All Chapters of THE BILLION DOLLAR DECEPTION : Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

19 Chapters

Pain

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

First Cracks

Adrian’s POV I stood in the center of her room, staring at the closed bathroom door. I’m not a fool. I know what a woman’s cry sounds like, and what I’d heard through these walls from my own bedroom wasn’t just gentle tears or whatever. If she was crying softly, I wouldn't even hear her voice. She was really, really crying. I won't forget in a hurry the look on her face when she opened the door. Her carefully made up face had been a total mess, and all kinds of emotions were displayed on her face. They told me she was sad, hurt, and broken. Something is clearly not adding up. I know this is an arranged marriage but Victoria wouldn't feel this hurt getting married to me, would she? And then the second she saw me, she tried to cover it up with that arrogance she was always showing me. ‘Something got caught in my eye’—right. Maybe a tornado happened in this room. She keeps underestimating my intelligence. I walked over to the table by the bed and sat down. I didn't want

Paparazzi

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

Stalker

Sera's POVThe black limousine pulled up to our second destination, it was an exclusive, private café, but it had an open space for people to sit out and relax.According to Adrian, the aim was to show the world that even as a wealthy couple, we were capable of having a casual breakfast in a simple cafe. The PR team had booked out the entire space though. There were small round tables and velvet chairs, and a breathtaking view of the sparkling river. A handful of photographers were already set up nearby, snapping photos of us as Adrian stepped out of the car and reached back to offer me his hand.I swallowed down the knot of nerves in my throat and placed my hand in his. His grip was firm and surprisingly reassuring, despite my raging nerves.“Just a quick photo session here, then we're done for the day,” Adrian murmured as we walked towards our reserved table. His fingers lightly rested on the small of my back. “Try to act like you're actually enjoying my company.”“I think that's

Thick Tension.

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

The Second Letter.

Sera's POVHis long fingers tightened around the strap of my purse, pulling it towards him.Panic flared in my chest like a wildfire. If he opened that zipper, if he pulled out that handwritten note with the name Seraphina inked across it like that, everything would end right here in this Paris hotel room. My identity. Martha’s care. My entire life.I didn't spend so much time thinking, I just acted.I slammed my hands against his chest, shoving him back with every ounce of strength I had left. The sudden force caught him off guard, making him stagger a step backwards and loosening his grip on the bag.I yanked the purse to my chest, holding it like a shield, my lungs heaving as I glared at him.“You want to know what's in here?” I practically yelled, my voice cracking with fake, bitter outrage. “You want to know why I’m terrified out of my mind, Mr. Almighty Kingsley?”Adrian straightened his shirt, his dark eyes narrowing into sharp, lethal slits. “I'm listening.”My mind raced, fra

My Victoria.

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

Back to the Heat

Sera's POVWhen I woke up, the morning sun was spilling through the curtains and brightening the room. I had to put a hand over my eyes to shield out the light.It had always been impossible for me to sleep this long. Alarm or not, I was always up before 6am.And for the first time in as long as I could remember, my body didn't wake up tense or full of panic. I felt a deep sense of safety wrapped around me, a warmth so comforting that I didn't even want to get up from the bed. This was easily the best sleep I'd had in ages.Then I felt the steady rise and fall beneath my cheek.I froze, opening my eyes slowly. My head was resting directly on Adrian’s chest. His broad arm was wrapped securely around my waist, holding me close by his side as if protecting me from the world even in his sleep. His shirt was rumpled, his hair was messy, and his breathing was deep and even.As he slept like this, I finally had the chance to look at him up close and unguarded.The hardness that was ever pre

First hints of Corporate Sabotage.

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

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