A Marriage Built On Lies

Hello, my dearest readers!

Before you begin this story, I just want to take a moment to say thank you for giving A Marriage Built on Lies a chance.

This is a story I've been wanting to write for a long time, and I truly hope that as you turn each page, you'll allow yourself to get lost in Jasmine's world the lies, the heartbreak, the secrets, the betrayal, and the unexpected love that will slowly unfold along the way.

But let me warn you...

This is not going to be a simple love story.

There will be moments when you'll love the characters.

Moments when you'll question their decisions.

And probably moments when you'll want to scream at them or even hate me for the choices they make.

Please remember that all the characters in this story are fictional. They are flawed, complicated, and capable of making mistakes. Some of their choices may frustrate you, anger you, or even disappoint you.

Not everything they do represents what is right or acceptable in real life.

As the story unfolds, you'll encounter dark romance, betrayal, obsession, manipulation, infidelity, jealousy, heartbreak, emotional trauma, complicated relationships, mature themes, forbidden attraction, and situations involving compromised consent.

Some scenes, themes, and situations may be disturbing or triggering for certain readers. These elements are included as part of the story's conflict and should not be interpreted as examples of healthy, acceptable, or ideal behavior.

But alongside the darker moments, this story will also bring you romance, tension, emotional struggles, unexpected twists, forbidden attraction, and moments that may make you scream, cry, smile, or fall for a character you never expected to love.

And yes...

Jasmine, Jared, and Kalex are going to take you on one very complicated journey.

Their story will not be perfect.

Their choices will not always be easy to understand.

And their hearts will not always lead them in the right direction.

So, if you're ready...

Welcome to a story where love isn't always what it seems.

Where a marriage can be built on lies.

Where betrayal can lead to an unexpected connection.

And where one secret has the power to change everything.

One more thing, my dear readers: updates for this story will be posted once a day only.

I know some of you may want several chapters in one day, especially when a chapter ends with a painful cliffhanger. Trust me, I understand the feeling.

But please bear with me.

I have a lot going on outside of writing, and I also want to make sure that every chapter receives enough time, attention, editing, and care before I post it.

Writing isn't always as simple as sitting down and typing. There are days when ideas come easily, and there are also days when I can stare at the screen for hours just trying to figure out how to continue a single scene.

There is writing, editing, revising, proofreading, planning future chapters, checking continuity, and making sure that the story remains consistent from beginning to end.

I don't want to rush the chapters just for the sake of posting more. I want to give this story the time and attention it deserves.

That's why I've decided to keep the posting schedule at one update per day.

I hope you can understand and respect the posting schedule I've chosen for this story. Your patience means so much to me, and every read, vote, comment, reaction, and message is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for giving my characters a chance.

And most importantly, thank you for coming along with me on this journey.

I hope you'll stay until the very end.

Before you continue, please remember that this story is not for the faint of heart. It contains dark and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing or triggering. Please read at your own discretion and prioritize your comfort while reading.

Not every character will make the right choice.

Not every relationship will be what it seems.

There will be lies disguised as love, promises hiding betrayal, secrets that refuse to stay buried, and desires that come with a dangerous price.

If you're ready to enter a world of broken promises, dangerous secrets, forbidden desires, and unexpected love...

Welcome to A Marriage Built on Lies.

---

PROLOGUE

Jasmine had always believed she married the man she loved.

Jared was supposed to be her forever—the man she would grow old with, build a family with, and spend the rest of her life beside.

She trusted him enough to give him everything: her heart, her future, and the life she had dreamed of.

She never imagined that the greatest betrayal of her life would come from the man she had just married.

It happened on their honeymoon.

The place where their new life was supposed to begin became the place where Jasmine's world fell apart.

That was when she discovered the truth.

Jared was gay.

The man she had married—the man she believed loved her as his wife—had never been capable of loving her in the way she thought he did.

Suddenly, every memory between them felt different.

Every kiss.

Every embrace.

Every promise.

Every time Jared had told her he loved her.

Jasmine could no longer tell which moments had been genuine and which had been part of the lie.

But the truth went even deeper.

Their marriage had never been about love.

It had been an arrangement.

Jared had married her because he needed to protect his future—and, more importantly, secure the inheritance waiting for him.

Jasmine had entered the marriage believing she was becoming someone's wife.

She never realized she was becoming part of someone else's plan.

Her heart shattered.

Her trust disappeared.

And for the first time, Jasmine wondered if she had ever truly known the man she married.

She wanted to leave.

She wanted to walk away from Jared, from their marriage, and from every lie hidden behind their vows.

But Jared begged her to stay.

Just one year.

That was all he needed before he could claim his inheritance.

Jasmine knew she should say no.

She knew she should walk away.

But despite everything he had done, a part of her still loved him.

And that weakness would become the beginning of everything that followed.

So Jasmine agreed.

One year.

She would stay for one year, endure the marriage, and then leave.

She told herself she could survive twelve months with a man who could never love her the way she wanted to be loved.

She would keep her distance.

She would bury whatever feelings remained.

And when the year was over, she would finally walk away.

She thought she understood exactly what she was getting herself into.

She was wrong.

Because before that year ended, Jasmine would meet someone who would change everything.

A stranger.

A man she never expected to see again.

One reckless night.

One mistake.

One secret.

A week later, Jasmine would discover the truth.

The stranger wasn't a stranger at all.

He was Jared's brother.

The one man she should never have wanted.

The one man she could never afford to fall for.

And suddenly, the marriage Jasmine had agreed to survive for one year became the beginning of a secret far more dangerous than the lie that brought her into it.

Because sometimes, the person who breaks your heart isn't the person who teaches you how to feel again.

Sometimes, they are the reason you find someone else.

And sometimes, the person you should never love becomes the one person you cannot stop wanting.

This is the story of a marriage built on lies.

A husband who was never what she believed him to be.

A stranger who was never really a stranger.

And a forbidden connection that was never supposed to happen.

---

THE NIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGED

JASMINE'S POV

The elevator doors opened, revealing the luxurious penthouse waiting for us.

For a moment, I simply stood there, taking everything in.

The elegant interior. The soft lighting. The breathtaking view beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Everything looked perfect.

Exactly the way I had imagined our honeymoon would be.

I stepped inside with a smile, my heart filled with excitement.

Finally, we were alone.

No family.

No friends.

No wedding guests.

No distractions.

Just me and my husband.

This was supposed to be the beginning of our life together—the first chapter of the future I had dreamed about for so long.

I turned toward Jared, expecting to see the same happiness reflected on his face.

But he wasn't smiling.

He remained near the elevator doors, unusually quiet.

My smile slowly faded.

I studied his expression.

Something was wrong.

“What's wrong?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked down, took a slow breath, and finally raised his eyes toward me.

“Jasmine, we need to talk.”

Something in his voice made my stomach tighten.

“About what?”

He hesitated.

“There’s something I should have told you before we got married.”

My brows furrowed.

“What is it?”

He looked away for a moment, as though searching for the courage to say whatever had been weighing on him.

Then he looked directly at me.

“I’m gay.”

For several seconds, I couldn't process what I had just heard.

“What?”

“I’m gay, Jasmine.”

The words echoed inside my head.

I stared at him.

Then I laughed.

Not because it was funny.

I simply couldn't believe he was serious.

“You're joking.”

“I’m not.”

The smile disappeared from my face.

My chest tightened.

“Then why did you marry me?”

His jaw tightened.

“Because I need your help.”

“Help?”

My voice rose.

“What kind of help?”

“Jasmine—”

“Don't.”

I stepped away from him, disbelief slowly turning into anger.

“You let me believe you loved me.”

“I do care about you.”

“Care about me?”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

“You married me knowing you didn't love me the way a husband should.”

He didn't answer.

And somehow, his silence hurt more than anything he could have said.

Tears burned behind my eyes.

“I want a divorce.”

His expression changed instantly.

“No.”

I stared at him.

“No?”

“Please, Jasmine. Just listen to me.”

“I've heard enough.”

I turned toward the door.

He quickly stepped in front of me.

“Don't leave.”

“Move.”

“Please.”

His voice was desperate now.

I looked at him, confused and furious.

“What more could you possibly want from me?”

He swallowed hard.

“I need you to stay.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“After everything you just told me?”

“I know what I did was wrong.”

“Then why should I stay?”

He hesitated before finally answering.

“Because of my inheritance.”

I froze.

“What?”

“My family has a condition attached to it.”

He lowered his gaze.

“My grandfather's will states that I can only receive my inheritance if I'm married and remain married for a certain period of time.”

For a moment, I could only stare at him.

Then everything became painfully clear.

“So that's why you married me?”

He said nothing.

My heart sank.

“You used me.”

“Jasmine, please—”

“You married me because you wanted your inheritance.”

“I was desperate.”

“And what am I supposed to do with that?”

He stepped closer.

“Stay with me for one year.”

I stared at him.

“One year?”

“Yes. Just one year. After that, I'll give you the divorce you want.”

I shook my head.

“You're asking me to pretend to be your wife for an entire year after telling me you're gay?”

“I know I'm selfish.”

“It's more than selfish.”

Tears finally slipped down my cheeks.

“You destroyed everything I believed about us.”

“I know.”

He looked genuinely desperate now.

“But please. Give me one year.”

I wanted to slap him.

I wanted to scream at him.

I wanted to demand to know how he could deceive me so cruelly.

But beneath all that anger was a painful truth I couldn't deny.

I still loved him.

Even after everything.

And that was what made his betrayal hurt even more.

I clenched my fists, fighting back the tears burning in my eyes.

“You bastard,” I whispered, my voice trembling with anger.

I wiped my tears and looked away.

“One year.”

His eyes widened.

“Jasmine—”

“One year,” I repeated, my voice cold.

“But after that, we're done.”

He nodded quickly.

“Thank you.”

I didn't answer.

Instead, I walked out of the penthouse without looking back.

The doors closed behind me, shutting him—and the life I had imagined with him—out of sight.

Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of my happily ever after.

Instead, it became the night everything I believed about my marriage came crashing down.

I kept walking until I reached the parking area, my mind still struggling to process what I had just discovered.

I should have gone home.

But I couldn't.

Not yet.

I needed somewhere far away.

Somewhere quiet.

Somewhere no one would know me.

I pulled out my phone and booked a car.

A few minutes later, a black sedan pulled up in front of me.

I quickly wiped the tears from my cheeks before getting inside.

I slid into the back seat and quietly closed the door.

“Where to, ma'am?” the driver asked.

I stared out the window for a moment.

“Tagaytay.”

The car pulled away.

I watched the hotel slowly disappear from view.

I pressed a hand against my chest.

It hurt.

But I refused to cry.

Not tonight.

I opened the map on my phone and stared at the destination I'd chosen.

I didn't know what I was looking for there.

Peace.

Distance.

Maybe simply a place where I could forget that my husband had never truly been mine.

I leaned my head against the window as the city lights passed by.

For tonight, I didn't want to be a wife.

I didn't want to be the woman who had been betrayed.

I just wanted to be Jasmine.

Hours later, the cool breeze of Tagaytay greeted me.

The streets were quieter than the city, the air colder, and the scattered lights across the hills looked almost peaceful from a distance.

I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath.

For the first time that night, I felt like I could breathe.

Maybe this was what I needed.

A fresh start.

Even if it was only for one night.

I walked toward a quiet spot overlooking the city.

Only a few people were around, most of them keeping to themselves.

I found an empty bench and sat down.

For a while, I simply stared at the lights in the distance.

Then I whispered to myself,

“Tonight, I'm done being the good girl.”

The words had barely left my lips when I heard a voice behind me.

“Sounds like you're having a bad night.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

A man stood a few steps away.

Tall.

Dark-haired.

His hands were tucked casually into the pockets of his jacket as he looked at me with an unreadable expression.

I didn't know him.

And yet, there was something strangely calming about his presence.

“I'm fine,” I lied.

He gave a faint smile.

“You don't look fine.”

I looked away.

“Maybe I just needed to get away.”

“From someone?”

I glanced at him.

“From everything.”

He nodded as if he understood.

He didn't ask another question.

Instead, he moved toward the railing and looked out at the view.

For a few moments, we stood in silence.

Two strangers.

Two separate reasons for being there.

Neither of us knew anything about the other.

Then he looked at me again.

“Do you always run away when things get difficult?”

I almost laughed.

“No.”

I paused.

“Just tonight.”

His lips curved into a small smile.

“Then tonight must have been something.”

I looked at him.

And for some reason, I smiled back.

It was the first genuine smile I'd managed all evening.

I didn't know his name.

I didn't know his story.

And I certainly didn't know why he was alone in Tagaytay that night.

But somehow, meeting him felt like a strange kind of escape.

Maybe that was exactly what I needed.

One escape from my broken marriage.

One night without rules.

One moment when I could simply be Jasmine.