The billionaire chosen bride

y's

long, but I didn't mind the exhaustion. If anything, it kept my mind from wandering to the things I couldn't control-li

d me, cars honking, people rushing home, laughter spilling from the cafés lining the stre

ol glass. Another week, another paycheck barely stretching far enough. But at least her friend Wanda w

was secondhand, but she loved it as if it had been made just for her. She had twirled in front of

ome. But as soon as I stepped into

n our apartm

zing, every sin

s wrong, I j

s, my footsteps quickening on instinct. I

n the couch, her lips pressed into a thin line. The air was heavy, suffocating, thic

en I s

ts, watching me like I was some kind of toy he

slicked back, and his sharp features were enhanced by the glow of our cheap ceiling light. He d

what sent a chil

Cold, ruthless, a

voice deep and smoot

d up my spine.

y father. "Wh

ound of my voice. My

ing an air of quiet dominance

od ran

for denial, for some kind of explanat

ldn't even

t. Everyone in the city knew his name. He was a businessman on paper, but in rea

s standing in

ed, my voice bare

ke he enjoyed drawing out the su

stagger

ney than I could even fathom, more

ked, my voi

red him. "Your father made a deal with me," h

r, desperation clawi

s eyes. "I'm sorry

whisper, but they slamme

e reality to sink in. Then he sa

glaring at him. "If you were re

g." He took another step toward me, his presence overwh

hope ignite

e spoke

'm offering a

couch before I could eve

ok at her. His eyes

ke it was the most natu

m went

re I had mish

tirely too comfortable. "You marry me, and yo

my arm. "She's

nge. He just shrugged. "Then

mach d

led. "Please

ncing him effortlessly. "Y

e one thing clear, Mary. If you refuse..." He tilted his h

weren't

ere a

ust turned and walked to the door,

my knees gave out, and I

ide me. "We'll f

eded to believe her but deep

orrow, I would becom