All Chapters of Bride by Debt: Chapter 51 - Chapter 58

58 Chapters

Chapter 51

Ella POVEdward Collins.I heard the name the moment the reporter said it and something inside me went completely cold.I stood behind Ryan, my hand resting on his shoulder. Unsure of what was going on until the words hit me.”…identified as Edward Collins, a laboratory employee at L&L Cosmetics…”Edward Collins. Isn’t that the name the boy said he was looking for?“I am looking for my dad. His name is Edward Collins.”I stared at the screen without moving. The reporter kept talking but I had stopped hearing the words. The boy at the gate. He had come looking for his father. But his father was dead. Found in a dam. And beyond recognition.And Luciano knew about it.Then Luciano’s voice cut through everything.“Everyone out.”I turned and saw Luciano walking towards the living room.I left the boy and walked towards Aaron, who was glancing at the little boy. I steered him into the hallway.My room was chilly and quiet when I entered.I sat on the edge of the bed and picked up my phone

Chapter 52

Aaron POV“What do you want from my dad?”The room went completely still.Ella blinked, confusion flashing across her face.“Sorry?”Luca stepped fully into the room.“What do you want from him?” he demanded. “Why are you here? What are you getting out of this?”“Luca…”“Every woman that gets close to him ends up hurting him.” His voice cracked slightly around the edges, but his eyes remained hard. “My mom hurt him. And now you’re here to do the same thing.”Ella opened her mouth.Nothing came out.I watched her face. She didn’t know how to explain it to him. She searched for the right words but couldn’t seem to find them.“You’re using him,” Luca continued. “I don’t know what for, but you are. And I’m not going to stand here and watch you hurt him.”Something snapped inside my chest.I stood up.“Luca. Stop.” My voice came out harder than I intended.Luca’s eyes cut to me immediately. “Stay out of this.”“No.”I took a step forward.“You want to talk about using people? Fine. Let’s t

Chapter 53

Ella POVI stepped into Luciano’s study.Richard followed us in quietly and stood close to the door. I sat down across from Luciano’s desk.He settled into his chair and looked at me.“The gala.” I said simply. “What is it about?”Something shifted slightly in his expression. But I couldn’t place the exact emotion.“What do you want to know?” He asked.“Everything.” I said. “You announced in front of everyone that I’m attending with you as your wife. I think I deserve to know what is really going on.”He held my gaze for a moment then leaned back slightly.“It’s my father’s birthday.” He said. “A corporate gathering. High profile. Investors, business allies, political connections. Every important person in the country and outside will be there.”“And you want to be there as your wife.” I said. “In front of all this people.”“Yes.”I pressed. “Why that specific event?”“Because it’s controlled.” He answered. “My father’s gala means his security, his guest list, his environment. If you’

Chapter 54

Ella POVKnock knock.I was still somewhere between sleep and consciousness when I heard the door.I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling of my room for exactly three seconds. I had forgotten what day it was.Then it came back to me.The gala.I groaned quietly and pushed myself up just as the door opened.Mrs Fiona stepped in first, her expression warm and completely unbothered by the early hour. Behind her came two women I didn’t recognize, both carrying large cases. Then another woman with a rolling rack. And behind her, two more staff members carrying what looked like equipment bags.I stared at the procession moving into my room.“Good morning, Mrs Ella.” Mrs Fiona said cheerfully.Ever since that meeting, she had been teasing me with my new title. “We have a lot to do today and not much time to do it.”“Good morning, ma.” I managed, still sitting in the middle of my bed watching my room transform around me.The woman with the rolling rack stopped near the wardrobe. She

Chapter 55

Ella POVI smoothed my hand down the side of my gown, deep burgundy, fitted at the waist, with a slit that stopped just above the knee. My jewelry was simple. Luciano sent a few choices, and I chose a thin gold necklace and matching earrings. I heard small feet padding down the hallway before I heard her voice.“Aunty Ella, you look so pretty!”Lovie appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide, her hands clasped together like she was watching something magical. Luca appeared behind her a second later, quieter but just as curious.“Thank you, Lovie.” I crouched slightly so we were at eye level. “Do I pass inspection?”She nodded very seriously. “You do.”Since that day, it’s been hard to have a word with Lovie, but she seemed to take it pretty well and got over the news quicker than expected.Luciano walked in from the entrance, his eyes focused on his wristwatch. Lovie immediately turned her attention to him. “Dad, can I come? Please?”He looked down at her with a gentle expression. “You

Chapter 56

Luciano POVI saw it the moment Lazarus’s eyes landed on her.The slight drain of color from Ella’s face. Her grip tightened.“Ella Adelaide.” Lazarus said. “What a pleasure. Hope you are doing good in your husband’s home?”Ella said nothing. She turned to look at me.“She’s settling in well.” I said, keeping my voice easy. “Better than expected, honestly.”Lazarus smiled. “Is that so?”“Remarkably so.” I held his gaze with a small smile of my own. “She has a way of making herself feel at home wherever she goes.”The message was simple.She belonged to my household now. Any interest in her would lead nowhere.Lazarus’s smile didn’t waver. He turned back to Ella. “You must find it quite different from the Adelaide household. Your father runs a… particular kind of home.”Ella furrowed her brow then faced me again.I kept my expression pleasant. “Every home has its own rhythm.” I said. “She adapted to ours quickly. The children are already fond of her.”“The children.” Lazarus repeated t

Chapter 57

Luciano POVDamien extended his hand toward me.I took it.“I guess the news is true after all.” He said, his smile staying exactly where it was. “A wife.” A small pause. “I never knew you could adapt so easily. Considering your past experience.”The air between us grew taut.I looked at him for a moment. Then I stretched my hand toward Ella.She took it without hesitation.I drew her closer and settled my hand at her waist.“Well, I guess the introduction can’t be delayed.” I said flatly. “Meet my wife.”Ella placed her hand lightly on my chest and smiled.It was a simple smile. Quiet yet unbothered.But it did something to the room. A few people shifted. Someone stopped mid-sentence. It was the kind of smile that didn’t need words because it had already said everything.Then a voice came from behind us.“I suppose I came late and missed the news.”Everyone turned.Lazarus stood a short distance away, glass in hand, wearing that familiar smile that filled rooms without effort.The mu

Chapter 58

Ella POVThe ballroom had not gotten any quieter.If anything it had grown louder as the evening stretched, the wine loosening conversations and laughter spilling easier than it had at the start of the night. The string quartet had shifted into something livelier. Couples had drifted toward the center of the room. Glasses clinked. Dresses caught the light.I stood at the edge of all of it and felt completely removed from every single part of it.My wine glass was still in my hand. I had stopped actually drinking it a while ago. I couldn’t tell exactly when. At some point it had just become something to hold onto. I reached into my clutch and pulled out my phone.Luciano’s name was already on the screen. I pressed call and raised it to my ear.It rang. Once. Twice. Four times.Then nothing.I pulled the phone down and looked at it for a moment before trying again. Same result. The line rang out into silence and I was left standing there with the noise of the ballroom pressing in around

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