Semua Bab The Billionaire's Secret Bride: Bab 11 - Bab 20

The bookstore was unusually busy for a Thursday afternoon, which I was grateful for. The constant stream of customers kept my mind occupied, prevented me from obsessing over the fact that Christopher had left for San Francisco that morning.Three days. He'd be gone for three days.I told myself the hollow feeling in my chest was just habit, not longing. We'd only been living together for a few weeks. I shouldn't miss him this much already."You've reorganized that shelf three times," Claire observed, appearing at my elbow with two cups of coffee. "And it was fine the first time."I accepted the coffee, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. "I'm just making sure everything's in order.""Right. And I'm just casually mentioning that you've checked your phone approximately every five minutes for the past hour." Claire leaned against the bookshelf, her expression knowing. "He texted you, didn't he?"Despite myself, I felt heat creep up my neck. "He just wanted to let me know he landed saf

The press release went out on Tuesday morning at precisely nine o'clock.I was at the bookstore when it happened, restocking the romance section and trying not to obsess over my phone. Christopher had texted me earlier to let me know the statement would be released within the hour, that his PR team had crafted something tasteful and straightforward."Billionaire CEO Christopher Zane confirms marriage to Anastasia Reed, owner of Chapter & Verse Books. The couple wed in a private ceremony and are looking forward to building their life together. They request privacy during this time."Short. Professional. Completely inadequate for describing the complicated reality of our relationship.My phone started buzzing almost immediately. Claire grabbed it from my hands before I could see the notifications piling up."No," she said firmly, holding it out of reach. "You are not reading comments and articles and social media posts for the next eight hours. We have a bookstore to run, and you spiral

The photo of Christopher kissing me on the dance floor was everywhere by morning.I woke up to my phone buzzing incessantly, notifications flooding in faster than I could read them. Articles with headlines like "Billionaire's Mystery Wife Steals the Show at Charity Gala" and "Christopher Zane's Public Display of Affection Shocks High Society" dominated every news site and social media platform.Christopher was already awake, sitting up in bed with his own phone, scrolling through what I assumed were similar notifications. His hair was messy from sleep, his expression unreadable as he read."It's everywhere," I said unnecessarily, stating the obvious."I know." He set his phone down and turned to me, searching my face. "How do you feel about that?"I considered the question, trying to parse through the complicated tangle of emotions. "Exposed. Like everyone in the world saw a private moment that should have been just ours." I paused. "But also relieved. We don't have to hide anymore."

The interview aired at eight o'clock on Friday night, and I couldn't bring myself to watch it.Christopher and I sat in our living room, the television on, but I spent most of the hour staring at my hands while Christopher's thumb traced circles on my palm. I caught glimpses of us on screen—me talking about meeting Christopher, him explaining why he'd hidden his identity, both of us discussing the challenges we'd faced.Watching myself on television felt surreal, like looking at a stranger who happened to have my face and voice."You're beautiful," Christopher murmured during a segment where I was talking about the bookstore. "Have I told you that today?""Only three times," I said, managing a weak smile.My phone was face-down on the coffee table, deliberately silenced. I didn't want to see the real-time reactions, the social media commentary, the hot takes from people who'd watched thirty seconds of clips before forming definitive opinions.When the interview finally ended, Christop

Two weeks passed in a blur of legal meetings, auditor interviews, and relentless media scrutiny.The independent audit of Zane Enterprises was thorough and exhausting, with auditors combing through years of financial records, interviewing staff, examining every transaction with microscopic detail. Christopher spent fourteen-hour days at the office, cooperating fully while trying to keep the company running smoothly despite the distraction.I threw myself into the bookstore, finding solace in the familiar routine of helping customers and managing inventory. The media attention had finally started to die down, the reporters moving on to fresher scandals, though a few persistent ones still lingered outside occasionally.Emily had started her new job and was thriving, her confidence growing with each passing day. She'd found a small apartment near mine, and Caleb was adjusting well to his new school. Thomas was awaiting trial, and Emily had filed for divorce. She was building a new life,