All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Betrayed Bride: Chapter 231 - Chapter 240

THIRD PERSON POVHappiness, when it came to Riley, had always felt temporary. Fragile.Like something the world would notice and immediately try to take back.But today… Today felt different.The air was lighter, the laughter came easier. The weight she had carried for so long no longer sat on her shoulders.The reception was alive with warmth, soft music drifting through the space, glasses clinking, voices overlapping in quiet celebration. Claire had already taken over one side of the room, dragging Owen into conversations he clearly didn’t sign up for, while Aiden stayed close enough to Riley without suffocating her.It was balance. A kind she had never truly known before.And for once, Riley allowed herself to exist inside it, completely.“You’ve been smiling non-stop,” Claire teased, appearing at her side with a drink in hand.“I think I’ve earned it,” Riley replied lightly.Claire tilted her head. “You definitely have.”There was something softer in her tone now. Something that

RILEY’S POVI didn’t remember getting dressed that morning or choosing the black dress Claire had laid out for me.I didn’t remember brushing my hair, or the way my hands trembled when I tried to button the sleeves.Everything felt distant, muted.Like I was moving through something that wasn’t real, like if I blinked hard enough I’d wake up.And none of this would exist, but it did.Sofia was gone, and today, we were burying her.The sky was gray, dull. Like even the weather didn’t know what to do with something like this.People stood around in quiet clusters, their voices low, respectful. Mournful.I didn’t recognize most of them. Or maybe I did, I just didn’t care enough to place them.Because none of them mattered. Not today, not when she…I swallowed hard.My fingers curled slightly into the fabric of my dress as I stood there, staring at the casket.It looked too small, too wrong.“She wouldn’t like this,” I murmured under my breath.Beside me, Claire sniffled softly.“No,” she

RILEY’S POVHospitals had a smell. The kind that clung to your skin and settled in your chest, making everything feel heavier than it already was.I hated it. Not because of what it was, but because of what it reminded me of. Loss, fear, waiting.I stood just outside the ward door, my fingers curling slightly against my palm as I tried to steady myself.“You don’t have to go in if you’re not ready.” Aiden’s voice was quiet beside me.Like he was afraid even sound could break me right now.I shook my head. “I want to.”And I meant it. Because this wasn’t something I wanted to run from, not anymore.I pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside.She looked smaller, that was the first thing I noticed. Not physically but in presence.Like the strength she usually carried had been softened by something deeper.Her eyes found mine almost immediately. And for a moment, something flickered there.“Riley,” she said softly.I swallowed. “Hi.”Aiden stayed by the door, giving us space but clo

CLAIRE’S POVGrief has a way of overstaying its welcome. Not in the loud, obvious way people expect. Not always tears or breakdowns.Sometimes it’s quieter than that. It lingers and sits in the corner of the room.It follows you into every moment and slowly drains the color out of everything you used to love.And Riley, she was fading.“She didn’t eat again.”I didn’t look away from the window as I spoke.Aiden stood behind me, silent for a moment. “I know.”Three simple words, heavy and defeated.That scared me more than anything, because Aiden wasn’t the kind of man who gave up easily.“She barely sleeps,” I continued. “And when she does, she wakes up crying.”His jaw tightened. “I know.”“She doesn’t talk unless someone forces her to.”“I know, Claire.”I turned this time, finally facing him. “Then do something.”The words came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take them back because watching Riley like this. It was unbearable.“What do you want me to do?” he asked quietl

AIDEN'S POV Time passed, and with it came change.The day it happened was quiet. Riley had been restless all morning. Shifting, pausing, breathing a little heavier than usual.“You okay?” I asked, watching her carefully.She nodded, then shook her head. “I don’t know.”That was enough to put me on edge. “Riley.”She froze slightly. “Aiden…”The way she said my name, that was it. That was all I needed.“We’re going to the hospital.”“I think…”“We’re going now.”Everything after that blurred.The drive, the voices, movement, urgency.It all blended into one continuous moment of tension and anticipation.But one thing stayed clear. Her hand in mine, tight and unrelenting.“I’m here,” I kept saying. “I’m right here.”And I was. Every second, every breath, every moment.Labor wasn’t easy, It never is. But this was something else.Because it wasn’t just physical. It was emotional, mental and every push carried more than pain.It carried fear, memory, loss and hope. All tangled together i