All Chapters of His accidental husband: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The memory of the funeral wouldn’t leave me. It sat in my chest like a heavy stone.Yesterday, I watched the coffin sink into the ground, and the finality of it hit me harder than the freezing wind blowing across the cemetery. A part of me had hoped, like a fool, that maybe it was just a bad dream. That if I closed my eyes, I would wake up and Dad would still be alive. But every time I blinked, the truth stayed the same. Dad was gone.Clara had cried the whole time. I watched her shaking in David’s arms, sobbing so hard I thought she might collapse. I couldn’t stand it. I walked over, pulled her into my own arms, and held her tight.“It’s going to be alright, Clara. We’ll be alright,” I whispered, stroking her back in slow circles.Her voice broke as she said, “I miss Dad already.”“I know,” I murmured, fighting the lump in my throat. “I miss him too.”And God, I did. I missed him more than words could explain.Dad hadn’t just been a father. He had been everything. When Mom left us, D

RICHARD HALE POVTwenty-five million dollars.That was the number killing me, the number that had me pacing my room like a caged animal. A week to pay off Stone Inc., or my father’s company would be gone.A week. Twenty-five million. Impossible.I cursed, fists clenching. That selfish bastard can rot in hell. Did he really think I could just pull that kind of money out of thin air?Before I could spiral further, my door burst open.“Richard!”Clara was Crying.I rushed to her instantly, pulling her into my arms. My little sister is fierce sometimes, but mostly a crybaby. And when she cried like this, something was very, very wrong.“What’s wrong?” My voice cracked with panic.She shoved a letter into my hands, shaking like a leaf.I read it once. Then again.Shock hit me like ice water.“We are more than willing to aid you in your debt with Stone Inc. Cross Incorporated will pay in full and take over the company. In exchange… for Clara Hale’s hand in marriage.”“What the hell ” My blo

Damien’s POVI leaned back in my chair, a grin tugging at my lips. Today was… surprisingly fun. My afternoon wasn’t supposed to turn out this way, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I had just returned from visiting Adrian Hale. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if going to see him was the best idea. I’d been nervous when I decided to drop by, mostly because I had no clue how he’d react after the last time I saw him cry. But the truth was, I couldn’t sit still without knowing how he was doing. And seeing him even with red eyes and exhaustion painted all over his face only made my chest ache more. He was still beautiful. Too beautiful for his own good.Closing my eyes, I let the memory replay in my mind.Five Hours EarlierSam was waiting in the car when I stepped out in front of Hale Inns. My original plan was simple: get in, check on Adrian, maybe ask why he’d been crying, and if he wasn’t ready to talk, at least leave knowing he wasn’t breaking apart alone. If things went smoothly, I’d ev

Damien Cross POVClara’s warning still echoes in my head like a curse.“You’re Adrian’s first love. If you break his heart, I’ll chase you with a butcher knife and cut your dick in half ’til you bleed out. Adrian still carries his demons, but it’s not my secret to tell.”Her voice rings sharp even now. What demons? What pain is she talking about? Something must have happened in his past, something dark enough that she won’t even say it. My blood boils at the thought. Whoever hurt my Adrian… if I ever find them, I’ll tear them apart with my own hands.“Damien? Hellooo.” Adrian’s hand waves in front of my face, snapping me back to the present. His soft laughter follows. “You spaced out. Are you okay?”I blink, pushing the storm inside me away. “Of course I’m okay. Especially now that you’re here.” I tug him onto my lap before he can escape. He squirms a little, trying to fight it, but once I bury my face in the warm skin of his neck, he melts against me. His scent drives me wild. It's a

Damien’s POV“YOU KISSED HIM THE FIRST DAY YOU MET?!”The words come out way too loud, and I nearly choke on my own laughter when Adrian slaps a hand over Drew’s mouth. Drew glares at me, Adrian’s cheeks go red, and I just smirk.Truth? Drew and I didn’t start off great. We clashed, and I thought he was trouble. But if he makes Adrian laugh like this, I can’t bring myself to hate him.Adrian sneaks me a quick glance, biting his lip shyly. My chest warms when I wink back at him.“Drew’s really pretty, don’t you think?” someone mutters.I glance sideways and realize Thomas is walking way too close to me. I’ve barely spoken to him since that whole mess with Adrian. Patience? Gone. Respect? Nonexistent.“I don’t care,” I answer coldly, eyes fixed on Adrian’s bouncing curls as he laughs ahead. “Adrian owns my heart. That’s it.”Thomas just gives this sad little smile like he already knew my answer. I don’t bother looking again.So here I am stuck trailing behind like an unwanted bodyguar