The Billionaire's Stand-In Wife

r life. Alexander's ex-fiancée, Victoria Lawson, returned to New York. Her arrival

y way, and their engagement had been the talk of the city. When she left him just weeks before their wedding, it had been a

same social events, always managing to be in the same place as Emily and Alexand

en her for a reason. But as the days went on, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of insecurity. Vi

er's attention, Emily couldn't take it anymore. As soon as they returned to

going on?" she demanded, her vo

, his expression unread

king. "She's back, and she's trying to

t deny it. "Victoria and I have a histo

l like she's trying to take you away from me? Why do I feel li

ally open up to her. But instead, he turned away, his voice cold. "This

he gut. "So that's it? I'm just a b

art breaking as the realization sank in-she was nothing more than a pawn in Alexander's life, a convenient so

he didn't stop until she reached the library, the one place in the mansion that offered her any s

mething real. She had seen glimpses of the man behind the mask, but now, she understood that those glimpses were just that-fleet

ents together, putting on a show for the public, but behind closed doors, they barely spoke. Alexander spent mor

e mansion, even at events where she wasn't invited. Emily tried to maintain her composure, but the con

already cleared away the remnants of the evening, and the room was eerily quiet. She stood in the center of the floor, staring at her

he room until he was standing right behind her. "Emily," he said,

verything left unsaid between them. "What is it, Alexander?

hing else there too-something she couldn't q

e a whisper. "Because I can't keep pretending that everyt

he spoke, his voice low and rough. "This is who I

ws, his own fears. But it wasn't enough. "You're not even trying, Alexander. You keep ev

regret in his eyes. But then he turned away, running a hand through his hair

ve hurt me, Alexander. You've made me feel li

he just stood there, staring at the floor as if searching fo

trembling. "I can't keep pretending that this is enough for me. I'm going back to my old life. You can

d up, his eyes widening

knowledge that she was leaving behind the man she had fal