Billionaire's Bride

Truth Accepted

**"I constantly get lost in thoughts of you, that's why people call me a 'love-sick puppy.'"**

"Why? Why?" Janette found herself asking. "Why did you lie to me for twenty-five years of my life?" For the first time, real tears spilled from her eyes in front of an outsider. But just as quickly as they started, they stopped, leaving her feeling even more frustrated.

"Don't cry, child," whispered her mother, the woman who had raised her. No matter what, she would always be her mother.

"To protect your life, darling," her mother tried to explain softly.

"Be logical, Mr. Stark. Why didn't you protect your other children and keep them away from you?" A thought struck her suddenly. "Oh, I get it—they were boys," she scoffed.

"No!" he protested, but she could see through him now.

She was certain her assumptions were correct. "I loathe people who think like this, you know, Mr. Stark," she continued with a disapproving glare. "So, let's get to the point—why, after twenty-five long years, do you suddenly need me?"

"Seeing your stubbornness, I assume you won't want an explanation," he replied coldly.

If he had tried to apologize, maybe she would have softened. But now, she was sure her suspicions were valid.

"My wife, Julia—your biological mother—needs you," he said. The words hit her like a slap. Even if this woman was her biological mother, what kind of mother abandons her child?

"Why does this so-called mother need me now?" she asked bitterly.

"Janette, please, don't bring her into this," her father pleaded, clearly uncomfortable. She felt an overwhelming urge to break something, anything, to release her frustration.

"I can't help you," she declared. "I'm about to achieve what I've always dreamed of, and I don't need to live off anyone's money." She was on the brink of securing a job as an interior designer at a prestigious company—a step toward her dream of financial independence.

"You and your brother were only able to achieve all this because of the money I deposited into Mr. Cameron's account," Robert Stark interjected, casually toying with her trophy.

She looked at her father for confirmation. He nodded, unable to meet her eyes. She stared at her parents, feeling betrayed. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" she murmured.

"And if you refuse to come with me, your brother Tom will have to face the consequences," Stark continued. Her mother gasped.

"As you said, don’t bring your wife into this—why involve my brother?" she snapped.

"He works for my company. I could have him fired with just a few phone calls," he said, sliding his phone out of his pocket.

"Okay," she found herself saying. She loved her brother too much to let him suffer.

"Are you sure?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," she nodded, and her parents smiled proudly, though the pride felt hollow to her.

Within seconds, her belongings—just her clothes—were being packed into his sleek, black SUV. The devil of a man didn't allow her to take her degree, award, or even her phone. She promised herself she'd show him exactly what Janette Rose was capable of.

She hugged Mrs. Cameron, who was crying. "I’ll come back, Mom, and I’ll fulfill the dreams we dreamed together."

"Don’t forget—you’ll always be our daughter," her father whispered, kissing her temple.