All Chapters of The Bride He Never Wanted : Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

OLIVIA “Don't worry," Lena said, patting my knee. "We'll figure it out. Maybe Axiel has connections who can scrub the footage or something. He sounds like the type who has 'connections.'""He does seem to have a lot of resources," I admitted."Is he hot?" Lena asked suddenly. "I mean, he looks exactly like Ryan, so he must be hot, right? Does he have the same abs? Please tell me you checked.""Lena!""What? I'm asking the important questions here!" She leaned forward conspiratorially. "And speaking of Ryan... you really expect me to believe there's nothing going on between you two? After everything you just told me?"I felt my cheeks heat up. "There's nothing… we're not… it's complicated.""Uh-huh." Lena's grin was absolutely wicked now. "You broke into a military facility for him, Olivia. You risked your life. You fought trained soldiers. That's not 'complicated.' That's 'I'm stupidly in love with this man but too stubborn to admit it.'""I'm not… I mean, we barely… " I groaned, giv

RYANI drove back to my hotel room, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened. The conversation with Axiel, the reality of having a twin brother, the mess with the government facility… it all felt like some kind of fever dream.But the look on Uncle Marcus's face when I stepped out of the elevator? That brought me crashing back to reality.He was standing in front of my hotel room door, looking more disheveled than I'd ever seen him. His usually perfectly combed silver hair was a mess, like he'd been running his hands through it for hours. His shirt was wrinkled, his tie loose. Dark circles shadowed his eyes.I felt a pang of guilt hit me square in the chest. I'd done this to him. I'd made him worry like this.The moment he looked up and saw me, his entire body went rigid. For a second, he just stared at me like he couldn't believe I was real.Then he was moving, crossing the distance between us in quick strides and pulling me into a crushing hug."Oh God," he said, his

RYAN"Believe it," he said firmly. "Now, what about a romantic dinner? You could cook for her."I looked up at him. "Uncle Marcus, I can barely make toast without burning it.""Fair point." He made another note. "Okay, so cooking is out. What about... oh! What if you showed up at her restaurant? Made a big declaration?""In front of all her customers and staff?" I asked, horrified. "That sounds like a nightmare for both of us.""You're right, you're right." He waved his hand dismissively. "Too public. She seems like a private person.""She is," I confirmed."What about writing her a letter?" Uncle Marcus suggested. "A heartfelt, honest letter about your feelings?"I actually considered that one. "Maybe...""See! Progress!" He looked genuinely excited now. "You could pour your heart out, tell her everything you've been too scared to say in person. Women love that vulnerable stuff.""I don't know if I'm the 'pouring my heart out in writing' type.""Then become that type!" Uncle Marcus

LENAI emerged from the bathroom wrapped in one of Olivia's fluffy towels, steam billowing out behind me like I was making some kind of dramatic entrance. Which, let's be honest, I kind of was."So," I announced, padding into Olivia's bedroom where she was still lounging in bed like the exhausted superhero she was, "I didn't bring any clothes. Which means I'm raiding your closet. No takebacks."Olivia's eyes widened. "Wait, Lena—"But I was already making a beeline for her closet, practically skipping across the room. "Too late! You can't stop me now!"I flung open the closet doors with the enthusiasm of a game show contestant revealing a prize, and oh my God, it was like opening a portal to fashion heaven. Or at least, Olivia's version of it, which was surprisingly extensive for someone who spent most of her time in chef whites."Holy shit, Liv!" I called out, already pushing hangers aside. "When did you become a secret fashionista? I thought your entire wardrobe was just black pants

OLIVIA"Yes, I'm for real," I said, unable to keep the smile off my face at his reaction."You... you want to try? With me?" He sounded almost disbelieving, like he couldn't quite process what I was saying."I mean, don't make me regret it before we even start," I teased. "But yes. I want to try. Whatever this is, whatever it could be... I want to see where it goes."He turned to face me fully, and the expression on his face was so open, so vulnerable, so full of hope that it made my chest ache."I don't deserve you," he said quietly."Probably not," I agreed with a small smile.He laughed and reached out, hesitating just before his hand touched mine on the railing."Is this okay?" he asked softly.Instead of answering, I turned my hand over and laced my fingers through his."Yeah," I said. "This is okay."We stood there on my balcony, holding hands and looking out at the city."So," Ryan said after a moment, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. "Visiting each other. Does th