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CHAPTER 22
Last Updated:
2025-01-17 14:22:22
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'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
Last Updated : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 24
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
Last Updated : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 25
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
Last Updated : 2025-01-17'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 26
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'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 27
As Asher walked away, Lena turned to the security guard with a faint smile."You heard him. Now open the gate."The guard hesitated before finally unlocking the gate for Lena's parents. Lena picked up their luggage while her mother carefully wheeled her father toward the front porch.Lena's mother stared around, her eyes sparkling like diamonds as she took in the grandeur of the mansion."What was that all about?" her father asked, glancing up at Lena with furrowed brows."Oh... I didn't tell him you were coming. He was just a bit surprised," Lena replied.They entered the luxurious home, and Lena's mother couldn't stop marveling at the lavish furnishings, her eyes sweeping over every detail. She even pinched herself, wondering if this was all a dream. The place felt like royalty—was it even possible for someone to be this wealthy in real life?Descending the staircase were Danielle and Robert, accompanied by Pamela's eldest son, Vincent, who scowled at the floor while his grandparent
Last Updated : 2025-01-20'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 28
When Asher dropped off his in-laws' stuff in the luxurious guest room they were supposed to sleep in for the night, he took a moment to get his head straight before going downstairs.As he leaned against the doorframe of the guestroom, he pressed a finger against his lips. ' Must be the perfect time to have one of those shit cigarettes Josiah takes.' Asher thought hysterically.Josiah always had a pack of cigarettes with him just in case anyone was going to get on his nerves or his father called to remind him he was a twenty-seven-year-old bachelor.Asher felt a weird fluid creep up his cheeks as he remembered his lips a milli centimeter from Lena's. He had the intention of punishing her by kissing her on the lips but he didn't have the courage to. It's almost like he was nervous to...Asher scoffed and ran a hand through his face. ' Nervous? Over a woman who has no respect for me? As if." He stood straight. " I'm not done yet, Miss Dubby. Not till I give you a piece of my mind.'As
Last Updated : 2025-01-21'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 29
Two days later, Asher had a hectic day at his office. Although people close to him advised him to stay home and take care of his bride, Asher blatantly refused and asked for more work on his tables.As he leaned against his table, legs crossed at the ankle with an iPad on his lap, a light pen in his hand, and a projector displaying building designs, Josiah stepped into his office without knocking.Asher glanced at him with a grimace while he grinned sheepishly and plopped into a chair by the conference table." And what's your excuse for the shit you just did right now?" Asher hissed, rubbing his brow stressfully.Josiah looked at him and shrugged nonchalantly. " I thought we established that there would be no boundaries in our relationship?"Asher sighed and shook his head before resuming back to his work." Sometimes I wonder why I didn't punch you in the guts when you asked for my lunch in elementary school," Asher mumbled, glancing at the projector and his iPad as he sketched down
Last Updated : 2025-01-24'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 30
The next morning, Lena woke her parents early so they could catch a bus back home. Robert had wanted them to stay for a few more days, but Lena couldn’t ignore the tension their presence caused. She had even overheard Danielle complain to Robert for allowing her parents to stay longer. Lena could no longer take the insults from her mother-in-law, so she came up with some excuse for her parents to leave early. Matteo had driven Lena and her parents to the Park. When they had boarded a bus, Lena returned to her new home. She saw Pamela in the kitchen with her husband, which made her smile. It was better to talk to Pamela than to stay in the same space with Asher. He must have returned from his early morning workout by now. As Lena approached Pamela, she noticed something unsettling. Phillip had his arms around Pamela’s waist, his lips uncomfortably close to her ear as he wore an evil grin. Pamela’s stiff posture and pained expression were hard to miss. Sure, they were ma
Last Updated : 2025-01-27
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'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 42
The neon lights of the nightclub flickered against the dark city streets as Lena pushed through the doors, the cool night air hitting her flushed skin.She adjusted her bag over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the sidewalk until they landed on Abby, leaning casually against a lamppost.Abby grinned as soon as she spotted her. “Well, well. If it isn’t my favorite overworked bartender.”Lena rolled her eyes. “You say that like I have a choice.”“You don’t,” Abby said, linking her arm with Lena’s as they started down the street. “That’s why I’m here to make sure you don’t drop dead from exhaustion before we even reach the bus stop.”Lena huffed a tired laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.Abby must have noticed, because her playful demeanor shifted. “Okay, what’s up with you? You’ve been weirdly quiet all night.”Lena hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.She wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about it—hell, she wasn’t sure if she could. The last few hours h
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 41
Lena stormed into her bedroom, her chest rising and falling with anger-fueled breaths. The room was dimly lit, the scent of rain clinging to her damp clothes as she closed the door behind her with a firm click.Asher was already inside.He stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the backdrop of the storm still raging outside. His posture was rigid, hands shoved into his pockets, jaw tight. He had changed out of his earlier clothes into a loose black shirt and sweatpants, but despite the comfort of his attire, his entire body screamed tension.Lena crossed her arms, not moving from the door.“What did you say to Vincent?”Asher didn’t respond and neither did he act like anyone was in the room with him. His gaze remained locked on the darkened glass, as if he could ignore her out of existence— which would be better for his sanity at the moment. She must have enjoyed a good ride with her lover.Lena took a step forward. “Mr. Asshole.”Nothing.She clenched her jaw. “I know you
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 40
The rain had not been kind to Lena.By the time she arrived at the Josh estate, her coat clung to her skin, her hair a tangled mess, and water dripped from her fingertips onto the marble floor of the grand entrance. Her heels made soft squelching sounds as she stepped inside, her body trembling slightly from the cold.The warm glow of the chandelier overhead did nothing to ease the chill in her bones, but at least she was home.Home.That word still felt foreign to her.As she walked further in, she spotted Danielle sitting elegantly on the couch in the living room, a steaming cup of herbal tea cradled in her delicate hands as she read through a fashion magazine. Danielle looked up, her piercing gaze landing on Lena with silent scrutiny.Lena hesitated for a second before offering a polite smile. “Good evening, mother.”Danielle said nothing but stared at Lena as if she had uttered the most foolish statement.She merely lifted the teacup to her lips and took a slow sip, her expressio
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 39
Asher forced himself to look away from the motorcycle, his face twisting into a glare. His grip on the armrest tightened as the vehicle carrying Lena and Raymond disappeared into the rain-soaked night.His rational mind told him not to read too much into what he had just seen.But his emotions refused to cooperate.The way she had leaned into Raymond, the ease in her laughter, the way she looked so at peace, it all grated on his nerves.She had asked him to meet her at a restaurant just for her to be riding on a bike with her lover. “Sir?” Matteo’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Should I take you home?”Asher exhaled sharply, forcing himself to regain his composure. “Yeah. Drive.”The ride back to the estate was silent, except for the sound of the rain tapping against the car windows. Asher’s mind replayed the image of Lena on the motorcycle, fueling the storm already brewing inside him.__________The Josh’s estate was a massive structure, a blend of modern luxury and old-money
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 38
Asher sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the surface as he skimmed through the reports in front of him. The large window behind him offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, but he barely acknowledged it.Work was his escape, a place where emotions had no place.The sudden sound of his office door swinging open disrupted his focus.“Asher, my guy!” Josiah’s voice boomed across the room.Asher exhaled, not even looking up. “Do you ever knock?”Josiah grinned, strolling in like he owned the place. “Why knock when I have VIP access?” He plopped down onto one of the chairs in front of Asher’s desk, stretching his legs out comfortably.Asher shot him a bored look. “What do you want?”Josiah grinned. “I need something chill.”Asher arched a brow. “Something chill?”Josiah nodded enthusiastically. “You know, coffee, juice—whatever. Call Trinity. She knows my preferences.”At the mention of his secretary’s name, Asher’s jaw tightened.Josiah frow
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 37
Lena blinked her eyes open, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around her. She groaned, not wanting to get up from the couch but she knew if she didn't get up, she'd fall asleep again.She slipped out of bed and stretched, her body sore from sleeping in an awkward position. Lena glanced over at the bed to see it was empty. She wondered if Asher had returned after leaving in such a sour mood last night. Why should she care? Lena headed for the bathroom to prepare for the day and when she opened the door, she was met with Asher standing in front of the mirror, buttoning his crisp white shirt.His reflection caught hers in the glass, but he didn’t acknowledge her. He simply adjusted his cuffs, smoothed his collar, and reached for his watch like she wasn’t even there.Lena folded her arms, her gaze trailing down his sharp features from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. Sometimes, it got on her nerves how good-looking he could be without even trying, and that birthmar
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 36
Lena stepped into the kitchen, her bare feet making soft sounds against the tiled floor. The smell of coffee lingered in the air, mixed with the faint scent of cinnamon. She hadn’t expected to find anyone here, but there was Jade, standing by the counter gripping a steaming cup of coffee in hand, elbows propped on the island. Jade glanced up, her lips curling into a smirk. “Morning, sunshine.” Lena huffed out a small laugh. “Morning. You’re up early.” Jade shrugged. “Not really. I’ve been up for hours. Work never stops when you’re practically running things behind the scenes.” Lena walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. She took a sip before turning to face Jade, who was watching her with a knowing expression. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind,” Jade noted, taking another sip of her coffee. Lena hesitated, her fingers tightening around the bottle. She had debated asking this question for a while, but if there was anyone in this house who
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 35
Vincent pushed away from Heather immediately when he caught sight of Lena. His heart thudded in his chest with panic as he stood in front of Heather as if trying to shield her from a gunshot." I'm sorry— for interrupting..." Lena looked at them for a fraction of a second as she picked up her broken phone. " Third time this year this is getting broken."Lena cracked up a fake laugh as she looked at Vincent who had begun to sweat bullets." You can continue, I didn't see anything—"" You don't have to pretend, I know you did." Vincent cut her off, panickingly.He knew the mess that would happen if his family or Heathers found out about their relationship. Most fearfully, he knew he wouldn't be able to be with her anymore when they found out.Lena was Asher's wife, she'd tell him what she just saw. And when Asher hears about it? Vincent didn't even want to imagine what'd happen next.Lena sighed and bobbed her head trying to take a good look at Heather." You know you both shouldn't g
'TIL DECEIT DO US APART: BILLIONAIRE'S PRETEND BRIDE CHAPTER 34
Some minutes earlier, Vincent stared at his phone, ignoring the conversation going on between his uncles and grandfather.Seeing the message from Heather made Vincent's heart race.— Can we meet up in the bathroom? I have something important to tell you. —Vincent scratched the hair on his neck and surreptitiously watched as Heather got up from her chair and went to the bathroom. Vincent had been very happy when he got to know Heather's family was going to show up at the seafood today. He hadn't seen Heather for some days now, and it made him so restless his mind was on nothing aside from her." Trust me, marriage is a lot sweeter after the resting stage; that's when the kids come, and you both become more aggressive," Hayden laughed, casting a glance at his wife. " I remember how mother always got headaches from trying to stop me and Victory from arguing."Robert laughed. " I had to buy extra painkillers because your mother got so angry after fixing you both issues she took out the
