All Chapters of The Billionaire's Hidden Obsession : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Clara’s POVThe faint hum of traffic drifted through the half-open window, mixing with the scent of Zara’s vanilla body spray. Clothes were scattered across the bed, heels lined up by the mirror, and soft music played from her phone. I stood by the wall, watching her get ready like she had the whole world figured out.“Zara, do you think I need clubbing tonight?” I asked, folding my arms. “I need to settle my head and prepare for tomorrow. Go alone, you this lady.”Zara turned sharply, one hand on her hip, the other holding a makeup brush like a weapon. “Clubbing? Babe, you need healing. You’ve been stressing over that job interview all week. You look like your soul needs music and bad decisions.”I rolled my eyes. “Bad decisions don’t pay rent.”She laughed, tossing her long braids over her shoulder. “Neither does worrying, Clara. You’ve been glued to that laptop for days, searching for jobs that don’t even reply. Tonight is your night to breathe.”I sat down on the edge of the bed,

For a moment, I just stared at him, my mind racing. My chest felt tight, and my palms were cold against my skirt. Did I hear him right? I needed a job, not whatever this was. The air between us felt heavier, stretching each second too long. Then he spoke again, his voice calm, almost too calm. “A fake one,” he said, as if that explained everything. “It’s for a business merger. My parents insist I settle down before the deal goes through. They’re traditional, and my reputation isn’t great.” My mind went blank. “So you want me to... pretend to be your fiancée?” He nodded once. “In exchange, you’ll be paid well—enough to fix your financial problems.” My mouth went dry. “You think I’d just agree to something like that?” “You came here because you needed money,” he said evenly. “This is an easier job than most.” His bluntness stung. “That’s not fair.” He didn’t flinch. “Neither is life, Miss Rivers. I’m offering you security. In return, you’ll attend public events with me

Clara’s POV~The car door shut behind us with a soft thud that sounded way too final.Silence filled the space, thick enough to choke on.I stared out the tinted window as the Thorne estate disappeared behind us, its lights fading into the night. My pulse still hadn’t slowed since those words left his mouth.“Then I suppose I’ll just have to marry her sooner.”They replayed in my head again and again like a broken record. Each time, my stomach flipped harder.I turned to him finally. “You didn’t have to say that.”Elias leaned back in the seat, jacket unbuttoned, tie slightly loosened, his gaze fixed on the darkness ahead. “It worked.”“That’s not the point,” I said. “Your mother looked ready to start planning a wedding. Your father nearly fainted. I almost fainted!”His lips twitched. “You handled yourself well.”“Oh, wonderful. Glad to know I survived your family’s interrogation with my dignity slightly intact.”“You did more than survive,” he said quietly. “You impressed them.”I b

Elias’s POV~Three days.Three long, silent days.No calls.No messages.No sign of her.And I told myself I didn’t care.I buried myself in work — meetings, deals, late nights that stretched into early mornings. I told myself I was fine. That I’d done the right thing when I said those words to her.If you’re not interested in me, don’t let me kiss you.It sounded reasonable at the time. Now, it just echoed like something cruel.I’d replayed that night over and over. The way her lips trembled when she said she was done. The look in her eyes — hurt, not angry.I’d broken something I couldn’t name.Mason knocked on my office door. “Sir, the PR team needs confirmation. The Thorne Foundation Gala is this weekend. Will Miss Clara be joining you?”I looked up from my desk. “She hasn’t responded?”“No, sir. Her phone’s been unreachable.”Of course it has.I leaned back in my chair, jaw tightening. “Resend the invitation.”Mason hesitated. “If she refuses, should we find someone else to—”“No

Clara’s POV The gate closed behind me with a heavy metallic thud that echoed in my chest. I stood on the pavement for a moment, staring blankly, my hands shaking so badly that I had to tuck them into my dress. The air felt thin and sharp, like I was breathing knives instead of oxygen. Mrs. Thorne’s words kept replaying. Six months go by quickly. Take your money, play your role, and leave when it’s time. I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. I wasn’t going to cry. Not here. Not in front of a mansion that made me feel smaller than dust. The driver opened the door, but I barely heard him. I walked to the car on autopilot, slid in, and stared at my reflection in the tinted window. My face looked pale, like life had drained out of it. My lipstick was still perfect, but everything else felt ruined. “Home,” I whispered. The drive was short, but every second felt heavier than the last. Her voice, her tone, her confidence—they all circled my mind like a trap. She didn’t seem lik