The Billionaire's Reluctant Heiress

Chapter 5

“Let’s get back to f*****g,” she said, voice sharp now. “She’ll get used to it.”

My stomach twisted. “You’re seriously going to…”

Isabella smiled at me, then dropped the robe to the floor like a curtain. “You could join us if you like. Maybe you’ll learn how to keep a man long enough to matter.”

Rage surged up in me. I wanted to scream. To slap her. To burn this entire cursed estate to the ground.

But I didn’t move.

Because I knew that’s what she wanted. For me to crack. For me to break.

I gritted my teeth, chest heaving, eyes locked on hers.

“You might stay in this house,” I said, voice low, “but now I own everything else. Let’s see how long you survive without your dead husband.”

She gave a cruel little laugh and sank back onto the bed.

I turned and stormed out, my heels echoing down the hall, with my fists tightened at each side.

What was wrong with these people? f*****g another man the same time your husband died?

Urgh talk about disgusting.

Liana's POV

I felt sick.

“Disgusting,” I muttered under my breath.

Behind me, steady and silent, was Aiden. He didn’t say a word, but I could feel the weight of his presence.

He was too composed. I hated how calm he was, how nothing ever seemed to rattle him… not even catching the so-called grieving widow in bed with another man.

I entered the next room, the books and shelves I saw told me that this was his study, I didn’t stop to breathe. I stormed toward the desk, spinning on my heel to face him as he stepped in.

“I saw her,” I spat, arms crossed. “Isabella. Or do you all just call her Madam Blackwell and pretend she’s not a w***e?”

Aiden calmly shut the door behind him. “I call her nothing unless I’m paid to. Which I am not.”

“She knew I was coming. And she didn’t even try to pretend to care.” My voice cracked slightly. “And now she won’t even show up for the inheritance signing?”

“She said she was occupied.” Aiden’s voice was blank, cool. “I imagine you now know what she meant.”

I scoffed bitterly. “This place is sick.”

He didn’t answer that. Instead, he walked past me, toward the large oak desk, and opened a black leather folder. “Let’s not waste time. You need to sign. Page three and seven. Initial at the bottom.”

I hesitated. “What if I say no?”

Aiden met my gaze, voice quiet but sharp. “Then your mother dies. And no amount of your moral outrage will save her.”

I clenched my jaw. My fingers curled into fists at my side. I hated that he could say that with such ease. I hated that he was right.

Slowly, I stepped forward, picked up the pen. My hand shook slightly as I signed my name.

Liana Blackwell.

The name was printed on the page.

I paused at the second page, then forced my initials down.

When I was done, I dropped the pen like it stung me and stepped back. “There. Exactly what you wanted.”

Aiden closed the folder smoothly, his gloved hands efficient. Then he looked up at me, eyes cool.

“Now that you’re the official heiress,” he said, “you’ll begin staying with Dominic Thorne starting tomorrow morning.”

My breath caught. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. It’s part of your father’s final arrangements for you to inherit the wealth. He appointed Dominic as your legal guardian and overseer of your transitional responsibilities.”

“My what? I’m not a child!”

“No,” he said, “but you are a Blackwell. And that comes with obligations.”

I stared at him, stunned. “Who the hell is Dominic Thorne?”

Aiden tilted his head slightly, as if debating whether to answer. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to demand more answers, but he was already moving toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the silent study. The coldness of his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"Get ready," Aiden continued without turning back. "You'll be going to see him in his penthouse. And as per your father's instructions, you will live there for a year."

My heart skipped a beat. "A year?" I echoed, my voice cracking slightly. "What do you mean, a year? Why?"

"Your father wanted it arranged that way. For your protection, and for your proper introduction to the Blackwell legacy." He paused, his gaze steady, unwavering. "You'll live under Dominic Thorne's roof for the next twelve months. It’s non-negotiable."

I was shaking my head even as I tried to process the words. “I’m not some charity case. I don’t need to live with a stranger, especially not some guardian you’ve chosen for me.”

Aiden didn’t respond to my outburst. He simply reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. "You’re going to need to pack. I’ll make sure transport is ready. We’ll leave in an hour."

He stepped toward the door and paused. "I suggest you make this quick. We don't want any accidents happening to your mother."

I stood there, stunned, staring at his retreating figure. I was going to spend a year under the roof of a man I didn’t know. A man who had been chosen for me, like some sort of living arrangement that my father had set up in a will I hadn’t even read.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something. To do anything to stop this madness.

But all I could do was stand there, staring at the door as Aiden walked away from me…. leaving me with nothing but a sinking feeling in my chest.

A year under a stranger's roof.

I had no idea what I was about to step into.