Beneath the Billionaire's contract

the bridal suit

old patterns across the polished marble floor. Everything was perfectly, flawlessly, decorated,

om was

s of silk and lace hugged her figure, the bodice embroidered with pearls that shimmered under the soft

e beauty, she

ying to keep her voice from shaking. The question linge

that didn't reach her eyes. "He's probably

harp now, desperate. "He was s

rs since the priest had asked if she needed to delay the ceremony. Two hours of waiting

n the dressing table.

rom D

her older sister

ht alone c

dn't shown

her phone for the hundredth time. She tried Darian again

crept int

ithout knocking. She looked pale, her eyes

la whispered.

't want you to see it like this... but I thought it

d Ariella

d, confused, t

en showe

hit

f voices. Then Darian's laugh. And Vanessa's voice,

e in a h

in each other's

escaped Arie

Her fiancé

Whispering her name

t the floor with a thud. Her knees gave o

reathed. "N

g her arms around her. "I'm so

om falling apart. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Couldn

im. Given up her dreams of becoming a fashion designer ju

een bold, demanding, spoiled but Ari

g her makeup. Her perfect dress now clu

mony was

ts were

at symbolized a life now shattered, co

ting on the floor, until even t

the su

hours l

ve, but Ariella

to avoid dragging it across the wet pavement. Her veil had blown of

whispered. S

't care

nize. She stepped inside, shivering. It smelled like whiskey and old cigars, and the lo

ised an eyebrow

drink she'd never tasted. She didn't nee

t hard. The seco

ion forming on the glass, her mind

t n

would

drained and invested in his stupid app. Her parents had died five

letely and u

on hurt worse

her lips numb. That

deep, smooth voic

bother looking.

tragic. Vi

ention. She turned

buttoned just enough to hint at danger. His jaw was sharp, his feat

deo," he said

ricted. "Of course yo

blic disgrace in under ten minute

r eyes. "Who th

n De

eath c

naire circles. A man whispered about financial

ou want?"

head. "To offer

't nee

He leaned closer. "

ly. "You picked the wr

le," he replied. "

w. "And what am I? A

low and dangerous.

a stif

"I know who your mother was. And I

t the dizziness from t

her before

she whispered, t

id, still holding her.

him through blu

sn't over," he said.

n darkened. Her

was the sound of his voice a

morning in a place

unlight. A scent of ceda

as she sat up an

der on the

in gold

ionaire's Contrac

t, her name p

la Mo