BILLIONAIRE'S UNWANTED BRIDE

PTE

ke befor

of the clock in the hall. No fever, no dizziness. Just the chill o

didn't know if Aiden was home, or if he'd spent th

going to wa

d under the water until her skin turned pink, then wrapped herself in a

ll thinner than

hey were sharp

still

ans she'd found folded neatly in the closet. Thankful all her things were in the

ith her knowledge was surprising,she

re than once over the past few days. The floors didn't creak, the wind

rself gravitating toward the couch, pulling the soft blanket around her shoul

he'd read before, back when things were simple. It was the kind of story that

and started reading and for a

-

passed.

t hear hi

e-like pressu

n was standing in the do

thing at first. J

rolled. His hair was a little messy, like h

like he ha

her like he didn't kno

ed. His voice wasn't cold. Not

he cover with

id. "Didn't know

didn't change.

er. "You didn't seem t

that?" She ask

w. Quiet. Sh

own. "That doesn't

the room, walking slowly around the back o

t out ye

es

lo

ft a

ce her. "That's

what

upposed to ju

ke I ran away." she dropped her book"

lick that truly they've talked of it the day bef

lost fo

s brow rose,enjoying

t know th

, Aiden. I went to a bookstore." She sai

d, jaw tight. "A

fr

did he

re foll

. "I wasn't followed.

was

n. From the charity gala.

ut something changed in his

did sh

said simply.Silence stretched.And then: "She's

hit her li

e calm, but her

uspicious creep

as she tried to not show how much his words hurt., reachi

ing her with something like amuse

d and watery. She snapped

ouldn

meaning to me. But it d

e not like her."He said soft

like Isabe

art cl

id quietly. "I n

n I saw you at the altar. But it wasn't... this." He said in

hi

. Smarter th

n eyebrow. "

ean

efully. "Why are yo

id, voice low, "

t.That wasn't wh

just as surpri

Ran a hand through h

ice was stea

"I don't want to care,

ir ch

He said it like a curse. Like he hat

didn't

e," she said softly. "

"I don't know what I'm doing anymore." he admitted and the vu

ropped. "Ne

ed and deepened.Then Aiden said,

inked.

nner. Th

ou ask

d at her

hy

keep standing here wondering why I care tha

at him.He s

she nodde

use she couldn

anging who I am

dn't

etly. "That's what'

-

he sat back and stared at the book in

thing,she wasn't supposed to be

n was startin

e most dangerou

-