Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Trophy Wife: Her Golden Revenge: Bab 1 - Bab 10

“I don’t love you.” My fiancé murmured, staring down at the glass of whisky in his hand, his watch ticking with only a few hours left to our wedding day. “Alex, what are you saying?” A soft laugh left my mouth. “You heard me, Amara.” His voice was flat. “I don’t love you.” He repeated, not bothering to look at me. I searched his hardened face, hoping he was drunk enough not to know what he was saying but the steadiness in his grey eyes told me otherwise. “But. . .you courted me.” My voice broke as I tried to speak, my throat turning dry. Alexander Sterling, the man who met me after presenting a seminar at my college and pursued me around campus for my contact number. The same Alexander Sterling, who waited for me after my classes, showing up every day with different bouquet of flowers and now he denies ever loving me. Were all men this cruel or I was just unfortunate? “Alex, you chose me.” I tugged at the sleeve of his white collared shirt but he was unresponsive to my

The chair scraped across the marble floor as the waiter struggled with its weight, hurrying to place it between Grandma Selene and Vivi. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Julien Raines, everyone except me as I tried not to look, but my curiosity tugged at me. He was a few inches taller than Alexander, broader too with an ease to him, a deliberate arrogance in the way he leaned back in the chair as though the table belonged to him as much as it did to the rest of us. Beside me, Alex’s hand curled into a tight fist, his knuckles turning white, as the anger rolled off him in waves. “You shouldn’t be here,” Eleanor snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the chatter around us. Julien smirked, swirling the champagne flute the waiter had just placed before him. “And yet. . .here I am.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve embarrassed this family enough.” “Embarrassed?” Julien arched a brow. “What’s embarrassing is pretending like I don’t exist.” Grandma Selene tried to ease the storm

I slipped my pearl earring into place and tucked my ivory blouse into my high-waist burgundy skirt, ensuring the collar was enough to cover the bruise on my neck. I was beautiful, elegant, and polished like a Sterling wife should look. There was never a time in my life that I didn’t have notable men asking to date me, some would go through my father or mother, some even as far as my distant cousins just to score points over my hand. Regardless of their efforts, none of them made me feel the way Alex’s mysterious demeanor magnetized me. He was handsome, particular about detail, and devoted to his family. Alexander was every woman’s first choice and I knew most of them carried envy in their hearts, even his mother acted like I was unworthy of her son but I had to keep him as mine. As I applied a rose-colored lipstick, I prayed it was enough to remind Alexander that I was still trying, still waiting for him to notice me and finally seal our marriage with a passionate night.

Ever since I married Alexander Sterling, it was impossible to visit public spaces without the scene turning into a small theater as going about my normal shopping routine seemed to put on an impressive performance for people. They stared and whispered from a distance, taking unauthorized photos, their eyes waiting for me to misstep or snap at the slightest inconvenience to make headlines. Good thing Alex hired one of the best bodyguards—Michael “Mick” Craver—who shadowed me everywhere, blocking their futile attempts to get closer. I wasn't even a singer or an actress, I was an ordinary wife. Pulling out two ties from a rack, I rubbed my thumb against the fabric to determine the better quality. “Which one would suit Alex?” I asked Sophia who stood next to me, our shopping bags multiplying with each store we entered. The first tie was olive green and the second was warm copper but I needed a color that would bring out his striking grey eyes. Sophia rolled her eyes, more annoyed

Alex’s family villa stretched across acres of manicured grass; a private farmstead tucked behind rows of orchard trees, turquoise pool glistening under the hazy sun with statues standing amidst a rose garden. The house was an intricate beauty of glass and stone, towering with columns that seemed to hold up the sky, every arch and terrace whispering of old wealth. Grandma Selene had invited everyone in celebrating her 78th birthday which was still three days away. However, it was tradition for every member of the family to spend some days together before the actual celebration. Mr. Richards pulled our black Porsche into the driveway and a train of housekeepers bustled towards our vehicle, helping to carry our luggage into the house. “It’s my lovely grandson.” Grandma Selene lifted herself from a sofa in the receiving hall and walked towards us with her arms open. “I’m so happy to see you.” She gave Alex a hug and kissed his cheek. “Good afternoon, Grandma.” I stepped out from