Claimed by the Billionaire

The crystal chandelier above Brittney Carter sparkled like a thousand stars, but nothing could match the happiness she felt. Tomorrow, she would marry the man she had loved for five years. She smiled as she looked at the small velvet box in her hand. Inside was a luxury watch she had bought with nearly all her savings—a wedding gift for her fiancé, Ethan. He had always admired it whenever they passed the jewelry store. "He'll love it," she whispered, hugging the box to her chest. She had left work early to surprise him. As she approached Ethan's apartment, she noticed his car parked outside. Perfect. He was home. She knocked once. No answer. Smiling to herself, she remembered the spare key he had given her months ago. "You're the only woman I'll ever trust with this," he had said. The memory made her heart flutter. She unlocked the door quietly, hoping to surprise him. "Baby?" she called softly. Silence. Then... A woman's laughter floated down the hallway. Brittney frowned. Who was here? She slowly walked toward the bedroom. Another laugh. Then a man's voice. Ethan's voice. "I can't wait until after the wedding," he said. Brittney froze. Wedding? Confused, she pushed the bedroom door open. The gift box slipped from her trembling fingers. Crash! Time stopped. Ethan was lying in bed. Not alone. Wrapped in his arms was her own stepsister, Vanessa. Neither of them was wearing much. Brittney's world shattered. "Ethan..." she whispered, unable to believe what she was seeing. The two of them turned. Instead of guilt... Vanessa smiled. A slow, mocking smile. "Well," Vanessa said, lazily pulling the blanket around herself. "Looks like the bride arrived early." Tears filled Brittney's eyes. "Ethan... tell me this isn't real." He sighed as though she had interrupted his afternoon. "You weren't supposed to come." Those five words pierced deeper than any knife. "You've been cheating on me?" "For months," Vanessa answered before Ethan could speak. Brittney stared at her stepsister. "Why?" Vanessa shrugged. "Because I wanted to." "No..." "And because Ethan never really loved you." Brittney looked desperately at Ethan. "Tell her she's lying." He avoided her eyes. "I'm sorry." Her knees almost gave way. Five years. Five years of love. Five years of sacrifice. She had supported him when he lost his job. She had paid his rent. She had believed every promise. Every single one had been a lie. Vanessa climbed out of bed confidently. "You know what the funniest part is?" Brittney couldn't speak. "The engagement ring?" She held up her left hand. "It was originally meant for me." Brittney stared. "What?" "Your sweet fiancé proposed to me first." Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "It wasn't like that." Vanessa laughed. "Oh, please. Stop pretending." She stepped closer to Brittney. "He only stayed with you because you paid his bills." The words hit like thunder. Brittney looked at Ethan again. "Is... is that true?" Silence. That silence was louder than any confession. Her heart broke completely. She slapped him. The sharp sound echoed through the room. "You used me." Ethan touched his cheek. "I was going to tell you eventually." "When?" "After the wedding?" He had no answer. Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Can you leave now? You're ruining our mood." Brittney couldn't breathe. These were the two people she trusted most. Together. Laughing at her. Humiliating her. She picked up the broken gift box from the floor. The expensive watch inside had cracked. Just like her heart. Without another word, she walked away. Behind her... Vanessa laughed again. "Good luck finding another man!" Brittney kept walking. By the time she reached the street, the rain had started. Within seconds she was soaked. She didn't care. Her tears mixed with the rain as she wandered aimlessly through the city. Her phone rang. It was her father. She ignored it. Another call. Her best friend. Ignored. She couldn't speak to anyone. Not tonight. As she crossed the road absentmindedly, bright headlights suddenly flashed toward her. A deafening horn blared. "Brittney!" She looked up. A black Rolls-Royce was speeding toward her. Her body froze. The driver slammed on the brakes. Screech! The car stopped just inches away. Before she could recover, the back door opened. A tall man stepped out. His perfectly tailored black suit clung to his broad shoulders. His cold grey eyes locked onto hers. Power. Authority. Danger. He looked like a man who controlled the world with a single command. "You almost got yourself killed," he said in a deep, calm voice. Brittney opened her mouth but no words came out. The stranger studied her tear-stained face. Then his gaze shifted toward the engagement ring still on her finger. For the first time... A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Interesting." He extended his hand. "My name is Alexander Knight." Brittney had no idea that meeting this mysterious billionaire would change her life forever.