Elliana is mocked as her family’s “ugly duckling,” while her perfect stepsister is set to marry a CEO. But on the wedding day, the CEO marries Elliana instead. When everyone expects her downfall, she reveals shocking talents and a hidden beauty. Why did he really choose her—and what happens next?
“It doesn’t bother me,” Elliana replied. “Spaghetti with red sauce, the kind your dad’s been making forever. I want that comfort food magic. Let’s go.” Despite her reservations, Hailee gave in, and the two flagged down a cab and set off. Elliana genuinely craved a taste of the local specialty-but that wasn’t the whole story.…
Hailee chuckled to herself. Elliana was truly something else. Elliana and Hailee stepped out of the hotel and hopped into a cab bound for Willow Lane. About an hour later, they reached the entrance to the lane, which was bursting with life. Crowds wove between stalls, and the air was thick with the scent of…
Elliana’s eyes flicked to the wads of cash-easily ten grand a bundle. Cole probably spent more on neckties. But to these locals, it was rent, bills, maybe even a fresh start. The room shifted from grumbles to quiet gratitude as they took the cash and slipped out with hesitant smiles. Moments later, the once-bustling diner…
“Hey, you, come over!” Cole’s voice sliced through the diner’s low hum like a blade-sharp, direct, impossible to ignore. Elliana’s head jerked up instinctively, realizing he was calling her. What the hell did he want now? Elliana froze for a second, caught between playing along and vanishing into the kitchen. As always, Hugh skipped finesse…
Elliana had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Seriously? Mr. Billionaire brooding over heartbreak like a lovesick teen? All that money, all that charm-and still couldn’t land a steady win? Ragging on a random waitress like this? Just how many heartbreaks had it taken to turn Cole into this bitter,…
Right then, the woman’s hand shot up, ready to strike. Elliana moved like lightning, catching the woman’s wrist mid-air before the slap landed. With a subtle twist, Elliana applied just enough pressure to make the woman wince. “Let go of me, you crazy freak!” the woman screamed. Unmoved, Elliana locked eyes with her. Her voice…
Cole’s expression turned thunderous, but Elliana kept going, unfazed. “Didn’t even blink when she slid her foot up your leg. Wow. You are really into her. Gotta say, that’s pathetic. Your taste is disastrous.” The crowd froze, stunned into silence, their wide eyes fixed on Elliana. No one had ever dared speak to Cole that…
Not long after, Cole strode toward the car with Elliana still tucked tightly in his arms. After dispatching two guards to handle the woman, Myles slid into the passenger seat. He was about to give the order to move but hesitated, glancing over his shoulder. “Where to, Mr. Evans?” Without loosening his grip on Elliana,…
Silence thickened in the confined limo, tension snapping in the air like static. Right when Elliana braced herself for Cole to snap, he ended up saying something that sounded more like a complaint than an outburst instead “You’re heartless, you know that? I was falling apart last night, and you still kicked me out. Not…
“I figured out a while ago you weren’t nearly as unattractive as you pretended to be,” Cole said without blinking. Elliana’s eyes narrowed. “So it was my face that reeled you in, huh? One glance and suddenly you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself?” For a moment, she had genuinely believed he was drawn to…