I DUMPED MY FIANCE FOR HIS BILLONIA FRIEND

Chapter Fourteen

The following week felt like living inside a velvet trap.

Daniel’s suspicions didn’t explode into open rage as I feared. Instead, he shifted tactics. He became generous, attentive, suffocatingly kind.

He returned from work one evening carrying a sleek black box wrapped in silver ribbon. “For you,” he said softly, as though we were newly engaged again.

I opened it with trembling fingers. Inside lay a stunning silk evening gown, deep emerald, shimmering under the light. It looked like something plucked straight from a runway.

“I thought you might wear it to dinner tomorrow,” he said. “We have reservations at that new rooftop restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.”

My throat tightened. I had never mentioned that restaurant.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

He stepped closer, brushing a stray hair from my face. “Nothing’s too beautiful for you.”

His words, his touch,they might have felt tender once. Now they were a warning. Every gift was a leash, every compliment a test.

The next day, another package arrived. Jewelry this time a diamond bracelet, delicate and heavy.

“You spoil me,” I said, forcing a smile.

“I protect what’s mine,” he replied simply, slipping the bracelet over my wrist himself. “Silk, diamonds, dinners all the things a woman dreams of. And yet…” His eyes locked on mine, glinting. “You still seem restless.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m just tired.”

He smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “Then rest, my love. You’ll need your strength.”

That evening, as I stood before the mirror in the emerald gown, I barely recognized the woman staring back. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, wrapped in silk and diamonds,but her eyes were hollow, her hands trembling.

A princess locked in a tower. A bird gilded in gold.

Downstairs, Daniel waited, his hand extended like a gentleman. “You look breathtaking,” he said, his tone sweet enough to rot.

I placed my hand in his, the bracelet cold against my skin. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?”

We dined under stars and city lights, the rooftop buzzing with soft music and low laughter. Strangers saw a perfect couple, a powerful man and his beautiful fiancée.

But beneath the table, Daniel’s hand gripped mine just a little too tightly, his thumb tracing slow circles as he whispered, “I know you’ve been scared. But you don’t need to be. I’ll take care of everything.”

My pulse spiked. “What do you mean?”

He smiled, sipping his wine. “I’ve hired some people to keep an eye on things. To keep you safe. No one will hurt you. No one will come between us.”

The words were sugar over poison. He wasn’t protecting me,he was isolating me.

I forced my lips to curve upward. “Thank you, Daniel. That’s… thoughtful.”

But my heart was a caged bird beating against bars of silk and diamonds

Later that night, back in the guest bathroom, I typed a message with trembling hands. He’s surrounding me with guards. Says it’s to protect me. It’s a cage.

Adrian’s reply came quick, steadily. Then we’ll use the cage against him. Watch. Listen. Every detail matters. We’ll find a way out.

I pressed the phone to my forehead, eyes shut tight.

I didn’t know how much longer I could keep up the act. But I knew one thing: Daniel had tightened the leash so much, it was only a matter of time before something snapped.

And when it did, there would be no turning back.