All Chapters of ARRANGED TO BE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE : Chapter 71 - Chapter 78

AVERY'S POV I woke up at 5:12 a.m., before my alarm went off. I stayed under the covers, listening to the quiet outside my room. The estate was still asleep, but not for much longer. Soon, people would be moving between the house and the garden, checking flowers, chairs, and all the little things that needed to be ready before the ceremony.I reached for my phone to check the time, then got out of bed and slipped my feet into my slippers. The floor felt cold against my soles. I headed toward the window, wanting to see how much of the garden was ready, but stopped beside the dressing table to pick up my robe.That was when I noticed the envelope.It sat among my things, close to my jewelry box. I was sure it was not there when I went to bed. Nobody mentioned bringing anything to my room, and I didn’t ask anyone to leave a message for me.I picked it up and turned it over. My name was written on the front, but I did not recognize the handwriting. There was no name beside it, no retu

JAMES'S POV I was on my way to Avery’s room to check on her before the wedding when I heard Pa Thomas mention her mother’s name. I stopped outside the door, figuring they were having a private conversation. Then I heard him say Blackwood Enterprises, and I couldn’t keep walking.“Your mother and I built the foundation of that company together,” Pa Thomas told her. “She put money into it when nobody knew what it would become. We agreed back then, and she made sure her share would pass to you under the conditions written in that document.”Avery sounded confused. “You mean Mom helped start Blackwood Enterprises? Why didn’t anybody tell me?”“I promised her I’d honor her wishes. She had her reasons for keeping it quiet.”I moved closer to the door, my attention fixed on every word. Pa Thomas went on to explain the marriage clause and the transfer of the controlling voting shares. Fifty-one percent. Avery’s name. Her personal ownership.I stood in the hallway, trying to make sense of wh

JAMES'S POV Gerald shook his head and raised one hand slightly, letting us know he had nothing to say.Eleanor remained beside him without saying a word. I watched them another second, then turned back to Avery.She was still holding my hand. Her attention shifted from Gerald to me, and I gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. Whatever brought them here could wait. The officiant looked toward the entrance before returning to his place in front of us.“Shall we continue?” he asked.I looked at Avery. “You good?”She nodded. “I’m good.”The officiant opened his folder and invited us to exchange our vows. I took both of Avery’s hands, then looked at the paper on the stand beside him. I wrote my vows down earlier, but I wasn’t going to read them. There were things I needed to say to her properly, and I didn’t want a piece of paper between us.I cleared my throat.“I’ve been thinking about what to say up here, and honestly, I don’t think there’s a perfect way to put it.” A few guests smiled

AVERY’S POV The reception was winding down, and people were beginning to say their goodbyes. I slipped out of the pavilion, leaving James with Mathew and the others while I went to get some air.I walked toward the garden fountain and stopped when I spotted my father and Eleanor standing near the pathway. They seemed to be getting ready to leave. I considered turning back before they noticed me, but Gerald looked up and called my name.“Avery?”I turned as he and Eleanor walked over. Neither of them seemed quite sure how to approach me, and when they finally stopped in front of me, I wasn’t sure what to say either.“Hi, Dad.”“Hi, sweetheart.” He cleared his throat and adjusted his jacket. “I, uh… congratulations on the wedding.”“Thank you.”Eleanor gave me a small smile. “Congratulations, Avery. You looked beautiful today.”“Thank you, Eleanor.”The conversation stalled. I shifted my weight, waiting to see if they had come over to say anything else. Gerald rubbed his palms togeth