The Billionaire's Hired Bride のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

The silence in the car is loud. I sit stiffly in the backseat, staring out the window as the city blurs past. My fingers twist together in my lap, my knuckles pale. The chauffeur, one of Asher’s men, doesn’t ask questions. He just drives, like he was told never to get involved.Asher doesn’t even know I left. I didn't bother to tell him. Not that he’d care. I press my forehead against the cool glass, my heart thudding so hard I can hear it in my ears. Every bump on the road feels like a jolt straight to my chest. What if something really bad happened? What if Annie...No. I can't go there.Dr. Edward didn’t say much just that there’d been a setback. He didn’t even sound like his usual calm self. That alone was enough to send me spiraling.The hospital finally comes into view and my stomach knots tighter. The car barely stops before I fling the door open and rush inside, ignoring the guard’s shout.The hallway smells of disinfectant and fear. I’ve memorized the route to Annie’s room by

Just then, there’s a soft knock.I open the door slightly to find the same butler from yesterday, Oliver.“Mr. Lancaster requested you spend the morning in your study,” he says politely, not waiting for a reply before turning to lead the way.I follow him quietly, my steps heavy, my stomach tighter with each one. I hadn't eaten last night or this morning, but the idea of sitting at the same table with Asher and Elise? No thanks.He opens the study doors. The space is quiet and bright, filled with bookshelves, scented candles, and a view of the garden. My writing notebook is right where I left it.Sunlight pours in from the large windows, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. The faint scent of old paper and fresh coffee fills the air. It’s peaceful here.“You may begin whenever you’re ready,” Oliver says, giving a small bow before leaving me alone.Celeste is already inside, seated with a cup of tea, flipping through a book. She glances up when I walk in.“You’re early,” she says wit

“No matter how much gold you pour on a stray, it’s still just a stray.”The sting of Zara’s words is instant, slicing clean through the careful confidence I’d wrapped around myself like a shield.For a moment, everything is still. My lips part slightly, but no sound comes out. I feel the heat rise in my chest and a mixed feeling of shame, anger, disbelief all tangled in a knot that sits heavy in my throat.Then I hear a soft scoff and clinking of heels approaching.Camilla steps forward, her arms folded and an eyebrow raised so high I’m surprised it doesn’t disappear into her flawless hairline. Her voice is calm at first but laced with danger.“Well, damn,” Camilla says, eyeing Zara like she’s something stuck to the bottom of her Louboutin. “That’s rich coming from the girl who once tried to bribe my hair stylist to make her look like me.” Zara stiffens.Camilla continues, a bitter smile curling her lips. “Stray, huh? Darling, if Lila’s a stray, then you’re the house cat who keeps tr

Asher Lancaster is lying on top of me, staring at my body in a desperate manner. I don't know what he wants to do but whatever it is will be dirty and explicit. “ I want to touch you”, he smirks while I shiver under his gaze. I can feel the hotness of my scarlet cheeks as he traces his finger down my neck and up my shoulder, pushing my dress to one side. My pulse quickens and my skin tingles where he has touched. His hot breath came tormenting me again as he leaned closer to my ear.“ Although I don't need your permission. I feel like I should touch you. I want to hear your squirm”, he whispers.I'd like to survive this torture but the rich hot scent and the warmth of his body all fill my senses, making me unable to think clearly. Before I know it, his fingers are caressing my thighs. I shiver under his flirty gaze, letting this happen.“ You like it, don't you?”, he smiles devilishly.My lips tremble from the heat of his touch on my thighs. I don't want to reply to the question. If

I barely have time to respond before others start to approach. Two wealthy socialites I vaguely recognize from magazines, a jewelry designer who insists I try on her latest piece, and even a retired actress who shakes my hand like I’m someone important.“Oh, you're Lila, right?” one of the women says with an almost reverent tone. “We’ve heard so much about you.”So much?What did they hear?Camilla grins beside me, clearly enjoying the scene. “Told you. You don’t just wear power, you radiate it.”I nod, still overwhelmed, still stunned. I try not to shake nervously because I can't believe it. How powerful and known I've become.Because in this moment with people fawning, smiling, introducing themselves like I’m someone famous. They don’t see the girl from a broken-down apartment or the fake wife in a contract marriage.They see a Lancaster.And for the first time…So do I.That evening, as we return to the mansion, the atmosphere feels different. I’m no longer just “that girl Asher mar