The Billionaire's Stand-In Wife

est as she folded away the clothes that had come to symbolize her role as Mrs. Emily King. Th

never felt like home, then stepped out into the early morning light. But before she coul

ng?" Eleanor asked, her

e handle of her suitcase. "I'm leaving

h understanding. "I see. Di

tried, Eleanor. I really tried to make this wor

ly's hands in hers, her grip surprisingly strong. "I'm sorry, my dear. I've seen the way you've struggled, and I wish

her voice breaking. "I need to live my own l

ips. "I understand. But before you g

t her, confuse

go was because she found out about his father's affair. She threatened to expose the scandal, and Alexander-be

real reason behind Victoria's departure. "H

lf for everything. And now he's pushing you

it didn't change the fact that he had hurt her, that he had pushed her away when she nee

r than you think, Emily. But only you can decide if you wan

elf-preservation. She knew that if she stayed, it would be a long and dif

y she had seen in Alexander-the glimpses of the man behind the mask-tha

Eleanor and nodded. "I'll talk to him. But

believe in you, Emily. And I believe in Alexand

g at his desk, his head in his hands, clearly struggling with his own demons. She hesitated at the

softly, her voice brea

and something else-something she couldn't qu

. "But then Eleanor told me the truth. About Vi

d away. "It doesn't matter. You shoul

m not leaving, Alexander. Not until you understand that you do

fear. "You don't understand, Emily. I've alrea

't get to decide that for me. I'm choosing to stay because

just stared at her, as if trying to process what she had said. Love. It was a word he had avoided for so long, a concept he had

ove someone. I've spent so many years building walls around myself, shu

howed. She stepped closer, reaching out to gently touch his hand. "You're not goin

uggled with the turmoil inside him. "I don't know how to be the

r voice filled with compassion. "You just have

ng inside Alexander-the fear of opening up, the fear of failing, the fear of being hurt again. But she a

breath and nodded. "Okay," he said, his v

she squeezed his hand, a smile breaking

the promise they had just made. It wasn't going to be easy-Emily knew that. But for the firs

e present, to spend time with Emily outside of their public obligations. It was awkward at first-two

days. Alexander even showed her more of his mother's artwork, opening up about the memories attached to

find Emily in the kitchen, attempting to bake a cake. The scene was so domest

ing against the doorway as he wat

r, and grinned. "I thought I'd try somethin

ed over to her, rolling up

y in a way they hadn't before. It was a simple moment, but it meant more to Emily than all the grand

ipping on tea. Emily looked at Alexander, her heart full of affectio

a small smile playing

he replied. "Fo

should be the one thanking you. You've shown me that maybe it's

ng his hand. "We're i

ertain, but they were both committed to making it work. For the first time, their marriage felt real-