The Billionaire Who Couldn't Love Me

Elena Carter stood before the mirror, staring at the woman who was about to become the wife of the most powerful man in the city. Her wedding gown was beautiful. Her makeup was flawless. Every detail had been carefully planned. Yet Elena couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was terribly wrong. In less than an hour, she would marry Alexander Blackwood. Billionaire. Business tycoon. The man whose name appeared on magazine covers and financial reports across the country. And, unfortunately, the man who had never once told her that he loved her. Elena lowered her eyes as she remembered the first time Alexander had proposed. There had been no flowers. No romantic dinner. No trembling declaration of love. He had simply looked at her across his enormous office and said, “We should get married.” That was all. At the time, Elena had convinced herself that love could grow after marriage. She had been wrong. “Mrs. Blackwood,” a soft voice called from behind her. Elena turned and forced a smile. “It's time.” She nodded and walked toward the door. Every step brought her closer to the man she had dreamed of loving forever. But Alexander wasn't waiting for her with a smile. He stood at the altar with an expression as cold as winter. When Elena finally reached him, their eyes met. For one brief second, she searched his face for tenderness. She found nothing. The ceremony began. “Do you, Alexander Blackwood, take Elena Carter to be your wife?” Alexander's answer came without hesitation. “I do.” Elena swallowed. Then the question was directed at her. “Do you take Alexander Blackwood to be your husband?” She looked into his unreadable eyes. “I do.” The words left her lips, but her heart trembled. When the priest announced them as husband and wife, everyone in the room applauded. Everyone except Alexander. He leaned closer to her and whispered something that made her blood run cold. “Don't expect me to love you, Elena.” Her smile disappeared. Before she could respond, he turned away and walked toward the waiting crowd. Elena stood frozen at the altar. She had just married the man she thought would give her a happily-ever-after. She didn't know yet that her marriage to Alexander Blackwood was only the beginning of the greatest heartbreak of her life.