Billionaire's Fake Love

Chapter 2 - The Proposal

It had been a few days since their first meeting, yet Ashlyn found herself inexplicably standing by Joseph Blackwood's side at the hospital. Each visit to Ethan, her comatose fiancé, somehow turned into an unexpected encounter with Joseph. It felt odd, being in the company of a stranger who had just experienced such a traumatic event, someone she barely knew.

Seated in the hospital waiting area, Ashlyn contemplated the unexpected twists her life had taken. She also pondered how Joseph's world had unraveled so dramatically.

Details of Joseph's fame and fortune were enveloped in the media, creating an aura around him. His name, often linked with power and wealth, was as recognizable as it was mysterious. The handsome billionaire had captured the fascination of the world, and his every move seemed to be scrutinized.

The events that had brought them together were nothing short of extraordinary. It was Benjamin, Joseph's closest friend, who had provided Ashlyn insight into Joseph's life. Benjamin had shared the heartbreaking narrative of Joseph and Olivia—a tale of love, engagement, and ultimately, tragedy. Olivia's sudden and tragic death had left Joseph devastated, pushing him to the edge of despair and prompting a suicide attempt. The pain he had endured was unfathomable, leaving him on the precipice of darkness.

That suicide attempt had an unforeseen consequence: Joseph lost his memory.

As Benjamin narrated this story to Ashlyn, a complex blend of compassion and unease settled within her. She had come to understand that Joseph's attachment to her wasn't merely a result of their chance encounters. Benjamin had hinted that Olivia and Ashlyn were uncannily alike in appearance, evoking a deep sense of familiarity within Joseph.

“I’ve been curious about one thing.”

“What is it?”

“He's a prominent figure, but there's never been any mention of his relationships. Not in magazines, TV, news, anything."

"I know you must be wondering why you've never seen anything about Joseph's love life in any of those things," Benjamin began, his voice measured and thoughtful.

A wistful smile touched Benjamin's lips as he leaned back in his chair. "That's because Joseph was always fiercely protective of Olivia's privacy. He never wanted their relationship to be a spectacle or fodder for the media. He believed that their love was a treasure to be cherished away from prying eyes."

Ashlyn's brow furrowed in surprise. "But wouldn't people speculate or make assumptions?"

Benjamin chuckled softly. "They did, actually. There were rumors and speculations, but Joseph always brushed them off. He was content keeping his personal life hidden.”

"I understand now," Ashlyn murmured, her gaze distant.

The bond between them, based on physical resemblance and perhaps something deeper, seemed to be a lifeline that Joseph instinctively clung to in the midst of his confusion and pain.

Yet amidst these circumstances, Ashlyn noticed a spark of hope within Joseph's eyes during her visits. Although he was burdened with overwhelming pain, he projected an aura of strength and resilience.

During one of these hospital visits, Ashlyn's introduction to Joseph's parents occurred. Mrs. Blackwood, Joseph's mother, approached her with an almost reverential awe.

Their eyes locked onto Ashlyn, their expressions shifting from distress to something she could only describe as shock. For a fleeting moment, Ashlyn felt like an otherworldly presence. Their gazes were as if they'd just witnessed a ghost or encountered an alien being.

The striking resemblance between Ashlyn and Olivia was strikingly evident. Mrs. Blackwood's voice trembled with both sorrow and amazement as she spoke.

"Ashlyn, you bear such a striking resemblance to Olivia," Mrs. Blackwood said, her voice laden with a mixture of longing and grief. "It's as if she's here with us once more."

Taken aback by the unexpected comment, Ashlyn blinked in surprise. Although the resemblance had not gone unnoticed, hearing it articulated by Joseph's own mother was both unsettling and perplexing. Struggling to formulate a suitable response, Ashlyn managed, "I offer my condolences, Mrs. Blackwood. I cannot fathom the pain that both you and Joseph have been enduring."

With a solemn nod, Mrs. Blackwood's eyes welled with tears. Before Ashlyn could collect her thoughts, Mrs. Blackwood continued, a note of desperation and resolve in her voice. "Ashlyn, I have a proposition for you. Though it may seem unorthodox, would you be willing to pose as Olivia? It would bring Joseph immense solace to have you by his side, to fill the void left behind by Olivia's passing."

Ashlyn's heart raced at the proposal, a surge of conflicting emotions swirling within her. While she empathized with Mrs. Blackwood's desire to alleviate her son's suffering, there was an inherent sense of wrongness in deceiving Joseph. Her voice wavered as she attempted to articulate her concerns.

"I understand your intentions, Mrs. Blackwood, but assuming Olivia's identity... I am uncertain if I can agree to such a role," Ashlyn said, her words tinged with uncertainty.

Mrs. Blackwood's eyes held a mixture of sorrow and urgency. "Please, Ashlyn, take your time to consider it. We are prepared to compensate you generously for your involvement. All we desire is to witness his happiness, to witness him find some measure of tranquility."

Her words tugged at Ashlyn's heartstrings, leaving her torn between compassion and a sense of ethical dilemma. Just then, her phone buzzed, abruptly interrupting their conversation. Glancing down at her phone, she read a message from her boss, a reminder of her looming shift at work.

Raising her eyes to meet Mrs. Blackwood's imploring gaze, Ashlyn took a deep breath and reached a decision. "I... I need some time to think about it, Mrs. Blackwood. But please understand that I can't make any promises."

A glimmer of hope and gratitude appeared in the corners of Mrs. Blackwood's eyes, and her lips curled into a slight smile. "Thank you, Ashlyn. Your willingness to even consider this means the world to us. Take all the time you need, and when you're ready, we'll discuss the details further."

"I have to go to work. Excuse me." Ashlyn murmured, her voice a mixture of relief and regret.

As she walked away, Mrs. Blackwood's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Ashlyn," she called, her tone soft but firm.

Ashlyn turned to face her, her heart pounding. Mrs. Blackwood's eyes held a steely resolve, and her next words were laced with a subtle undercurrent.

"I understand that this is not easy. Just remember, dear, that if you choose to help us, your efforts will be handsomely rewarded."