MY BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND (Sandro Marcos)

Chapter 5: An Unexpected Connection

Isabella lay awake that night, the memory of the penthouse tour and Alexander's words looping endlessly in her mind. The penthouse was perfect—too perfect, in fact. It was everything she could have dreamed of in a home: luxurious, stylish, with a breathtaking view of the city. But it wasn't just the physical beauty of the place that kept her awake; it was the thought of what it represented.

Alexander had called it *their* home, a space where they could build something together. The idea of living with him, of starting a life together, was both exhilarating and terrifying. It was one thing to agree to the marriage in principle, but it was another to envision herself actually sharing a home and a life with Alexander Villanueva.

She tossed and turned, unable to shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of something huge, something that could either uplift her or break her entirely. She knew she had to make a decision soon, but every time she tried to think about it logically, her emotions got in the way.

Finally, as the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, Isabella made a decision. She needed to understand Alexander better—who he really was beneath the polished exterior, what motivated him, what he wanted from this marriage. She needed to know if there was a chance for something real between them or if this would be just another business arrangement dressed up as a marriage.

With that thought in mind, she drifted off to sleep, the tension in her body slowly unwinding.

***

The next morning, Isabella woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. She spent the day at work, tackling her tasks with more focus than she had in weeks. But all the while, her mind kept returning to Alexander and the conversation she knew they needed to have.

That evening, as she was wrapping up for the day, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Alexander.

**Alexander:** *Are you free tonight? I'd like to see you.*

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure if she was ready for another intense evening, but she also knew she couldn't keep avoiding him. If they were going to make this work, they needed to be honest with each other.

**Isabella:** *I'm free. Where should we meet?*

**Alexander:** *I'll pick you up at 8. There's a place I'd like to show you.*

The cryptic message left her curious, but she didn't press for details. She had a feeling that tonight's conversation would be important, and she wanted to go into it with an open mind.

At 8 PM sharp, Alexander arrived at her apartment. This time, instead of his usual tailored suit, he was dressed in a more casual outfit—dark jeans and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms. He looked effortlessly handsome, and Isabella found herself momentarily distracted by how different he seemed in this more relaxed attire.

"Good evening, Isabella," he greeted her with a warm smile. "Are you ready?"

"Good evening, Alexander," she replied, returning his smile. "Yes, I'm ready. Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "It's a surprise."

Isabella followed him to the car, her curiosity piqued. As they drove through the city, she noticed that they were heading toward a less familiar part of town, away from the glitzy skyscrapers and into a more residential area. After a few more turns, they arrived at a quiet, tree-lined street that seemed worlds away from the bustling city center.

The car came to a stop in front of a charming, old-fashioned house with a wide front porch and a beautifully landscaped garden. Isabella looked at Alexander in surprise.