CHAPTER 14
Author: Shabnam Tiwana
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
Xavier stood at the altar, his eyes locked onto the vacant space ahead. The grand hall exuded opulence, a reflection of his family's immense wealth and societal standing. The flickering candles scattered their warm, wavering light across the gilded ornaments, bestowing an otherworldly radiance upon the surroundings. Yet, in Xavier's heart, there was nothing but an overwhelming darkness, an abyss that loomed, ready to engulf him.

Xavier tugged at the collar of his suit, feeling it tighten around his neck like a suffocating noose. In his mind, a storm of emotions raged, a turbulent mix of anger, resentment, and an intense longing for liberation. The hushed murmurs of arriving guests echoed in his ears, their footsteps resounding like a relentless march toward his predetermined destiny. At the heart of this tumultuous gathering stood the woman he was moments away from marrying, a woman he had never met, an enigmatic figure in his impending life.

The demands of his father and the towering
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    Priest: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Xavier and Aurora in holy matrimony...Xavier found himself lost in a sea of conflicting thoughts, his gaze fixed upon Aurora, a woman he believed harbored ulterior motives. The weight of his family's expectations pressed upon him, and a surge of frustration threatened to consume him.The priest's voice became clearer, prompting Xavier back to the present moment."May we all rise to our feet as we embark on the solemnization of holy matrimony between Xavier Knight and Aurora Johnson." The crowd obediently stood up, and the priest proceeded with the opening prayers.Xavier's impatience grew by the second, his irritation palpable. He couldn't fathom why the priest was prolonging the proceedings with unnecessary words. He resented the fact that the priest seemed overly enthusiastic about their wedding. To Xavier, it was nothing more than the death of his bachelorhood, a forced union with a woman he considered a gol

  • The Billionaire's Stuttering Bride    CHAPTER 16

    Aurora was lost in her thoughts when the priest's next sentence abruptly pulled her back to the reality of the moment, making her throat tighten with apprehension.With a warm, inviting smile, the priest declared, "Now, you may seal this union with a kiss, the final step to uniting as one."Now you may kiss the bride." "What the Fuck!" Xavier's whispered exclamation took Aurora by surprise, leaving her utterly bewildered. She couldn't fathom what was causing his reaction.Time seemed to slow as the seconds ticked away, and the room held its collective breath, the anticipation of the impending kiss palpable. An eerie tension hung in the air as all eyes focused on the couple.Her heart skipped a beat, a whirlwind of anticipation and trepidation swirled within her. The impending kiss, her first shared with a man she hardly knew, carried the weight of a lifetime—a kiss sealing her fate to a man who had become her husband, staking a claim to every facet of her existence.The word "husband"

  • The Billionaire's Stuttering Bride    CHAPTER 17

    Xavier's exasperation reached its peak as his gaze fell upon the wedding planner, who was hastily approaching them. A low curse escaped his lips, catching Aurora off guard as she flinched."Photos, you two!" the wedding planner exclaimed with unwavering determination, guiding them to a corner where her camera equipment was neatly arranged.Xavier seethed, his frustration palpable. "Will this fucking nightmare never end?" he muttered in annoyance, the intensity of his irritation making Aurora jump slightly."Do I look like I give a shit about photos? Xavier seethed"Mr Knight I....""Look, lady I don't have fucking time for this, so get lost!" Xavier seethed, irritation.Casandra didn't seem taken aback at all. She maintained her calm demeanor, her response unwavering. "I'm sorry, but no can do. William said you were a bit camera shy, although I do remember a little while back on this one magazine...," she began, hinting at Xavier's past. His gaze turned to ice"Now, shall we begin, or

  • The Billionaire's Stuttering Bride    CHAPTER 18

    Xavier's gaze involuntarily kept drifting back to his so called wife, though the word itself left a bitter taste in his mouth. How swiftly his life had transformed within a mere week. Doubt gnawed at him—was her innocence genuine, or was she merely a masterful actress? He observed her engaging with Angela, even Alex seemingly enchanted by her presence. "Traitor, I thought he was supposed to be on my side!" he whispered under his breath, a tinge of resentment surfacing.Xavier's train of thought was abruptly interrupted by his father's voice. "She's a genuinely nice girl, and once you get to know her, I believe you'll see her in a different light."Xavier shook his head, frustration etched on his face. "Don't you think I should have had the opportunity to know her before being forced into this marriage?""I understand son...""Do you, really? Because from where I stand, I've been coerced—oops, forgive me—I mean, threatened into marrying a woman whom I've only met today."William attempt

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    With an abrupt, powerful grip, Xavier seized her arm, propelling her toward his sleek car.Xavier scolded her, his voice laced with displeasure. "I thought I told you to stay in the car.""I a-apologize" she stuttered. "I n-needed some f-fresh air. Is e-everything a-alright?" Her question hung in the air, laden with anxiety, as she looked back at Alex who stood helplessly watching the scene unfold"None of your fucking business" Xavier replied, as his eyes bore into her with an intense glare.There was an urgent intensity in his movements as he forcibly guided her into the backseat, the leather cold against her skin. Aurora's voice quivered with fear as she tried to make her case, her words trembling as she pleaded for understanding and a chance to explain the situation that had landed her in this bewildering scenario."W-what's w-wrong? P-please. I d-don't know w-what I've d-done b-but I'm s-sorry... p-please..." she cried, her words interrupted by hiccups.He forcefully shoved her i

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    Xavier's frustration reached its boiling point as he paced back and forth, struggling to rein in his simmering rage. The knock on the door interrupted his restless movements, causing him to abruptly halt. With a swift stride, he stormed towards the door and forcefully swung it open, the air crackling with tension."Of all the unlucky days... Wasn't my humiliation enough to scare you away?" Xavier muttered, his eyes locked on his drenched wife. A sardonic smile danced on his lips as he continued, "But then again, I never expected to get rid of you that easily."Meeting her gaze, he said nothing more, but instead seized her hand, yanking her inside with a forceful pull that echoed through the air. The door slammed shut with a resounding bang, amplifying the intensity of their charged encounter."Step right into your new domain, Mrs. Knight," he sneered, his voice carrying a venomous undertone. He took a calculated step back, his hands sweeping out to present the grandeur of the penthous

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    CHAPTER 60

    Angela carefully set the last shard of the broken vase onto the coffee table, brushing off her hands as she settled back onto the couch. The hum of the city filtered in through the open windows, bringing an air of calm into the penthouse that neither woman seemed to feel. “Th-thanks for helping,” Aurora whispered, her voice unsteady. Angela gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a vase.” Aurora’s eyes flickered nervously toward the closed door of Xavier’s office, her fingers toying with the hem of her shirt. “Um, should I l-let your b-brother know y-you’re h-here?” Angela nodded. “yeah, pl-.” Before Angela could complete her sentence, Alex’s voice rang out from the hallway, full of energy. “Xavier! Hey, Bro! Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Aurora flinched at the sound, her body stiffening immediately. Angela caught the subtle shift and shot her a glance but stayed quiet, knowing Alex’s boisterous personality often unnerved Aurora. "Xavier!

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    Aurora's fingers glided gently over the scattered fragments, treating each shard with a sense of respect as if the remnants still whispered stories of the vase's lost elegance. The cool, polished edges shimmered softly in the ambient light, highlighting the peril they represented. She proceeded with care, her movements deliberate, completely absorbed in the pieces laid out before her. Everything outside her focused task faded into the background, and she remained unaware of the quiet sound of the penthouse door opening, a mere murmur against the city's distant buzz. On her knees, Aurora’s thoughts drifted as she reached for another shard, still surprised that Xavier hadn’t punished her for breaking the vase. She could tell he was angry—his eyes had darkened when he saw the damage—but the reaction she had braced for never came. It wasn’t like him to let something like this slide, and that unsettled her even more. She knew better than to relax. His silence might only be temporary,

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    CHAPTER 57

    The scent of aged leather mingled with the rich aroma of whisky swirling in Xavier's glass, its golden hue reflecting the flickering flames in the hearth. Paperwork lay scattered on a nearby table, a reminder of tasks demanding his attention, but his eyes flickered over them without focus. Seated in his study's leather armchair, Xavier's gaze was drawn to the fire, lost in a labyrinth of thoughts and emotions. Frustrated, he took a huge gulp of whisky, hoping the warmth would drown out the chaos within. The image of Aurora, her delicate form wrapped in a towel, hair dripping with water, haunted him. Her presence had stirred something deep within, an unfamiliar yearning that both thrilled and frightened him. The way her wet locks cascaded over her shoulders, droplets glistening like liquid diamonds, captivated him. Even in such a simple moment, her natural allure was undeniable, tugging at emotions he struggled to comprehend. "No!" He slammed the whiskey hard onto his desk.

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    CHAPTER 56

    "You should have asked permission before entering my room," he said through gritted teeth. Aurora's head shook in a mix of fear and apology. "N-no... I-I'm sorry. It w-won't happen a-again," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "Too late for apologies now, wife." Xavier stepped back, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. Her intoxicating scent was driving him crazy. He glanced around the room. "Now, what punishment should I give you?" he mused aloud. Xavier's gaze wandered around the room until it landed on his cupboard. A glint of mischief appeared in his eyes. With swift, deliberate motions, he began pulling clothes from the shelves, tossing them onto the floor and creating a chaotic mess. Aurora's eyes widened, her hand instinctively moving to her heart. 'what was he going to do' she thought "So, wife, I bet you're wondering what I'm up to," he smirked, rubbing his hands together. "Your punishment is to neatly organize every piece of clothing back

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    Xavier's emotions churned as he looked at her standing there, wrapped in just a towel. Confusion and curiosity mingled inside him, but her big, beautiful blue eyes softened his initial anger. Entranced, he found himself lost in her gaze, momentarily forgetting everything else. His eyes drifted down to her lips, a flicker of desire breaking through his resolve. "Control," his mind screamed, urging composure. But as he met her gaze, seeing fear in her eyes, a protective instinct welled up inside him. He tightened his grip around her waist, mirroring the hold she had on him, drawing her closer. His firm touch sent shivers down her spine, amplifying her trembling as fear and regret surged through her. Why had she entered his room, knowing his temper? The question echoed in her mind. In that moment, a strong urge to flee overwhelmed her—to escape from the penetrating gaze of the man who was meant to be her husband. But first, she had to find her voice to explain. Summoning courage,

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    The following day dawned, casting a pale light into Aurora's room. She sat huddled on her bed, her body cocooned in a protective blanket. Her gaze drifted to the closed door. Since their return, Xavier had not made his presence known again, leaving her to wonder what mood he was in this morning. Aurora realized that staying in her room, cocooned in the safety of her cozy blanket, was no longer an option. She was well aware of the rules that she had to abide by. If she failed to follow those rules, who knows what kind of punishment Xavier would come up with. She quickly glanced at the clock on her bedside table, realizing that it was nearly time to prepare his breakfast. As per his strict instructions, it was her responsibility to do so. If she didn't, well, she dreaded to think about the consequences. With a deep breath, she peeled herself away from the warm embrace of her blanket, Her legs trembled with exhaustion as she rose to her feet, and quickly made her way to the bath

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    CHAPTER 53

    After arriving at the penthouse, Xavier headed straight for the bathroom. He shed his clothes and stepped under the cold shower, the water cascading over him. As the chill enveloped him, he couldn't help but reflect on the events at the pub. Why hadn't she seized the opportunity to marry another billionaire, one who actually wanted her? Why was she behaving as if he had wronged her? His mind drifted back to the image of her tear-streaked face, and his hand instinctively moved to his chest, where his heart pounded furiously. Why did her tears stir something within him, a pang of sadness that he couldn't quite shake off? No, no...no. They were just crocodile tears. She was a masterful actress, after all. "Relax, Xavier," he whispered to himself, attempting to push away the nagging doubts gnawing at his mind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "It's just been too much drama for one day," he muttered, hoping to convince himself that it was all just an

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    CHAPTER 52

    Xavier's anger simmered beneath the surface. How dare she? He scanned the surroundings as they stepped outside. He couldn't fathom why she portrayed him as the villain. In his perspective, he was merely extending her the life she craved. Xavier's frustration boiled over as he watched her vanish around the corner. "Damn it!" he muttered under his breath, getting into his car and slamming the door shut. With a swift movement, he pressed his foot down on the accelerator, the engine roaring to life as he sped off after her. His eyes darted from street to street, irritation mounting with each unanswered call she ignored. Xavier's car screeched to a halt as he caught sight of her silhouette ahead, walking slowly, arms wrapped around herself as if seeking comfort. Xavier's car pulled up beside her, and the blare of the horn startled Aurora, causing her to jump. As she turned and saw Xavier behind the wheel, she hesitated for a moment before resuming her slow walk, deliberately