After dumped, I married a billionaire

Years ago, when Leona Carpenter fell for Michael Hansen, her family put their foot down hard—their social worlds were nothing alike, and the Carpenters wanted no part of it. But Leona? She was stubborn, dead set on chasing what she thought was true love. She cut off her family, buried her identity as a Carpenter, and dove headfirst into the messy, working-class chaos of the Hansen household.

When her grandfather found out, he was livid. He froze all her bank accounts, cut off every cent of her support, and tried to force her home.

This standoff dragged on for three years. The whole family waited, every single day, for Leona to come to her senses. What did they get instead? News that Michael Hansen had dumped her.

Leona Carpenter was still a Carpenter, for God’s sake. She was the one who walked away from people, not the other way around. The Hansens had some real nerve, thinking they could throw her away like trash and get away with it.

Her uncle, Henry Carpenter, couldn’t let that slide. Not even if he tried.

Leona smiled faintly, her face calm as she looked right at him. "Uncle, haven’t you already got everything sorted out for me already?"

"My real suggestion is that you come back to the family. Your grandfather’s getting on in years, running the empire is wearing him thin. I don’t want the crown, your younger uncle doesn’t either. The job’s yours if you want it. But if you’ve got other plans? Lay 'em on me. I’ve got your back, no matter what you decide," Henry said, soft warmth bleeding into his voice.

That simple, open offer crashed into her like a wave, and all of a sudden Leona couldn’t outrun the ache in her chest—it swallowed her whole.

She thought back to how she’d stormed out all those years ago, turned her back on everyone who loved her just for some deadbeat who never deserved her, and she wanted to scream at how stupid her younger self had been.

She choked back the tears burning her eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Uncle."

"You’re my only niece. Who the hell else would I look out for?" Henry gently patted her head, a soft, loving smile on his face. "Take it easy right now. I’ll be back in a few days to check on you."

After he left, Leona wandered over to the window. The sun was blazing bright outside, and she figured a walk wouldn’t kill her.

Aila Ellis leaned against the hospital pergola, wrapped in a soft knit sweater, and watched Leona where she sat in the shade of an old oak.

Even in a scratchy, one-size-fits-all hospital gown, Leona’s natural, innate elegance turned every head nearby. It was impossible to miss.

Her beauty wasn’t that cutesy, innocent kind that faded fast. It was bold, it took your breath away, and even a split-second glance was enough to stick with you forever.

"Who would’ve thought we’d run into each other this soon?" A purring voice came from behind Leona, who spun around to face her. One look at Aila, and her face went ice cold, her eyes sharp as shards of glass.

Aila held Leona’s gaze, a smug, victorious little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Leona Carpenter. Long time no see."

Leona’s eyes darkened, a cold chill rolling off her in waves. "You’re really persistent, aren’t you, Miss Ellis."

Aila brushed the dig off like it was nothing, and kept going. "Sometimes I actually feel bad for you, Miss Carpenter. How many years do you expect a girl to waste on a man who never even loved her?"

Out of nowhere, tears welled up in Aila’s eyes. She reached out and grabbed Leona’s arm, sniffling. "Leona, this is all my fault. I’m so sorry for everything I did… please just forgive me…"

"Don’t you dare touch me!" Leona frowned, yanking her arm away in disgust.

She didn’t even pull that hard, but Aila went flying backward like she’d been shoved, overacting every step of the stumble.

Leona was still blinking in confusion at this little performance when a thunderous roar cut through the air from right behind her. "Leona Carpenter! What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

Oh. It clicked instantly. Aila’s little act wasn’t some random outburst. She’d planned this.

But hey—if Aila went to all this trouble to put on a show? Leona would be a fool not to let the drama play out just how she wanted it to.