BILLIONAIRE'S UNWANTED BRIDE

ter

know where th

n't to

unter in that aserious handwriting

location. No

ng time before folding it in hal

-

d of thing Isabella probably wouldn't have worn-no shi

t speaks

own. Light makeup

She stared hard and critically and she came to a conc

someone preten

-

say much. Just nodded and held the door. Quiet, pro

s alread

ht. He didn't look at her right away. Just sipped

oked

rn, his gaze moved ove

up well," h

smile. "T

else. No small talk. No c

avy between them a

-

no prices on the menu. White marble floors. Waiters in black.

n like he owne

ollowed

ged her friend. A man in a corner bo

host by name. "Bla

i

stomach

't a dinn

s a per

-

ready at the table

leek, blonde, the kind of beautiful that was practice

t recognize

d her quickly.

. Not "this is Elena.

y wife.

first. Na

led where expected. They

her over, then wen

-

nner d

lena had no place in the conversation, and no one tri

fully. Stayed composed.Invisib

,composed,doll who didn't t

-

k and said, "So, Aiden. Still adjusting to married life?"He

as if it

nced sideways at Elena. Somethi

longer than others," he

ble ch

,not minding the emotions

-

bella. Not directly. Just a

without Isabella there. She

. His fork paused,

ord like a pin pre

ble," Aiden said f

ical. Like she was a subst

ours

not a subst

sees how much the world's around

. "Well, you're lu

othing,Neith

-

t just a

people and noise. The car door cl

he silenc

ak until they we

ly at her "You d

indow. "No one asked m

t there to m

otic

r. "That's how this wor

rt of the a

ched. "It's

y. "In front of them. You used

fe. A place."He snapped,

e repeated. "

You said pretty words,invited me to dinner. I thought we ---" she

om him,she looked back out the wi

on through th

-

d out first.He followed.Neither o

y was nothi

-

aight to the

idn't want to be near him. Not tonight.She co

ad been. She mused as she stepp

it aside. Put on one of the oversized sweaters from the close

r like that in public.

wasn't rea

a plac

-

ter, she h

ff

On th

study light was on. The door was open just a crack.She di

it. She's no

us

be on the

r,as soundlessly a

oesn't ask

se. His voi

ty. Harmless. No t

t her sto

e

ibly be talki

soft chuckle followe

did

Careful.Closed the door

ed and stare

-

aid she

et

mle

thr

ew her

e sh

place was

s going to regret

ng watching ever