Billionaire's Bride

Rose

Without your presence,
I am a sky without stars.

"Things are getting more difficult than I imagined." Asher paced back and forth, his thoughts spiraling as he replayed the events unfolding since Janette had entered his life.

"I kissed my enemy's daughter. Twice." His fist slammed onto the wooden table. "The first time was for show, but the second... that was real." He collapsed into a chair, resting his forehead in his hand, his elbow propped against the table for support.

"Why did I panic when she was out all morning? She's spoiled; she could've been shopping or at a club," he muttered to himself. "Why did I even ask Mart about her whereabouts? Did I make the wrong decision?"

Six hours had passed since the kiss, yet Asher remained in the library, unable to bring himself to go to his room and sleep. Reigna wasn't home today either. Letting out a deep sigh, he finally stood. "It's late; she must be asleep by now."

He headed to his room, and his assumption was confirmed as he was greeted by soft snores upon entering. The nightlight cast a soft glow, illuminating her hair splayed out on the pillow beneath her head. She looked like a goddess.

Unable to resist, he sat down beside her, captivated by her beauty. "She's so beautiful," a voice echoed in his mind. He brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face and gently placed a kiss on her temple.

"Forget your revenge and start a real relationship with her," the voice urged.

"What? How can I forget my revenge?" he whispered, pulling back, only to feel her small hand wrap around his wrist.

"Don't go," she murmured in her sleep. He sighed, gently freeing his hand. He was about to head to the shower but paused when something caught his eye—a familiar necklace on the nightstand.

"It belonged to Rose," he thought, eyes widening as he picked it up. "What's it doing here?" Examining it closer, he found a tiny photo inside, featuring two very familiar faces.

"Katherine and Roger Stark." They were significant figures in his life—caretakers of him and his brother Blake when their own parents were away. Rose and Eric's parents.

"Why is it here?" he wondered, recalling how Eric had gifted it to Janette on their wedding day. They had been far away from him at the time, but he had seen Eric clasping it around her neck.

Eric had always been closer to Janette compared to the other Stark children. Could that mean Janette was Rose? The thought sent a chill through him.

"But how can she be Rose? Rose is dead," he mumbled, his fingers toying with the heart pendant as he glanced at Janette's sleeping face.

"Is that why she resembles Aunt Katherine?"

"If Janette turns out to be Rose," he muttered, "I'd hate myself for hurting her so much, because Rose is one of the main reasons I married Jane."

"Don't think negative." He repeated the phrase like a mantra, carefully placing the necklace back on the nightstand. He headed toward the shower, hoping the cold water would calm his racing mind.

"Eric holds the answers to all my questions."



Why Rose is important to Asher?