Married To The Billionaire I Hated

The wedding march echoed through the grand hall. White roses lined the aisle. Crystal chandeliers glittered above hundreds of guests dressed in expensive suits and elegant gowns. Zara Adaku stood behind the ivory curtains, her fingers trembling around a bouquet of lilies. “This is it,” she whispered, forcing herself to smile. After five years together, she was finally marrying Eric Johnson—the man she believed would spend the rest of his life with her. The wedding coordinator peeked through the curtain. “Miss Adaku?” “Yes?” “The groom is not here yet.” Zara frowned. “What do you mean?” “He stepped outside about twenty minutes ago. His phone is not reachable.” A nervous laugh escaped her lips. “That’s Eric. He is probably calming his nerves.” The coordinator smiled politely, but worry lingered in her eyes. “I will go check.” Zara nodded. As the woman hurried away, her best friend, Chioma, walked over. “You okay?” “I don’t know.” “You look pale.” Zara looked toward the empty aisle. “Something feels wrong.” Before Chioma could answer, a young waiter rushed past carrying champagne. He accidentally bumped Into Zara. “Oh! I am so sorry!” Her bouquet slipped from her hands. “It is okay.” As she bent to pick it up, she noticed something. Eric’s phone. It had fallen from the waiter’s tray. “Where did you get this?” “The garden, ma’am.” Ada’s heartbeat slowed. “The garden?” “Yes.” “He must have forgotten it.” “I will return it.” Without waiting, Ada lifted the skirt of her wedding dress and hurried outside. ⸻ The hotel garden was quiet. The music from inside became faint. “Eric?” No answer. She walked deeper between rows of flowers. Then Voices. A woman laughed. “I cannot believe she still thinks you are marrying her.” Zara froze. That voice Vanessa, Her cousin. Eric chuckled. “She is too naïve.” Zara’s breathing stopped. She slowly stepped closer until she could see them. Eric stood beneath the gazebo. His hands rested around Vanessa’s waist. They were kissing. Long, Passionately. Zara felt as though the world had tilted beneath her feet. “No” Her voice barely escaped. The couple turned. Eric’s smile disappeared. “Zara.” Vanessa did not even look embarrassed. Instead, she smiled. A cruel smile. “So you found us.” Ada stared at them. “I do not understand.” Eric sighed as if explaining something obvious to a child. “I was going to tell you.” “When?” “After today.” “After today?” Vanessa laughed. “Oh, Eric.” Ada’s hands shook violently. “You said you loved me.” “I used to.” The words landed harder than any slap. “But your family is not wealthy.” Eric continued. “You have nothing.” Vanessa crossed her arms proudly. “My parents are giving Eric shares in our company.” Ada looked from one face to the other. “So” “This wedding” It was never real.” Vanessa stepped closer. “You were just convenient.” Zara felt tears burning behind her eyes. “You stole him.” Vanessa shrugged. “You cannot steal someone who never wanted to stay.” Something inside Zara broke. She slapped Eric. The sound echoed through the garden. Eric rubbed his cheek. “You have always been dramatic.” “Dramatic?” “My entire life” “My dreams” “My future” “You destroyed everything!” Eric looked annoyed. “No.” “I chose a better future.” Vanessa leaned against him. “We are getting married instead.” Zara blinked. “What?” “The ceremony.” “It starts in thirty minutes.” “You invited all these guests.” “So why waste the decorations?” Zara could not breathe. They had planned everything. Everyone inside All those guests They would watch another bride walk down the aisle. Her cousin. Humiliation crashed over her like a tidal wave. “Zara!” Chioma’s voice echoed from behind. She ran into the garden. “There you are!” Then she saw Eric and Vanessa. “Oh” Understanding filled her face. “You two” Vanessa smiled proudly. “Surprise.” Chioma glared. “You are disgusting.” Eric rolled his eyes. “Take your friend home.” Zara stood perfectly still. She could not cry. She could not scream. Everything inside her had gone numb. Eric reached into his pocket. He pulled out a velvet ring box. Not the engagement ring. A different one. He opened it. Vanessa extended her hand. He slid the diamond ring onto her finger. “I love you.” The words shattered what remained of Zara’s heart. Without another word, she turned away. She began walking. One step. Then another. Ignoring Chioma calling after her. Ignoring the tears streaming down her cheeks. Ignoring the whispers from guests beginning to notice something was wrong. By the time she reached the hotel entrance, people were staring. “The bride is crying.” “What is happening?” “Did they cancel the wedding?” She lowered her head. Every whisper felt like another knife. She pushed through the revolving doors. Outside, rain had begun to fall. Within seconds, her wedding dress was soaked. She laughed. A broken, hollow laugh. “What a joke.” Five years. Gone. A black luxury sedan slowly stopped beside the curb. The rear window lowered. A deep voice spoke from inside. “Miss Zara Adaku.” She looked up. A man in an impeccably tailored black suit sat in the back seat. His sharp features and calm gaze gave him an air of quiet authority. She had never seen him before. Yet something about him made the busy hotel entrance fall strangely silent. “I have been waiting for you,” he said. Zara frowned. “Who are you?” The man opened the car door. “My name is Elijah Nebo.” One of the wealthiest—and most feared—businessmen in the city. “I have a proposal.” Zara stared at him, confused. “A proposal?” “Yes.” His expression did not change. “Marry me.” Zara thought she had misheard him. “What?” Elijah’s eyes remained fixed on hers. “Get in the car.” “Because in one hour…” He paused. “your life is going to change forever.” “Who is Elijah Nebo, and why would a billionaire ask a heartbroken stranger in her wedding dress to marry him?” Find out in the next Episode.