The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 275
Summer’s POV
Gone was the basic, minimalist decor I’d left behind months ago–the IKEA furniture, the sparse decorations, the general air of a place that was lived in but not quite loved.
In its place was… something else entirely. Something warm. Inviting Beautiful.
The walls had been repainted in a soft cream instead of stark white. My old threadbare sofa had been replaced with a plush sectional in warm gray, accented with throw pillows in varying shades of blue. The rickety coffee table was gone, swapped for a sleek wooden piece that matched the new end tables. Even the lighting had been upgraded–the harsh overhead fixture replaced with recessed lighting and stylish lamps that cast a warm glow throughout the space.
I stepped inside cautiously, like I was entering a stranger’s home. The kitchen had new appliances gleaming under cabinet lights that definitely hadn’t been there before. My fingers traced the cool marble of countertops that had once been cheap laminate.
“What the hell?” I whispered to myself, moving deeper into the apartment.
The bedroom had been transformed too–a king–sized bed with an upholstered headboard had replaced my old full, and the bedding looked like something from a luxury hotel. The bathroom sparkled with new fixtures, and plush towels hung from a warming rack I definitely hadn’t installed.
As I stood gaping at the transformation, my phone rang. Brandon’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered, still looking around in disbelief.
“You home yet?” His deep voice filled my ear, instantly making my chest ache with how much I missed him already.
“Yeah, just got to the apartment, but… Brandon, did you have someone come renovate?” I asked, sinking onto the new sofa. It was even more comfortable than it looked.
“Mmm. Do you like it?” He sounded almost hesitant, which was so unlike him it made me smile.
“Like it? It’s… it’s incredible.” I ran my hand over the soft fabric of the sofa. “When did you even do this?”
“It was rushed. I had James find people to handle it. Wasn’t sure how it would turn out.”
I laughed, shaking my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Don’t worry, it’s perfect. I was thinking I’d be up half the night getting things organized, but everything’s ready to go!”
“James knows what he’s doing. You still doubting that?”
“Never gain, I promised, looking around the transformed space. “Seriously, this place looks like it belongs in a magazine now.”
“Good. As long as you like it.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but suddenly the reality of the situation hit me like a punch to the gut. This beautiful apartment–it was just a temporary solution. A place to hide out until the storm around us calmed. Not our home together.
Brandon,” I said, my voice suddenly thick.
“What’s wrong?” His tone sharpened immediately.
e away.
When I didn’t answer right away, his concern deepened. “June, what is it?”
1/3
Chapter 275
“Nothing, I lied, swallowing hard. “Everything’s great here. Are you back at the Hamptons yet?
“Yeah.
A pause, then his voice softened. “Missing me already?”
“No!” I shot back automatically, then immediately regretted it. “Well what about you? Do you miss me?”
“Every second,” he replied without hesitation. “I miss you every moment we’re apart. If I could, I’d be there with you right now.”
My eyes burned with unexpected tears. ‘I miss you too. I was lying before–I miss you so much it hurts. I hate being away from you, even for one night.
“That’s my girl,” he murmured, his voice a caress.
I sniffled, embarrassed by how emotional I was being. “Anyway, since you’re at the estate and I’m all settled in here, you can stop worrying. I just got back from shopping, and I really need a shower.
“Go ahead,” he said softly.
“Get some rest, okay? Goodnight, Brandon.”
“Goodnight, June.”
I ended the call and sat there for a long moment, clutching the phone to my chest like it was a lifeline connecting me to him.
The hot spray of the shower helped wash away some of the tension in my shoulders, but not the hollow feeling in my chest. After thirty minutes of letting the water pound against my skin, I finally stepped out, wrapped myself in one of the impossibly soft new towels, and padded back to the bedroom.
Once my hair was dry, I wandered restlessly into the living room. The beautiful new space suddenly felt too quiet, too empty. I clicked on the TV, flipping aimlessly through channels before giving up and turning it off again.
What was wrong with me? When Alexander had betrayed me with Victoria, I’d handled it with a level of composure that had surprised even me. I’d picked myself up and moved on without falling apart. Yet here I was, one night away from Brandon, and I was acting like a lovesick teenager.
With a sigh, I retreated to the bedroom, crawling under the luxurious new comforter. Despite the premium bedding, I found myself shivering. New York winters were brutal, and without Brandon’s body heat wrapped around me like it was every night at the Hamptons estate, I felt the chill deep in my bones.
I pulled out my phone, opening WhatsApp and staring at Brandon’s profile picture. My finger hovered over it, tempted to call or message him again. But what would I say? Hey, it’s been an hour and still miss you? God, that would be pathetic.
I closed the app. Then opened it again. Closed it. Opened it.
This ridiculous cycle continued for over an hour as I argued with myself about whether to contact him. What had happened to the independent woman who’d taken New York by storm? The woman who’d rebuilt her life after betrayal and never looked back?
Apparently, she’d been replaced by this needy version of myself that barely recognized.
Just as I was about to give in and call Brandon, a noise from the front of the apartment made me freeze. It sounded like… the lock turning?
2/3
Chapter 275
My heart hammered against nly ribs as I slid out of bed, adrenaline flooding my system. Who could possibly have a key? Had Elle Sinclair somehow tracked me here? Or worse–had she sent someone after me?
I grabbed the first potential we pon I could find–a pair of scissors from the dresser–and clutched my phone in my other hand, ready to call 911. My bare feet silent against the floor, I crept toward the bedroom door, listening as the front door opened.
Heavy footsteps crossed the threshold. Definitely not a woman’s. I raised the scissors higher, prepared to defend myself if necessary.
Then a familiar silhouette appeared in the doorway, and the scissors clattered to the floor.
“Brandon!” I cried, relief and joy flooding through me in equal measure,
He stood there in the doorway, looking exactly like he had when I’d left him this morning–impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair slightly tousled, his expression unreadable until his eyes met mine.
And then he smiled–that rare, genuine smile that transformed his entire face and was reserved only for me.
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