Chapter One

Chapter One

Pearl’s POV

“You’re a billionaire heiress, Pearl. Haven’t you come to terms with this yet? When will you quit this game of charades and come clean to your husband?” Bella, my mother, complained.

My mouth gaped in astonishment. How many times would I tell this woman that I wasn’t interested?

"No, Mother, I've told you already. Ashton and I are doing just fine. This whole meeting or whatever this even is doesn’t even make sense. Quit pestering me!" I rolled my eyes, sinking deeper into my seat. 

Could the earth just open up and swallow me already? That would surely be better than being here.

"You are the heir to Hammond's Inc., don't you get it? Sooner or later, your father will leave the business in your hands." My mother, Bella, said with a calm voice. I could tell that she was about running mad all because of me.

"Why can't you just hand it over to Corinne? She'd happily do that for you." I glanced over at my father, Tom, who sat right across me, “Besides, Ashton isn’t a pauper, and neither am I. I’ll say it for as long as I have to--we are fine!”

He cleared his throat, "Sweetheart, that's not how this works. It's been set in stone. it's generational, and obviously, it's a norm. We can't just skip the first born and hand it over to Corinne." 

I rolled my eyes, pursing my lips. I didn't have anything else to say. If they weren't ready to listen to me, I'd gladly walk right out. 

Stephen began to speak, but I raised a finger shunning him in that moment. "Whatever you want to say, Stephen, just shut it. You're the financial advisor, and nothing but. Your input isn't needed in this conversation." I spat as my blood began to boil. 

"It's good news, I thought you'd like to hear it." He murmured, gathering some files and placing them on my lap. 

My mother and father exchanged knowing glances and took hold of their hands, looking at me hopefully. I grimaced, "Okay, what is it?"

"You can check the files, darling." My mother said, folding her lips. 

My stomach twisted in knots as I picked up the neatly packaged folder, sliding the documents out. My eyes widened, and I skimmed over the fine print as I bit on my bottom lip nervously.

"Wait, I don't get it. What is this?" I looked up, refusing to believe my eyes. This was too good to be true! 

Father nodded knowingly with a small smile on his lips, "You got the deal, sweetheart." 

I picked the paper up once again, my eyes going over one particular line over and over again. 

You have been granted 56 million dollars, and it is hereby bound by this contract. 

My hands shook, and I could feel a smile spread on my lips, "Oh my goodness, we really got it?!" 

I was so delighted, at least now I knew that my sleepless nights and dedication didn't go to waste. This was a multi million dollar deal, and I bagged it cleanly!

"Will this make you consider telling your husband who you truly are?" Mother asked, with a glint of hope in her eyes. I rubbed my stomach gently, looking down. 

My smile slightly faltered, while I gave it a long, hard think. Was it worth it to? Excitement coursed through my veins, and without thinking too much about it, I nodded. “That would make lots of good news, hm?”

My mother squealed, jumping out of the chair and clapping her hands excitedly, "Oh, finally darling. I'm so proud of you. Doesn’t Ashton know about the child yet?"

“I haven’t told him yet,” I said, my voice tiny, as I gave my tummy a small pat. “I was thinking of a party to break it to him, but this is perfect.”

“Well, we can’t wait sweetheart.” I could hear the happiness in his voice, and he gave me a thumbs up, reassuring me that everything would be fine. 

"I'm sure this meeting has come to an end," I stood up, smoothing my puffy dress down, "I'll be taking my leave now. I have exciting news to deliver!" I squealed, taking a picture of the file before dropping my phone into my purse. 

I exchanged goodbyes with everyone in the room before stepping out of the glass building and taking the elevator down the parking lot to my car. 

If anyone told me I'd be getting that multi million dollar deal, I would have laughed it off and dismissed the topic. But here I was, with a future as bright as diamonds. 

The car key chirped in my hands, and I entered my car, starting it up and reversing into the car elevator that would take me to ground level. Once I was there, I began my short journey back home. 

The only thought that lingered on my mind was how delighted my husband, Ashton, would be once I delivered the good news. He would probably think it was a prank at first, and since he had no prior knowledge of my wealth and fortune,  the surprise would make it all the better.

The tires of my car squealed against the gravel as I pulled into my house's garage. I stepped out, bouncing on my feet and feeling as energetic as ever. 

Stepping into the house. I couldn't help but notice that it was eerily silent---not a soul in sight. Not even the maids!

I slipped off my heels, placing them on the shoe rack as I advanced into the house. "Ashton, I'm home!" I called out, giddy with excitement as I pulled up the documented image on my phone. 

There was no response, so I decided to move further into the house. Maybe he was in his office, busy with work. I knocked on his office door before pushing the door open, but he was nowhere to be found. "Damn it, where the hell are you?" I mumbled under my breath as I moved to the staircase to begin the treacherous walk up.

Before I could continue my journey up the stairs, my maid, Matilda, popped up out of nowhere. “Oh, Jesus Christ.” I placed my hand on my chest, trying to calm myself down after almost pissing myself. “Matilda, what is the matter with you?”

“I’m sorry, Miss. I was doing some cleaning upstairs,” She responded timidly, averting my gaze. “I don’t think you should go upstairs just yet.”

“Why?” I asked, my brows creasing. “And besides, call the plumber, the pipes have started acting up again.” I commanded, continuing up the stairs, but Matilda stood in front of me, blocking my path. Her hand pushed my forearm back with resistance. Annoyed, I swatted her hand away from my skin. 

“What audacity!”

“Okay, what exactly is going on here?” I fumed, angry at the sudden distraction that Matilda was serving as. “Miss, I don’t think you want to go upstairs. The chemicals…” She whispered.

“I’m sure I won’t die in just a few minutes, now let me go, Matilda.” I rolled my eyes, making my way past her.

Throughout the house, I could hear light squeaking and foreign noises. Nothing new, since we were in fall and the pipes tended to act up in cold weather.

"Baby!" I heard an airy, feminine voice come from inside the room.

Baby?

"Yes baby, I love how good you fuck me!"

I carefully pushed the door open, only to be shocked with the sight of my husband, who was balls deep in Corinne, my sister.