THE BILLIONAIRE’S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE 4

Chapter 8: The Search The rain had not stopped.Sofia sat alone inside a small bus station at the edge of the city.Her bag rested beside her feet.The wedding ring was gone.The Sterling name was gone.Everything was gone.For the first time in weeks, she felt free.But freedom hurt.Because despite everything...She missed him.Adrian's cold voice.His sarcastic comments.The way he always knew when she was crying.The way his hand had rested gently on her back.Sofia quickly wiped away fresh tears."Stop it," she whispered to herself."He never wanted you."Meanwhile...The entire Sterling family was in chaos.More than twenty security teams were searching the city.Drivers.Bodyguards.Private investigators.Everyone.Vanessa watched in disbelief."You're searching for her like she's a missing princess."Adrian's face remained expressionless."Watch your mouth."The room instantly became silent.Vanessa blinked.Her brother had never spoken to her like that."You're angry because she left?" she asked."No.""Then why are you acting like this?"Adrian stood up slowly.His voice was dangerously calm."Because someone made my wife cry."Vanessa's face lost color.The room fell silent.For the first time, Adrian wasn't protecting Sofia because of the contract.He was protecting her because he wanted to.Hours later...A bodyguard finally called."Sir, we've located Madam Sofia."Adrian immediately stood."Where?""Central Bus Terminal."His grip tightened around his cane."I'm coming."Central Bus Terminal Rain water dripped from the station roof. People hurried past carrying bags and umbrellas. Sofia sat quietly on a metal bench.Then suddenly...A familiar voice spoke behind her."You really are terrible at running away." Her entire body froze.No.Slowly she turned. Adrian stood there in a dark coat.Rain covered his shoulders.Several bodyguards stood nearby.For a moment neither spoke.Then Sofia looked away."You shouldn't be here.""And yet I am.""You found me.""I wasn't looking for treasure." His voice softened." I was looking for my wife. "The words made her heart ache." I'm not your wife."" You signed a marriage certificate.""A fake one."Silence. The rain grew heavier.Finally Adrian stepped forward."Did you really think I would let you disappear?"Sofia laughed bitterly."Why not?""You said our marriage meant nothing."Adrian froze.Because he remembered.Every cruel word.Every wall he had built between them.And now she believed them." I was wrong."Sofia's eyes widened.Adrian Sterling never apologized. To anyone. Yet here he was. Standing in the rain. Apologizing. "I should have protected you."His voice was low. "I should have stopped them." Sofia looked away before he could see the tears forming. "But you didn't."" No."For the first time... The billionaire had no defense. No excuse. Nothing.Just regret. A painful silence stretched between them. Then Adrian slowly reached into his coat pocket. "What is that?" Sofia asked.He opened his hand. The wedding ring. The one she had left behind. "I think you forgot something." Sofia stared at it.Her heart shattered. " Adrian..."" Come home. "The words were simple. But they carried something she had never heard from him before.Need.Real need. For several seconds, Sofia couldn't breathe.Then Adrian added quietly:"The mansion feels empty without you. "And for the first time... Sofia saw the truth hidden behind all his coldness. Adrian Sterling was falling in love. And that terrified him more than losing his sight ever had. To be continued...