Reborn As the Billionaire’s Betrayed Bride

PILOT

THIRD PERSON’S POV.

The restaurant shimmered with soft lights,  gold against glass, music threading through the air like silk. It was the kind of place people booked months in advance, the kind of place where everything sparkled, including the man sitting across from her.

Jonathan  looked like a dream. Tailored suit, easy smile, voice low enough to make conversation feel private even in a crowded room. When he leaned forward, the candlelight caught in his eyes, and Serena felt her chest tighten with the kind of love that made logic irrelevant.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he said, his hand brushing hers. “That’s unlike you.”

Serena smiled. “Just taking it all in.”

“Taking Me in, you mean,” he teased, the corner of his mouth lifting.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Always so sure of yourself.”

“That confidence is what you love about me,” he said, raising his glass.

She didn’t disagree. She loved everything about him , even the things she shouldn’t. The way he was always half-distracted, always chasing the next big deal, always needing the world to see him shine. It used to bother her, how performative he could be. But now… she’d learned to look past it. Love was about compromise, wasn’t it?

He reached across the table, his thumb tracing a slow circle against her skin. “You know, I’ve been thinking about us,” he began.

“That sounds dangerous,” she said lightly.

Jonathan’s smile deepened, “Don’t be nervous baby.”

She blinked, caught off guard. “Why would I be nervous?”

“Because, you hate uncertainty,” he said, lowering his voice.

“Tonight, I want to make you a promise.” His lips moved as his hand deepened into his suit pocket.

Her brows furrowed “A promise?”

He nodded, eyes steady on hers. He slid the little velvet box gently across the table

Her pulse quickened “Jonathan…”

“Not yet, I know, not officially at least” he said softly, “But I want to show you I’m serious about this.”

She blinked, relief  and curiosity written all over her face,“How?”She asked, staring down at the little black box on the table.

He smiled, that enchanting smile she had fallen for. “This ring signifies that once you tell your family about us, once everything’s out in the open I'll make it official. No more hiding, no more waiting. You’ll have the wedding you deserve.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, she opened the box and inside wasn’t a diamond, not yet, inside lay a simple gold band, delicate and unfinished like something awaiting completion.

Her voice caught in her throat “you are serious?”

“As serious as a heart attack baby”

For a second the world went still, All that mattered in that moment was his voice, his thumb tracing imaginary lines on her fingers and the feeling that her life was moving exactly as it should.

She smiled and placed the ring on her right index finger, admiring it. “Then I’ll wait,” she said.

Jonathan smiled triumphantly, leaning in to place a kiss on the finger where the ring lay. “I know,” he said aloud but under his breath he murmured “you always do”.

Outside in the city of Monterra the night seemed to shine and sparkle. Everything felt lighter, Serena dance-walked all the way to the car.

Although she hadn’t gotten her dream proposal, she had never wanted it in a restaurant where waiters hovered and strangers watched, it all felt too staged… too much like a scene meant to be seen But she had brushed the thought aside, after all, it was Jonathan and Jonathan always meant well.

He opened the car door for her, his coat wet from the rain. “You’re smiling,” he said as she settled in.

“I’m happy,” she replied, her voice soft. “It’s a fantastic evening.”

He laughed, starting the engine.

“Tonight felt special,” she added.

Jonathan glanced at her, the street lights making his face glow. “It should. We’re finally moving forward.”

Moving forward. The words made her heart lift and ache at once. It’s not that she didn’t want to marry Jonathan, because she did, desperately. He made her feel like the best thing in the world, but still, deep down, the thought of settling down with him forever had always gnawed at her mind.

On the drive back, the windshield wipers swept softly as rain began to fall heavier, tapping a quiet rhythm against the glass. Serena leaned her head back, watching the headl lights outside  slide across the window.

“Do you ever think,” she murmured, “what would have happened if we didn’t speak with one other that day at the tennis club?”

Jonathan smiled, “trust me, there’s no way I would have left that bar without speaking to you.”

Serena’s cheeks warmed, Jonathan always knew exactly what to say. Except, she had misunderstood what he meant by his statement but time would remind her of this night.

Jonathan reached for her hand without looking, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “You worry too much, Serena. Calm down, everything is going to fall into place.”

And she believed him, because believing was easier than noticing how distant his touch felt.

The rain had softened by the time they reached the Gregory estate. The gates stood tall and glistened under the night lamps, shining like wet glass, Jonathan slowed the car to a stop just before the iron wall, as he always did.

“You know the drill,” he said lightly. “I can’t risk being seen by your father’s guards again.”

Serena unbuckled her seatbelt and smiled. “He’s still out of town, And the staff won’t say a word…Come in, just for a bit. We should celebrate properly.” She bit her lip nervously.

Jonathan’s fingers tapped annoyingly against the wheel. He hesitated, glancing toward the dark silhouette of the house. “What about Clara?”

“She’s either out or asleep,” Serena said, brushing off the thought. “Please, Jonathan, be with me tonight.”

He didn’t want to, not really. He’d had enough smiling, enough pretending for one night but refusing would only raise questions. So he let out a quiet exasperated sigh, shifted the car into drive, and drove through the now open gates.

As they rolled up the drive, a few of the night staff appeared, by the car, ready to serve. Serena greeted them warmly, Jonathan didn’t acknowledge their presence.

Inside the house was quiet, as always, they slipped upstairs without much noise. Serena’s room smelled faintly of fresh lavender and the rain-soaked air coming in through an open window.

“I’ll be quick,” she said with a soft grin, disappearing into the bathroom to slip into something more seductive.

Jonathan exhaled, loosening his tie as he lowered himself into her bed. The moment the toilet door clicked shut, his hand located his phone. In a few swipes he shot a text.

Jonathan: Are you home?

The reply came almost instantly.

Clara: I heard your car. I thought you weren’t coming in tonight?

Jonathan: she forced me, said she wants to ‘celebrate.’

Clara: What if I give you a better offer?

He stared at the message for a bit too long. His thumb hovered over the keys, then he typed a question mark in return. His phone buzzed again, the tone of the conversation instantly shifting.

He downloaded the images sent and his jaw tightened as he accessed each photo with precision.

The phone vibrated again.

Clara:  Ditch the plain Jane and come to my room. You know you want to.

Before he could reply the bathroom door swung open and Serena stepped out, her hair damp, her expression soft with that same unguarded trust that had always annoyed him. She had changed her Jean and vest outfit for a silk nightdress that almost reached her ankles. Jonathan winced at the sight.

“You’re on your phone,” she said, amused. “Work again?”

He pocketed it quickly. “Just a message I had to answer.”

She crossed to him, looping her arms around his neck. “You work too much,” she murmured, her voice tender. “Let’s relax tonight.”

She leaned in, placing a wet kiss on his tightly short lips.

Jonathan smiled, against her mouth, careful, distant. “I’ve got an appointment with investors tomorrow morning baby,”

Serena immediately froze, red colour flushing her cheeks. “Oh,” she said. Straightening her back.

“I should probably get going,” Jonathan mumbled, already moving her from on top of him.

Disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she masked it with understanding, she always did. “You’re right,” she said softly, “tomorrow will be busy.”

When he was off the bed, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Get some sleep, alright?”

She nodded “text me after your meeting okay?”

“Of course”.

Jonathan waited till her back hit the pillows, her breathing evening out. Only when he was sure she was asleep did he move, quietly, practiced, he discreetly slipped out of the room shutting the door gently behind him.

The house was quiet. Only the soft hum of the chandelier downstairs and the faint ticking of the clock filled the air.

A light flickered under a door at the far end of the corridor. Faint music, low and seductive, leaked through the crack.

His pace slowed, the air changed, turning warmer and thicker. He could almost feel the pulse of anticipation pressing against his crotch.

He hesitated only once before his fingers closed around the knob. For a moment, he just stood there, listening to the faint sound of his own breathing.

Then, with a quiet click, he turned it and slipped inside.