All Chapters of Rented Husband : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter ElevenSylvia’s POV The city lights blurred past the window as Adrian drove, a river of gold and white against the velvet darkness. I watched them without really seeing them, my mind still spinning from everything that had happened. Ivan's tears. Pretzel's rage. Adrian's steady hand in mine, guiding me away from the chaos like I was something worth protecting.I didn't know where we were going. I didn't care. Anywhere was better than there.Adrian was quiet, his eyes fixed on the road, his jaw relaxed. He looked comfortable in the silence, like he didn't feel the need to fill the space with empty words. I appreciated that. I didn't think I could handle any more words tonight.But then he turned a corner, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.I knew this street. I knew these buildings. I knew the warm glow spilling from the windows of the small restaurant at the end of the block, the one with the red awning and the string lights twinkling above the entrance."Adrian," I bre

Chapter ThirteenThe knock on my door came at 10:23 in the morning.I yanked open the door, ready to tell Adrian that I needed more time, that I couldn't do this, that I was having a full-blown meltdown.But it wasn't Adrian.It was Bella.She stood in my doorway with her arms crossed, her eyes blazing, her designer bag slung over one shoulder. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail, and she was wearing her "I mean business" face , the one that usually preceded her descending on somebody."Girl," she said, her voice dangerously calm. "What is going on between you and Adrian?!""Good morning to you too, Bella." I blinked."Don't 'good morning' me." She pushed past me into my apartment, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "First, I hear rumors. Second, I see pictures. Third," She spun around to face me, her eyes wide. "I couldn't drag myself to that vulture's wedding, Sylvia. I was going to claw her throat or maybe yank Ivan's head off his neck. You know I can'

Chapter FifteenSylvia’s POV The hum of the jet engines changed pitch as we began our descent. I pressed my face against the small window, watching the endless blue of the ocean give way to a lush green island that seemed to rise from the water like something out of a dream. White sand beaches ringed the coastline, and nestled in the center was a sprawling estate that looked more like a palace than a family home."Adrian," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is... this is where you grew up?""Part of it." He was beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. "We spent summers here. Holidays. My father always said the island was the only place he could truly think."Bella was on my other side, her face pressed against her own window. "I'm going to need a moment to process this. You grew up on a private island? A private island with a mansion and a private jet!""I didn't grow up here full-time," Adrian clarified. "We had the city house for most of the year. But this was alwa

He walked me to my room, a lavish suite with a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, and a bathroom that was bigger than my entire apartment. He kissed my forehead and said goodnight, and I watched him disappear down the hallway before closing the door.I stood in the middle of the room, my heart pounding, my mind racing. The emerald ring glittered on my finger, catching the moonlight streaming through the windows. It was beautiful. It was perfect. It was everything I'd never known I wanted.And it was fake.Or was it?I was still staring at it when a soft knock came at my door."Sylvia?" Bella's voice, low and urgent. "You awake?"I opened the door to find Bella standing there, her arms crossed, her expression caught somewhere between excitement and concern. She was still wearing her dinner dress, her hair slightly disheveled, her eyes bright."Bella, what are you doing here?""We need to talk." She pushed past me into the room, her heels clicking against t

Chapter NineteenThe rest of brunch passed in a blur of polite conversation and careful smiles. Francesca's words lingered in my mind, echoing long after the plates were cleared and the family dispersed to their various activities."Why are two engaged couples staying in separate rooms?"She'd asked it so innocently, so casually, like it was the most natural question in the world. But I'd seen the glint in her eyes. The knowing smile. The way she'd watched me squirm.Adrian had deflected gracefully, explaining that I needed time to adjust, that we were taking things slowly, that tradition meant nothing compared to my comfort. Elizabeth had nodded along, seemingly satisfied. William had said nothing, but his eyes had narrowed slightly.And Francesca had simply smiled and changed the subject.But I knew she hadn't forgotten. And I knew she'd bring it up again.Now I was standing in the garden, staring out at the ocean, trying to calm my racing heart. The emerald ring glittered on my fin