The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 157

Vivian

I stumbled through the front door just after midnight, still feeling the pleasant buzz from the wine I'd shared with friends at that new rooftop bar downtown. The alcohol had helped numb the constant anxiety that had been eating at me for weeks, and for a few hours, I'd almost felt normal again.

That feeling evaporated the moment I saw Monica waiting for me in the hallway, arms crossed and wearing her most disapproving expression.

"If you had even half of Aveline's drive and ambition," she said without preamble, "you wouldn't waste your time on these meaningless activities. Getting drunk? Hanging around with worthless friends?"

I didn't bother responding, just headed straight for my room. As I passed her, I said coolly, "Those 'worthless friends' happen to be people who understand what it's like to be lost. Unlike some people, they don't judge me for not having my life figured out." I paused at my door. "Besides, wasn't it you who couldn't wait to ship me off to live with my rich boyfriend when I had one?"

Monica's expression immediately shifted, her tone becoming wheedling. "Oh, don't be dramatic! Your father has some wonderful news that might change your perspective on everything."

Despite myself, I felt a spark of curiosity. I changed direction and headed toward Richard's office, where I found him practically vibrating with excitement at his desk. He was spinning a pen between his fingers with nervous energy, his eyes glued to his phone screen where numbers kept jumping and changing.

"Vivian!" he called out when he saw me, gesturing enthusiastically for me to come closer. "Look at this! The money just keeps flowing into our account—a hundred thousand at a time! We're already up to four million and counting!"

I felt my pulse quicken. "You sold the company? How much did you get?"

Richard's expression darkened slightly. "Some bastard has been spreading lies about us, scaring off all the legitimate buyers. But then this moron shows up offering us a loan against the company as collateral—five million dollars for a business that's maybe worth three million at best!"

He pointed at his screen as another deposit appeared. "Look! There it is—we're almost at the full five million!"

A cold knot formed in my stomach. "Wait, a loan? But Dad, we don't have the money to pay back five million dollars!"

Monica appeared in the doorway wearing a satisfied smirk. "Who said anything about paying it back? We transfer the money offshore, let them try to collect on their ridiculous interest rates. When we default, they can keep the worthless company. It's not like we're losing anything valuable."

Something about this felt wrong—too easy, too convenient. "I don't know," I said slowly. "This money seems like it's coming too easily. What if it's a trap?"

Richard waved off my concerns with confidence. "I understand your worry, sweetheart, but I've thought this through. If we transfer five million dollars out of the country all at once, we'll trigger every financial crime database in existence. But if we move it slowly, through our established shell companies, it'll look like legitimate business transactions. Trust me—I know what I'm doing."

I didn't really understand the technical aspects of money laundering, but Richard seemed so confident, so pleased with himself, that I found myself relaxing. *Maybe this really is our ticket out of here.*

Back in my room, I decided to share the good news with Dwayne. It had been days since we'd spoken, and I was starting to worry that something had happened to him.

When he finally answered, his voice was sharp with irritation. "I thought I told you not to call unless it was about Aveline's movements. Why are you bothering me?"

Anger flared in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Aveline, Aveline, Aveline—why are you so obsessed with her? You're safely in Europe now. What could she possibly do to hurt you from here?"

"You don't understand anything," Dwayne said with that condescending tone I was learning to hate. "Aveline and Orion are working together. She's the only person who can influence him, which makes her the key to finding his weaknesses. Orion has been making my life hell, and I need leverage to fight back."

"Well, too bad," I said, my patience finally snapping. "She moved out of our house, so I can't spy on her for you anymore." I took a breath and tried to inject some enthusiasm into my voice. "But I have good news—my father just secured a huge loan against his company. Once the money clears, I can fly to Europe and we can finally start our new life together. Forget about Aveline and Orion and all this drama!"

There was a long pause, and when Dwayne spoke again, his voice had shifted to something softer, more seductive. "Of course I want you here with me, baby. But don't you think we're being a little hasty? Do you really think Orion will just let me disappear into Europe and live happily ever after? And what happens when Aveline finds out about your fake pregnancy and how you helped me manipulate her? You think she'll just forgive and forget?"

His words sent a chill down my spine, but he wasn't finished.

"You don't understand how truly evil people can be when they want revenge," he continued. "Our best option is to eliminate both Orion and Aveline before they can eliminate us. We deserve to be living their lives—the wealth, the respect, the power. It should all be ours."

I felt that familiar stab of jealousy, the one that had been poisoning my thoughts for years. "I'm sick of hearing about how we deserve their lives," I said, but even to my own ears, the protest sounded weak.

"Think about it," Dwayne pressed on. "Why does Orion get to be CEO when my father built that company from nothing? Orion's father hasn't been involved in the business for years—I should be running things, not playing second fiddle to some spoiled prince."

The bitterness in his voice was infectious, and I found myself nodding along.

"And Aveline," he continued, "what makes her so special? Why does she get to be the successful, independent woman that everyone admires while you're dismissed as a gold-digger? Why does she get to fake her way through life while you have to actually fake a pregnancy just to get your family's attention? Most importantly—why does your grandmother love her instead of you?"

Each word hit like a physical blow, stirring up all the resentment and pain I'd been carrying for years.

"Stop," I said, but my voice lacked conviction. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to manipulate me."

"I'm not manipulating anything," Dwayne said smoothly. "I'm just pointing out the truth. Don't you want to know what it feels like to be the chosen one for once? To be the granddaughter who matters, the woman who gets respect instead of judgment?"

Despite everything, despite knowing he was playing me like a violin, I felt myself getting swept up in his vision. *What if he's right? What if we do deserve better?*

"Fine," I said finally. "I understand what you're saying. But I need to know that this isn't just about revenge for you. I need to know that you actually want to be with me, not just using me to get back at them."

"Of course I want to be with you," Dwayne said, and his voice was warm honey again. "You're the only person who understands what it's like to be overlooked, underestimated. We're perfect for each other."

"Alright," I said, closing my eyes. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just be patient a little longer," he said. "Soon we'll take back everything that should have been ours from the beginning."