Billionaire's Bride

Tell me about you

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Ana burst into tears upon learning about Janette's arranged marriage and the turmoil she had faced since their graduation. Janette had so many dreams, and that day had felt like the start of something beautiful, not the beginning of her worst nightmare. It took Edward a while to calm her down, but she finally managed to ask him for a promise: to bring back the carefree, childish Janette she once knew.

The reality of Janette's situation weighed heavily on Ana. The woman she had seen was trying to be mature in a way that felt forced; it was not who she truly was. Ana wanted to apologize to her, but Asher advised her to wait until everything was clearer. He reassured her that Janette's hurtful words had stemmed from the pressure of her circumstances.

Asher was all too familiar with Janette's dreams. He recalled the first time he met her during his lectures in business class back in their second year of university. He had disguised himself, as he wasn't as well-known then as he was now. Seeing her at Robert Stark's party had shocked him-she didn't recognize him, and it pained him to realize she was the daughter of the man responsible for his mother's death. Despite the heartache, he believed everything happened for a reason, even if he hadn't taken Hector Miller's advice seriously at the time.

What had started as infatuation had transformed into love, and his obsession had turned into a deep-seated desire to protect her. He realized he had forgotten to check in with Janette, deciding instead to surprise her by arriving early at the hotel. With a smile on his lips, he gathered his belongings and headed out, hoping she had enjoyed her trip. He knew she must have felt lonely, even though it looked like a honeymoon to the outside world.

Stopping by a flower shop, he was overwhelmed by the variety. Unsure of her favorite flowers, he opted for a vibrant bouquet with an array of colors. The simple act brought a smile to his face-a smile that hadn't left since he'd met her. He felt confident that he loved Jane, but the lingering question was whether she felt the same. He was sure of one thing: Janette loved her dreams above all else, and he had unknowingly taken them away from her. He would do everything he could to help her reclaim those dreams and, in turn, win back her love. From that moment, he vowed, "Her dreams are my dreams."

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Janette's Perspective

Janette wasn't in the mood for shopping or sightseeing. The knowledge that both of her brothers were in danger made her feel as if the world were crumbling around her. She gripped her hair in frustration, sighing deeply. How could she remain silent knowing that her brothers were at risk? Eric was digging himself into a hole, and she couldn't bear the thought of it. Facepalming, she decided to brush her hair and clear her head.

Determined to call Eric later to warn him and tell him she didn't need the company that had complicated her life, she let out another sigh as the doorbell rang. Picking up her purse and the black card Asher had left her, she opened the door to find a brunette smiling brightly at her.

"Hello, Mrs. Norman! I'm Kate Larsen," the woman said, dressed in a red sundress and flat sandals, her green eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Mr. Norman has sent me to show you around the city," Kate continued. Like all of Asher's employees, Janette had requested they call her Jane instead of Mrs. Norman. Kate's bubbly personality reminded her of her best friend, Ana, and their car ride was filled with laughter and conversation about favorite actors, TV shows, and books. They lost track of time, enjoying each other's company until it was time to return for her date with Asher.

As they exchanged numbers, Kate confessed, "This trip was better than I imagined."

Janette raised an eyebrow. "You thought I'd act like one of the women Asher dated in the past, didn't you?"

"Honestly, I did. I thought Mrs. Norman would be a bit stuck-up," Kate admitted. "If I were in your position, I'd assume the same."

"If I weren't me today, how would you have insulted Mrs. Norman?" Janette shot back playfully.

"Truthfully, Jane, it's been a month since you married Asher, and he's here for you," Kate said, her tone shifting to sincerity.

Janette agreed but felt bitterness creeping in. She would always resent Asher for ruining her honeymoon and prioritizing work over her.

She smiled weakly, "Hasn't Mr. Norman devoted himself to his work? It's impossible for me to hold the status of being the wife of a powerful billionaire businessman." With that, she bade Kate goodbye and made her way to her room.

A lingering doubt gnawed at her: Did last night mean anything to Asher, or was he simply speaking empty words?

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