BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

**Chapter 18: Shattered Illusions**

**Chapter 18: Shattered Illusions**

As I stepped into our penthouse, the silence was palpable, a stark backdrop to the storm of emotions raging within me. Luke was there in the living room, alone. The absence of Sebastian was a relief; his presence would have only added another layer of complexity to the already tense atmosphere. The question of whether to reveal Sebastian's impulsive kiss lingered in my mind. But considering Luke's own betrayal, I decided to keep it to myself. They had enough issues between them, and I didn't need to fuel their fraternal fire.

Luke's eyes met mine as I entered, his usual composure replaced by a palpable sense of unease. "Hi," he said, his voice laced with worry. I didn't respond immediately, instead choosing to take a seat on the couch, putting physical distance between us. He turned to face me, his movements hesitant, as if he was treading on fragile ground.

"Well, I'm here, Luke. Talk. Say what you have to say and let's get this over with," I said, my tone flat and distant. He moved closer, an instinctive attempt to bridge the gap, but I shifted away, unwilling to allow any physical connection. His failed attempt to reach out to me seemed to break something inside him, his face etching deeper with despair.

"Emily, thank you for coming," he started, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope. His eyes were locked onto mine, searching for a glimmer of forgiveness, or perhaps just a sign that I was still willing to listen.

"Emily, my love for you is the most profound truth of my life," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of his emotions. "Since the day we vowed to be together, no other woman has even come close to my heart. Believe me, this mystery surrounding the video is as baffling to me as it is to you." His eyes, usually so full of clarity, now mirrored a sea of bewilderment. "I've dissected that video countless times, hoping it belonged to a chapter of my life before you became my everything."

He sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "But the digital breadcrumbs lead to a different story. They pinpoint a time within our marriage, in Seattle, aligning with that business trip I had." He lowered his gaze, his fingers interlocking in a dance of nervousness. "That trip was meant to stretch over a week, but the thought of being away from you, even for that long, was unbearable. So, I hustled, rearranged everything to come back in just four days, all for the surprise of seeing you."

His eyes lit up as he recalled the reunion. "I'll never forget your reaction. You sprinted towards me as soon as the elevator doors opened, leaping into my arms, saying four days felt like an eternity. I was overjoyed to be back."

He leaned in, his gaze intense, a flame of unwavering truth. "In Seattle, your absence was a constant echo. My schedule was jam-packed, leaving no space for anything beyond work. Every night, I'd collapse into my hotel bed, finding comfort in our phone conversations, your voice guiding me into sleep."

A shadow of pain flickered across his face. "This video wrongfully portrays me, and I'm at a loss to explain it. I didn't meet any woman; my life was a whirlwind of meetings and calls. Emily, my heart is irrevocably yours. I am a man of my word, my love for you unshakable. Your trust is the foundation of my existence."

He extended his hand, his fingers gently intertwining with mine, a gesture resonating with hope and heartfelt honesty. "Emily, I need you to trust me," he implored, his voice a blend of vulnerability and conviction. "In this tangled maze of confusion, your belief in me is the guiding light I cling to. You are, and always have been, the sole desire of my heart. No one else has, or ever will, hold that place."

He looked at me with a depth of confusion and pain in his eyes. "I can't explain how that video came to be, Emily," Luke admitted, his voice cracking with the strain of his emotions. "After analyzing it over and over, I feel like it's me in the footage. But how that is possible, I have no idea. I've never been unfaithful to you." His eyes searched mine, pleading for understanding.