SECRETS OF A BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND

For two years, Rivera Royce lived in Italy with a man she believed was her husband.

Her real husband, Reagan Royce was in prison.

The handsome man she shared a home with was none other than Reagan’s best friend, Luke Ivan.

When Luke told her the truth that morning as she got ready for work, Rivera thought he was joking but jokes were not his style.

They barely spoke during their marriage. He was always quiet, distant and mostly absent.

Still, she stayed because he was also kind, careful, and respectful towards her.

She had always hoped that one day, he would finally treat her like his wife.

Rivera Royce was born Rivera Banks to Robert and Sue Banks, a once-wealthy family living in the hills of California.

During her teenage years, her father’s company collapsed, bankruptcy followed, along with crushing debt.

Creditors harassed them endlessly that they lived in constant fear for their lives.

Eventually, they fled to the countryside in Arizona.

Around the same time, her mother left and remarried.

Years later, a perfect opportunity to pay off their debts came.

An old powerful friend of her father, Stanton Royce promised to pay off their debts if Rivera married his son, Reagan Royce.

Rivera wasn't sure how this benefited the Royce family. She had heard rumors about Reagan.

Billionaire, powerful and popular, he was currently the most eligible bachelor in the world.

Rivera was hesitant about marrying a man she had never met but her father convinced her that it was the only way that they could survive.

Stanton also promised to let her divorce him after two years if she wasn't happy.

Stanton was confident that Reagan would divorce Rivera once he was out of prison.

Their marriage was an important secret of the Royce family to protect Reagan's image.

The wedding was small and private. The groom was absent. They said he was busy with work in Italy.

Their vows were exchanged over the phone and the marriage certificate already bore his signature.

Everything felt strange to Rivera but she was happy that she had at least saved her father.

She joined her husband in Italy shortly after. It was part of the agreement. She would live with him there for two years before returning to the United States.

Rivera never once suspected that the man she shared a home with was not her husband.

She felt utterly ridiculed and devastated.

“Is it really all fake?” Rivera sank to the floor in tears.

“I’ve been living with my husband’s best friend?” She repeated his words to affirm the reality of her situation. He nodded.

“He was released today. He’ll leave first. We’ll return to New York tomorrow morning. He has instructed that I bring you to him. I already bought the tickets. I’ll pick you up at six.”

Then he turned to leave. Only then did Rivera realize something terrifying. She didn’t even know his name.

“What’s your name?”

He stopped, turned and looked at her in surprise.

“Luke,” he said.

Once the door closed behind him, Rivera curled up on the floor and cried until she was exhausted.

                                       ___

Luke indeed came to pick her up the next morning.

She wore her best dress and put on makeup not because she was thrilled at this situation but because she didn't want to appear like an easy target.

She didn’t know what to expect, what kind of man Reagan was or what crime had sent him to prison.

But she needed answers.

They landed in New York hours later. Luke's assistant picked them up in his car.

It was Rivera’s first time in the city. She stared out the window, absorbing everything. That was when she noticed it.

The same man’s face was everywhere: billboards, screens and headlines. News of his return filled the city.

“He must be incredibly wealthy,” she murmured. She knew that the whole city cannot be obsessed with this man solely for his good-looks. 

She glanced at Luke who sat nonchalantly beside her. She would miss him.

Despite his deception, parting hurt more than she expected. 

She couldn’t understand why Reagan gave her to his best friend or why he would marry her without meeting her.

Rivera only had one plan in mind: meet him and divorce him.

"What is he like?" the curious Rivera finally asked Luke. "I mean what kind of person is he?"

"That is for you to decide after you meet him." 

"What was he in prison for?" 

"I cannot tell you that. You can ask him yourself and see if he tells you."

"You cannot tell me or you will not tell me?" she continued to press him but he simply didn't budge.

"Fine then, at least tell me about yourself." 

The car stopped in front of the gates of a massive private estate in a quiet part of the city. 

"We're here," he told her. He finally looked at her. "Listen carefully. You'll meet Reagan in less than an hour. You must be courteous around him. He has a temper. Don't ask any questions yet. Settle in, I'll come see you tomorrow."

Rivera simply nodded to hide the rebellion going on in her mind. She knew that she would do everything but what he had just told her.

She was done taking orders from men.