I Became the Billionaire's Fake Lover to Get My Revenge
Chapter 20: Soon

Chapter 20: Soon

"What do you mean?" Anna asked softly, her lips still grazing against William’s thumb. His words felt foreign, as if he were speaking in a language she couldn’t quite translate.

William’s lips curved into a knowing smile as he slowly withdrew his thumb, his fingers trailing along her jaw before cupping her chin with a touch that was both gentle and possessive. "I think I’m being quite clear," he replied. "You said you’d do anything for revenge. You promised to listen to me—to obey me. Are you ready to prove it?"

A tremor ran through Anna, her lower lip quivering despite the lingering sweetness of the chocolate melting on her tongue. It left her mouth watering, yet she wasn’t sure what she truly craved—another taste of something sweet, or... something far more dangerous?

William leaned in, his presence so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath ghosting over her skin. "By now," he continued, his voice like silk laced with steel, "you should already understand—I don’t tolerate hesitation. When our plan is finally set in motion, I won’t be this patient."

Anna inhaled sharply, as if the very air between them had thickened, making it hard to breathe. Her lips parted, and on an exhale, she whispered, "Then tell me... what do you want me to do?"

William stilled. For a fleeting moment, his heart skipped a beat—an unfamiliar, unwelcome reaction. The delicate warmth of her breath brushed against his lips, stirring something primal, something long buried. A fire flickered to life deep within him, threatening to consume the carefully built walls around his heart.

He had believed those feelings were long dead. But they had only been lying in wait, hidden in the darkest corners of his soul, waiting patiently—until now.

Suddenly, a low chuckle escaped William’s lips, deep and unhurried, before he pulled away. His fingers released Anna’s chin in a deliberate, measured motion, as if reluctant to let go.

"There will be plenty of things I’ll ask of you in the future," he said quietly, his gaze lingering on her. "So take this time to think about what you want. As I said, this is a mutual agreement. If there’s anything you need from me... just say the word."

For a long moment, Anna remained silent. Her skin still burned from the warmth of his breath, and the faint, woody spice of his cologne clung to the air between them.

Something I want... for myself... The words echoed in her mind, stirring a strange, unfamiliar satisfaction deep within her chest.

For so many years, she had lived doing only what others demanded of her, never once pausing to ask for anything in return. Now, faced with the opportunity, she realized she didn’t even know where to begin.

Before she could dwell on it further, the door slid open with a quiet hiss.

Daniel strode in, his usual brisk steps coming to an abrupt halt as his eyes landed on Anna’s flushed, flustered face. His gaze immediately flicked to William, and his brows knitted together in suspicion.

"Mr. Stark, for God’s sake!" he scolded, his tone exasperated as he crossed the room toward the bed. "Are you teasing Anna again?"

The silence that followed only made him sigh, shaking his head in disapproval. "You better behave, or I swear, I’ll report you to that bossy nurse assigned to Anna’s room. You can’t go around making fun of her when she’s in such a vulnerable state!"

He clicked his tongue in dismay, and William’s expression darkened. He barely spared Daniel a glance, but something in his sharp gaze flickered with irritation. He could tolerate his assistant’s nagging, but hearing Anna’s name spoken so casually from another man’s lips—it rubbed him the wrong way.

"Dr. Austin has scheduled the first operation for Friday," Daniel continued, deliberately ignoring his boss’s darkening expression. "It’s the reconstructive face surgery." He then turned to Anna, his voice softening a little. "The plastic surgeon assigned to you is the best in the country. I know it sounds like a lot, but he’ll make sure you get a beautiful new face."

Although his tone carried a forced cheerfulness meant to reassure her, Daniel was secretly relieved that Anna couldn’t see the awkward smile tugging at his lips. She was about to receive an entirely new face—an identity reshaped by human hands. Even if the surgeon were the most skilled in the world, this wasn’t something anyone could accept lightly.

Anna, however, remained composed. "I trust you," she said firmly, her voice unwavering. "As long as they don’t recognize me, I don’t really care."

Daniel hesitated, momentarily thrown off by her detached certainty. He shifted his gaze toward William, who gave a small nod before rising smoothly to his feet.

"Very well then," he then said, his tone as calm and unreadable as ever. "I’ll visit you after the surgery. For now... think about everything."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark," Anna replied with a polite nod.

William’s jaw tightened for just a second, an almost imperceptible reaction. Then, with a quiet intensity, he corrected her:

"It’s Will... well, for you, it is."

Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, his movements precise and controlled. Daniel scrambled after him, his usual brisk pace turning into a slightly awkward trot as he tried to keep up.

The door clicked shut, and for the first time since their visit, Anna allowed herself to relax. Exhaling softly, she lifted her fingers to her lips, absently tracing them as if still feeling the ghost of his touch.

Will.

For me, it’s Will.

***

"The east wing’s renovations are nearly complete," Daniel noted, his sharp eyes skimming the open document on his tablet. "Just a couple more weeks, and the entire mansion will be fully ready. I’ve already arranged for the rest of your belongings to be moved here."

"Mhm," William murmured, barely acknowledging him. His attention was elsewhere, his thoughts tangled in something—or rather, someone—far more consuming.

Daniel continued, unfazed. "Your schedule is clearing up for a while, which means—"

But his words faded into the background, swallowed by the low hum of the car’s engine and the steady, rhythmic drumming of William’s own heartbeat. The world outside the tinted windows blurred into insignificance.

He shut his eyes, his jaw tightening as his right hand curled into a slow, trembling fist.

He had almost lost control. Almost kissed her.

What would she have done if he had? Would she have pulled away? Would she have let him?

The mere thought of his lips crashing against hers sent a suppressed groan rumbling from his chest.

Soon.

Soon, he would find out what it felt like to kiss Anna Hyde.