" - a calculated c

EVANGELINE"Gael?"His soft hum encouraged me to continue."Why do you always avoid me and push me away?" I'd been wanting to ask this for a while now, but had never found the courage."Why are you so cruel to me? Do you really hate me that much?"Gael was quiet for so long that I thought he might not answer. Then his hand came up to cup my cheek and traced along my cheekbone with tenderness."I'm protecting you from me, Evangeline. I'm protecting you from what I might become if I let myself care about you."His words sent shockwaves through my entire being. This wasn't what I'd expected to hear.His eyes, despite being unfocused from alcohol, held a sincerity that made my heart race."People like me destroy beautiful things. I don't want to get attached to someone who deserves so much better than what I can give.""What about Seraphina?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. I needed to know, needed to understand where I stood in the complicated web.He frowned, like the m

EVANGELINEI could feel the violence in the dangerous stillness that had settled over Gael, in the way his entire body had gone rigid beside me.The fool's persistence made everything worse, and the crude way he looked at me made my stomach turn.I knew Gael wouldn't stay still much longer. The air around him practically crackled with violence.I grabbed his arm when he took his first step toward their car in a way that promised pain for anyone who got in his way."Gael, please don't."He tried to shake off my grip but I held on tighter.I could feel the coiled strength in his arm, the way his body was primed for action."Please, no fighting today. Just ignore them. They're not worth it." I wrapped both arms around his waist to prevent him from moving, pressing my face against his back.I felt his heart racing beneath my cheek, sense the internal struggle between his desire to protect me and his need to respect my wishes.I heard his exasperated exhale and then felt his body gradually