Billion dollar adventure : Meeting Mr Arrogant

hite, and champagne, like a scene straight out of a royal fairytale. But to her, it felt like a gilded prison. Every aspect of this wedding had been orchestrated down to the smallest detai

all, Lucy felt like no

intricate lace detailing and a long, flowing train, but Lucy had felt a strange detachment as she stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The dress didn't fe

e crowd blurred together-celebrities, dignitaries, billionaires from across the globe, all brought here for this event. She had never felt more out of

ng her for reasons she still didn't fully understand. But she had no choice. Richard had her backed into a corner.

front of the other as she walked down the aisle, each step taking her closer to the man she had come to despise. The smile plastered on her face felt foreign,

ld, unattainable way. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his sharp features set in an expression of triump

d. But beneath the surface, Lucy was suffocating. She could feel the weigh

d herself to imagine what her life would have been like if things had been different. If she had fallen in love with someone who cared for her, someone who wanted

aux, take Lucy to be yo

ith no hesitation. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction

chard Devereaux to be your

aisle and out of the building, leaving this nightmare behind. But the image of her aunt flashed in her mind-her aunt who had sacrificed so much for her, who had

d her fear, Lucy forced

ing Richard slid onto her finger felt like a shackle, cold and heavy. And then it was done. The offic

against her ear as he whispered, "Yo

ay from his touch. She had never felt more trapped. This was a pr

ening in a daze, her smile never quite reaching her eyes. Every interaction felt rehearsed, every conversation shallow. Sh

Lucy had married into a dream, that her niece's future was secure with a man of Richard's stature. Lucy could barely stoma

evening wound to a close, Lucy was utterly drained. She could barely remember the toasts or th

the top floor had been excruciating, the silence between them heavy with unspoken tension. When the doors opened to reveal his sprawling,

same smug tone that made her stomach twist. He gestured expansiv

was nothing warm or inviting about this place. It was all about display

ession. "This is what you wanted, isn't it? The lifestyle, t

this. She hadn't wanted to be bought, to be paraded around like a trophy wife. She ha

cision pressed down on her more heavily than ever. She was trapped, bou

e measured but icy. "I'm not here for your money, Richard. And if

ned, sharper than before. "I know enough. You agreed

t this marriage was to him-a business deal, a transaction to further his ambitions. What those ambitions were, she still didn't fully understand. He had never expla

one of the plush leather armchairs by the window, pouring himself a glass of whiskey as if he hadn't a

, her eyes scanning the cold, impersonal art on the walls. There was no warmth here, no sense of

and against the cool glass, staring out at the twinkling lights below. It felt like the city was miles away,

come to terms with what her lif