Beneath the Billionaire's contract

the full-length mirror. She barely

touched with soft makeup that accentuated her cheekbones and hid the ache beneath her eyes. The gown she wore was not a wedding dress, but

fa

bout love. It wasn't e

a trans

ca's wife f

sk in the corner of the penthouse suite. Her name was already signed at the bottom. In bol

ough every memory with Darian until the bitterness choked her. Then she'd read the contract ag

till rang i

r of ma

lowance of

public events Elia

onal inv

lic sc

losure agreement that wo

ed to walk

was she had

door that hadn't s

it was

e door startled he

Black shirt. Black tie. Black slacks. Understated but stunning. His jacket hung from hi

ready,"

't a qu

the skirt of her dress.

lked toward her and hel

at it. "W

weddin

her side. "Isn't that

ract," he said. "Theatrics

flashy, but elegant. A single stone on a platinum band. Clean. Refined. It glinted

other word. The cold metal shocked her skin, the weight foreign. It was

, then into her eyes.

like a director

d at his lips. "Let

thout ceremony. No mus

a waiting official filed their paperwork with practiced ease and stamped the

to the bright July sunlight, Ar

o champagne. N

ed envelope tucked

they walked back to

g open the car door for her.

r-The De L

ef at the estate that now

se felt wrong. T

ansion surrounded by manicured gardens and trimmed hedges. A long driveway stretched towar

hed eyes. Balconies extended from every wing, and vines curled d

of the car and handed

asked, blinking a

Emergency contacts. Event calendar. I've mar

r with

ur first formal dinner at the De Luca board gala. You'll ne

m. "You really d

a honeymoo

. "Trust me

gan walking up the steps, a butler open

to process how her life

ring a mansion with twenty-seven rooms, two ele

ng felt

e surreal than the

vate

still tagged. A vanity filled with luxury brands she'd only seen in m

doors. The view took her breath away. Hills. Trees

mall. Like the world had f

t was

t wasn't

was

s only bor

The De Luca F

immered with go

a lenses filled the vast space. Waiters in black carried trays

e Ariella, his arm

g the sleeves. Her hair was swept up into a soft bun, and diamond earrings glint

Some are curious. Some are

eeted them, shaking his h

led stiffly

didn't expect this surprise. M

ral smile. "We va

he guest chuck

turned toward Elian with a whisp

y are. They're

lating

ng you'

oat tig

li

nly, interrupting. "Th

ck. She pasted on a smile while the camera clicked.

against her ear. "T

swal

e easy part...

he Mansio

room. Her feet ached. Her face was sore from smiling. Her stomac

e of her bed and s

he chandelier light.

uzzed on th

ess

nce tonight, Mrs. De Luca. Bu

art sk

her

u might have foole

lla

it D

ne

meone

spond, her phone bu

to the game, Ariella. Le

d turned

e phone, her p

life... it wasn't just

s a s

already ca