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

CHAPTER 1

Author: Nerdrockz
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-01-08 03:37:00

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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Mga Comments (2)
goodnovel comment avatar
Rene McIntyre
So apparently he uses her hard earned money on sluts? is that it. Girll break of that engagement. Could her day get any worse.
goodnovel comment avatar
Oluwa Tobi
oh my god... this is too much... oh no... just no ... Drakkeeeee
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  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-08
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-08
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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—

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-08
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-16
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-16
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-16
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-16
  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-16

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  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    CHAPTER 68

    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,

  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    CHAPTER 67

    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

  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    CHAPTER 66

    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,

  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    CHAPTER 65

    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

  • 'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE    CHAPTER 64

    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

  • '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

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