The Billionaire's Facade

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.

Pearl's POV

"What the fuck?" I screeched as my phone slipped out of my trembling hands and crashed onto the floor.

I was certain that the screen had shattered, but that was the least of my concerns. I had more pressing matters to attend to, like the fact that my husband was buried deep---and pounding---in my sister, Corrine.

I still couldn't believe it, my brain hadn't processed any of that. Damn, it was hard to. My fists were tightly clenched on either side of my body and I bit down on my jaw with so much force.

Ashton turned around and to his amazement, there I was. Watching at the scene like a bystander. His eyes widened as he reached out for the sheets, wrapping it quickly around his body. "Lori", I can explain."

"Save it, Ashton. I've seen more than enough." I held a finger up and closed my eyes, taking a shaky breath. My hands began to tremble and I broke out into a cold sweat.

"No, please. This isn't what you think it is." He continued, stepping forward to close the distance between us. I wrinkled my nose. He smelt like a mixture of cum and sweat, the signature scent of fornication.

I swiftly stepped back, and fluttered my eyes open. Maybe it was all just a dream. But no, it wasn't. When my eyes opened once more, they were still standing there, Corinne wrapped in a blanket on the bed, and Ashton standing next to me.

"So this is what you've been up to, Ashton?"My tiny voice wavered betraying me, as I burst into uncontrollable tears. It felt like my heart was being shattered into a million pieces. 'You've been in our home, on our bed, fucking my sister?"

"Corrine, you have to understand--"

"Understand what, Ashton?"My voice went an octave higher, cracking with each breath I took, "The fact that you've cheated on me or what?" I moved closer to him, hitting his chest. "Why are you doing this to me?" I cried out, punching him with all my strength.

"Pearl, I'm so sorry." Corinne finally managed to speak, her fragile body still tangled in the sheets.

Her mouth said one thing, but the expression on her face didn't match her words. She looked calm and composed, almost as if she had all this planned out. "I can't believe you'd do such a thing to me, Corrine." Rage bubbled through me, blurring my vision.

My cheeks heat up with embarrassment and shame. I was the one who looked like a fool here. What was I thinking interrupting their intimate session? I scoffed unbelievably, glancing between the two. "After everything we've been through Ashton! What does she have that I don't?"

Ashton snorted, "Let's just say a lot." He smirked as if he had just won a trophy. His words landed like a slap on my face and my resolve wavered a bit. Just moments ago, he'd been pleading--pretending to care. Now I could see who he really was.

I wiped my face with the back of my hands as tears came streaming down, leaving me filled with devastation. "So, I mean nothing to you?" My voice cracked as I managed to choke the question out.

Ashton remained mute, with a smug smirk on his face. I stood still, my heart pounding in my chest so loud that I could hear it in my ears. "I can't believe you. And to think that I had good news to come deliver to you, but here we are, standing in the midst of chaos." I shook my head, my voice hollow as I stepped out of the room.

"I'll be back. And by the time I am, I swear you are going to regret this!" I said with a sharp edge to my voice, one that sounded menacing.

My chest tightened and blood rushed through my ears. "Madam, is anything the matter?" Hilda asked, rushing to my side. I quickly wiped my eyes, and sniffled. "You knew Matilda. Yet, you didn't stop and think to tell me..." I shook my head in disappointment as she looked down at the ground. "As soon as they come out of that room, I want those sheets washed, and that place like brand new." I warned, before stepping out and getting back into my car.

There was no way that this was happening to me right now. "Nope, it's all a dream." I chuckled, mumbling under my breath as I drove to my attorney's office.

I parked and entered her office straight away, "I want divorce papers, Michelle." I demanded, looking down at her. I really hoped that behind this strong facade, she wouldn't notice my tired eyes and my trembling body.

"Wait, what for, Pearl? What's going on here?" Michelle stopped in her tracks, putting some files down. Her brows creased in worry and the corner of her lips turned downwards. "Do you need to know what for? I want divorce papers, and I want them now."

"Okay, just give me a second, alright?" She mumbled, looking around for my file. She slipped it out and printed out the document, giving it her stamp of approval. "Thank you," I murmured, slipping out of her office before she could even say another word.

I placed the divorce papers on my passenger seat, before starting my short drive back home. It was boring holes into me as I drove. My stomach twisted in uneasy knots as I pulled up to the house once again, preparing myself for what what about to come.

I stepped down from the car, grabbing the documents along with me and storming into the house. I went over to the dining table and sat patiently, waiting for Ashton and his new wife to come downstairs.

As they came down the stairs, I couldn't help but think to myself where I went wrong. "What is going on here?" Ashton asked as his brows furrowed in confusion.

"What do you think is going on?" I stood up, clearing my throat.

He moved closer to me, looking down at the papers on the table. His eyes skimmed through each and every one of them, as he muttered incomprehensible words under his breath.

"Divorce? You can't divorce me, I made you who you are." Ashton growled, his eyes now red. He yelled so loudly that his veins almost popped out of his neck.

I scoffed, "If only you knew who I really was, Ashton." I slid the papers across the table and over to him. "Sign the papers, Ashton."

"No, you don't get to divorce me. I call the shots here!"

"No, Ashton! You're the monster here. Maybe if I hadn't caught you fucking my sister, we'd have been telling a different story right now, but you caused this yourself."

"You bitch!" He spat with no remorse.

And with that final sentence, he did the one thing I never thought he'd do to me.

You signed them? You actually signed them?" My voice wavered as I looked down at the documents on the table through teary eyes.

"Isn't that what you wanted anyway? Anything to make you happy, my sweet." He sneered, sliding the papers back to me. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The man I'd been in love with for four years, four whole years! He just threw everything away like it was nothing.

"You!" I turned to Corinne, pointing a finger at her and stepping closer to her. "Corinne, this is all your fault!" I spat, closing the distance between us. She inched back until her body hit the wall.

"How could you do this to me?!" I cried out, before landing a resounding slap on her face. Baffled, she raised her hand up to her cheek, her mouth gaped in shock.

Ashton moved between the both of us, using his body to clearly separate us, "You don't hit Corinne like that! What gives you the damn audacity?" He questioned, his voice loud and threatening.

I flinched slightly, stepping back as he glared at me with the eyes I once fell in love with. How cruel could one be?

"Out of all the women in the world that you could've cheated with, Ashton," My voice broke, now hoarse from all the crying and screaming, "Yet, you decided it is my sister? My own flesh and blood!"

Her bottom lip quivered as tears piled in her eyes, "Pearl, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" She said, wiping her tears with the back of her hand and reaching out to take a hold of mine.

Disgusted with her antics, I pushed her hand away. I could feel bile creeping up my throat as it began to sting once again. Instinctively, I stepped back not wanting to feel her skin touching mine. The whole thing was offsetting and sickening.

I ran my hand through my hair, with the other placed on my hip, "Oh my God. If word of this gets out, how do you think the world will perceive this?"

"Oh, do you think I'm not concerned about that?" Ashton stepped closer to me, seething with anger. "I don't think you are! If you were, you wouldn't be sleeping around with my sister."

"She has more to offer than you do," He chuckled, "She gave me more than you ever could in just a month. You're so desperate, it's disheartening."

I stumbled back, every word of his piercing through my heart as he mocked me. Corinne didn't even say anything, she just stood there, her hand still on her bruised cheek, observing the unfruitful conversation. "This...This has been going on for a month? Right under my nose!"

My head was aching and I felt weak. My vision went blurry and the only word I could manage to choke out, despite all my pain was, "Why?" My chest heaved heavily as I glanced between the stars of the show.

"Don't you get it, Pearl? You were never the one for me! For God's sake, you're so damn entitled! Everything always has to be about you, you're so selfish. The only person you only ever think about is yourself."

"That's not true, Ashton!" I replied with a sharp edge to my voice. "Corinne, tell him. Tell him how much I gave up just to be with him." I pleaded, glancing at my sister.

I stepped closer to her, shaking her by her shoulders, "Why won't you just tell him?" I cried out, "You know everything, please just tell him." I shook her harder, as tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

"Sister...I don't know what you're talking about." Her brows creased, as she peeled my hand off of her shoulder, with a grimace on her face.

"Are you going crazy or something? Leave Corinne alone!" Ashton's voice boomed, making me jump out of my skin. I quickly backed away, unsure of what to do. My body trembled in shame as rugged breaths left my mouth.

"And to think I married you. It was a mistake. That's all it'll ever be. I can't believe it was that easy to get rid of you." He smiled, pulling Corinne by the waist and kissing her forehead. "She'll be my wife soon, and there's nothing you can do about it."

I collapsed to my knees, all the energy in me spent. "You turned me into nothing within a matter of seconds..." I whispered as I stared blankly at my husband and my sister. "I thought you loved me, I thought what we shared-what we had, was real."

I clenched my fists so hard that my skin broke and blood started spilling out, "I gave everything, and this is how it ends?" I mumbled, my heart weighing heavily in my chest.

He crouched in front of me, "You never deserved that happily ever after," He said lowly.

His words cut so deep it felt as though he had twisted a knife in my heart-and that's when I finally broke.

You gave me everything, and it still wasn't worth it," he whispered. Then he rose to his feet, leaving me-a woman shattered into pieces-on the floor.

I sat for a while, rocking myself back and forth on the cold tiles. Was I running mad? With a heavy breath, I stepped out of the mansion and into the gloomy weather. The heavy rain poured on me as I stumbled to my car weakly, managing to get in and shut the door.

I'd just go rest at a hotel, and come back tomorrow to resolve whatever this was. Surely, it was a prank...or a dream or something. There must have been a logical explanation.

So, I drove. I didn't even know where I was going-I just drove with a vision blurred by tears and my heart shattered. My breathing became labored and shallow and I could barely think straight.

The rain fell harder, and I sped down the twisted, slippery road, desperate to get as far as I could away from the mansion.

Then, I saw a flash of white light. It shone so bright that I had to avert my eyes from the road for a split second. A horn blared and within moments, everything faded to darkness.