The Billionaire's Estranged Wife

"Mr. Huxley has been asking for an appointment with you. He said you won't answer his calls." I heard Ella, my personal assistant, as I sat in the car.

I shrugged.

"Schedule it by next month."

"But he said it's urgent."

I looked outside the window. Suddenly, he's been calling me. I had to turn off my phone just to avoid his calls. I've been feeling like something is going down.

Lorenzo isn't like that. He barely wants to meet me. But, even if he'd want to meet with me, I can't. I've been busy with work. I had to indulge myself with work these days.

"You know my schedule, Ella. I'm busy the whole month."

"But he's your husband. At least--"

I had to cut her off.

"What does he want to talk about?"

She pursed her lips and shook her head.

"He doesn't want to tell me. He wants to talk to you personally."

"I have no time for him. Take me to my penthouse."

She nodded and ordered the driver. My eyes were fixed outside the window, but my mind remained in thought of my husband. He wants us to meet. After a few months of no contact, he wants to talk. It's clear to me that he's treated this marriage as business from the day we said our vows.

Now, I'm treating it the same. Yet, it's still hard to prevent myself from reaching for him. I sighed as I entered my penthouse. I headed straight to my room and quickly got myself ready for bed. My body was too tired from work that it immediately shut down to sleep. My deep slumber was peaceful until thunder grumbled the skies. Then rain poured and lightning strikes kept coming.

I rose up from my bed when I heard another thunder. It's still two in the morning, but I can't sleep through this storm. I looked at my phone on the bedside table and saw a few missed calls from Lorenzo.

Together with the thunder, my heart shook.

I have my black lacy night gown on and a silk robe to cover my body. I headed to the stairs when one of my maids approached. She looked hesitant and... scared.

There was fear in her eyes. I don't know if it was for me or for... something else. My brows furrowed.

"It's already late, Diane."

"You have a visitor, Madame," her head remained on a bow.

My brow shot up.

"At this hour?"

"Yes, Madame."

"Who is it?" A name popped in my head but dismissed it.

There was a long pause from her before she spoke.

"Mr. Lorenzo, Madame. Your husband."

I heard the thunder rumble and a lightning strike from somewhere. Unknowingly, my breathing ragged. I nodded at her as she walked away.

My husband is downstairs. I glanced back at the door of my room before I returned my gaze to the stairs.

How did he know about this place?

I took a step on the stairs and immediately heard the clack of my sandals. I swallowed hard and went down.

I made it to the living room and saw him. His figure so broad and mighty. He's looking at the window, his back facing me. I gathered all the strength I have before heading to his direction.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm simply visiting my wife," he's still fixed on the rain outside the window.

"It's two in the morning. You can visit some other time," my voice was full of indifference.

Silence stretched in every corner of my penthouse. I could hear my heartbeat despite the storm outside.

"So, this is your hideout?" he faced me this time, and I saw his menacing smile with eyes so dark and dangerous.

I tried to match the intensity in his eyes.

"This is my home."

"We have a house, Valera."

"Does it matter?" I scoffed at him.

His eyes turned icy cold. His lips were in a grim line, brows relaxed, and a hint of annoyance in his expression.

"You haven't been coming back for months. Our families are asking questions."

"Then answer them."

"That you're cheating? You're full of parties and men? And you bring them here?"

I gritted my teeth.

"Mind your own business, Lorenzo. Since when did you care about what I do?" I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"You're my wife," his voice rose, and my blood boiled. How can he say that? After neglecting me for three years. I matched the intensity in his eyes.

"We're married by paper. Nothing more, nothing less."

The corner of his lips rose. "Is that why you fuck around?"

I took steps forward, closer to him. When I was inches away, I let my eyes travel every part of his face. I saw him swallow hard. I smirked playfully at his sudden show of weakness.

"If you fucked me then I wouldn't have been fooling around."

His jaw clenched harshly.

"I can't," he said, as cold as ice.

I lost my cool. I bit my lip and eyed him intently.

"Why?"

"Your very existence is what I despise the most."

My eyes searched for something in his. Waiting for a glimmer. A sign he's lying. But he's not. I stood up straight and turned my back at him. For once, I hoped he'd like me at least. Not as his wife but as a human.

I fought of the tears threatening.

"Your affairs are raising questions, Valera. Our families are the ones being cornered into this."

I shrugged. "Do you think they don't know? They're perfectly aware of my infidelities, Lorenzo."

"And you're even proud," his laugh was full of sarcasm.

I watched him as his hands rested in his pockets. I saw his coat draped on the couch. His tall figure always made my heart flutter. Even on this situation with him, he can still make my heart skip a few beats. And I don't like that. I don't want to feel anything towards him. Not again.

"Do you have to care, Lorenzo? In fact, we haven't seen each other for months already. So... why bother?" my voice was tinted with mockery.

"You could at least take care of your reputation. For yourself and for the company!"

"My image is clean," I briefly said.

He shook his head. His hand massaged his forehead. I watched as he folded the sleeves of his white button down shirt to his elbow. I saw how his muscles flexed under his shirt. His jaw clenched. That was a magnificent view. I snapped myself back to reality.

This man can never be mine.

"Get out of my penthouse," I ordered him.

He returned his eyes on me. There was a smile his lips formed. But it wasn't the smile you'd feel warm and delighted to. It was threatening.

"I have a deal."

His words reminded me of something. The reason why we got married in the first place.

"I'll meet you tomorrow for that," my voice trembled. I have a feeling something bad is coming from him.

"This can't wait. I need this done as soon as possible."

"You came here uninvited, Lorenzo. It's best if you leave. Or I'll call security."

"Shouldn't I be the one calling security here? You invite your play toys here."

"This is not your property," I smirked at him.

He sighed heavily before he sat on the single sofa like he owned it. I gritted my teeth looking at him.

"I don't want to be in this marriage anymore."

I raised a brow. I chuckled at him sarcastically.

"You're not the only one who feels the same."

"Then let's have divorce," he said so simply.

I felt like my world stopped. Not because of butterflies and sunshines. It stopped because this isn't what I want! This is a nightmare! My hands turned to fists before pointing at the elevator.

"Get out."

He gave me that smirk again. "Sign the papers first."

"You can't make me do that, Lorenzo! Divorce? Are you insane? You think our families will agree to this?" I panicked.

Divorce would be my savior. But... I don't know why I can't do this. I'll have my freedom. I'll live the life I want. Get the boys I want. Party without anyone's judging eyes on me.

This is my escape! So why can't I agree with this?

"We married for convenience, Valera. We got what we want at the end of the day. I have the company. You have your career. It's time we part ways."

I shook my head. "That's the point! It was all convenient! We never loved each other! So, why the hell are you here acting all displeased by my infidelities?! And then ask for divorce?! This marriage has been beneficial to both of us!"

"It is beneficial. But you're doing a lot of damage."

"No," I said with finality.

"I'm not asking you to agree on this. This is where we'll both end up. Divorce."

I shook my head.

"You're stuck with me. Whether you like it or not."

There was a sinister smirk on his lips before he stood up and threw the divorce papers on my center table.

"Then don't regret what happens tomorrow."

He left with those words that night. He left me confused until I watched the news the next morning.

He exposed me. I watched as the news broadcasted my infidelities a year ago. Pictures of me with men and parties.

He didn't just scar my heart. He has ruined me.