All Chapters of LOVE, SECRETS, AND SCHEMES: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“I don’t want us to stay in the same room.”Liora’s voice was firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation. She sat across from Ashvin in the bakery, her posture straight, her expression guarded. The late afternoon light filtered softly through the windows, casting a warm glow over the table between them—yet the tension in the air remained unmistakable.Ashvin let out a quiet chuckle.The sound was low, controlled, but it stirred something deep inside Liora—something she immediately suppressed. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him.“What’s funny?”“Nothing,” Ashvin replied calmly, leaning back slightly in his chair. “But the thing is, I have quite a number of staff in my house. We don’t want unnecessary gossip. Our marriage will eventually become public after I inform my parents, and if they ask why we got married without telling them first…” He paused briefly, his gaze steady on hers. “We’ll say we wanted it to be private.”Liora frowned, her fingers tapping lightly against

Liora watched in stunned silence as Ashvin slowed the car in front of a towering gate. The metal doors slid open smoothly, almost silently, revealing what lay beyond—and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.This wasn’t a house.It was a fortress.The driveway stretched far ahead, lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and elegant stone lanterns. The building itself stood tall and imposing, yet breathtakingly beautiful. The architecture was flawless, a seamless blend of modern luxury and timeless elegance. Every detail, every color, every structure seemed carefully chosen to create perfection.Liora’s eyes widened as they drove further in.This was where she was going to live?Ashvin finally parked the car and turned slightly to look at her.“Relax, Liora,” he said calmly. “Everything will be fine.”But Liora wasn’t sure if “fine” was the right word.This was overwhelming.Before she could say anything, the car doors were opened by two maids. Liora stepped out carefully, offering a sm

Liora shifted slightly in her seat as Ashvin’s parents stared at her from across the dining room. Their eyes held curiosity, but there was something else there too—wonder, maybe surprise. It made her nervous. She studied them carefully in return. Ashvin looked so much like his father that it was almost unsettling. The sharp jawline, the dark eyes, the calm expression—they were nearly identical. But she could also see traces of his mother in him, especially in the softness of his features and the shape of his smile.The reality of it settled heavily in her chest.She was here, in Ashvin’s home, sitting across from the family she had once feared she would never be accepted by.Ashvin’s mother was the first to step forward. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked toward Liora, her gaze fixed on her in a way that made Liora’s stomach tighten.They must hate me already, Liora thought. Maybe they think I trapped him.“So,” Helena said slowly as she stopped in front of her,

“Ashvin, we decided on no touching,” Liora breathed out as she and Ashvin broke their kiss.Ashvin had led her to their room.Their room.The room was grand, luxurious, and everything Liora imagined a billionaire’s room would look like, but she barely had time to take any of it in before Ashvin’s lips crashed onto hers.She didn’t know why she didn’t fight him.Maybe because deep down she didn’t want to.Her lips moved willingly against his, and Ashvin immediately took control, deepening the kiss as though he had been starving for it.Liora gripped his shirt tightly as his hand slid around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.His tongue brushed against her lips and she gasped, giving him the opportunity he needed.Ashvin deepened the kiss, and Liora felt her knees weaken instantly.Before she could think, he lifted her.A soft gasp escaped her lips as her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.The kiss broke, leaving both of them breathing hard.“I know,” Ashvin said, his v

“I’ll go with you.”Liora lifted her gaze to meet Ashvin’s, her voice soft but steady despite the nervousness twisting inside her stomach. Ashvin’s lips curved into a small smile, one that reached his eyes. He had hoped she would agree. He knew she was still anxious, but the fact that she was willing to step into his world for him meant more than she realized.“I promise I’ll be with you the entire time,” he said gently, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His thumb brushed lightly against the fabric of her sleeve as though trying to calm the storm of emotions he could already see brewing inside her.Liora released a slow breath.“Are you sure?” she asked quietly. “I could just stay beside Helena. I’m sure you’ll have important people to meet and business partners to talk to.”Ashvin shook his head almost immediately.“You’re my priority tomorrow night,” he replied. “Yes, there will be investors, CEOs, and business associates, but introducing you as my wife comes before all of