Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire’s Fake Bride : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Celine's POV A knock came on the door while I was seated on the bed, sketching an image of a dress.I hadn't realised how much I’ve missed this little hobby of mine. Even though my heart was elsewhere, it still helped subtly soothe the ache in my chest.I expected it to be Lucien, as he had been gone a while, but when the door opened, Elara stood there with her gaze cast downwards.“Hey El, you alright? You look a bit pale,” I said with a small smile, moving on the bed and patting the spot next to me for her to sit.She walked over and sat next to me.“I'm not feeling so good, and you?” she asked earnestly.I sighed and set my pencil down.“Me too, El.”Elara looped her hand around mine and leaned against my shoulder.“I can't believe this is happening,” she says. “It's just not right. You don't deserve to be treated like this.”I raised my free hand and patted her hair.“That's okay, El, seriously. I don't want you worrying about it.”“Why not? You're giving your all to your marriage

Celine's POV “It seems you're on a getaway, Ms. Devereux. Is Lucien being ghastly toward you? He has always been a hothead,” Adrian said, smiling. I gripped my purse tightly and let out a sigh.“Hello, Mr. Lancaster. What brings you here? I would think a person of your status would be at a presidential suite of some dashing hotel or club.” His eyes squinted slightly at my tone. My phone suddenly rang, startling me. I looked at the screen, then quickly set it back down. It was Lucien. Oh God.Adrian raised an amused, unnerving brow.“Hmm, you're giving me scandalous thoughts, Celeste.” He took a seat next to me, lifted his glass, and took a slow sip of his drink before letting out a sigh. “However, this isn’t about Lucien. It's about you.”“Huh? What are you talking about? What do you want?” I tried to sound polite but I doubt it worked.He took my hand and rubbed my ring with his thumb. I frowned at the contact.“Simple,” he said. “You.”I pulled my hand from his and got off the stool

Celine’s POVI ignored the text and put my phone away because there was nothing anyone could tell me now that would beat this.Emotions came in waves, like a wild, free river inside me.“Let’s go see the kids,” Ryan El offered. She looked good even though she was dressed in a simple blue shirt and white jeans—but more than that, she looked happier.I took Lucien’s hand, searching for words.“How did you…?” I paused and rephrased. “When did you do all this?”Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I fanned them away, overwhelmed by the rush of emotion. He leaned down and pecked my cheek.“Last week. It wasn’t much of a hassle, all things considered.” he said calmly. “I only had to call the engineer,”Before I could think it through, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. He laughed and hugged me back, the sound of his chuckle filling my chest.“Thank you so much,” I said softly, lifting my head to look into his grey eyes. “What can I do for you in return?”He raised a brow as we stood ha

Celine's POV I was pacing the room when Lucien walked in. It took him a minute before he finally looked at me, and his features softened.“Hey,” he said with a small smile. He has been smiling a lot lately, that’s for certain. I tried to return his smile, but it came out as a withering sneer that could scare bandits away.He walked towards me, and I took a tentative step back. He seemed to have missed the movement; he cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead.“Want to take a bath together?” he asked with a grin I know all too well. I stayed quiet for a second. He looked so good and equally normal in his black polo and pants, like a hot jock or something, rather than his usual serious, suit-to-the-brim business man appearance.I shook my head and stepped away at the same time he started to take off his shirt. His body—oh God—that defined biceps made my mouth water as they strained to his movements.“No, you can go ahead,” I said, averting my gaze. He frowned, his jaw ticked, and I knew

Celine's POV Other than the day I stopped Lucien from confessing his feelings—when he almost said something I strongly believe was ‘I love you’, today is the scariest and most uncomfortable day of my life.It feels like a countdown to my doom, or something equally comically terrifying.I watch Lucien eat the food I made in silence, his hand resting on my thigh like it always does. Both my legs are draped over his lap, my nerves refusing to settle. Only now do I regret not slipping something into his meal to knock him out until I’m back from the city, back from wherever that psychopath asked me to meet him.I debate just telling Lucien everything right now. Confessing it all. But how would it even sound?His thumb circles my thigh absentmindedly, and I look up at his handsome face—beautiful long lashes framing those grey eyes that make my knees weak every single time he looks at me. There’s no hiding it anymore. I’ve fallen for this man. Completely.But at what cost?My chest tightens