Semua Bab LOVE BENEATH LAYERS OF LUXURY : Bab 1 - Bab 5

The price of Dignity Never In my wildest dreams would I think that my parents would be the ones to sell me off like a piece of cake, like my existence meant nothing to them. “You will be getting married soon, and there will be no excuses,” my father said, his voice firm. No remorse. No concern. No apologies whatsoever. Sometimes, I question if my father really wanted to have children of his own or he did it because of his wife, my mother who was in dire need of a child even if it was at least one. “To who?” I asked sternly, even though it felt like I already knew the answer. “Denzel Connor Adams,” my mother replied slowly. “Denzel Connor Adams!” I repeated in disbelief. “Dad! Mum! How?! I felt nauseous, replaying some old events I've heard about this same man.The name alone sent a cold rush through me. Denzel Connor Adams—Powerful, Mean, Ruthless, Handsome. A CEO whose presence dominated every Gala we have ever attended, who stared at people like they were business transactio

Chapter 3: The Bitter Sister“You did what?” Ivy’s voice resounded like an echo through the living room.Rayna jerked. She wasn't done talking before her elder sister interrupted. Oliver, sitting stiffly on the edge of Rayna's bed, gave Rayna a pitiful glance before slipping away, wisely avoiding the storm brewing.“I signed it,”Rayna repeated, slower now. “The contract is done. I’m marrying Denzel Adams.”Ivy’s eyes shone with anger and Jealousy. “You’re barely twenty-six, Rayna, marrying a thirty-four year old Man. You don’t even know what it means to be in marriage, let alone to a man like Denzel! You are so unbelievable and your excuses are invalid”Rayna held her breath. “It’s just two years. It’s not something real. It’s—”“Why don't you come up with better excuses, not this rubbish it's not these excuses because your excuses are lame,” Ivy cut in, throwing her hands up in the air. “You think I don’t know what this shit is all about, You’re grabbing at the life that should’ve be

Chapter 5: Alone Again7Rayna had never felt so alone in her life.The wedding had ended hours ago. The guests were gone. Even her parents had said their awkward goodbyes and disappeared into their chauffeur-driven car like the weight of her new reality didn’t sit heavy in their chest. They really don't care.Denzel hadn’t returned since he left after the picture taking.Now, in a big and beautiful mansion too quiet to be a home, Melinda stood in the gracious living room, her fingers brushing the expensive velvet of the furniture. Every surface shone, evidence of good polishing. The space felt more like a museum than a home. She didn’t belong here.A soft sound startled her.She turned quickly, she saw a woman with warm eyes. She was in her late fifties, with sharp eyes, warm brown skin, and a tired grace that spoke of long years in this house.“You are Rayna right?” The woman smiled softly. “I’m Bee. Everyone calls me that, though it’s not my real name. I’ve been with Connor; Denzel