All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

EVANGELINEThe sudden deceleration caught me completely off guard. If it weren't for Thaddeus's quick reflexes to brace against my shoulder and steady me, I would have been thrown forward into the back of Cordelia's seat as the car came to an abrupt, jarring stop.The sudden deceleration caught me completely off guard. If it weren't for Thaddeus's quick reflexes to brace against my shoulder and steady me, I would have been thrown forward into the back of Cordelia's seat as the car came to an abrupt, jarring stop."Gael! You scared me with that sudden stop!" Cordelia's voice was sharp with shock. "What on earth was that about? There's nothing in the road!"My heart was still racing from the unexpected jolt."What's wrong with you? I almost flew out of the car!" I snapped, pushing myself back into my seat while glaring at his reflection in the rearview mirror.His dark eyes met mine through the glass, burning with fury."Get back in your seat and put on your seatbelt. Right now." Gael’s

EVANGELINEI looked between them suspiciously, still gasping for air."Evangeline, are you okay?" Thaddeus's voice was thick with genuine concern. His body trembled slightly, whether from the icy water or pure adrenaline, I couldn't tell.That's when it hit me. He must have been the one who pulled me from the water."What happened to your face?" I asked, my hand moving instinctively toward the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.Over his shoulder, I caught Gael's sharp stare boring into me.The pieces suddenly clicked into place.Disbelief and fury crashed through my me like competing storms.The shock evaporated and my spine snapped straight.I grabbed Gael’s wrist and dragged him away from the others, needing privacy for the explosion that was about to tear through me.Once we were hidden behind a cluster of pine trees, I released his wrist and unleashed my rage."What the hell is your problem with Thaddeus?!" The words erupted as a shout. "Why do you keep going after him?

EVANGELINEThe distance between us felt like a small victory, though I could practically feel his eyes burning into my back with every step I took."Finally, you two are finished!" Cordelia exclaimed as I approached, her voice carrying a teasing lilt that made my cheeks burn.I squeezed myself between them.My body was shivering uncontrollably now that I was out of the water."Finished what?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what she was implying.The knowing look in her eyes made me want to disappear into the ground. Still, I gave her the most disgusted expression I could manage and slapped her arm harder than was probably necessary."Ow!" She twisted in place dramatically, making exaggerated sobbing sounds while rubbing the spot where I'd hit her. "That actually hurt, you know!""Are you okay? You're shaking pretty badly," Sebastian observed with genuine concern as he looked me over.I smiled at him gratefully, touched by his consideration and the way he always seemed to notice w

EVANGELINEWhen I stepped outside, I found them exactly as I'd seen from the window. Seraphina was standing opposite Gael while he remained seated, leaning back in his chair with an air of casual indifference.He was smoking again, the cigarette dangling from his lips as he stared out at the lake rather than looking at her.Her expression changed from seductive confidence to resentment the moment our eyes met.The hatred that flashed across her features was so intense it was almost tangible."What are you doing here!" she snarled through clenched teeth, her hands balling into fists at her sides.Sparks of pure malice seemed to fly from her eyes as she glared at me.Who was I to resist the opportunity to fan those flames even higher?"I came to check on my husband," I replied with false sweetness. "What about you? Shouldn't you be with Sebastian right now?"The barb hit its mark, and I saw her flinch slightly before she recovered her composure. She pressed her body against Gael's thig

EVANGELINEEvery eye turned toward Seraphina, who leaned back in her chair with what looked like calculated casualness."And with Gael," Margaret continued.I looked at Seraphina, knowing she was about to say something that would make the situation infinitely worse. Her expression was that of someone who thought they held all the cards, someone who believed they could manipulate any situation to their advantage."It was me," I said quickly, before she could respond. "I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk in the garden. The darkness must have made it difficult to see clearly."Margaret frowned, clearly not satisfied with my explanation. "Am I so blind that I can't tell the difference between you and her? I know what I saw!"I sighed in exasperation, turning my full attention to her. "The garden was quite dark last night, Margaret. Without proper lighting, it would be easy to mistake one person for another." I paused, then added with just the right amount of indignation, "Besides, what