The Billionaire’s Revenge Bride

Chapter 2

Lana POV

The Thompson penthouse sat above the city like a throne carved from glass and power.

By the time Edward private car delivered us to the towering skyscraper overlooking the Shanghai skyline, the sky had darkened into deep velvet blue. Neon lights shimmered across the river below, reflecting against the building’s mirrored surface like fractured stars.

I stepped out of the car slowly, smoothing my wedding dress, trying to ignore the weight of Edward’s presence as he followed behind me. He hadn’t spoken a single word since we left the cathedral.

Silence had always been Edward most dangerous weapon.

Inside, the lobby was breathtaking—white marble floors, gold accents, towering orchid arrangements, and staff lined along the entrance like silent soldiers awaiting their commander. The moment Edward stepped inside, every employee straightened instantly.

“Welcome home, Mr. Thompson.”

Home.

The word twisted painfully in my chest. Edward gave a brief nod before his gaze shifted toward me. There was something sharp in his expression, like he was assessing whether I belonged here… or whether he planned to remind me that I didn’t.

“Penthouse,” he instructed simply.

The elevator ride felt endless despite lasting only seconds. The walls were mirrored, reflecting us from every angle Edward standing tall and composed, and me beside him, wrapped in white lace that suddenly felt like surrender instead of celebration.

He didn’t look at me, I told myself I didn’t care.

The elevator doors opened directly into the penthouse. And for a moment… I forgot how to breathe.

The entire floor was a masterpiece of luxury and control. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls revealed the sprawling city below, lights glittering endlessly beneath us. Dark polished stone floors stretched across the massive space, softened by ivory rugs and modern art pieces that probably cost more than my family’s entire estate.

It was stunning.Cold.Perfectly Dominic.

He removed his suit jacket, tossing it casually onto a leather chair before loosening his tie. The simple gesture felt strangely intimate, like I was witnessing a side of him the world never saw.

I stepped cautiously further inside, my heels echoing softly against the floor.

“You redecorated,” I said quietly. His gaze flickered toward me. “You remember the old one?” he asked. “I remember everything.”

The air between us tightened instantly.

Edward poured himself a glass of whiskey from a crystal decanter resting on the bar near the window. The amber liquid glowed beneath the dim lighting as he swirled it slowly, watching the city below.

“You’ll have your own suite,” he said, his tone purely business. “Opposite side of the penthouse. You’ll have access to everything necessary to maintain appearances.”

Appearances.

I nodded slowly, though disappointment flickered somewhere deep inside me. I hated myself for feeling it.

“And the rules?” I asked carefully. His lips curved faintly, but there was no humor in it.

“You follow my public schedule. Attend events when required. Smile when cameras appear. You do not interfere with my business decisions.”

He took a slow sip of whiskey before continuing.

“And you do not leave the country without informing me.” The last part felt less like a rule… and more like a chain.

“I see,” I said softly. Edward finally turned fully toward me. His gray eyes swept across my face, lingering in a way that made my pulse stumble.

You seem very calm for someone entering a marriage built on mutual destruction.“I’ve had practice surviving destruction,” I replied.

Something dark flickered in his gaze at that.

He set the glass down carefully and stepped closer. Instinctively, my body tensed as his presence filled the space between us. He smelled the same — dark cologne and something uniquely him that memory alone couldn’t erase.

“You always were dramatic,” he murmured.

“You always were cruel.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Edward’s jaw tightened slightly. For a moment, I thought he might step back. Instead, he moved closer until only inches separated us.

“You think cruelty brought you here?” he asked quietly. I met his gaze, refusing to retreat.

“No,” I said. “Pain did.” The confession hung between us, fragile and dangerous.

Edward’s hand lifted slowly, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face. The gesture was almost gentle, and it shattered something inside me more effectively than any harsh word ever could.

“You haven’t changed,” he said.

“I have,” I whispered. “You just never waited long enough to see it.” His expression darkened. “You expect me to believe that the woman who sold my family to the highest bidder suddenly grew a conscience?”

The accusation sliced deeper than I wanted to admit. “I expect nothing from you,” I said quietly. “That was never my mistake.”

Edward’s hand dropped from my face, but his gaze remained locked onto mine, searching, calculating… almost uncertain.

A crack of thunder echoed faintly outside as rain began streaking against the glass walls, turning the city lights into blurred streaks of color.

He turned away suddenly, running a hand through his hair like something had unsettled him. “You should change,” he said curtly. “Your belongings are already arranged in your suite.”

I nodded and turned toward the hallway, but his voice stopped me.

“Lana.” I froze.

“Yes?”

There was a long pause before he spoke again.“You understand,” he said slowly, “that this marriage is built on obligation. Nothing more.”

I swallowed hard, forcing steadiness into my voice.

“Of course.”

Another silence followed, heavier this time. “And yet,” he added quietly, almost to himself, “you still wore white.”

The words sent a tremor through my chest.

I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t trust what my face might reveal if I did.

“I wore white,” I said carefully, “because I’m burying the past tonight.” His breath caught slightly, so faint I almost imagined it.

I walked down the hallway before he could respond, each step feeling like I was leaving pieces of myself scattered across marble floors and glass walls.

My suite was breathtaking — silk bedding, private balcony, and city lights stretching endlessly beyond it. It should have felt like a dream.

Instead, it felt like a beautifully decorated prison.

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, finally allowing the weight of the day to crash over me. My fingers trembled as I removed my wedding veil, letting it fall silently to the floor.

Through the glass balcony doors, rain fell harder, tapping against the windows like restless memories. I stepped outside, wrapping my arms around myself as the cool night air brushed my skin.

Somewhere inside this fortress of power and revenge… lived the man I once loved. And the man who now hated me enough to marry me.

Behind me, the balcony door slid open quietly.

I didn’t need to turn around to know it was him.

Edward stepped beside me, his presence warm against the chill air. For several seconds, neither of us spoke. The rain softened the city sounds below, leaving only the steady rhythm of water and unspoken words.

“You always liked storms,” he said finally. “They were honest,” I replied. “They never pretended to be calm.” His shoulder brushed mine as he leaned slightly against the railing. The contact was accidental or maybe not.