All Chapters of THE BILLION DOLLAR DECEPTION : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Sera's POVI hadn't felt it coming.Then the second tear fell. And the third, until I was heaving and bawling my eyes out.I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth and held very still, like if I didn't move, the tears would stop. Like I could hold it all in the way I always had, the way I had learned to do since I was old enough to understand that no one was coming to save me, and falling apart was a luxury I could not afford.But my body had apparently decided that tonight, after everything going on currently in my life, it was done cooperating.I folded over slowly, pulled my knees tighter to my chest and let it come.It wasn't a ladylike or elegant cry. It came from somewhere deep within, full of pain and defeat. I couldn't even recognise my own voice, my shoulders shook with every sob. I cried for everything the day had cost me—the church, the vows, the fainting, the rules, the letter sitting in my purse.I cried until my throat ached and my eyes burned, and when it finally slow

Sera's POVHow could I have been so stupid? Holding a fork like a shovel? Eating with food in my mouth?Damn it, Seraphina.I squeezed my eyes shut in the dark room, my face burning with embarrassment. I had been so hungry that I had completely forgotten who I was supposed to be. Victoria Hale didn't grow up struggling to see good food to eat. She didn't grow up shoving food down her throat because she didn't know where the next meal was coming from.She was a pampered heiress and must have had etiquette tutors breathing down her neck since she was born, teaching her how to eat like a prim and proper lady.Of course, Adrian had noticed the stark difference. That man took note every single little detail, nothing went past his notice.This entire marriage was going to have me walking on thin ice. One more stupid slip like that, and he’d really question who I am.I sighed. This was getting really tiring.The morning alarm rang, making me bolt out of the bed. Time to resume my fake life

Adrian’s POVI sat back against the smooth leather seat of the limousine, never breaking eye contact with her.The silence inside the car was heavy. Through the window, the world rolled past us in a blur, but my entire focus was pinned on the woman sitting beside me.Victoria looked like she wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole. Her lips were pressed into a tight line, her color completely gone, and her hands were clutched tightly in her lap.“I asked you a question, Victoria,” I said, keeping my voice dangerously calm. “What the hell was that all about back at the café?”She swallowed hard, turning her head towards the tinted window. “Nothing, Adrian. I just felt dizzy for a second. The lights, the cameras—it was a lot.”“Don't play dumb with me,” I snapped, leaning closer so she couldn't escape my gaze. “You've been around lights, cameras, the media, for your entire life, so that's hardly an excuse. I held you. I felt your heart pounding like it was trying to break out

Adrian’s POVI knew I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.I was wide awake, pacing the length of my suite restlessly. I checked my bedside lamp, it was 7pm in the evening.I stopped near the full length mirror, staring back at my reflection. My mind kept pulling me back to what happened some minutes ago, to the moment I held Victoria against the wall in her bedroom.I could still feel the lingering heat of her body on mine. I could still smell the sweet scent of jasmine on her skin. But more than anything, it was her eyes I couldn't stop picturing. Her very unique eyes, shining fiercely at me. They were wide with rage, fear, and a strange, electric challenge that made my blood run hot.There was a raw, unfiltered attraction blooming between us that defied every single rule I had established. This was dangerous and completely against the cold, clean transaction this marriage was supposed to be.What exactly is happening? Women never rattled me this much. I have everything strictly

Adrian’s POVThe hum of the private jet’s engines vibrated through the ground as we ran down the runway.I sat across from Victoria in the spacious cabin with my laptop open on the table. Reports from my IT security team were already flooding my inbox, but every time I tried to read the data on my screen, my attention kept drifting back to the woman sitting opposite me.Victoria was gripping the armrests so tightly her knuckles had turned white.Her eyes were fixed on the window, wide with pure dread, her body stiff as a board. Her breathing was fast and shallow. I remembered remembered how she almost fainted from terror while we were flying for our honeymoon. Flights terrify her.The engines roared louder, preparing for takeoff. Victoria let out a quiet, strangled gasp, pulling her knees together as if bracing for the impact.I didn't hesitate.I quickly snapped my laptop shut, unbuckled my seatbelt, and moved across the aisle to sit directly beside her. Before she could react or p