Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride: Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 150

The voice hit me before the recognition did. Bella?? Is that you?? I turned toward it instinctively, my hand tightening around Leo’s. My eyes landed on the woman across the street. She was older, white hair cut into a neat bob, dressed in a long coat. Her face looked frozen—somewhere between disbelief and fear.At first, I wasn’t sure. I blinked. Tried to place her.Then something clicked. Something deep in my chest.I knew that face."Oh my god," I whispered."Who is that?" Leo asked, his voice low, cautious.Before I could answer, the woman turned. She bolted. Just took off down the sidewalk like she hadn’t spoken at all.Leo started to move after her, but I stopped him."No," I said, grabbing his arm. "Let her go.""What the hell was that? Who was she?"I stood there, staring at the empty stretch of sidewalk where she’d vanished."She’s the woman who took me in. Right after my parents died."He turned to me fully, eyes searching my face. "You never told me anyone took you in."I sh

I was standing in the kitchen when my phone buzzed. I barely glanced at it, expecting another irrelevant update from the news, but my eyes caught the name at the top of the screen: Dennis. I answered fast. “Talk to me.” His voice came in low, cautious. “We traced a flagged withdrawal, Bella. One of the fake accounts Julie used to route Terrence’s hush payments was accessed this morning. Border town. She’s moving.” I gripped the countertop. “Where?” “A small town near the coast. She’s heading south. Possibly trying to cross by sea this time. I sent you the coordinates.” I opened the text he forwarded. A surveillance shot was attached. Blurry but clear enough to recognize Julie’s frame, head low, scarf pulled tight, glasses too big for her face. She looked like a ghost. “She’s with someone,” I said. Dennis sighed. “We confirmed it. It’s Terrence. He’s been helping her from the inside. That’s how she knew when to run.” I stared down at the image for a long second. My hands were st

The courtroom smelled faintly of old wood and paper. Rows of benches were filled with reporters, company staff, and curious spectators. The air buzzed with low whispers until the bailiff called for order.Vincent sat at the defense table, leaning back in his chair like this was a business meeting and not a trial that could end his career and his freedom. His suit was sharp, his expression smug, and when his eyes met mine across the room, he smirked.The judge entered, and everyone rose. We sat again when instructed.The prosecutor, a tall woman with sharp glasses, stood. “Your Honor, the state will prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendant, Vincent Rathore, engaged in a calculated scheme to take control of his cousin’s company by illegal means. This includes manipulating employees, bribing media outlets, and orchestrating the abduction of CEO Leo Rathore.”The defense attorney rose, muttering about “unsubstantiated claims” and “corporate rivalry,” but the judge waved for th

The waiting room was colder than I expected. I rubbed my hands together, glancing at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Leo sat beside me, legs spread, hands clasped between his knees, staring at the wall like it was supposed to say something profound. His jacket was folded over his lap. He hadn’t said much since we arrived.“You’re quiet,” I said, nudging his arm with mine.He glanced down at me and smiled faintly. “Just thinking. Nervous, I guess.”“You’re nervous? I’m the one with the tiny human inside me.”“Exactly. Which is why I’m nervous. I don’t want to miss a thing.”A nurse stepped out of the hallway door, calling my name. I stood up, taking Leo’s hand. He squeezed mine tightly as we followed the nurse down the corridor. The room they brought us into was softly lit. The machine in the corner beeped faintly, a low hum from the monitor filling the air.The technician offered a kind smile. “Alright, Ms. Bella. Just lie back and lift your shirt. This’ll be a little

The park smelled faintly of roasted peanuts from a cart at the far end. Jack was already ahead of us, his small legs moving fast, sneakers kicking up little bursts of dust from the gravel path. Ryan walked a few paces behind, sipping on an iced coffee, sunglasses on, looking smug like he’d orchestrated this whole day.Leo kept his hand resting on the small of my back as we strolled, watching Jack weave between benches and hop up onto the low brick border around the flower beds. I could hear him counting the steps under his breath.“Careful,” I called.“I’m fine!” Jack yelled without turning around, balancing his arms out like a tightrope walker.Leo chuckled. “The kid’s fearless.”“He learned it from you,” I said, giving him a sideways look.Ryan caught up to us and leaned in. “If either of you breaks him, I’m not taking him back.”Leo grinned. “Noted.”We caught up with Jack by the fountain in the center of the park. He was staring at the water jets shooting into the air, each one ca