Secret Billionaire’s Contract Bride: Marrying My Enemy’s Lover

Chapter 20

POV: *Adelaide*

“Congratulations!”

The cheers rang in my ears as I stood there with a blank face. I was still too shocked to even speak.

“I’m so proud of you, Corinna.” My stepmother pulled Corinna into a firm hug, a huge smile on her face. “You’ll be a great mother.”

“To the Steyns and Hildebrands! To the next generation!” My father raised a toast, a pleased look on his face.

Everyone rejoiced as they held up their glasses-except for me.

Mine was still spilled out over the floor.

“Addic, honey, are you alright?” my grandmother asked, concerned.

I glanced at her, tears swimming in my eyes as my emotions went haywire. I didn’t even know what I was feeling, I just knew it wasn’t good.

“Come with me, dear.” My grandmother patted my hand as she pulled me into a quiet corner.

“I’m sorry,” I told her as I wiped away the tears building in the corner of my eyes.

“There is nothing to be sorry for, Adelaide,” my grandmother said sternly but softly. She brushed away the hair from my face, a smile pulling at her aging eyes. “It may seem like Corinna has everything now, but love is the real prize. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”

Love? Did she mean love with Damon?

“Thank you, Grandma,” I smiled, laying my head on her shoulder. I felt warm inside but also worried.

I thought I had been in love with Ashton, but he screwed me over in the worst way possible.

And Damon…

I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling. Even if I was falling in love with him, which I didn’t want to admit in the slightest, there was no guarantee he felt the same way.

Chapter 20

He didn’t need the inheritance, and he never would. So why did he marry me? To get back at Corinna or…..

I sighed, wrapping my arm around myself. Why did my life have to be so complicated? A few months ago, I had everything figured out. It all came crashing down in one day!

“Grandma, I’m gonna go home. Is that okay?” I asked.

“Of course, dear. It was so nice to see you,” she said as she brought me into a hug, wrapping me tightly, and I smiled, happy to have this little bit of comfort.

safe, okay?” she said and smiled at me,

my eyes.

Home.

head was not my tiny apartment but the mansion I had woken up in this morning. I decided not to think about how quickly I’d adopted that as my

Grandma,” I smiled, “See

standing amidst the crowd of people. Despite how happy they looked on the inside, I knew them both too well.

fake-as plastic as dolls. This was all for show, even

our eyes met. His intense

had loved him once, but

now.

away, heading to the door as I said goodbye to my feelings

phone started to

“Hello?”

“Howdy, Addie!”

Chapter 20

confused. “What are you

never called me unless there was a big issue. That was the

Cassidy asked in his southern drawl. “Cause we need the approval of the director to make some minor improvements to the set-emergency improvements if

mean.”

He’d pointed out a few flaws and said somebody would come by.

I sighed, rubbing my temple.

grin from here. “All

Damon?” I rolled my

you be here

said before ending

Work never ends.

my *ss. Damon had practically paid for Cassidy

of course, was willing to do the whole thing, but I had to gently tell him that I was not going

sweet guy who only wanted to help and was so much

were finished with the construction plans, it was nearly nightfall, and I was exhausted. I silently cursed Damon and his over-the-top way of

bunch of work. Work

lounged in the tent, not quite ready to go back to Damon’s

Chapter 20

more free donuts I stuffed down my face.

reaching out to grab the final jelly

Jenna said as she

she wasn’t alone. Kathy, the woman I’d met at the Mexican restaurant the other day-who

see you again, Adelaide,” Kathy smiled.

as I realized how that sounded. “Not that I don’t want you here,” I added quickly. I could hear how awkward I sounded

with me and Lacey later? She’s been begging for me to invite you out,” Kathy rolled her eyes, but I could see the fondness

help but

sure,” I laughed. “I could use a