Page 1 of Falling For The Billionaire Rockstar

Chapter one

LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR

Olivia Sanders

Iknew I couldn’t do this. I had known since the day he proposed to me, the day I said yes. I knew I was selling my soul to the devil, but I kept up the act. But who was I doing this for, really?

“Thank you,” I mouthed softly to my stylist.

She had been so committed to making me look like the perfect bride since our first meeting, and calling off the wedding suddenly would make me feel bad for her. Was I doing this for her? Marrying away my life and freedom just so someone’s heart wouldn’t get broken?

Mother had always said my good heart would do me some harm. This was more than harm; this was bondage.

Standing before the mirror, I took another long, hard look at myself and this burden of a dress I had on.

The morning sunlight that streamed through the dressing room windows had cast a warm glow upon the ivory lace of the wedding gown. The dress was perfect, and I would have no doubt loved the world to see it.

But too bad for them, my mind had been made up.

This didn’t stop my heart from pounding a discordant rhythm against my ribcage, though. The weight of societal expectations pressed upon me like an unbearable burden, and I couldn’t wait to let it off my shoulders.

“Hey, bride-to-be!”

Samantha’s voice pierced through my thoughts, and amid everything, I found myself shrieking the minute she called me “bride.”

Maybe it’s because I had plenty of time to rehearse the fake excitement. Greg made sure of that. First, he ensured our proposal was very public—in one of New York’s high-society restaurants. And then, he threw an engagement party unannounced with only company CEOs and executives present. I must admit, he displayed a great deal of confidence by not even considering the possibility that I would say no.

“Hey, girlie!” I responded, smiling ear-to-ear as I threw my hands open for a hug. I loved Samantha, especially for how she knew how to light up my space even without knowing it. We had known each other since I moved to New York and had been best pals ever since.

“You look stunning, girl. I so wish I were you right now.”

“Oh, come on.” Eager to talk about something other than my dress, I asked her, “How’s the crowd?”

“As expected.” This sent us both laughing. Talk about why we’re besties again. “There’s a whole crowd of people waiting to witness the Greg and Olivia union.”

I closed my eyes and breathed in her information. Behind my eyelids, I pictured the congregation, wild chatter as they turned their heads from side to side, their eyes searching.

I pictured the growing impatience on their faces as they waited and, finally, the disappointment. None of it was my fault, really. I didn’t have a choice.

“Earth to Oli?” As I heard the snap of her fingers along with her voice, I blinked my eyes open. Samantha was still standing in front of me, her eyes searching my face. Then, a wry smile curved her lips as she leaned back and crossed her arms. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?”

I nodded, although I wasn’t really nervous. It just seemed like a better excuse for my dazed expression. “Honey, it’s your first time getting married. You’re meant to be nervous, excited, maybe even losing your shit, all while trying to look stunning. But remember, you need to take time to enjoy every single moment of it.”

I smiled at her words, but deep down, my heart sank. I wished I could relate to what she was saying. I wished I could embody the clumsy little bride she thought I was. However, all I felt at that point was determination.

But there was still a bit of fear that lingered.

“Samantha?” I finally spoke, surprising both myself and her.

“Yeah?”

“Would you . . .” I trailed off, taking a deep breath in as I paused to articulate my thoughts. By the time I looked up again, she was visibly worried. I smiled brightly as I placed my hands on her forearms, gently rubbing them. “Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s nothing serious. I’d just like to hear your opinion on something.”

“Okay then, what is it?”

“What would you do if you began to feel like the life, you’re living right now isn’t yours?”

Her eyes narrowed as she reeled her head backward to look at me. “You mean like imposter syndrome?”

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