Bound by the Billionaire's deal

elt like she couldn't breathe. The contract was signed. The deal was

rd the elevator, each step feeling heavier than the last. Her heart

aged. To Al

ad signed away her future to a man who didn't love her. A m

n for the lobby with shaking fingers. The moment the doors closed, she l

hought. There's no

ith her father, Alexander's ruthless proposal, and the cold finality of si

her purse. She ignored it at first, but when

a

roat. She hesitated bef

ained, filled with something that m

bitter taste in

a heavy sigh. "I know thi

anted, does it?" Her voice came out more bitter than she intended,

el

ended the call before h

y. Couldn't listen to another re

perate for fresh air. She stepped onto the sidewalk, the cold evening air brus

ome yet. Not when everyt

York were alive around her-cars honking, people laughing, neon signs flicke

bella, ever

de, grateful for the warmth. The scent of coffee and fresh pastries fi

e window and sat down, starin

ed someone approaching. She looked up just

xan

pped. "What are

he placed a coffee cup in front of h

dn't touch it. "Ho

e, as if this were just another b

man like Alexander Grey never let anyt

," she said, crossing her

brow. "You think

"No. I think you're here to rem

gaze-something unreadable

en

leaned forward, his voice lower. "Because you're my fiancée now

fiancée, hating how easily

gether," she said. "Yo

hoice," he coun

t wasn't a choice

g a slow sip before setting it down. "You can hate me all you want. But

spine. It should have made her furious. And it did. But it also made s

hing back her emotions.

rkened slig

t back do

is lips. "Then why haven

no words came. Because s

erything, she was

art of her knew there

Alexander reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. It was

and back, her hear

You can pretend all you want, Isabella. But

ed. "And wh

breath catch. "That no matter how much you

kidded. "Yo

d see through the walls she was desperately tryin

slipping on his coat. "For our first p

fists. "I never

agreed to everything when

middle of a crowded café-trapped, frustrated, and unable to sha

ter how much s

t part of her was alr

had no