The Billionaire’s Substitute Bride

Chapter Twelve: A New Beginning

The next morning, Yvonne stood inside the small office Richard had given her.

It wasn't much yet.

A few desks, empty shelves, and a large window overlooking the busy street.

But to Yvonne, it was everything.

It was the first thing in her life that belonged completely to her.

She walked slowly around the room, imagining what it could become.

A proper company.

Her own name on the door.

Her own decisions.

Her own success.

She smiled.

For once, she wasn't thinking about the Carter mansion.

She wasn't thinking about Charlotte.

And she wasn't thinking about the marriage.

She was thinking about herself.

Her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Are you at your office?"

Yvonne smiled when she recognized Adrian's voice.

"Yes."

"Good. I'm coming over."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

"Then why are you coming?"

"Because I want to see what you're building."

She laughed softly.

"Fine."

Less than an hour later, Adrian walked into the office carrying two cups of coffee.

"I brought you one."

Yvonne accepted it.

"You remembered how I take it?"

"I pay attention."

She smiled.

Adrian looked around.

"So this is it?"

"For now."

He nodded approvingly.

"I like it."

"You haven't even seen the rest."

"I don't need to."

Yvonne looked at him.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know you'll make it work."

His confidence in her made her smile.

They spent the next hour discussing her plans.

Yvonne explained the kind of company she wanted to build and the ideas she'd developed while studying at university.

Adrian listened carefully.

He didn't interrupt or dismiss her.

Instead, he asked questions.

"What market are you targeting?"

"How will you fund expansion?"

"What makes your company different?"

Yvonne answered each one.

By the time they finished, she was more excited than nervous.

"You've thought this through," Adrian said.

"I told you. I've wanted this for years."

"Then don't let anyone convince you that you can't have it."

Yvonne looked at him.

"Thank you."

Adrian smiled.

"You don't have to thank me for believing in you."

There was a brief silence.

Yvonne looked away.

She was beginning to understand why being around him felt so different.

Adrian didn't make her feel like someone's unwanted daughter.

He made her feel like Yvonne.

That evening, when Yvonne returned home, Charlotte was waiting in the hallway.

"How was your day?"

"Good."

"Your office?"

"Really good."

Charlotte smiled.

"I'm happy for you."

Yvonne nodded.

"Thank you."

She continued upstairs.

Charlotte watched her go.

The jealousy inside her grew stronger.

Yvonne was becoming independent.

Adrian was falling for her.

And now she had something of her own.

Charlotte couldn't allow all of it to continue.

She pulled out her phone and called someone.

"I need your help."

There was a pause.

Charlotte's voice lowered.

"It's about Yvonne."

She glanced toward the stairs.

"I need to know everything about her new company."

Meanwhile, Yvonne sat in her room, unaware that someone had already begun looking for a way into the life she was finally building for herself.