All Chapters of The Billionaire's Rebirth Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Prologue: The Wedding GuestI stood in the corner of the wedding guest seats, suit perfectly pressed, smile perfectly polite—yet I felt like a carefully arranged empty shell.On the stage, that man was holding her hand, speaking vows with steady, gentle certainty. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass and fell across her, making her look as if she had stepped straight out of a painting. I stared at the curve of her profile, my knuckles tightening one by one against the seam of my trousers. Why him. Why did it have to be him.I had no right to be here.The invitation had arrived three weeks ago. A formality. My name was on the list because of business, nothing more. Julian Ashford's wedding to Elena Voss was a social event, not a personal one. I'd told myself I wouldn't attend.I attended.She laughed at something the officiant said. A real laugh. Light. Unguarded. I had heard that laugh before—across a crowded room, years ago, before she ever met Julian. She hadn't seen me then

Adrian Kane was not what I expected.I'd imagined someone older. Harder. A man who wore his power like armor. Instead, I found a man in his early thirties, dressed in a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He stood by the window, hands in his pockets, watching me like I was a puzzle he hadn't decided whether to solve.The office was sparse. A desk. Two chairs. A bookshelf filled with spines I couldn't read from this distance. No photographs. No personal touches. The room of a man who didn't want to be known."Miss Voss," he said. His voice was low, measured. "You're early.""I didn't have an appointment.""No. You didn't." He gestured to the chair across from his desk. "Sit."I didn't sit. I stood in the center of the room, my purse clutched in both hands. I'd rehearsed this moment in the car. I'd planned what I would say. Now, standing in front of him, the words felt inadequate."I have information," I said.Adrian didn't move. "So I gathered.""About Julian Ashf

The kitchen was on the twentieth floor. Sloane led me through a maze of corridors—past offices, past meeting rooms, past a gym I would never use—until we reached a space that looked like it belonged in a restaurant.Stainless steel appliances. A long island with bar stools. A refrigerator stocked with more food than I'd seen in months."Help yourself," Sloane said. "Mr. Kane keeps it stocked for staff.""He doesn't eat here?""Rarely."I opened the refrigerator. Cold chicken. Roasted vegetables. A container of rice. I assembled a plate and sat at the island.Sloane leaned against the counter. She didn't eat. She just watched."You don't trust me," I said."I don't trust anyone.""That must be lonely.""It's efficient."I took a bite of chicken. It was good. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the food hit my tongue. I ate without speaking. Sloane continued to watch."You were his fiancée this morning," Sloane said. "Now you're married to his enemy. That's a fast transition.""He

The charity dinner was at the Meridian Hotel. Black tie. Open bar. The kind of event where people took photographs of their food and posted them before eating.I hadn't been to one since my engagement party.Adrian's driver dropped us at the entrance. I stepped out first. Cameras flashed. I didn't blink."Smile," Adrian said."No.""You don't have to.""I know."He offered his arm. I took it. We walked inside together.The ballroom was enormous. Crystal chandeliers. White tablecloths. A string quartet playing something forgettable. I scanned the room out of habit. Old money on the left. New money on the right. Politicians near the stage. Journalists by the bar.And Julian.He was standing near the terrace doors, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Mira was beside him, wearing a dress that cost more than most people's rent. She saw me first. Her smile froze.Julian turned.Our eyes met.I didn't look away. I didn't need to."Steady," Adrian said. His voice was quiet. His hand rested on the

Felix was waiting for me when I arrived at my office.He had a folder in his hands and a look on his face that I was starting to recognize. Something between excitement and fear."What?" I asked."I verified the first batch. The account numbers you gave me.""And?""They're real. All of them."I set down my bag. I walked to my desk. I sat."Show me."He opened the folder. Bank statements. Transfer records. Account summaries. Julian's name on every page."How much?" I asked."Fourteen million. Hidden across six accounts. Three different countries."I studied the documents. The numbers matched what I remembered. The dates were right. The names were right."He's been moving money for years," Felix said. "Even before you were together.""He was always planning. I just didn't see it."Felix shifted his weight. "How did you know? The accounts. The transfers. This isn't information you find by accident."I didn't look up. "I told you. I paid attention.""That's not an answer.""It's the only