The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 271

Aveline

One month. Just thirty days, and my entire world has transformed from a battlefield into something resembling an actual life.

The house feels alive again. I've rehired the domestic staff, dismissed the security team, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I can walk through my own front door without checking for snipers. True to Vivian's promise, no one has targeted us. No mysterious cars lurking on street corners, no threatening phone calls, no ominous packages delivered at midnight. It's almost surreal how completely the violence has evaporated.

Orion has recovered beautifully. The wounds have healed to faint silver scars that he claims make him look "ruggedly distinguished." He's back to his old self—working from his home office, cooking elaborate dinners, and generally being the steady presence that grounds me when my mind starts racing toward worst-case scenarios.

The biggest change is in Grandma. With Ryan's companionship, she's slowly emerging from the trauma of recent events. Yesterday I caught her laughing at one of his funny jokes, and the sound was like music. She's forgetting the darker episodes, which might be a mercy.

Vivian calls regularly from Europe, and despite my initial fears, she sounds genuinely happy. "You should see the fjords, Aveline," she told me last week. "And the criminal enterprises here are so much more sophisticated than American gangs. It's like the difference between amateur theater and Broadway." I can hear the excitement in her voice when she describes her new role, and I'm beginning to think she really has found her calling.

Today I'm attempting something that would have been unthinkable a month ago—cooking. Not just heating up leftovers or assembling a salad, but actually preparing a real meal for Orion. He's done so much for me, been so patient during the chaos, that I want to surprise him with something special.

The kitchen has become a war zone. I'm attempting his grandmother's recipe for beef Wellington, which seemed like a romantic gesture until I realized it involves working with puff pastry and timing multiple components perfectly. Flour covers every surface, and I've already burned one batch of mushroom duxelles.

After two hours of what can only be described as culinary combat, I finally emerge from the kitchen carrying my creation. It's not exactly magazine-worthy, but it's recognizably beef Wellington and it smells amazing.

I find Orion in the living room, completely absorbed in his laptop screen, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Research project?" I ask, setting down the plate with a flourish. "You look like you're planning to overthrow a small government."

He glances up, his face immediately lighting up when he sees the food. "Holy shit, Aveline. You made beef Wellington? I'm impressed and slightly terrified."

"Very funny. What's got you so focused that you almost missed my culinary masterpiece?"

"Actually," he grins, closing the laptop with obvious satisfaction, "I'm planning our wedding. Now that everything's settled—even my uncle Devan has backed off completely after Nikolai's little chat with the family—I figured we should take advantage of this peaceful moment."

My heart does a little flip. "Wedding planning? Are you researching venues or something?"

"Dates, specifically. I asked Grandpa Bryce to consult his feng shui charts and find us the most auspicious day possible." He laughs at my expression. "Hey, the man managed to predict the stock market crash of '08 using ancient Chinese calendar systems. I'm not questioning his methods."

"Wait, Bryce is back from his European vacation?" I'd completely forgotten about Orion's eccentric grandfather, who'd been blissfully unaware of our recent tribulations while touring Mediterranean wine regions.

"Returned yesterday, actually. When I told him about the engagement, he immediately volunteered to officiate. Apparently he got ordained online specifically for this purpose." Orion's smile becomes tender. "And with Ryan available as our ring bearer, we really do have everything we need."

I sink onto the couch beside him, suddenly overwhelmed by how normal this conversation feels. "So when exactly are we talking?"

"This weekend. Montauk Point, sunset ceremony." He pulls up photos on his laptop—a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic, waves crashing against rocks below. "Small, intimate, perfect."

"This weekend?" I laugh. "That's soon."

"Too soon?" He looks genuinely concerned.

"No, it's perfect. I just... I can't believe we're actually doing this."

The next few days blur together in a whirlwind of preparation. I try repeatedly to reach Vivian about the ceremony, but she keeps deflecting.

"Can't make it," she says during one call. "We're in the middle of dismantling a rival organization. Very time-sensitive."

"You're busier than a Fortune 500 CEO," I complain.

"Crime doesn't take weekends off," she replies with obvious amusement. "Besides, I don't need to watch you get all weepy and sentimental."

"Fine. But I'm not live-streaming it for you."

Saturday arrives with perfect weather—clear skies, gentle breeze, golden afternoon light. The ceremony site looks like something from a fairy tale. Grandma looks radiant in a navy dress that makes her appear twenty years younger. Bryce has outdone himself with a rainbow-colored suit that somehow manages to look both ridiculous and dignified. Ryan takes his ring-bearing duties with the seriousness of a royal guard.

As the small gathering assembles on the clifftop, I feel a profound sense of completion. This moment represents everything I've fought for—love, family, peace, a future worth building.

"Dearly beloved," Bryce begins in his theatrical voice, "we are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls who have survived trials that would destroy lesser mortals..."

His words wash over me as I look into Orion's eyes. He's wearing his best suit, his dark hair catching the late afternoon sun, and I've never seen him look more handsome. The love in his expression makes my chest tight with emotion.

"...now, if the couple would exchange rings..."

Orion reaches into his pocket, and I prepare to recite the vows we've practiced. But before we can begin, I hear a familiar voice calling from behind us.

"Sorry we're late! European flights are murder on the schedule!"

I spin around to see Vivian and Dmitri approaching, both dressed impeccably and carrying an armload of elegantly wrapped packages. Vivian's hair has grown longer, and she moves with a new confidence that suits her. Dmitri looks healthier than I've ever seen him, the constant tension finally gone from his posture.

"You came," I breathe, tears immediately blurring my vision.

"Of course we came," Vivian says, pulling me into a fierce hug. "Did you really think I'd miss this?"

"You said you were too busy dismantling criminal organizations!"

"I lied. Someone had to make sure you didn't turn into a sobbing mess before the actual ceremony."

I smack her arm playfully, but I'm crying too hard to be truly annoyed.

"Ladies," Bryce calls out with amusement, "while this reunion is touching, we do have a ceremony to complete."

With Vivian and Dmitri now part of our small circle, the ring exchange feels even more meaningful. When Orion slips the platinum band onto my finger, his voice is thick with emotion: "With this ring, I promise to love you through whatever chaos life throws at us next."

"And I promise," I reply, placing his ring, "to never let anyone threaten our happiness again."

"By the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church website," Bryce declares with grand flourish, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

Orion's kiss tastes like salt air and forever.

Later that evening, we lie tangled together in our hotel room, the sound of waves crashing below our balcony. The wedding was perfect—intimate, joyful, surrounded by the people who matter most.

"This moment," Orion murmurs against my hair, "is the happiest I've ever been."

I trace lazy patterns on his chest. "I keep waiting to wake up. Getting to this point seemed impossible for so long."

"I wish Mitchell could have been there," he says quietly.

"He was," I reply firmly. "I felt him with us. He'd be so proud of how far you've come."

Orion tightens his arms around me. "Now that we've conquered the marriage milestone, there's only one major life event left to tackle."

"What's that?" I ask, though his tone suggests I already know.

"Well, children eventually, obviously. I'm hoping we can start working on that particular project very soon." His smile is wicked. "But first, I think it's time we solved the mystery of your biological parents."

The suggestion catches me off guard. In all the chaos of recent months, I'd pushed that particular puzzle to the back of my mind.

"My birth parents?" I sit up, considering. "You know, with everything finally peaceful, we could actually pursue that safely now."

"Exactly. No more running from mysterious enemies, no more looking over our shoulders. We can travel to Europe, follow whatever leads we can find, maybe get some real answers."

I settle back against his chest, imagining the possibilities. "That would be... incredible. To finally know where I came from."

"Then it's settled. After our honeymoon, we're going to Europe. Time to solve the last mystery in your life."