'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE

'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE

last updateLast Updated : 2025-03-31
By:  NerdrockzOngoing
Language: English
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As if Lena's day couldn't be any worse, a car sped past her, sending filthy water over her, and the driver didn't even have the courtesy to stop and apologize! One thing Lena knew was that the driver was related to the Josh family and that she despised him. Upon returning home, Lena gets news that her fiance is cheating on her and when she confronts him, he doesn't deny it. Heartbroken, Lena goes to a club to quell her emotions and ends up having a one-night stand with a stranger who happens to be the driver. It wasn't until a week later that Lena got to realize the stranger was Asher Josh, a friend of her fiance. On the day of Lena's wedding, she discovers her fiance eloped with another woman. Lena is once again heartbroken and she is about to call off the wedding when Asher offers to take her fiance's place. Lena is adamant but agrees and when she marries Asher, she receives shocking news. Will this news cause loopholes in their married life or will it be the very thing that breaks off their hatred for one another and bring them closer to each other?

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Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Author's POV

The blaring horns of New York City’s late-night traffic hammered against Lena’s skull, intensifying the ache already gnawing at her temples. Rain drizzled down relentlessly, drenching the crowded streets in a damp, miserable haze.

“Hey! Some of us need some rest after a long day of work! What's with all this hold-up about?” a man hollered from his luxury Audi, his voice lost in the chaos.

Lena exhaled sharply and held her knee, trying to stop her head from aching.

Five months. Five whole months of relentless job hunting, yet nothing.

It didn’t make sense. She had graduated at the top of her class, valedictorian of her Master's program in accounting with a stellar 4.2 GPA. That should have opened doors. Instead, she was stuck balancing three jobs as a waitress, salonist, and daycare teacher just to get by.

But in a city ruled by the elite, academic achievements meant nothing compared to wealth, connections— and curves.

"Big boobs and a fat ass," she muttered, mocking herself. "Not my fault I was born flat."

She grimaced, clutching her knee tighter where the pain of standing too long had settled deep in the joint.

Earlier that day, she'd finally scored an interview with Luca Josh—the youngest heir of the infamous Josh dynasty. His early-morning email had been oddly direct, summoning her for a personal meeting after scanning her résumé and liking the photo on her ID.

It had all gone to hell the moment she entered his sleek, soulless office.

Luca had barely masked his disappointment when she walked in, but that hadn’t stopped him from making vile, suggestive remarks under the guise of "friendly conversation." When she politely mentioned being engaged, he'd shrugged, leaning closer, his voice low with mockery:

"Well, sweetheart, unless you're willing to really impress me tonight, that ring won't help you get this job."

Disgust had turned her stomach, but she'd kept her composure—until he body-shamed her outright, picking at her appearance like she was nothing more than an object. She’d snapped back, venom sharp on her tongue, and the next thing she knew, she was being thrown out of the building.

Literally.

Lena shivered, blinking back the sting of tears.

'Why didn't I see the red flags sooner?' She asked herself.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Fumbling it out, she squinted at the screen.

Abby:

Girl, no time for calls. About to dominate a sexy Italian stranger (insert blushing emoji). Hope you nailed that interview! Also… I just saw Drake checking into The Josh's Hotel with some chick wearing basically lingerie. Maybe you should come to check it out? Love you! (insert 20 heart emojis).

Lena frowned, running a shaky hand through her damp hair before replying to her best friend's message.

Lena:

Love you too, Abs. Drake said he had therapy at that hotel tonight. Don't overthink it. I'm sure it’s nothing.

She hesitated before adding:

Also… use protection.

When the message was sent, Lena barely had time to process anything else before—

SPLASH!

A sleek silver Porsche sped through a puddle, sending a wave of filthy rainwater cascading over her, drenching her completely.

Gasps echoed around her as she stood there, stunned, rainwater dripping from her hair and face.

Lena's wide eyes locked on the car as it came to a smooth stop in front of the massive glass building—Josh's main enterprise.

Her humiliation quickly twisted into rage.

'You’ve got to be kidding me.'

Teeth clenched, she stormed after the car, fists balled.

"Mommy, look! A witch!" a toddler whispered loudly, pointing at her dripping figure.

Lena ignored the sting of the words, her heels clicking hard against the pavement as the Porsche’s door opened.

Out stepped a man who screamed power—dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit with a silver cross tattoo peeking from beneath the collar of his shirt. Before Lena could confront him, a sea of paparazzi and reporters swarmed in.

"Mr. Josh! Is it true your mother has been diagnosed with cancer?"

"Are you finally ready to take over your family's empire?"

The questions flew relentlessly, but the man—clearly another member of the Josh dynasty—stood unbothered, his jaw tight, his gaze hard.

' Arrogant prick!' Lena squirmed inwardly.

She shoved through the crowd, determined to give him a piece of her mind, but a wall of muscle blocked her path.

"Step back," A towering bodyguard barked, his scowl making her feel microscopic.

Lena scowled right back. "I need to see that asshole who didn't have the courtesy to stop his freaking car and say sorry to me after driving his car at an unlawful speed limit and sending shit water over me!”

The bodyguard's face twisted in horror. He glanced over at his boss, who had noticeably heard what Lena had said since he had come to a complete halt.

The guard turned to Lena rapidly, trembling with anxiety that his boss would make a commotion if he saw the woman who had ridiculed his name...

"You’ve got two seconds to leave before I make you." He growled, a hint of fear in his eyes.

Lena opened her mouth to argue—only for the brute to shove her hard, sending her stumbling to the ground.

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Paparazzi barely spared her a glance, their focus glued to the Josh heir.

"Attention-seeking much?"

"Elites, don't date the oppressed; go find someone in your class and stop embarrassing yourself!”

"Petty little thing."

Lena’s chest tightened. She scrambled to her feet, clutching her muddy briefcase as humiliation crushed her like a weight.

Tears blurred her vision as she staggered away from the scene, cold and soaked to the bone.

The towering skyscrapers loomed above, symbols of the life she'd once dreamed of. The life she had worked so damn hard for.

She'd sacrificed so much—missed parties, pushed away romance throughout her high school and college years—all for this? For a city that refused to see her worth?

Her hands trembled as she flipped both middle fingers at the Josh building, voice cracking as she cried out,

"Screw you. You just lost the best accountant you’ll ever get."

'Who am I kidding?'

By the time Lena reached her apartment, her feet were blistered, and her spirit felt just as battered. She kicked off her mud-streaked heels, tossed them aside, and collapsed onto the couch, the dampness of her clothes seeping into the beige rug.

Hot tears welled again. She forced herself up, cleaned the mess, showered, and curled back up on the couch in a fresh set of clothes.

She returned to the living room, turned on the television, and was greeted with a commercial from the Joshes' company.

“ If I ever get to see that asshole, I'll give him a piece of my mind.” Lena scowled and turned off the television.

Her gaze flicked to the door, waiting for Drake. He always knew how to comfort her after bad days like this. But midnight passed. Then 1 a.m.

'The therapy should've ended hours ago.' Lena reckoned, worriedly.

Just as she was about to call him, her phone lit up with a call from Drake.

“Happy, she sat up and answered the call immediately.

“ It's past midnight and you haven't returned. You owe me a lot for getting me so worried.”

“ I think you have to wait a little bit longer because your fiance here can't get enough of me.” A female voice came through.

Lena raised a brow in confusion. She was about to ask who was speaking when the female spoke again.

“ Look, I'm aware Drake has a fiancee. It's my job as a sex worker to bang him, but I don't want you to continue getting deceived by him.”

Lena’s heart started to beat fast. She rose to her feet and gripped the phone tightly.

“ I don't understand what—”

“ Thought I heard my phone ringing.” Drake's voice came through, and after a second, Lena heard the sound of something crashing into a bed.

“ Must be your imagination.”

“ Or maybe I'm too high from making love with you.” Drake laughed so loud it shattered Lena's heart into pieces. “ Stand on the bed and bend for me, would you? Be a nasty little prostitute, and don't scream till I tell you to.”

“ What about your fiancee? She'd get worried if you don't get home soon.”

Drake chuckled ludicrously. “ She will believe any false story I tell her like the naive little slut she is. If not for the money she's giving me, I would have taken you as my bride in her place.”

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Comments

default avatar
Rene McIntyre
To hell with the Josh Family. They are just so full of themselves. As for Drake I hope he gets STDs, he's so annoying.. I love everything about this book. The way the author carried me along visually. I just love it. This is a must read ......
2025-02-03 06:10:10
1
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Chioma Writes
I've read other books of yours on different platforms, and I must confess that you're such a great writer; you're a born writer. Keep it up, author ... Love your stories...... on to the next chapter ...
2025-02-03 03:59:57
2
68 Chapters
CHAPTER 1
Author's POV The blaring horns of New York City’s late-night traffic hammered against Lena’s skull, intensifying the ache already gnawing at her temples. Rain drizzled down relentlessly, drenching the crowded streets in a damp, miserable haze. “Hey! Some of us need some rest after a long day of work! What's with all this hold-up about?” a man hollered from his luxury Audi, his voice lost in the chaos. Lena exhaled sharply and held her knee, trying to stop her head from aching. Five months. Five whole months of relentless job hunting, yet nothing. It didn’t make sense. She had graduated at the top of her class, valedictorian of her Master's program in accounting with a stellar 4.2 GPA. That should have opened doors. Instead, she was stuck balancing three jobs as a waitress, salonist, and daycare teacher just to get by. But in a city ruled by the elite, academic achievements meant nothing compared to wealth, connections— and curves. "Big boobs and a fat ass," she muttered,
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-08
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CHAPTER 2
Lena stood frozen in the center of her living room, her body trembling as the sounds of pleasure from her fiancé and the sex worker echoed in her ears.She had often overheard women at the salon sharing stories of infidelity, their voices heavy with pain. Yet, until now, she had never truly grasped the devastation of being betrayed.Unable to endure the torment any longer, she threw her phone aside and then collapsed onto the floor in a storm of tears.She had loved Drake with everything she had. Their love story began after they both had faced rejection from their first job interview at Mac’s Business Institute. Drawn in by his charm, Lena had made the first move, and their connection had deepened swiftly—sharing laughter, late-night talks, and ultimately being intimate with him on her rooftop. Giving him her purity had only intensified her feelings for him.It was she who had proposed to him, not only because of the constant pressure from her parents to marry or risk dying a disgra
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-08
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CHAPTER 3
"Asher, Mister Josh would like to see you now," Jade Baker, Robert Josh's personal assistant, announced from the doorway of Asher's office."Thank you, Jade," Asher replied with a faint, nearly imperceptible smile.As she turned to leave, Jade peeked back inside and whispered, "If it’s about marriage again, let me know. I’ll knock some sense into him."Asher shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Get back to work before Father thinks we’re slacking off again."Jade grinned and as forwith she left, Asher’s face darkened. His relationship with his father had never been close. Robert Josh was strict, demanding, and emotionally distant, always expecting perfection from his children. Asher especially hated his father's constant pressure for him to marry.Jade was one of the few who supported him, especially when his mother, Gabrielle Josh, wasn't around—her presence was far more intimidating. Jade, now 48 and unmarried, had once been a hostess before joining the Josh family’s business. She
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-08
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CHAPTER 4
“Rise and shine, dumbass.” Lena groaned, squinting against the sunlight slicing through the curtains. A sharp ache pulsed in her head, making her wince and groan louder. “Oh, God! Lena, I've told you to stop drinking so much.” She clutched her forehead, slowly sitting up. Her blurry vision made her best friend's outline appear hazy, but she could make out Abby standing by the window, hands on her waist, glaring in disapproval. “It’s Saturday. Why are you waking me up so early?” Lena whined, leaning back as pain throbbed through her head— and other sensitive parts of her body. “Wait... How did I even get here? I thought I was at the club last night.” Abby didn’t answer. “Why are you being all mysterious? What, are you Silent Sam now?” Abby was the chatty type especially anytime she had sex with a guy or found dirt against bitches. Lena distinctly remembered Abby eyeing a guy with auburn hair at the bar, promising to drag him to a club room and dominate him. Yet, here she was—
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-08
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CHAPTER 5
Asher felt the slightest urge to tell Drake to shut his mouth. He was no one to be fooled, he knew Drake was a sycophant. The only reason Drake invited him over to his house was to squeeze out money from him. There was no need for all the stunts Drake was pulling up, in Asher's opinion. It wasn't a big deal to throw money on a pauper. ' I mean, isn't that the only thing they are good for?' Asher regretted not driving into Drake when he stopped in front of his car, smiling like an idiot. " So, you cheated on your fiance because she isn't as busty as you want her to be?" Asher said in a tone dripping with unhidden disdain. Drake laughed. " You make it sound like she is even busty." ' I wonder how a woman could even end up with a guy like this.' Asher thought, tartly. His eyes caught a glimpse of Lena who was staring at his car like it was the most absurd thing in the world as they stepped out of the house. His expression turned even more sour, looking at her. What was she doing
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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CHAPTER 6
Asher walked into his office just to see Josiah, sitting on his office chair, legs crossed on the desk whilst watching Joker, displaying from the projector to the large screen.Josiah barked out a laughter, clearly enjoying the movie and ignoring Asher who was walking to him, with a clenched jaw.Asher grabbed Josiah's leg and pushed it away energetically, causing him to fall to the ground. Asher leaned on his desk, waiting for the seat to warm up so he wouldn't feel the heat from Josiah's ass on his." Not a very nice way to greet your best friend," Josiah said, standing up and dusting the sides of his black pants."I have warned you several times to quit sitting on my chair," Asher glared at Josiah. "How did you even get inside my office?- And please turn that shit off." " Just because you don't like watching movies doesn't mean it's shit," Josiah switched off the projector. He took a sit in front of Asher's desk. " You arrived late today."" How did you get into my office?" Asher
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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CHAPTER 7
Whilst Asher was relishing the news he'd found out about Lena, she was running towards Maria's hair salon, holding three bags filled with shampoos and hair conditioners in both hands.When Lena raced inside the salon, she came to a halt and let out a heavy sigh when she saw how many people had come for a hairdo.They had doubled since fifteen minutes ago, she stepped out." Chica, drop the bags and get to work." Maria, the owner of the salon, stated as she applied red dye to a customer's hair.Lena lazily arranged the shampoos and hair conditioners in the designated compartments. She worked three jobs: a daycare teacher in the mornings, a salonist in the afternoons, and a waitress at night, yet didn't feel like she was doing enough. " Hey Len, how about you give me a haircut." James Weasley waved Lena over with a cheeky smile on his face.Lena grinned, happy seeing him. She took an apron and put it on before heading to the barbing section where he was."Good afternoon, James." Lena g
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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CHAPTER 8
Lena stepped out of her bedroom with her heart in her mouth. The sound of Drake and his brothers bantering and loud pop music filled the whole house. Lena could immediately detect the stink of alcohol emanating from the living room. As she approached the living room, her gaze was drawn to the kitchen, which was a complete mess.Bottles of alcohol and takeout plates were littered on the floors, making Lena want to throw up.She despised it when Drake's siblings or friends came to visit; they usually trashed the house or caused the cops to stop by due to their loudness.Lena peered from the corner of her eyes at the woman sitting on Drake's lap. She only had a bra and G-string on. Her lips were on Drake's neck, biting it while his hand was squeezing her ass.When Drake's gaze shifted from his siblings to her, Lena gazed straight ahead. " Don't tell me you are going for another interview." Drake gave her a disdainful laugh and looked her over from top to bottom. "When will you comprehe
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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CHAPTER 9
Matteo drove the car while Lena and Asher sat in the backseat.They made sure to keep a good distance from themselves as their bodies were touching the car doors.Lena breathed in the scent of pineapple and vanilla. It smelt so natural in the car that his stomach began to rumble. She had never felt so comfortable sitting down in a car before, the seats were like soft pillows. She wanted to thank Matteo for the low music he played over the drive, but she was very much still angry at him. The luxurious car almost made her forget her motive for being inside till Asher spoke, looking at her, and holding a smirk.Well, it was hard not to get amused by her." Are we going to get over this or what?" He snapped her out of her trance.Lena looked at him quickly, her soft gaze hardened instantly. She looked down at the mini briefcase on her lap and searched for the paper with interview questions written on it.She thought it fair to add her questions since she was the one conducting the inter
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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CHAPTER 10
Three weeks passed swiftly, and Lena followed Asher's wishes by remaining away from him.She didn't want anything to do with him ever again but he kept on getting on her nerves anytime she saw his face on Television.She was able to obtain a loan from the bank and some friends to cover Liam's escape plot and her wedding expenses.Lena took a deep breath and looked ahead at the busy road. In two days, she'd be married to Blake.Her stomach wrenched as Blake caressed her knee with his thumb while driving her to fetch her wedding dress at the bridal shop. His touch no longer made her feel lightheaded and turned upside down and right side up.She'd caught him multiple times with his hookers making out. He no longer hides his act anymore and even goes to the extent of bringing them over to Lena's home. When he was done, he'd crawl to Lena's bed demanding she made love to him.Lena chose to live the rest of her life as a celibate rather than allow him to ever make love to her again. Losing
last updateLast Updated : 2025-01-16
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