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CHAPTER 18
Last Updated:
2025-01-16 16:42:38
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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
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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
Last Updated : 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
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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
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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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Working as a waitress at the nightclub was far more exhausting than her shifts at the salon.Not only did Lena have to dress in a skimpy mini-skirt reaching mid-thigh and a tight top, but she also had to tolerate the noisy middle-aged men who always sat at the table she was to serve.They were in total eight and only one of them is still married. They often enjoyed making passes at Lena or shamelessly ogling at her body as she served them their drinks.The worst of them, Barlow, a wealthy local farmer, had the audacity to grope her ass once. When she reacted by punching him in the jaw, it caused an uproar in the club.When Lena's boss heard of it, she sent a clout across Lena's face and said vehemently, " Next time you try that shit, I'd make sure to file a lawsuit against you."Lena had held her aching cheek and was seething, ready to say one or two things to her boss but she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to lose her job." Do you know who Barlow is? He owns a fucking twelve-thous
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The night was calm and cool, which was exactly what Asher needed after a long, exhausting day at work.He sat at his large mahogany desk near the floor-to-ceiling window of his expansive office, legs crossed, fingers tapping the desk impatiently as he waited for Trinity to bring the daily sales document. The city lights of New York sprawled out before him, but his mind was stuck on an earlier conversation with a client."Congratulations on your wedding, Master Josh!" the man had said, voice laced with sarcasm. "I almost punched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. You-married? Unbelievable.""If this is the reason you called, I'm hanging up," Asher had retorted coldly."Relax, it's Greg. We have known each other for five years, we are as good as friends!""And this concerns my company's restructuring. How exactly?"Greg had chuckled awkwardly before his tone shifted. "I noticed Angelica's social media is still flooded with posts about your upcoming wedding. Didn't know you two had
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Lena's heart swelled with excitement as the taxi pulled up in front of the grand Golden Gate of the Josh estate, where her parents stood waiting. In her eagerness, she forgot to pay the driver and rushed out of the car."Ma'am, you haven't paid yet!" the driver called, snapping her out of her trance.Startled, Lena turned back, only to gape at the fare displayed on the meter."A hundred and twenty bucks?!" she exclaimed, stunned.The driver, unimpressed by her reaction, explained, "Customers going to places like this always pay higher. If you're staying in a mansion like this, a hundred bucks should be nothing for you."Lena understood his point-wealthy people often paid inflated prices. Even at the salon, Marua charged high rates when rich patrons came by. But still, a hundred dollars was excessive, especially when Asher had yet to send her the allowance.With a reluctant sigh, she paid the driver from her salary and turned back to her parents. She silently reminded herself to brin
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
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Asher tightly held the wheel of his silver Porsche, the engine humming softly as he drove home from a meeting, the city lights blurring past him.The cold night air created fog with his breath, and his mind was a jumbled mess. He drove slowly, not yet prepared to confront his home or Lena when his phone buzzed loudly beside him.He looked down to see Lena’s name flashing on the screen, causing a knot to twist in his stomach as he braced for what she might say.Maybe she had finally decided to let her ego down and speak to him, or maybe she just missed getting on his nerves like he did.He answered and put the call on speaker.In no time, her voice came bursting through, drunken and loud. “Mr. Asshole! Hey, are you there?” she giggled drunkenly. “I might've had a bit too much, yeah? Raymond’s totally smashed too, and I need a ride home. Come get me!” She laughed stupidly, a mix of excitement and chaos, with loud music pounding in the background.His jaw clenched at her words. Raymond,
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By Friday, exhaustion had taken its toll. Asher was running on empty, yet had a meeting lined up with an important businessman, all glitz and cash, eager to close a deal. Asher dragged himself to the meeting, his suit sharp, face hardened, hoping work would drown out the turmoil within though things were hard without Trinity by his side. The venue was upscale, shining, and with classic floors and chandeliers hanging, and he settled at the table, papers spread, awaiting the appointment.The businessman arrived late, grinning broadly, his wife by his side tall, blonde, and radiant. “Asher, friend,” he said, giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder, “this is Clara. Keeps me in check, doesn’t she?” Clara laughed, warm and inviting, taking the seat beside him, her hand resting comfortably on his arm. Asher nodded, forcing a smile, but his focus drifted to their connection.They were tactile and affectionate in the way they interacted. The man Mark, introducing his wife, kept his hand
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Minutes earlier...Luca hung back in the hallway ol, his footsteps muted against the old floorboards as he clutched a stack of papers in his hands.He intended to discuss business with Asher, but the shouting coming from the bedroom stopped him. Asher's growl and Lena's sharp reply “It's a fake bloody marriage, Asher!” hit him like a punch. He froze, breath hitching, processing the implication: their marriage was a facade? His mind raced, and a sly smile crept onto his face; this was pure gold, like really pure gold.He inched closer to the door, straining to hear the end of the argument Asher's bitter question. “Are you seeing someone, then?” followed by Lena's cool denial: “Yeah, I am.” The door slammed open, and Asher stormed past, too furious to notice Luca lurking in the shadows. Asher's anger fueled Luca's excitement this wasn't just juicy gossip; it was leverage he could manipulate.Quickly, he ran into his room, his phone in hand. Angelica's number lit up on the screen,
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Asher sat in the backseat of his Porsche, the engine humming as they cruised through the city. The night was dark, with street lights flashing by, and he looked out the window, his thoughts in disarray, a lot going on his mind. Matteo stayed silent in the front seat, hands firmly on the wheel, while Josiah was next to Asher, chattering away like a wind-up toy. “Hey, picture this, right?” Josiah exclaimed, his voice loud and playful. “We arrive, and Abby's there in that red dress boom! I trip over my own feet trying to impress her! I’d look like a total fool, right?” He laughed, slapping his knee, grinning like a kid telling a bad joke. Asher clenched his fist, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. He hated himself for expecting any more from Lena. Last time, she forgot about their date and went on a ride with that bastard; now, she had called him to say Abby would take her place since she had a terrible headache. Asher barely registered Josiah, his eyes on the st
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The next day, Asher sank into the driver’s seat of his silver. He rubbed his face, restless, his thoughts consumed by the dinner Lena had convinced him to attend tonight.Not wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he picked up his phone, found Josiah’s contact, and called before he could second-guess himself.“ Well, well, well, have dogs begun to fly?” Josiah greeted him, his voice lanky and absurd as usual, as though he’d just tripped on something amusing. “What’s going on? Are you actually calling me?”Asher frowned and leaned back in his seat. “Cut it out, you clown,” he replied, trying to maintain a gruff demeanor but failing. “Want to go out tonight for a pint or something? Your call.” He played it cool.There was a moment of silence from Josiah before he burst into laughter. “Ha! Is this a setup? You, wanting to hang out with little ol’ me?” he said, sounding as if Asher had just told him a funny story. “You alright, pal? Hit your head or something?” He cackled before lowerin
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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
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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
