The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN

Moses walked in like the filthy rich he was.

“You know when to make a grand entrance, huh?”

“Oh, how I hate the hospital.” His eyes flared with anger. “And you’re a stubborn son of Jaymes.”

I smiled. “I’m a cat, and I still have six lives.”

“And it still has limits, son. If I were you, you take care of your health. You’re a married man now. You have a wife and child to take care of.”

I nodded in understanding. “I know. Once I am out of here, I’ll stay home until I fully heal.”

“That’s the best decision you ever made for a while. No more secret mission, Gabriel.”

“Yes, boss.”

My father and Willa walked in. The look in their eyes was alone enough to break my heart again.

“I’m fine, guys. Before you preach me.” I raised my hand. “I swear I stay put, follow my wife and doctor’s orders, and take care of myself.”

“I thought I won’t be in the hospital again unless I visit my daughter-in-law and see my first grandson. I’m old, Gabe. I don’t wanna die of a heart attack right now.”

“Do you have something to say?” I asked Willa when she seemed silent.

“What do you want me to say, brother? I wonder how your wife reacted to you being brought to the hospital.”

“I thought I would be lying in bed next to his,” my wife came back and replied.

“Are you okay, honey?” Dad asked.

“Better than him, I guess. Pops, is he always like this?”

My jaw dropped when everyone started telling her how stubborn, overbearing, hard-headed, and pig-head I was.

I rolled my eyes, which I rarely did. “Well, thanks, guy. At least you know me very well.”

After thirty minutes of agony, they left, except Estelle. I wanted to rest. I knew everyone cared for me and was concerned about my health.

And they were right, though. I was that person, and I didn’t know how to change, maybe when I became a father, because right now, Estelle is still considerate and supportive.

“Get some rest, okay?” She leaned to kiss me.

“You should go home and get some rest. You need that more than me.” I kissed her hand again.

“I will go home when you sleep.”

“Once you go home, soak in the bathtub. That would help. I’m sorry if I can’t be with you tonight and maybe tomorrow night and after.” I felt a pit in my stomach that she still stayed beside me after what I put her through.

“I want you to heal. I’ll be fine,” Estelle said as she ran her fingers through my hair. Her voice was soft and warm.

“Maybe you should not work.”

“I promise I know myself, and when I feel exhausted, I’ll take a leave. I’m good. Trust me. Our baby is not giving me a hard time yet. Unlike you.”

“Good. That’s good.” I pressed her hand on my cheek as I said, “Thank you for being nice to Skyla.”

“About that. I have something to tell you, but you need to rest first.”

“Now that you wanna tell me something, tell me, or I can’t rest thinking it might be important.”

“Baby, please?” With her eyes pleading, I couldn’t disappoint her even if my brain was reeling for whatever Skyla told her. One thing I was sure, it had nothing to do with our past. Otherwise, Estelle wouldn’t be looking keen on telling me.

I sighed. “I’ll try.” I closed my eyes but didn’t let go of her hand. “I think I’ve forgiven her. I don’t know when, but when I saw her at Osmium, I didn’t feel the anger and hate towards her anymore. Unlike before, I couldn’t even listen to her name without filling my chest with rage.”

“It’s because it’s not her fault.”

I cracked my eyes open. “What do you mean?”

“It may shock you, but please, promise me to calm down.”

“What’s going on, Estelle?” I adjusted my bed so that I could meet my wife eye-to-eye.

“She didn’t cheat on you.”

I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? She was pregnant with another man’s child.”

“Yeah, but not her intention.”

“I’m confused.” My chest tightened, and it wasn’t the best feeling when the reason why I was here in the first place. I took a deep breath when I felt discomfort.

“She told you she’s pregnant. That’s true. She wanted you to believe that because it hurt less.” She swallowed hard. She then blinked her eyes when they began to fill with tears. “For years, she was alone, raising her son, Gabriel, the child -”

I couldn’t listen to it anymore. I looked away as my wife wiped her tears. I got it. I understood even if she didn’t have to tell me the whole story. My knuckles cracked as I fisted my hands, hoping I could control my anger or the next thing I got was a heart attack.

“And Miles?”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“She didn’t tell me the man’s name.”

I didn’t know I cried until Estelle wiped my tears.

“I know what you’re thinking, and I won’t stop you. I promised her that I would help her, and that’s what we are going to do. I’m sorry that she made you believe she cheated on you. I know it hurts, but we have to help her.”

“Why now?” I clenched my jaw hard. I should be over with it. Hell, I moved on. I was happy. I had a good life, a wife, and soon, I would be a father. But it seemed troubles kept following me everywhere.

“Baby, the trauma. It takes time to heal. Her son is the only reason she has to be okay, wake up in the morning, go to work, and come home to him.”

“Are you sure she’s not lying?”

“Then we’ll find out.”

“I need to know if she’s in danger. I found out she’s new in that apartment.”

“She went to your office to tell you and ask for your help.”

“Can you call Sax if he’s still sending her car to her address? Ask him to check the apartment for unusual activity around the perimeter.” I slapped my forehead after I realized that I wasn’t over. “Og, God. I’m so sorry, baby.”

“Hey. She may be your ex but she is also the victim and deserves justice. Everyone does. Even if we don’t know her, if she comes asking for help, I won’t hesitate.”

“God, I don’t know what to do without.” I pulled her to me. I just needed that hug- her hug that put me at ease.