All Chapters of The billionaire’s contract bride : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Lena’s POVThe rain started just before sunset. At first, it was only a few drops against the windows, then the sky opened.Within minutes, water covered the glass, the garden disappeared behind a gray curtain, and thunder shook the mansion.I stood near the window, watching the storm. But my mind wasn't on the weather, It was on what I had heard earlier. She was never supposed to find out this soon, it continues to echo in my head for a long moment. I still didn't know what Evelyn meant by that word, I didn't know what Adrian had been hiding and that frightened me more and more.But what frightened me most was the fact that I still wanted to trust him. After everything I had learned, after the photograph, the warnings, and the secrets, I still wanted to believe that Adrian wasn't using me, that was the problem.I was beginning to care about him too much. "Lena,” a voice echoed. I turned and Adrian stood behind me. "You've been standing there for ten minutes,” he said softly. "I like

Lena’s POVI couldn't sleep and the note was still on my bedside table. I had read it so many times that I knew every word.“You should have asked Adrian about your father before you gave him your heart.” The word echoed in my head continuously.I should have shown it to Adrian, I knew that before now, but something stopped me. Maybe it was fear and maybe I was tired of being the person everyone protected with half-truths, or maybe I was afraid that if I showed Adrian the note, I would have to admit how much the words had affected me. Especially the last part.“Before you gave him your heart.” The word echoed more in my head one more time putting me in a restless mode. I wasn't ready to admit that I had, I turned off the lamp and pulled the blanket over myself. The room was dark and I closed my eyes.For a while, I heard nothing but the sound of the rainwater dripping from the roof. Eventually, sleep took me, and then I was back there. Back in the house where I had grown up, I was sta

Lena's POVThe next morning, I tried to convince myself that nothing had changed. It was easier to say than to believe.Adrian and I had gone to bed separately. We spoke normally at breakfast, he had asked whether I wanted coffee, and I had answered yes.Everything looked the same, but underneath it, something had shifted. I could still feel the warmth of his hand on my shoulder from yesterday and I could still remember the way both of us had frozen.That small touch had lasted only a second, but it had stayed with me all night. I was standing near the windows in the sitting room when my phone rang.It was my mother's nurse and I answered quickly. "Hello?" I said to the phone. “Ms. Brooks, everything is fine. I just wanted to let you know your mother slept well last night,” the nurse said.Relief washed over me. “Thank you. Please call me if anything changes,” I said. “I will,” the nurse promised. I ended the call and I smiled faintly.For the first time that morning, I felt like I co

Lena’s POVBy Friday evening, the house had returned to its usual rhythm.At least, that was what everyone wanted me to believe. I hadn't seen Cassandra since our conversation.Adrian had not mentioned her either. But something about the house felt different.The staff seemed quieter whenever I entered a room. Conversations stopped when I walked past, and even Adrian's security team appeared more alert than before.I tried not to think about the figure I had seen outside my window.Maybe it had only been a gardener, maybe it had been a security guard, maybe I had frightened myself because of everything Cassandra had said.I had almost convinced myself of that when Adrian walked into the room."We're leaving in thirty minutes,” Adrian whispered. I looked up from my phone."Where?" I asked quickly. "The charity event,” he replied gently. “I had forgotten so soon,” I murmured.Another room filled with wealthy strangers, cameras, questions, and people pretending not to stare at me.I sigh

Lena’s POVI barely slept that night and every time I closed my eyes, I saw Adrian standing in the middle of the ballroom. His hand on my waist, his fingers against my cheek, his eyes on my lip, and the words he had whispered, if I kiss you now, it won't be fake.I had told him I didn't want it to be fake, and I meant it. But that was the problem.By morning, I had already convinced myself that I needed distance. It was the sensible thing to do, the contract was still real, the deadline would eventually come, and whatever was growing between us could only make the ending hurt more.I dressed quickly and went downstairs. Adrian was already at the breakfast table. The moment I entered, his eyes lifted. We stared at each other, neither of us spoke, and then he looked back at his coffee."Good morning,” I greeted."Good morning,” he whispered.I sat across from him. After a moment, a strange silence filled the room. Usually, Adrian would ask whether I slept well. But this morning, he did