The Secret Wife of a Billionaire 3
Chapter 32: My Marriage Ends Only in Death, Not Divorce.
Summer’s POV
I couldn’t help letting out a small sigh as I watched Brandon take my phone. He stood in the center of his expansive living room, one perfect eyebrow arched as he studied my expression. “Having second thoughts?”
“No!” I shifted uncomfortably on the Italian leather sofa, painfully aware of how defensive I sounded. The morning sunlight streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows made everything feel surreal, like I was stuck in some strange dream where I’d somehow ended up married to Brandon Stark.
“Hmm.” The sound carried volumes of meaning I wasn’t ready to unpack.
“Look,” I said quickly, “whether you believe it or not, what happened with Alexander is over.” The words came out steadier than I felt. “You don’t need to worry. Since I chose to marry you, I won’t do anything inappropriate.”
Something flickered across his face surprise, maybe? – before his lips curved into that dangerous half–smile I was starting to know
too well. “Good. I’ll take you home.”
“Okay.” I tried to match his casual tone, though my heart was racing.
He moved toward the foyer with that predatory grace that seemed to come so naturally to him. “I know this has all happened very quickly,” his deep voice carried that gentle authority that never failed to make my skin prickle, “but we are married now. I hope you understand what that means.”
I followed him, chewing my lower lip as I tried to formulate a response. “Give me some time,” I managed finally. “I mean, you don’t need to remind me. Since I agreed to marry you, I’ll definitely respect our marriage—”
“Summer.” The way he said my name made me stumble slightly. He turned to face me, his dark eyes holding mine with that unsettling intensity. “You don’t need to be so tense. I’m just talking to you, not some kind of monster.”
You’re scarier than any monster, I thought, but I forced a smile. “Right.”
The ride to my apartment felt endless. Brandon’s presence beside me in the car was like a physical force, drawing my attention no matter how hard I tried to focus on the passing scenery.
“You had a rough night,” his deep voice broke the silence. “Get some rest when you get home. Don’t catch a cold.”
Heat flooded my face despite nothing having actually happened last night. I stared down at my hands, twisting my fingers nervously. “You…”
“I’ll give you three days,” he said, eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Then I’ll come get you.”
I turned to him, startled. “What? What three days?”
“You didn’t think we’d live separately after marriage, did you?” The way he emphasized ‘separately‘ made something flutter in my stomach.
Embarrassment washed over me as I realized I hadn’t thought that far ahead at all. My hands clasped together in my lap, palms suddenly sweaty. “I… I’m sorry, I’m not ready.”
The reality of my situation hit me like a physical blow. I knew almost nothing about this man I’d just married. His likes, his dislikes, his family background, his social circle – it was all a mystery. “Mr. Stark,” I pressed a hand to my forehead, “can I take it back?”
1/3
Chapter 32: My Marriage Ends Only in Death, Not Divorce
“We just got married right?” panic made my voice shake slightly, “Maybe it’s not too late. No one knows about this yet, we could-
“Miss Taylor.” His fingers tapped a gentle rhythm against the steering wheel. “My marriage ends only in death, not divorce.” His tone remained casual, almost playful, but something in it made my skin prickle. “And didn’t you just say we just got married‘? Yet you’re already talking about divorce?*
I let out a nervous laugh, words failing me. My hand moved to the door handle on instinct, only to find it locked. (Brandon Stark,” I couldn’t keep the frustration from my voice, “you can’t force people ke this!”
His brow furrowed slightly. “Force?” The temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees. “Have you forgotten something? Marrying me was your idea.”
My heart thundered against my ribs as his eyes fixed on me with predatory focus. “But… but I…”
Something in my expression must have given away my panic because his gaze softened slightly. “Did I scare you?” He reached over to brush a strand of hair from my face. “I was just teasing.”
The casual intimacy of the gesture made my breath catch. He leaned closer to undo my seatbelt, and suddenly the space between us felt charged with electricity.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” his voice carried that velvet–soft quality that never failed to make my pulse race. “I just hope you understand – what’s done is done. Why run from it?” His dark eyes held mine. “Instead of avoiding it, why not accept it? You might find a different perspective.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “Fine. I’ll try to adjust. Three days – you promised me three days.”
Something that looked dangerously like approval flickered in his eyes. “Of course. I always keep my word.” His lips curved into that half–smile that made my stomach do complicated flips. “Though I hope after three days, you won’t still be this… skittish.”
I practically ran into my apartment, locking the door behind me before sliding down against it. My legs felt like jelly, and my face burned as I tried to catch my breath. What have I done? What have I done?
“This is bad,” I muttered to myself, pressing my hands against my flushed cheeks. “This is really, really bad.”
Everything had happened so fast. I’d always prided myself on being careful, on thinking things through. But in less than twenty–four hours, I’d gone from discovering my parents‘ betrayal to marrying Brandon Stark. Summer Taylor, what were you thinking?
to make sure I was still me. The woman in the mirror looked I dragged myself to the bathroom, needing to see my reflection startled, cheeks flushed and eyes too bright. Was I just scared? Scared of what my parents tried to do? There had to have been other options besides marrying Brandon. Had I just traded one form of control for another?
Cold water helped clear my head slightly, but my hands still trembled as I patted my face dry. The strange thing was, I felt surprisingly calm about Alexander’s betrayal. Maybe it was the shock of my parents trying to sell me to the Windsors, or maybe Alexander’s true nature had been apparent for longer than I’d wanted to admit. Either way, my heart felt oddly steady when I thought about him now.
A knock at the door made me freeze. Through the peephole, I saw Alexander standing there, looking as perfectly put–together as always. My stomach twisted with disgust. After what happened last night, he actually has the nerve to show up here?
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