The Billionaire’s Secret Bride

"No need. Consider this a minor punishment. But next time, you won't get away with just taking off your clothes in front of me," Nathaniel said coldly, then turned and walked away without a trace of warmth.

He returned to his room, stood in front of the mirror, and pulled open his shirt collar. A small, angry bite mark glared back at him from his shoulder, faintly red with blood.

She had bitten down hard. The pain was still lingering.

Nathaniel stepped over to the French windows. He lit a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and flicked his lighter. The sharp flame reflected in his eyes.

His brows were furrowed as he took a deep drag.

Because of his background and principles, he had always despised people with messy private lives. He'd always believed he would never become one of them. He'd lived a disciplined, almost ascetic life for years—no women, no distractions.

And yet, after returning to China, everything unraveled. He'd been with someone—unexpectedly, uncontrollably.

He had started to let his guard down around Sylvia. Her sweetness and tenderness had stirred something in him, enough for him to reconsider the divorce.

But Celia… that little maid… She kept disrupting everything, like a storm that refused to pass.

He felt torn—caught between Sylvia and Celia. And he loathed the feeling.

Was he becoming the very kind of man he had always despised?

Just then, his phone chimed. It was a message from Sylvia:"Darling, I got the Emperor Star! I absolutely adore it~"

He thought of how she'd curled into his arms the night before, whispering "husband" so delicately it melted through his defenses. A small smile finally tugged at the corners of his lips.

Sylvia was his wife. His Mrs. Fu.He needed to keep his distance from Celia.

If she dared try to seduce him again, he wouldn't be so lenient.

He replied: "Glad you like it."

A second message came:"Honey, I've got good news. My... monthly cycle just ended~"

The tone was flirty—implied possibilities trailing behind her words.

Nathaniel's lips curved slightly more."I'll be looking forward to it." he typed back.

The Next Morning

Nathaniel headed downstairs and coincidentally ran into Celia. She had her small backpack slung over her shoulder and was just about to leave for T University.

After what happened last night, Celia acted as though she hadn't even seen him. She walked past him coldly, eyes forward, without a single glance.

The air between them was like ice—frozen solid.

Nathaniel, as always, remained aloof. He grabbed his car keys and left without a word.

"Uncle!" Fu Yingying ran after him.

He paused.

"Whatever you did to Celia last night—just know it wasn't her fault! I was the one who took your photo secretly. She had nothing to do with it. Please don't blame her."

But Nathaniel said nothing. He simply got into the car and drove off.

As the luxury car glided through the street, he happened to spot Celia standing at the bus stop, waiting quietly for the bus.

She looked small. Alone.

He stepped harder on the accelerator and sped away.

The image of her standing there slowly disappeared from the rearview mirror.

Later, Celia received a call from Sylvia.

Sylvia's voice was syrupy sweet over the phone."Celia, be a good girl and keep my husband company tonight. Oh, and by the way—since I told him my cycle's over, don't mess it up for me."

Celia's expression turned icy, but her tone was light."Sure. Tonight it is. Just wait."

She hung up without another word.

That evening, Nathaniel returned home from the office. As soon as he walked in, Mrs. Fu greeted him warmly."You're back early tonight, son."

He glanced around, but didn't see the familiar soft figure he'd been hoping for.

"Mom, where's Sylvia?"

Mrs. Fu looked puzzled."Sylvia? Isn't she still staying at her family's house? She didn't come home."

She didn't come home?

But the way she messaged him last night… it had felt so intimate. He assumed she'd already returned.

Without her scent beside him, he hadn't been able to fall asleep.

He didn't sleep at all last night.