All Chapters of Bound By A Billion-Dollar Lie: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Nikolai's POVI remained in my office after office hours reviewing the final documents for before my grandfather's visit when my assistant’s message buzzed through."Sir, Miss Leona Braun is here to see you, but she doesn't have an appointment."I was surprised to hear that Leona came over to see me, a slow smile spread across my face."Send her in."The door opened, and Leona walked in with that elegant poise that dominated places. She was dressed impeccably as always, wearing a cream colored pantsuit, heels to match, and that same confident smirk she'd worn since we were teenagers."Nikolai." She extended her hand, I stood up to shake her hand, laughed and pulled me into a quick hug. "It's been too long.""It has." I gestured to the chair across from my desk. "Sit. Tell me what you've been up to, other than terrorizing my fiancée at galas."Leona's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, that? She started it. Spilled wine all over my dress. I was just simply defending myself.""You called

Anastasia's POV His whispered words hung in the air between us, his lips still brushing my exposed shoulder. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to lean into him, to forget about meeting his grandfather, to let him have his way with me right here in this ridiculously expensive hotel room. Just this once, just give in and be done with it, but my pride won this time around. I stepped away, turning to face him with a mask of indifference that I hoped looked convincing. My heart was pounding so hard I was certain that he could hear it. "We should go," I said, my voice flat. "Being late wouldn't be a good look for the happy couple facade we're putting on." Nikolai's eyes darkened. "I don't think anyone would mind if we were a little late. My grandfather is old, he understands…."

Anastasia's POVThe afternoon faded into evening in the warmth of Ariana's kitchen.I'd lost track of time somewhere between chopping herbs and learning the secret to the family's famous beef stew. Ariana moved around me with the ease of someone who had spent decades in this space, her hands sure and steady as she guided me through each step."You're a natural," she said, watching me knead the dough for fresh bread. "Most young women today don't know how to cook, I hear they order everything in.""My grandmother taught me," I admitted, smiling at the memory. "She said a woman should know how to feed herself and the people she loves and that in its sense is a form of independence."Ariana nodded approvingly. "Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman.""She is." I paused, thinking of my grandmother's sharp eyes and sharper tongue. "She's also terrifying, but in the best way."Ariana laughed. "I like you more and more, child."As we worked, she told me stories. Stories about Nikolai as

Nikolai’s POVTrying to sleep was impossible, laying on the bed in the dark of my bedroom when I was still a child staring at the ceiling, my mind playing a carousel of images that I just couldn't stop thinking about how Anastasia laughed in the kitchen with Ariana, when she helped Demetrios into his chair at dinner and when Anastasia's face became flushed and embarrassed when my grandfather almost made her choke on her water.She never laughed like that with me, or ever got relaxed around me. I rolled over to my side, punching the pillow in frustration, the sheets were too warm, the room, quiet, the sound of the trees blowing outside just seemed to amplify my restlessness even more Why does she give them everything and give me nothing?I knew the answer, of course. I haven't earned her distrust and I for one had built walls of my own, treated her like a possession rather than a person. I brought another woman into our home, watched her squirm, and took pleasure in her jealousy.I

Nikolai’s POVI was acutely aware of the tension crackling between Anastasia and Leona. I had noticed it from the moment Leona arrived, the way Anastasia's posture stiffened, the way her smile vanished and the way her eyes tracked every touch, every laugh, every moment of familiarity between him and Leona.I should have felt guilty but I felt... satisfied. It felt good to actually see her really jealous.I allowed Leona to stay close, feeding my ego, basking in the attention. Leona was beautiful, successful, and utterly uncomplicated. She wanted me, she made no secret of it and for a few hours, I let myself pretend that was enough but my eyes kept drifting back to Anastasia.My grandfather pulled me aside near the end of the tour, his gaze holding a certain intensity in them."Why is Leona here, Nikolai?"I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "She happened to be in Athens, business. She heard I was visiting and decided to stop by.""Is that all?""What else would it be?"Demetrios looked