The Billionaire Secret Bride

and the truth, but something in his eyes told her that the answers wouldn't come easy. He was hiding some

the pockets of his dark coat. The room was eerily quiet, and

int. "And I'll answer them. But not here, not right now. You need to

know if I can believe you anymore, Lucas. The Regent said you were us

"She's been manipulating you, just like she manipulated me. She's part of something much darker, Ava. Som

"What are you talking a

had just hit him all over again. He rubbed a hand ac

. They control everything-money, politics, information. They pull the strings behind the scenes.

rs about The Foundation-vague rumors, half-truths-but never

asked, incredulous. "Yo

for my own advantage, make something of myself. I wanted power, but I was naive. The Foundation... t

ed his words. "So, all this tim

e I made, every time I tried to pull away, they found a way to drag me back in. They used my family against me, my com

t all. "But why didn't you tell me? Why keep

t you, keep you safe from everything I'm tangled in. But I was an idiot. I thought if I kept you at arm's len

Ava asked, her voice a whispe

omeone who made mistakes. Someone who thought he could control the situation. But now I r

"And what is

king behind the scenes, trying to tear the Foundation down. Some of us are in too deep, too compromised. But I... I've been working on a plan to bring the

e had fallen for him. And now he was telling her he had been

" she asked, her voice shaky. "How do I

ation. "I never lied to you about how I feel. I love you, Ava. A

cted. She had heard him say those words before, but now, in

ered, the doubt and pain twisting inside her. "You'v

ver wanted to drag you into this. But the truth is, you're already involved. T

, stepping back. "What d

ur past. They've been pulling strings from behind the scenes, using you as leverage against me. Th

wasn't just a shadowy organization-it was a machine, a force with far-reachin

ked, her voice thick with unce

m down once and for all. But it won't be easy. They'll stop at nothing to make sur

one thing was clear: she couldn't turn her back on Lucas. Not

even though her heart was still in turmoil. "But

ief and determination. "Together. We br