Bound to the Billionaire のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Seattle was not kind that morning. The rain fell hard, soaking Camilla Hart’s coat no matter how tightly she wrapped it around herself. Her boots make a splash through the wet floors of the street, as she hurries down the crowded street. Clutching her bag to her chest as if it held her entire future. Which it did.Her hair was damp and her blouse wet from the rain, and her eyes swollen from lack of sleep. She had stayed up all night going through her presentation again and again. Business management strategies. The words felt heavy but important. This presentation could open the door to a company she had only dreamed of working for. Her chance at a career. Her chance at money. Her chance to finally take care of her sick aunt.Aunt Roseline. The thought of her aunt worried her so much. Roseline had raised her, took care of her, given up her own dreams for her. And now she was very sick. Hospital bills weighed on Camilla’s shoulders. She saved and saved, but it was never enough. Every d

Everyone was leaving the conference, Papers shuffled, polite laughter echoed. Camilla gathered her notes, trying to calm her shaky hands. Her presentation was over. Somehow, she got through it.She glanced at Adrian Harrington, he was composed as ever, his dark suit sharp against the polished wood. His eyes, though, were not on his laptop or the departing managers. They were on her, through out the presentation.That look made her heart skip.“Miss Hart,” Adrian’s deep voice cut through the air, smooth yet commanding. “Stay behind,I want to discuss with you.”Her pen nearly slipped from her hand. She looked up, startled.“Yes, sir?”The last two board men exchanged curious glances, but didn't say anything. They all left, until it was just the two of them in the big room. The door was closed, and there was silence.Camilla holds her file tightly to her chest. “If it’s about the slides, I can...”“It’s not about that” Adrian interrupted, sits in his chair. His gaze pinned on her. “Sit.

Morning light spilled through the small kitchen window. The smell of toasted bread and scrambled eggs filled the air. Camilla slipped her shoes on, her nerves making her fumble with the strap.“Sit down, you’ll make yourself dizzy.”She looked up. Anya Wells stood by the counter, her dark hair tied messily in a bun, flipping eggs in a pan.“I’m fine,” Camilla lied, forcing a small smile.“You’re shaking,” Anya said, her eyes narrowing as she carried a plate to the table. “Big day, huh?”Camilla sat, brushing invisible crumbs off her skirt. “Yeah. My first real day.”Anya plopped the plate in front of her and then pulled a small lunchbox from the counter. “Made this for you. Sandwiches, apple slices, and those cookies you like.” She pushed it into Camilla’s bag before Camilla could argue. “Don’t skip lunch because you’re nervous.”Camilla’s chest softened. “You didn’t have to …”“I wanted to.” Anya smiled. “I’m proud of you.”Before Camilla could reply, a cough sounded from the hallway

Camilla’s feet carried her down the hall like she was half asleep. Her chest was tight, and every step hurt her, like walking barefoot on glass. She had run from his office minutes ago, swearing she would never give him the answer he wanted.But the hospital smell still clung to her. Roseline’s weak smile was burned into her mind. The doctor’s words chased her like ghosts. Without treatment, her chances aren’t good.She reached the elevator and pressed the button, the soft light blinking back at her. When the silver doors slid open, she caught her reflection: wet hair clinging to her cheeks, eyes red and swollen. She looked like a woman already defeated.Her hand hovered at the threshold. She could leave. Go home. Pretend she never heard Adrian’s offer. Pretend she hadn’t seen the hospital bills stacked like an avalanche waiting to fall.But then Roseline’s voice came back, faint and fragile: Don’t worry yourself out because of me.Her throat burned. She pressed her palm against the c

After what seems like a long night.That morning Camilla stood under the shower, letting the warm water run over her face until her skin turned pink. She hadn’t slept more than two hours, but she didn’t care. Today was happening whether she was ready or not. She pressed her forehead against the tile, whispering to herself.It’s only a year. One year. Aunt Roseline needs me to do this.Her chest hurt as she stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel.She didn’t have much to choose from. But she pulled on a cream dress she had bought two years ago, back when she thought her first marriage would be full of flowers and laughter and music. At least it was her first marriage, she told herself it wouldn’t hurt to dress up a little for herself. Not for Adrian. Never for him.She brushed her hair, tied it into a low bun, and put on the light necklace Zoe had once given her for her birthday. That was it. Simple. Quiet.When she came out of her room, the smell of onions and pepper hit her nose.