Ayishetu

In a world of wealth, power, and whispered betrayals, Jade Sinclair is an outsider. When she marries **Alexander Middleton**, heir to a powerful and ruthless family, she knows the life she’s stepping into is one of scrutiny and silent warfare. But what no one knows is that Jade didn’t just marry into this world for love—she has her own secrets, her own motives.  

At every turn, she faces resistance. **Victoria Middleton**, Alexander’s calculating mother, sees her as nothing more than an inconvenience, an unworthy intruder in their empire. And then there’s **Liliana Carter**, Alexander’s ex and the woman society expected him to marry, who is determined to reclaim her place by his side.  

But Jade is no naive socialite. She knows that in a world like this, survival isn’t about playing by the rules—it’s about rewriting them.  

When **Lady Eleanor Middleton**, the true matriarch of the family, summons Jade for a private meeting, everything changes. The old woman sees more than Jade expected, sensing the deeper game at play. As the stakes rise, Jade is forced to confront not just the enemies in plain sight but the ones lurking in the shadows—secrets buried within the Middleton family that could destroy them all.  

As deception weaves through every relationship and trust becomes the most dangerous currency, Jade must decide:Is love worth the price of power? And in a game where masks are everything, who will survive when the veil is finally lifted

the veil of deception

Alexander sat in his home office, staring at the whiskey glass in his hand. He had seen Jade navigate the cutthroat world of high society with ease, always composed, always in control. But tonight… tonight, something was different.

She had been on edge since the gala. First with Damien Blackwell, now with that woman—Mara Sinclair. The moment Jade had walked Mara out, her expression had been unreadable, but Alexander knew his wife well enough to recognize when she was hiding something.

And whatever it was, it wasn't small.

He exhaled and reached for his phone.

A moment later, Jonathan Pierce, the Middleton family's personal lawyer and fixer, answered. "Mr. Middleton."

"I need you to look into someone for me," Alexander said, his voice smooth but firm. "Mara Sinclair. Find out everything you can about her—where she came from, what she wants, and how she's connected to my wife."

There was a pause before Jonathan responded, his tone knowing. "Having doubts about Mrs. Middleton?"

Alexander's jaw clenched. "Just do it."

### **Cracks in the Perfect Image**

The next morning, Alexander watched Jade from across the breakfast table. She was sipping tea, flipping through a magazine, her posture as elegant as ever.

But he saw the small things—the slight tremor in her fingers, the way she wasn't truly reading the magazine, the distant look in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked finally.

Jade blinked and looked up. "Of course."

"You seemed… tense last night."

She gave a soft smile. "Just tired. Hosting can be exhausting."

Alexander leaned back in his chair. "That woman—Mara. Who is she?"

Jade's grip on her cup tightened ever so slightly. "Just someone from my past."

Alexander didn't miss the way she carefully chose her words.

"What kind of past?" he pressed.

Jade met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "The kind that doesn't matter anymore."

That was a lie. And Alexander knew it.

### **A Visit to Damien Blackwell**

Later that day, Alexander made an unexpected stop at Damien Blackwell's office.

The man was waiting for him, a slow smirk on his lips. "To what do I owe this pleasure, Middleton?"

Alexander didn't waste time. "You knew my wife before she became a Middleton. Tell me about her past."

Damien let out a low chuckle. "Ah, so the perfect husband *does* have doubts." He poured himself a drink and leaned back against his desk. "I could tell you stories, Alexander. Stories that would make you wonder if you ever really knew your wife at all."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Then tell me."

Damien swirled his glass. "Oh, I will. But nothing in this world comes for free, does it?"

Alexander studied him, realizing something unsettling—Damien wasn't just here for business. He had a personal stake in whatever past Jade was running from.

And if Alexander wanted answers, he'd have to play the game carefully.

A Husband's Suspicion