All Chapters of Once A Doormat, Now A Famous Billionaire Heiress: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

B I A N C A Damian dropped me off at the mansion, but not before telling me he had a business meeting he had to attend."Will I see you later?" I asked, surprising myself. "I have a gift for you." I immediately added, which was not a lie. He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "I'll try my best."As I watched him drive away, I realized that I was actually looking forward to seeing him again. I shook my head, a mix of emotions swirling within me. It was too soon. I was still healing. And I was engaged to be married to a man I barely knew.I walked into the house, the familiar scent of my mother's lavender potpourri filling my senses."Bianca, is that you?" my mother called out from the living room."It's me," I said, walking into the room.She was sitting on the sofa, a pile of wedding magazines in front of her. She looked up, her face glowing."Oh, you're back! How was lunch with Damian?" she asked, her eyes twinkling."It was... nice," I said, a small smile on my lips."

B I A N C AThe next few weeks flew by, and before I knew it, it was finally my wedding day.I stood in front of the full length mirror, staring at my reflection. The woman looking back at me was a stranger. She was beautiful, that was for sure. The crystal beaded gown I had picked out clung to my curves in all the right places, and my hair was swept up in an elegant updo, with a few loose curls framing my face.But her eyes... they were filled with a fear I knew all too well."Are you ready, B?" Chloe asked, her voice gentle. I turned to look at her, my heart swelling with gratitude. She had been by my side through everything, and I didn’t realize just how much I had missed my best friend. Three years of no contact, but it felt like no time had passed at all between us. We had picked up right where we left off, and she had been a pillar of strength for me."I don't know," I said, my voice trembling. "What if this is a mistake? What if he's just like Lucas?""He's not, B," Chloe sai

B I A N C AThe plane ride to our honeymoon destination was silent. I sat by the window, watching the clouds drift by, my mind a million miles away.I was Mrs. Bianca Salvatore Moretti. The CEO of Salvatore Corp. I was a powerful woman now. I felt powerful. I felt on top of the world. Different from the inferiority I'd felt for three years of being in New York.I could feel Damian's eyes on me, but I refused to meet his gaze. I didn't know what to say to him. We had been surrounded by people since the wedding. We hadn't had a moment alone.And now, we were on our way to our honeymoon. A week in a private villa in Bali. A week alone with my new husband.A man I barely knew.A man I was now legally bound to for the rest of my life.The thought was suffocating.I had been so focused on surviving, on getting through the wedding, that I hadn't really thought about what came next. I hadn't thought about the fact that I would have to share a bed with him, that I would have to pretend to be a

B I A N C AI had officially survived the first day of my honeymoon. By the skin of my teeth. The second day was a new challenge, and I was determined to face it on my own terms.I woke up early, the sun just beginning to rise over the ocean. I slipped out of bed, pulling on a sports bra and a pair of leggings. I needed to clear my head, and a run on the beach seemed like the perfect way to do it.I quietly slipped out of the villa, my feet sinking into the soft sand.I started to run, my feet pounding against the sand, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I ran until my lungs burned and my legs ached, until I was so exhausted I couldn't think anymore.I stood at the water's edge, the waves washing over my feet, the salty air filling my lungs. I felt a sense of purpose. I was not going to let this marriage break me. I was going to use it to my advantage. I was going to build my own empire, on my own terms.When I got back to the villa, Damian was already up, sitting at the dining table

B I A N C AI took a long, cold shower, trying to wash away the memory of his kiss. Trying to wash away the way my body had responded to him.But it was no use. The memory was seared into my brain, a brand on my soul.I was supposed to be in control. I was supposed to be the one calling the shots. But with him, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. I wanted him, but I also wanted to push him away. I wanted to trust him, but I was terrified of getting hurt again.When I got out of the shower, I saw a note slipped under my door. I unfolded it, my hands trembling.'Gone to get some supplies. Be back later. There's a dress for you on the bed. Wear it tonight. - D.'I looked at the bed, and my breath caught in my throat. There was a dress lying there, a floor length, emerald green silk gown that shimmered in the light. It was stunning. And it was exactly my style.How did he know? How did he know me so well?But, I was tired of asking that. Because it seemed, this man knew me more than I e