Billionaire's Replacement Bride

Chapter One

Author's pov

A private jet landed at LaGuardia Airport. As the packing apron was emptied for the arrival of the town's very special and long-awaited guest,.

Six men dressed in an all-black suit and leather shoes waited patiently by the Maybach Exelero packed in front of the plane for the arrival of one of New York's goodness.

Letting down the air stairs, the six men immediately went towards the airplane and waited by the stairs to welcome her.

She got out of the plane, putting on her sunglasses and face mask, before climbing down the stairs.

She rolled down the window of the car as soon as she sat in it, breathing in New York's air after such a long time.

If someone had told her earlier that she had returned to New York this year, she would have groaned and called that person a liar, but here she is now, she thought, chuckling inwardly.

She was only here because she had to fulfill one of her grandfather's last wishes. The old man was still trying to be the peacemaker, even after leaving.

She looked through the window. "Not much, though." She murmured as she saw some landmarks that were there before she left, still existing.

Rolling the window back up and leaning against the car seat, she takes a deep breath. She was about to not only meet but also live with her family after more than ten years.

Why couldn't she just continue her life without them? She ruffled her hair a bit.

...............

Milos Pov

"Bella is back." Samuel said, barging into Milo's office.

He raised his head from the file, closing it and giving him his full attention.

"What's your plan?" He asked, taking his seat in front of the black office desk.

"I am not sure yet, but either way, I am not giving up my company; definitely, we're going to have to get married." Milos replied, rubbing his forehead slightly.

He has been stressed lately, trying to come up with a plan to save his empire.

"If she's still the same Bella, then I'm pretty sure we shouldn't have much stress, considering the fact that she had a crush on you." Samuel added.

"And considering the way I brushed her feelings for me away in the past, I don't really think she would want to have anything to do with me." Milos said, his eyebrows raised.

"Well. " He said he was getting up on his feet.

"Where are you going?" Samuel asked to follow his friend out of the room.

"If she's in town, I might as well show my face and let her know the trouble we both are in." He said he was putting on his glasses and sliding into the back seat of his black Bugatti Veyron.

"The Harrison's Mansion." He ordered.

She stepped out of the car, looking around a bit, before making her way into the mansion.

"Milos." Mr. Harrison called out, surprised.

He quickly smiled, bowing a little to greet him as a sign of respect.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"Don't be silly; Milos has told you many times to call me uncle; even better, Dad, since you are about to get married to her." Mr. Harrison said, chuckling, but even that didn't ease the nervous expression on his face.

Milos smiled, fully aware of the situation on the ground.

"I heard that she's back." He went straight to the point.

Mr. Harrison nodded his head, letting out a sigh.

"I wish we could give her some time, though; she's not even talking to any of us yet." He said this, looking at Milos, hoping the boy understood.

"We don't have much time, sir. The council is on our necks; we need to give them something by next week. She already delayed time by coming in now.. He stated that he was trying to make the man see how urgent the situation on the ground was.

Mr. Harrison nodded his head towards the stairs, sighing once more.

Milos quickly made his way up the stairs; no one had to direct him to where he was headed; he had been here quite a lot in the past.

He stood in front of her floor, taking a deep breath, before tapping his knuckle against the door.

Seconds turned into minutes, and he raised his hands up in an attempt to knock on more, but the door opened, revealing a replica copy of the love of his life, just with a few differences, like the long hair, for example.

He got himself before he let out the gasp that threatened to leave his lips.

Bella looked at him, her brows furrowed together. It wasn't that she wasn't familiar with the face; she just couldn't help but wonder why he was standing in front of her.

"The Bailey room is on the other floor." She said it in a bored tone, snapping Milos out of his trance.

"An information I already know." He stated this before rudely making his way into her room.

Bella turned around, looking at the man who took his seat on the couch placed beside her bed, crossing his legs like he owned the place.

Her heart skipped a beat, looking at how handsome he had gotten over the years.

He pulled out something from his inner suit pocket, stretching it towards her.

She looked at him from the door, not attempting to make a move at first, before gently working towards him, silently praying in her heart that her emotions would keep themselves in check.

She knew Milos wasn't going to leave until he had accomplished whatever he was here for.

What a warm welcome! She thought, taking the card out of his hands.

She tore it open, her eyes dancing around the words written on it. Her eyes went wide as she gasped, her head snapping up to look at him. She tried to form words, but her head gave her nothing.

It's an engagement card, with her name boldly written next to his.

What the hell was going on? She yelled inwardly, confused.

"Okay, I will get straight to the point, Bella." Milos said, uncrossing his legs.

"What do you want to make this possible?We don't have much time," he asked, looking at her.

She looked at him, still in shock.

Chapter Two

"What the hell is this? And what do you mean by we don't have much time??" She asked, marching towards him and stopping a few meters away.

She raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What I am saying, Bella, is that we have to get married soon, for some reason that I am not going to explain to you since I did not birth you. So put on your big girl pants, and let's talk. What the fuck do you want to make this happen sooner?" He yelled out in frustration.

Bella's eyes widen, and her heart beats hard against her chest.

"I think you should go." She said her voice was now shaky, and her thoughts were starting to go wild.

"Bella, what are your conditions?" He asked again, letting out a frustrated sigh, ignoring her request for him to leave.

"Are you asking me to sell myself to you?" She asked, her heart pounding.

"More like, give out your condition. I mean, what do you want, Bella? Is it a mansion? Company? What are your conditions? We need to make it clear that the sooner we do, the earlier we get married." He said, looking at her colly.

0Nonsense." She whispered, turning around to leave and demand an explanation from her parents.

He stood up, quickly grabbing her arms.

"I don't have time for this nonsense, Bella. So you listen and listen clearly.. He said, stepping closer, evading what was known as personal space. He put his lips beside her ear.

"You choose between becoming my wife or having me as your husband. Either way, you are walking down the altar with me." He whispered before releasing her arm and stepping back, as the sound of a knock came through the door.

"Let's have a talk downstairs." Her father said this, noticing the intensity in the air.

.

.

.

Bella stared at them one after the other, reading the nervous expressions masked on each and every one of their faces.

What exactly could they be up to? She couldn't help but ask herself.

"Look, is there going to be an explanation, or are we all going to sit here and stare at each other?" She asked in a slightly irritated tone.

They all looked at her before turning to each other, exchanging looks between themselves.

"Calm down and let's talk for a moment, Bella." Her father called, making her turn her attention back to him.

Her father cleared his throat a bit before looking at her, then using his hands to rub his face in frustration.

"There's a slight issue, and only you can resolve it." Her father spoke out grumpily with a grim expression on his face.

"And what exactly is the problem, and what connection does it have with Milos?" She asked, folding her arms, trying to control her rapid heartbeat.

"In your great-grandfather's will, it states that his first granddaughter is to marry one of his friend's sons." Her father said this, pausing a little to look at her before going on.

"Because all his children were sons and his grandchild was also a boy, it was shifted to his great-grandchild." Her father said, looking at her wearily.

"But Bailey is already engaged, leaving you as the only available granddaughter." Her father completed it.

"Look, Bella, we are trying our best to reason with the board and council, but they just won't listen to us." Her mother said it pleasingly.

" So! It clearly stated that the first granddaughter was right, so why are you all being biased?" Bella said, putting emphasis on the word first, letting them know she wasn't going to dance to their tone.

She chuckled darkly. "Not even a day is here, and my soul is already sold out."

They all looked down, silence engulfing the atmosphere.

She was about to say something when some policemen marched into the living room.

"Yes, how can we help you, officers?" Mr. Harrison asked, immediately getting up to his feet and walking towards them.

"Miss Bella Liam Harrison?" They asked

Bella got up with a confused expression written all over her face.

"A letter has been sent to our office issuing a warrant for an arrest for Miss Bella Liam Harrison." They said, pulling out a sheet of paper, then going towards her to cuff her hands.

"What the heck is going on here?" Her father's voice boomed around the living room, while the others stood there looking equally confused.

"On what charges, if I may ask?" Mr. Harrison looked at them, trying to control his anger.

"Charges for involvement in exhortation and hacking of public funds." They stated this before pulling her away.

"Call the lawyer fast." Mr. Harrison yelled at his wife, following his daughter behind.

Milos immediately pulled out his phone.

"Something just happened in Harrison's mansion. I need you to clear everything; no word must go out. Gather the team. Not only Harrison's reputation is at stake here, but also that of Smith's future daughter-in-law.. He barked into the phone, rushing towards the car.

Chapter Three

Milos Pov

He looked at his thinking friend, wondering what was on his mind. He had been like that ever since Milos told him what happened in Harrison's mansion the other day.

"So what are you going to do?" He finally asked, playing with the plumb toy on my desk.

"I am not sure, but her father made it sound urgent. Besides, it's to my favor. The earlier we both get married, the better, He said, rubbing his forehead to ease the pain.

"But... " Samuel started but got cut off with a wave of his hand.

"Honestly, I don't care what the problem is." He told him, shrugging his shoulders.

"But what if it affects you later? Think about this dude.. He expressed concern.

Milos took a deep breath, looking at him.

"It's got to do with family issues, and I seriously don't want to get involved." He said this before picking up his phone.

"I am having dinner with the Harrison's today; I am going to check things out there before the wedding." He told his friend to ease his mind.

"Before what?" Samuel exclaimed, his eyes wide open.

"When is this wedding exactly?" Samuel asked

"It's going to happen in the next week or so." He said this with finality in his voice, getting up from his seat as they both exited the office.

One week later...

Bella

She stood in front of everyone on the altar in church, facing her husband-to-be.

'My husband to be,' she mentally repeated in her head, cringing a little. But it doesn't matter how much she cringes, because in a few minutes, it's going to be true anyway.

She looked up at Milos to see him staring hard at the priest; he hadn't even spared her a look since they got here.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest announced, bringing her out of her thoughts.

She stiffened. She had mentally prepared herself for everything except for this. She balled her shaky, sweaty hands into a fist, trying to surpass the overwhelming feeling bubbling inside her.

He turned towards her, his face void of any expression. There was no regret, no sadness, and no affection. There was nothing but a blank expression on his face.

She laughed mentally at her own life.

He slowly stepped towards her, tilting her head a little. She looked up at his perfectly sculptured face as his emerald eyes stared deep down into her soul.

Nervousness took over her entire system as a rush of adrenaline took over her face.

Her eyes shuttered close as she waited patiently for his lips to touch hers, but it never came.

The clapping sound from the crowd brought her back from the La La La Land she was in, and she opened her eyes.

She looked around, a bit confused, before it dawned on her. He pretended to kiss her.

She looked at him to see him looking at her twin sister and his best friend, who were seated in the crowd, laughing, and for a split second, she could swear that she saw a sad expression pass through his face, which he immediately covered up with a smile, waving a little at the crowd.

' He was still in love with her,'she thought, trying to prevent the tears in her eyes from falling off her cheeks.

Woah! Not only did her husband hate her, he was still in love with her other half.

She smiled sadly at her own fate, a tear accidentally slipping down my cheeks. She immediately wiped it, biting her lips to stop the sobbing sound from escaping her throat.

She peeked up a little to see him smiling at her dad, bowing a little out of respect.

After a while, it was time to go. They bid their goodbyes to both families and made their way towards the car.

Milos had stated earlier that a reception wasn't going to be necessary, as it was just a waste of time, and we all just went along with it.

Finally, we both sat down in the car, letting the silence engulf the atmosphere as the car moved towards Smith's Villa.

They reached, and she couldn't help but gasp at the beautiful environment. Even though she wasn't into big spaces, she couldn't help but appreciate how they had beautified each corner of the villa.

He got out of the car once they reached the villa, not bothering to give her a glance, but what was she seriously expecting? For him to take her hands and guide her inside.

She scoffed at her own imagination.

The driver held the door for her as she made her way out, mouthing a little thanks, before making her way into the mansion.

She stepped inside with the puff of the ball gown in her hands. The sound her heels were making against the marble floor was the only sound that could be heard through the hall.

She looked around in search of her newlywed husband, walking past the long hallway to find him standing in the living room in all his glory, his hands tucked into the pocket of his suit pants.

She cleared her throat to get his attention, standing a few feet away from him.

"Let's make this clear, Bella." He said he was turning around, giving her a sharp look before making his way towards the small center table in the living room, picking up the papers on them.

He threw them at her face, dipping his hands back into his pocket.

"Here's a duplicate of the contract you signed before the wedding; go through it again."

"For heads up. First, you are in my house, so you are going to do what I want. Second, you are allowed to do anything, as long as it doesn't affect my personal life or cross my path. Third, I know about your problematic lifestyle, so try to keep a low profile from now on and don't do anything to tarnish Smith's image." He said it all at once.

He brought out a black card from his pocket, dropping it beside the lamp stand next to her, then turned around to leave.

Her hands coiled into a fist on their own as she tried her possible best to suppress the anger and pain she felt inside of her.

" Wait " She yelled.