Billionaire's Bride

Goldigger??

This unexpected rain
Sets me on edge—
Are you in my town?

It had been two days since the kiss between Asher and Janette, and she had been diligently avoiding him ever since. Each morning, she waited until he had already left for the office to rise, and at night, she pretended to be asleep before he returned. This arrangement had suited her well until that morning, when Asher casually announced they would be going on a honeymoon. She barely managed to suppress an eye roll. The man had kissed her and then had the nerve to act like a coward; the least he could do was confess his feelings. But since they scarcely talked, she didn’t have the energy to argue with him.

She needed a respite from everything, which likely explained why Asher had instructed Mart to pack her clothes. She took it upon herself to add a few extra essentials she thought might be needed and informed Eric and Erie.

For reasons she could not fathom, Eric seemed to believe her relationship with Asher was on the mend, assuming this was why they were going on a honeymoon. She felt no need to clarify. After all the upheavals she had recently faced, she had grown lethargic—both physically and mentally—accepting whatever plans others made for her.

Perhaps this short trip would provide the clarity she needed. She resolved to avoid conflict with Asher and try to initiate a friendship with him, hoping that it might create clear boundaries and prevent any further intimate moments. “This is going to be a challenge,” she muttered to herself.

If Anastasia were here, she would have offered sound advice. But Janette had lost her number long ago and never bothered to remember it, foolishly believing that nothing could come between them. If only she had known...

“Never mind,” she sighed, walking towards her room with a casual indifference.

But she accidentally collided with none other than Reigna Parker. “Sorry!” Janette mumbled, sensing Reigna’s glare burning through her. “If looks could kill...”

“Can’t you watch where you’re going?” Reigna snapped bitterly.

“I said I was sorry,” Janette replied, irritation seeping into her voice as she mentally berated herself. “What have I gotten myself into now?”

Reigna grabbed her wrist when she saw Janette roll her eyes. Janette’s anger flared at the unwarranted aggression. “You know what, Reigna? I’m quite capable of using force myself, and if you don’t let go of my hand in two seconds, I won’t regret the pain I’m about to inflict,” she warned, her voice low and dangerous. For a moment, Reigna’s face went pale, but she quickly masked her fear and released Janette’s hand.

Janette smirked at her reaction, but Reigna wasn’t done yet. “I just don’t understand what Mr Norman sees in you. How much did he pay you for your... services?” she sneered.

Before Janette could think, her hand flew out, and the sound of the slap reverberated through the room. Her palm stung from the impact.

“You just slapped her,” her inner voice whispered, surprised. Tears welled up in Reigna's eyes as she stood there, holding her cheek.

“Do I look like a gold digger to you?” Janette demanded, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

“Why wouldn’t you think she’s right?” Asher’s voice cut in smoothly as he approached, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored navy-blue suit trousers.

God must have crafted him with infuriating precision, she thought, feeling an unwelcome flutter in her stomach as she glanced at his face. His nose, his ocean-blue eyes, and especially his chiselled jawline—all were maddeningly perfect.

“Shut up! He’s siding with this witch, and you’re still admiring his features,” she chided herself.

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

The very man who had coerced her into this sham of a marriage was now casting aspersions on her character. Reigna began to cry theatrically, clearly vying for his attention.

“What happened to you?” he asked, his tone devoid of any real emotion.

“Darling, if I had known I’d get slapped for speaking the truth, I’d have stuck to lies instead.”

“Who slapped you?” Asher asked, sounding almost indifferent.

“Your wife,” Reigna replied, pointing dramatically at Janette.

“Go to your room and put some ice on your cheek, or it will bruise. I’ll deal with Mrs Norman myself,” he instructed. Reigna nodded, but not before throwing Janette a venomous glare.

“Thank goodness,” Janette muttered under her breath, but her relief was short-lived. Asher was proving to be more aggravating than Reigna.

“So, where were we?” he smirked, advancing towards her. Her stomach twisted—whether from anxiety or something else, she wasn’t sure—as she instinctively stepped back.

“Aren’t you a gold digger, Mrs Norman?” Janette halted, his words stinging her. “That’s harsh.”

“Why did you marry me, then?” he pressed, his tone taunting. Her patience wore thin. She clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her composure. “He’s the one who forced me into this farce; this marriage was never my choice.”

“Enough, Mr Norman!” she shouted. He seemed amused by her outburst, grabbing her hand and pulling her close. She glared at him with her emerald eyes, but his proximity brought back memories of the kiss they’d shared two days ago. A flush crept up her cheeks.

“Why can’t I unleash my anger on him?” she wondered, but all her fury seemed to evaporate under his piercing gaze. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said again. “Is he delusional?”

“Yes, he is—and he clearly has a selective memory,” she thought bitterly.

“See—”

“Jane! My daughter!” a voice called out, shattering the tension.