Married to a Secret Billionaire

“You know, Alya, I honestly believed you were innocent,” James Braden said with a look of disgust. “Turns out you’re nothing but a pathetic w***e. I can’t believe I almost fell for your act.” Alya Anderson froze. James was her boyfriend. He had confessed his love to her, promised her a future, and even spoke of marriage. Now, his arm rested possessively around her stepsister Jenna’s waist while Jenna wore a smug smile, as though she’d just claimed the greatest prize. “That’s right, Alya,” Jenna said sweetly. “I simply told James the truth. Someone like you was never worthy of a man like him.” Alya released a shaky breath, her eyes dropping to the floor as reality settled over her. Jenna and her mother had never wanted anything good for her. After her father’s death, they had turned her into little more than a servant in the house that rightfully belonged to her. For the first time in years, she’d found someone who made her smile again. But Jenna had wanted him too. The Bradens were among the wealthiest families in Highgate City, and that alone was enough to ignite Jenna’s envy. So she lied. She poisoned James against her, and judging by the way he looked at Alya now, as though she were something filthy, she had succeeded. “W-Why are you doing this, Jenna?” Alya asked, her voice trembling. Smack! The force of Jenna’s slap snapped Alya’s head to the side. “How dare you ask me that?” Jenna shouted, her eyes blazing with contempt. “Did I lie? You’re nothing but a filthy w***e! You ruined your own womb, and yet you still dared to deceive James Braden. Have you no shame?” Alya stared at her, too stunned to respond. What… did she just say? Before she could process everything, James lunged forward and wrapped a hand around her throat. His fingers tightened mercilessly. “I thought you were beautiful,” he sneered. “Who would’ve guessed you were nothing but trash… a filthy rag pretending to be precious?” Alya clawed desperately at his hand, gasping for air as panic consumed her. Behind him, Jenna watched with quiet satisfaction, the corners of her lips curling upward. “Do you have any idea what it means to offend the Bradens?” James growled. “I should have you thrown into prison, you b***h!” He released her throat only to strike her across the face with a vicious backhand. The impact sent Alya crashing onto the floor. She coughed violently, struggling to breathe as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks. “James, wait.” Jenna hurried over and gently held his arm. “Please… she’s still my sister.” She looked at Alya with feigned concern, though triumph gleamed in her eyes. “Take it easy on her. I’m sure she’s learned her lesson by now.” James straightened his jacket before turning to Jenna with a warm smile. “You truly are a kind-hearted woman, Jenna,” he said. “You will make the perfect wife for me. Maybe I was unfortunate enough to meet someone like her, but at least it led me to someone as wonderful as you.” Jenna smiled bashfully and lowered her gaze. “Isn’t this all happening a little too fast?” she asked softly. James let out a light chuckle. “It’s rare to find someone as honest as you,” he replied. “I’m not about to let you slip away. I’ll make sure you’re treated the way you deserve.” He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a sleek black card. “Here,” he said, offering it to her. “There’s two million dollars on it. Buy yourself anything you want.” Jenna’s eyes widened the moment she saw the card. “Two… two million dollars?” she gasped. Her heart raced at the amount, but she quickly looked away, hiding the greed flashing in her eyes. After a few blinks, she looked back at him with an innocent expression. “B-But… isn’t that too much?” she murmured. “I’m sorry, James, but I… I really can’t accept something so expensive.” James took her hand and placed the card in her palm. “I was planning to give it to that rag over there,” he said, glancing dismissively at Alya. “But you deserve it far more. Keep it. I never take back a gift.” Jenna hesitated for a moment before nodding shyly. “If that’s what you want… then I’ll accept it. Thank you so much.” She rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss against his cheek. Watching the scene unfold, Alya felt a sharp ache pierce her heart. James had been the one who pursued her, not the other way round. He had confessed his feelings first, promised her a future, and insisted she trust him. Yet now, he believed every lie Jenna had fed him without giving Alya a single chance to explain. The pain became too much to bear. Silently, Alya rose to her feet and walked out of the house. She couldn’t bring herself to stay there for another second. With her head bowed, Alya walked aimlessly down the street, her hands trembling uncontrollably at her sides. She didn’t know where to go anymore. Everything had fallen apart and it was all because of her father. He had never truly respected her mother. Instead, he brought another woman into their home, a woman who already had a grown daughter. After her mother succumbed to the cancer she had battled for years, tragedy struck again when her father died in a fatal accident, leaving Alya alone with her stepmother and stepsister. From that moment on, her life spiraled downhill. She was never allowed a moment’s peace. To keep the household afloat, she was forced to drop out of college and work to pay the family’s expenses, while Jenna continued living comfortably without lifting a finger. The injustice had never ended. Lost in her thoughts, Alya turned a corner and accidentally collided with someone. The impact knocked her off balance, sending her sprawling onto the pavement. The tears she had been desperately holding back finally broke free. She sat there, sobbing uncontrollably, no longer able to suppress the pain that had been building inside her. The man she had bumped into stared at her in surprise as curious onlookers began turning their heads toward the scene. He scratched the back of his neck with an awkward laugh. “H-Hey, miss…” he said. “I barely bumped into you. It wasn’t that hard…” But the moment Alya lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet his— His voice caught in his throat.