THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET BRIDE

CHAPTER ONE: THE WEDDING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED The first time Zara Williams saw Adrian Blackwood, he was standing beside her father's hospital bed. The second time, he was asking her to marry him. And now, three months later, she was standing in front of hundreds of wealthy strangers, wearing a diamond wedding ring and wondering whether she had just made the biggest mistake of her life. "Smile, Zara." Her best friend, Michelle, gently squeezed her hand. "You're getting married to one of the richest men in the country. At least pretend you're happy." Zara forced a smile. Across the enormous ballroom, Adrian stood waiting for her. He looked breathtaking in his perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, his jaw was sharp, and his expression was as unreadable as ever. Adrian Blackwood was the kind of man people admired from a distance and feared up close. At thirty-four, he owned hotels, banks, shopping malls and several international companies. Newspapers called him the youngest business genius of his generation. Women called him irresistible. But Zara knew something they didn't. The man had a heart made of ice. "Here comes the bride!" The music started. Zara slowly walked down the white aisle. Every step reminded her of the promise she had made to herself. She wasn't marrying Adrian because she loved him. She was marrying him because her father needed an expensive operation, her family's company was collapsing, and Adrian had offered to pay every debt. In exchange, he wanted one thing. Her hand in marriage. It sounded like something from a fairy tale. But Zara knew better than to believe in fairy tales. When she finally reached him, Adrian extended his hand. "You're late," he whispered. Zara looked at him. "By two minutes." "I don't like waiting." "And I don't like marrying strangers." For the briefest moment, something changed in his eyes. Then his expression returned to normal. "Get used to me, Mrs. Blackwood." The words sent an uncomfortable shiver down her spine. The wedding ceremony continued. When the priest asked whether Adrian accepted Zara as his wife, he answered without hesitation. "I do." When it was Zara's turn, her voice almost failed her. She looked at her father, who sat in the front row in a wheelchair. His eyes were filled with tears. She remembered the doctors' warnings. She remembered the unpaid hospital bills. She remembered how their family had lost almost everything. And she remembered Adrian's promise. "I do," she whispered. The guests applauded. Adrian slipped the wedding ring onto her finger and leaned closer. "Welcome to my world." Zara smiled for the cameras. But deep inside, she felt as though she had just signed away her freedom. The reception was held in Adrian's private mansion. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the enormous hall. Expensive champagne flowed freely, and famous personalities competed for the billionaire's attention. Zara sat beside her new husband, barely touching her food. "Eat," Adrian ordered. "I'm not hungry." "That wasn't a question." She put down her fork. "Do you always give orders?" "When necessary." "Well, I'm not one of your employees." Adrian slowly turned towards her. For several seconds, neither spoke. Then he leaned back in his chair. "We'll discuss your attitude later." Zara looked away. She hated how easily he could make her feel small. A few minutes later, Adrian's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen and immediately stood up. "Excuse me." "Where are you going?" "Business." "On our wedding night?" He looked down at her. "Don't tell me you expected romance, Zara." Her cheeks burned. Before she could respond, he walked away. Zara watched him disappear through a private door. She was about to return to her drink when she noticed something strange. Adrian had left his phone on the table. It vibrated again. A message appeared on the screen. UNKNOWN NUMBER: She doesn't know what happened five years ago. Are you sure you want to keep pretending? Zara's heart skipped. Five years ago? What had happened five years ago? She glanced towards the door Adrian had entered. Another message appeared. You should tell your wife the truth before someone else does. Her fingers trembled. Wife. That word suddenly felt frightening. She stood up, intending to find Adrian. But before she could take a step, a woman in a red evening gown appeared beside her. "You're Zara, aren't you?" Zara turned. "Yes. And you are?" The woman smiled, but there was something unpleasant about it. "Victoria Blackwood. Adrian's mother." Zara immediately straightened. "Oh. It's nice to meet you, ma'am." Victoria examined her from head to toe. "So, you're the girl my son decided to marry." Zara tried to remain polite. "I hope you'll give me a chance to get to know you." Victoria laughed softly. "Don't misunderstand me, dear. I don't need to know you." She leaned closer. "I only need you to remember one thing. You may be his wife today, but that doesn't mean you belong in this family." Before Zara could answer, Victoria walked away. Zara stood frozen. What kind of family had she married into? It was almost midnight when Adrian finally returned. "Come with me." He didn't wait for an answer. Zara followed him upstairs to a magnificent bedroom decorated in gold and cream. A huge bed stood in the middle. She stopped at the doorway. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" Adrian loosened his tie. "Here." "With you?" He looked at her. "You're my wife. Did you forget that?" Zara folded her arms. "We agreed this marriage would be about business. You wouldn't force me into anything." Adrian's expression became serious. "And I intend to keep my agreement. Relax. I'll sleep in the adjoining room." She released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you." He walked towards a small table and picked up a black envelope. "One more thing." "What?" "Don't enter the west wing of this mansion." Zara frowned. "Why?" "Because I said so." "Adrian, I'm your wife. I should at least know why I'm not allowed—" "Zara." His voice was quiet, but firm. "Some doors are better left closed." He placed the envelope on the table. Then he walked towards the adjoining room. Zara stared at his retreating figure. She had a thousand questions. But the one that frightened her most was the message she had seen on his phone. Five years ago. She couldn't remember anything important happening five years ago except one terrible night. The night her younger sister, Sophia, disappeared. Zara's breathing became uneven. No. It couldn't be connected. Sophia had vanished without a trace, and despite years of searching, the police had never found her. Zara slowly approached the black envelope Adrian had left behind. Her name was written on it. With trembling fingers, she opened it. Inside was a photograph. It showed a young woman standing outside a hotel. Zara recognized her immediately. Sophia. Her missing sister. But that wasn't what made her blood run cold. Standing beside Sophia in the photograph was Adrian Blackwood. And written at the back of the photograph were six words: THE NIGHT YOUR SISTER DISAPPEARED. Zara's knees almost gave way. At that exact moment, her phone rang. An unknown number. She answered. "Hello?" For several seconds, there was only silence. Then a weak female voice whispered: "Zara... please..." Zara stopped breathing. She knew that voice. She had heard it a thousand times in her dreams. "Sophia?" A quiet sob came from the other end. "Don't trust your husband." The call ended. Zara stared at the phone, tears filling her eyes. Then she heard a voice behind her. "Who told you to touch that photograph?" She turned. Adrian was standing at the bedroom door. His face was no longer cold. It was furious. And for the first time since their wedding, Zara saw fear in his eyes. TO BE CONTINUED...