The Billionaire's Little Wife

my mind, like a distant bell tolling, Gabriel

er voice like a soothing lullaby, "That's why you have

ed aloud, "Why here? Why not somewhere else, like Texas or California?" I'd ask as her skille

e me, she came from privilege-her mother owned the biggest salon in town, and her father ran Zio

i," she'd tell me, "What's the point i

born where we're needed. Some of us are meant to break generational cycles, to rise above our

e, Gaby?" I asked o

Her eyes met mine, hopeful. She believed I ha

," I said without thinkin

eve you will. The C

too. "I h

ide for a man old enough to be my fa

r makeup," Rachel murmured as she wi

was a balm, and for the first time in a while, I felt grateful for their

e when you least expect it." Gabriella's words ec

I stayed behind, unable to go to college because my parents believed it wou

classes, learning so much-except how to b

oint in crying o

at her and thought I saw something in her eyes, something almost like r

gown that should've made me feel like a princess

g, tastefully decorated for what was supposed to

aw compassion in his eyes. Was he against this too? I quickly pushed the

lic church in town. But as I walked down the ai

en I s

, a tall, pale-skinned man with piercing blue eyes awaited me. He l

urted out, before I

aid calmly. "Your s

at him,

the old mayor, or me?" h

ed as I was. Then I looked back at Aiden, the strang

I said

rough the church. "Malisa Bree, do you take Aiden Evans to be your la

ut only for a

e to be your lawfully wedded wife, to lov

t pause.

now kiss

Aiden lifted my veil, instead of kissing me, he l

tears to my eyes. I looked up at him a

ould feel something else-compassi

y silver lining looke

.

do you t