The Billionaire's Bride [ Rewritten]

Part 20 | The Gala

I'm not usually the one to set target anol but can we just round off the votes... 1k? what do you lovely people say.

Tap the star before you dive in.

Happy reading ❤️

For twenty-four hours, my room had been a sanctuary of shadows and silence, a fortress built against the relentless buzz of a world that refused to stop talking about the billionaire gossip.

I had shut everyone out, distancing myself even from the people I called family.

I needed to be left alone.

"Naira." A soft knock echoed through the door before Aditi's voice followed, threaded with worry. "Please, let us in. We're worried. "

"You can't hide in there forever, Naira," Arjun added. His logic was a cold splash of water. He was right. Bubbles eventually burst; the only choice is whether you let them shatter or step out on your own terms.

I kicked back the duvet, my limbs feeling like lead. My bones ached with the kind of exhaustion that sleep couldn't fix. When I finally cracked the door, their faces were a map of pity and relief.

"Where is your phone?" Aditi asked immediately.

"Don't know." I shrugged, the indifference masking a sharper pain. I hadn't touched it since yesterday morning. I didn't need a digital screen to remind me of the image burned into my retinas. "Must have kept it somewhere."

I made a half-hearted scan of the bedside table before sinking back into the mattress. "What's the time?"

"5 PM."

" Shit! I am late. I need to get ready. " I muttered, rushing into the washroom.

"Naira, are you sure?" Aditi's hand reached out, her concern etched deep. "You don't have to do this."

I thought of his parents- They'll be expecting me, I can't disappoint them.

I nodded firmly " I gave my word. I'm going."

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" Let's just set the makeup and There you go! " Aditi stepped aside and the woman in the mirror was nothing I was an hour ago.

The tear-stained girl was buried under layers of artifice. My hair was gathered into an elegant high bun, with wavy tendrils framing a face that looked remarkably composed. My eyes, once swollen and red, were now framed by dark, voluminous lashes; my cheeks didn't show the salt of my tears, only the shimmer of deep rouge.

My pale pink lips now wore a ruby red shade, completing the deep burgundy gown that clung to me effortlessly, its glittering fabric catching the light like scattered embers. The halter neckline framed my bare shoulders elegantly, whole layers of flowing tulle cascaded around my legs in soft, dramatic waves. The fitted bodice cinched tightly at my waist, accentuating the curves.