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CHAPTER 15
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2025-01-16 16:38:25
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'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 16
Lena wasn't sure she heard correctly.She had spent her childhood and teenage years in an extended family enough to loathe it. She hardly had her privacy and couldn't do anything without someone meddling in. Plus, she had seen enough Bollywood movies to know that living with her husband's relatives would raise a stir.There was no way in hell, she'd pass through that! "What? You expect me to live with your parents?!"Asher's expression remained calm, but a hint of annoyance crept into his voice. "It's not an expectation, Miss Dubby. It's a requirement. My parents are...particular, and they want us to live with them."Lena's mind reeled as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. She had just married a man she barely knew, and now she was expected to live with his parents. It was too much to take in."Why?" Lena asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "Why do they want us to live with them?"Asher's eyes seemed to cloud over, and for a moment, Lena thought she saw a glimmer of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 17
Lena hurried to catch up with Asher as he made his way toward the house.Upon stepping inside, Lena's jaw nearly hit the floor. The entire interior was a lavish blend of blue and gold. Intricate gold patterns decorated the plush blue walls, and a grand spiral staircase wound upward from the side of the living room. The ceiling was so elegantly designed that it felt almost surreal. Two doors, labeled "Game Room" and "Cinema," caught her attention, further emphasizing the house's luxury."Close your mouth, would you?" Asher's cold voice snapped Lena out of her awe.Realizing her mouth had been open, she quickly shut it, her cheeks warming with embarrassment."Pathetic," Danielle muttered with a roll of her eyes, already seated on the couch beside her husband, enjoying their tea.Matteo was heading upstairs with some of Lena's luggage when a woman's voice called from the staircase."You can leave the bags here in the living room," said Jade, descending the stairs gracefully.Though techn
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 18
Lena waited for Asher to return with the rest of her luggage, but it had been over thirty minutes, and he still hadn't come back.Stepping onto the balcony, she inhaled the fresh scent of hibiscus and dandelions. The floral arrangement was stunning, and for a moment, Lena could admit that Asher's only redeeming quality was his neatness. Unlike most men she had known, he took meticulous care of both himself and his surroundings.Her attention was drawn to the massive entrance gate where seven luxury cars pulled into the driveway.'How many damn cars are in this place?' she thought, watching as elegantly dressed men, women, and children stepped out of the cars. Their glamorous attires made her stomach turn."Seriously? Who goes out dressed like a Disney princess trying to take over the world?" she muttered in disgust.They had to be Asher's relatives. Judging by their snooty expressions, they seemed just as unwelcoming as he was. She promised herself she would stay polite-unless they p
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 19
Lena sat on the balcony, the night air chilly against her skin. She gazed at the plush porch, still adjusting to the unfamiliar luxury surrounding her. As a child, she'd dreamt of a living glamorous life, but adulthood had forced her to bury those dreams. No matter how hard she worked, the world constantly reminded her of her middle-class reality.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of her phone. She took out her phone and read the caller's ID.Abby.Her heartbeat quickened. She hadn't heard from Abby since the wedding, and her absence after the ceremony made Lena wonder if her best friend was upset with her."Lena! Tell me where you are so I can come over and kick your ass," Abby snapped the moment the call connected.Lena exhaled. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you-""You should be sorry! How the hell could you marry Asher out of nowhere? You never even hinted you liked him-""I don't like him! I never have and never will. Just calm down and listen."Lena paced the bal
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 20
The next morning, Asher came out from the bathroom after brushing his teeth, already dressed in his workout wears. His eyes drifted to the couch where Lena had slept, only to find it empty.Frowning, he glanced around the room. She was right there fifteen minutes ago when he left for the bathroom and she looked so drowned in sleep he'd thought she was dead.Shrugging it off, he assumed she must have gone downstairs.Heading toward the closet to grab his sports shoes, Asher paused in surprise when he saw Lena curled up by the closet door, wrapped snugly in the duvet, still fast asleep.His brows furrowed as he glanced between the couch and the floor. Was she messing with him? Surely, this had to be another one of her attempts to get on his nerves. Well, he wasn't about to let her win. If anyone's morning was going to be ruined, it would be hers, not his.He stepped forward cautiously, prepared to walk right over her, but hesitated when she shifted in her sleep. Asher tensed, wonderin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 21
By the time Lena finished showering, Asher had already stormed out of the room in anger She sighed, a bit disappointed he'd left. Annoying him once more before heading to the kitchen would have been fun."Oh well," she murmured, pinning her hair back with a clip before heading downstairs.The house was unusually busy, with staff rushing around, cleaning and organizing. Lena nearly stumbled backward when a red-haired maid accidentally bumped into her shoulder."Sorry, ma'am," the girl apologized with a shy smile before hurrying away.Lena looked puzzled but continued to the kitchen, where she found Jade and Pamela working alongside four other women dressed in matching black tops with white stripes and black skirts.The luxury of the place felt surreal to Lena. She'd never imagined living in such affluence, let alone marrying a billionaire. Though the marriage was just for show, it still felt like something from a fantasy. Back in high school, she often overheard girls dreaming abou
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 22
Asher bid his family goodbye before heading to his car, where Lena was already waiting by the passenger side, squinting as she scanned the porch. A few feet away, Matteo observed her with a mixture of confusion and amusement."I'll be driving myself today. You can stop by my workplace later," Asher told Matteo as he approached."But sir-""Don't make me repeat myself." Asher's patience was wearing thin. Dealing with Lena was exhausting enough, and the last thing he needed was to feel coddled like a child.Yes, his wealth made him a target, which was why his father insisted on constant bodyguard surveillance. But Asher was no stranger to defending himself, he had trained for it. Over time, he had found excuses to fire most of his bodyguards, including his personal driver. Matteo was the only one left.Matteo reluctantly handed Asher the car keys and stepped aside. When Asher turned to open the door for Lena, he realized she had already gotten in.Asher exhaled sharply, gathering his
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 23
After texting her mother, Lena slid her phone back into her pocket, a smug smile curling her lips as she watched Asher's car disappear into the distance. Since he couldn't stop acting like a jerk, she'd make sure to put him in his place.Once his car was completely out of sight, Lena turned on her heels and entered the salon, just in time to catch everyone scrambling away from the windows and doors. She rolled her eyes and went to greet Maria with a kiss on the cheek.It was Saturday, which meant the daycare was closed, so Lena was spending her morning and half of her afternoon working at the salon.Maria held her shoulder, flashing a cheeky smile. "Did you just get more stunning overnight?" she teased.Yvonne, one of the hairstylists, chimed in, "No eye bags either. Must be the rich life."From the barber's section, Dickson raised a clipper and cooed, "Affluent living sure suits you, Lena."Emily, Lena's regular chat buddy at the salon, approached from behind, resting her hands on L
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'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 63
As dawn broke slowly, Asher was already awake, restless in the small room he had slept in. The bed was uncomfortable, and the quiet ambiance, interrupted only by the occasional creak or birdcall, kept him anxious. He packed his belongings into a bag, eager to leave this cramped, middle-class setting and return to his own life. He could hear Lena shuffling around downstairs, likely also packing.He made his way down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder and found Lena in the kitchen with her mother. Lena was hastily packing a sweater into her backpack, her hair tousled, while her mum fussed by the kettle, steam rising in the dim light. The aroma of toast and tea filled the air, a cozy scent that made Asher uncomfortable. He dropped his bag by the door, gave a brief nod to both of them and said, “Ready when you are,” his voice gruff, already mentally distancing himself from the room.Lena’s mum turned around, wiping her hands on her apron, and gave them a look, sharp yet w
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 62
Asher leaned against the small window in the cramped room Lena had arranged for him, the dark and silent night surrounding him. He heard the stairs creak slowly, and his head whipped around. The door opened slightly, revealing Lena, arms crossed, her expression a blend of irritation and an unrecognizable softness.Seeing her was like a breath of fresh air, a comforting surprise he didn’t anticipate. His shoulders relaxed a little, and the tightness in his chest eased, though he would never confess it to her or anyone else. She caught his gaze and smirked, a cheeky sparkle in her eyes. “What’s this?” she teased lightly. “Mum thinks you’re up here missing me. Cute, isn’t it? Tough guy, pining for my company?”He scoffed, sharply turning from the window to face her fully. “Pining? You’re dreaming, Lena. I’ve been perfectly fine without your chatter every five minutes.” He crossed his arms, mirroring her stance, though a twitch at the corner of his mouth threatened a grin.Lena walked
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 61
Asher stood alone in the tiny and unkempt room Lena had prepared for him. It was a tight space with barely enough room for the single bed in it, a crippled chair, and a scratched-up dresser in it. He didn’t sit, didn’t unpack, just moved to the small window, pushing the thin curtain aside. The street outside was dark and void of life, just a few shining lamps casting shadows on the Broken pavement. He looked out, hands in his pockets, and his mind filled with so many thoughts, dragging him back to places he didn’t want to go, lucid and uncalled thought.Flashbacks hit him hard on the rain-soaked nights, the smells of blood on his knuckles, shouts echoing down narrow alleys, hovering on his mind. He saw his old life, rough friends, dodgy deals, the kind of stuff that left scars inside and out him. A younger Asher, angry and lost, running through streets not much different from this one. His breath caught, chest tight,breath unsteady, as he remembered the cold, the fear, the mess
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 60
Asher was standing on the rickety, dirty porch of Lena’s parents’ home, when his phone buzzed in his hand, and Angelica’s name glared at him from the screen. He thought, "What the hell is going on? Why is she suddenly calling him?" He sighed deeply, frustrated, his thumb scrolling over the end call button. He didn't want to hear her voice, not now, not ever, not after the chaotic and stressful day he’d had, with his mind still filled with old memories and the view of the street. The phone continued to ring again and again, so he reluctantly pressed it to his ear. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone sharp and steady.“Where are you, Asher?” Angelica’s voice came through the air, filled with accusations and fury, as if she were looking for a confrontation.He rested against the porch railing, which creaked under his weight. “Why does it matter to you?” he answered coldly. He wasn’t in the mood for her drama today.She persisted. “Don’t play dumb with me,” she hissed. “I heard y
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE Chapter 59
Asher parked the silver Porsche in front of Lena’s parents' house. The gravel driveway crunched beneath the tires as he sat for a moment, looking at the worn-down place; it was really pathetic. It was a small, unstructured house, with peeling and fading paint, a sagging and leaking roof that needed repair, and a front garden overrun with weeds choking any flowers that once grew there. By the steps lay a rusty and condemned old bike, and the cracked windows let in cold drafts. The sight hit him hard like a plague, bringing back heavy, dark memories. Blood, rain, and shouts from a past he had buried a long time ago. He held the steering wheel of the car, his knuckles turning white, almost tasting the metal and mud of those memories he wished to forget.Next to him, Lena shifted and grabbed her bag softly, her eyes looking slightly down as she looked at him. “You okay?” she asked quietly, her tone sharp as if sensing something was off about him.He forced a quick, strong nonchalant l
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE Chapter 58
That morning, Luca was up to no good. The night before, he had been sneaking around the house and overheard Asher talking to Jade about taking Lena to visit her parents because her father was seriously ill. It was a minor detail, but Luca quickly twisted it into something bigger and more interesting. He saw an opportunity to create a problem and intended to seize it immediately. With a wicked smile on his face, he grabbed his phone and called Angelica. She answered quickly, her tone already sharp with annoyance. “What do you want now, Luca?”He got straight to the point. “Just thought you’d want to know Asher's moved on with a new girl, more beautiful than you. He’s really happy and taking her to her parents today like a hero. Looks like he’s over you.” He threw in some embellishments about Asher being all lovey-dovey with Lena and making future plans with her—complete nonsense, but it sounded enticing to the ear.Angelica went silent for a moment before her anger erupted. “What
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE Chapter 57
The next morning arrived quickly, almost like lightning, with the sun just beginning to rise and casting a beautiful gray light through the curtains of the house.Asher rolled off the couch, his back aching from the stiff cushions he had slept on, and rubbed his eyes awake to see clearly. Lena remained asleep on the bed, covered under the duvet he'd wrapped around her the night before. He stole only a brief glance at her before standing up, unable to concentrate due to the worry and thoughts in his mind. It was time to get moving and prepare for the drive he had promised her.He quickly grabbed a clean shirt and pants from the wardrobe, dressed swiftly without delay, and ran his fingers through his hair to make sure it looked presentable as always .He didn’t have time for a proper shave, though he really needed one, but he was eager to get the day started.He quietly moved out of the room, carrying his shoes gently to avoid waking her, and made his way down the hall. He could hea
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 56
Lena fixed her gaze on Asher, studying him as if he were a puzzle to be solved, their eyes locked onto each other, and it felt as though time stood still in that moment. His warm, steady, and soft hands rested on her shoulders as his words, “I’m sorry, you’ve got to believe me,” hung in the air between them. Confusion twisted in her mind. Could he be lying? Was he manipulating her once more?Her heart ached from crying too much, her thoughts unstable, and she couldn’t comprehend if he was sincere or merely trying to prevent her from leaving the house for his selfish benefit. Yet, his expression appeared softer and sincere, as though he genuinely felt remorseful. But she had placed her trust in others before, only to be let down severely. What made this one different?Asher exhaled, loosening his grip slightly. “Listen,” he spoke quietly, “I’ll take you to see your dad tomorrow morning, okay? I’ll cover whatever expenses he needs. Just… don’t leave tonight.” He sounded exhausted,
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE Chapter 55
Asher was not getting himself after the meeting ended. The luxurious andd classic conference room now empty, the expensive suits all gone, he felt his world was being torn apart from the turmoil going on in his mind. Lena's tear-filled wet face kept flashing in his thoughts and memory of her red, puffy eyes and shaking voice as she accused him of causing her father's collapse. He realized he had acted foolishly and childishly for threatening her like that, and guilt tore at him, sharp and relentless like a needle would.He began walking right and left, like he lost something, feeling restless with a tightness and heaviness in his chest like stone and that made it hard for him to breathe smoothly. This wasn’t how he usually was; he didn't dwell on guilt or let others impact him negatively,NEVER. But Lena? She had gotten under his throat, and he hated it and almost hated her for it too. He grabbed his phone tightly, hesitated, and then called Josiah, for the first time, needing some
