All Chapters of The Billionaire's Rebellious Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

(HAILEY’S POV)The water was the only place that still felt like mine.It was cool against my skin, calm and blue, unlike everything else around me. I pushed forward in another lap, the sound of the water rushing past my ears, drowning out every thought. My body moved automatically, arms cutting through, legs kicking in rhythm.I didn’t stop until my lungs burned.When I finally came up for air, I gasped, tilting my head back as the sun hit my face. My chest rose and fell as I floated there, staring up at the pale sky.It had been four days. Four long, heavy days since I left Santino’s house.Four days since the gunshots.Four days since I saw his face that unreadable, cold expression when he told me to leave.And still, no one had said a word about what happened.Not the news. Not the police. Not a single report of gunfire on the highway. It was like it had never happened at all.Dorian had promised to “check on it.” He’d sounded concerned, serious, but then he went quiet too. No ca

The garden glittered like a thousand stars had fallen to the earth. The decorators had outdone themselves.Light spilled over crystal glasses and expensive dresses. The sound of soft laughter, clinking glasses, and classical music filled the air. Everything shimmered, from the tall flower vases to the diamonds hanging from the women’s ears.Hailey stood near one of the tables, her eyes sweeping slowly over the room. There must have been over a hundred guests, maybe more. All of them came with their partners, smiling, showing off, pretending to enjoy themselves.She was thankful there were no reporters.That had to be Santino’s doing. He never liked unnecessary attention or the flashy lifestyle her father adored. If he hadn’t insisted on privacy, she was sure her father would have called every camera in New York to make the night a public show.Her gaze trailed over the crowd again. Everyone wore bright colors, glittering golds, deep reds, and metallic silvers. It was almost blinding.

(Santino's POV)The door swung open with a sharp creak.And there she was.Hailey.Standing near the sink, her back to me, while a waiter stood behind her, his hands awkwardly trying to zip up the back of her dress. Her hair had come loose, falling in soft waves down her back. From her reflection in the mirror in front of her, I saw her lipstick was half gone, her cheeks flushed, her expression frozen with shock.For a heartbeat, no one moved.The waiter’s face turned pale. Hailey’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her wide eyes met mine, full of alarm and confusion.Something in me snapped.The sight of another man standing that close to her, it shouldn’t have mattered. She wasn’t mine. She never would be. But the image burned through me, sharp and cold.“What,” I said quietly, “is this?”The waiter stammered, his voice shaking. “I-I was just-...”“Leave.”He blinked. “Sir…”“Now.”He didn’t wait for another word. He started for the door but Hailey, in her panic, reached out and

My father’s voice still echoes in my head long after breakfast. “The fifteenth.” That’s all he said before turning to his newspaper, like he didn’t just announce the date of my wedding. The word still burns in my chest like dry ice. But this time, my hand doesn’t shake around the spoon. I don’t cry. I don’t even blink. My heart feels still, it's hard and cold like stone.I look down at my plate, untouched, and push it away. My mother sits across from me, her face soft with forced peace, eyes glowing faintly as if my father’s calmness has given her permission to breathe again. She smiles when he says something about travel plans, and I can’t help but think how easily she forgets the pain once he gives her a little warmth.She sees me staring and gives me a small smile. I return it faintly and rise from my chair. “I’m done,” I say, my voice flat.She nods, and I walk out without waiting for a response.The days that follow feel unreal like I’m watching someone else live my life.Ever

(HAILEY’S POV)Morning light spills through the tall glass windows, soft and warm against my face. For a moment, I forget the heaviness of last night, the cold air at the shooting range, Dorian’s voice warning that something big is coming, and your father is in the middle of it.Those words have been looping in my head like a broken record.I pull the covers away and sit up, rubbing my temples. My body feels tired, but my mind refuses to rest. I had decided to take a nap after breakfast since my life was that empty and I literally had nothing else to do.It’s been that way since I saw Santino at the range. That sharp look in his eyes. The way he stared at me like he could peel every layer of defense I had easily .I shake it off. I can’t think about him right now. Not him. Not the wedding. Not any of it.Mom’s voice calls from downstairs, cheerful and soft, “Hailey, sweetheart, hurry up! We’re leaving soon!”Leaving? I blink, confused. Then I remember what she said at breakfast, some