The Billionaires Unwanted Wife

“Wait… you didn’t know whose party this was?” Tara asked, incredulous. “I… I didn’t,” Lila admitted, biting her lip. Maya snorted and Lila’s remained so then she spoke up; “We thought for sure you knew. It’s Ethan’s house. Your boyfriend, girl! How could you not know?” Lila’s stomach sank, heat rushing to her cheeks. “I… I just… I didn’t think—” Tara smirked. “Well, surprise. Hope you’re ready to face him, because there’s no turning back now.” Graduation isn’t over until we celebrate,” Tara had said as they were leaving college earlier that day, looping her arm through Lila’s. They all graduated from Eastbridge College, a renowned and prestigious citadel located cosily in the heart of Uptown County. Lila was a Business Administration major and Tara and Maya in Performing Arts and Psychology respectively. “You’re coming to the party whether you like it or not.” Maya had added, smirking, “Trust us, a little distraction won’t kill you… and who knows, maybe it’ll be fun.” Lila groaned but let herself be pulled along by her two best friends. Tara was bold and fearless, Maya sharp and witty and together, they were unstoppable. Well there they were, the car turning into the driveway, the sprawling house came into view. Lila’s heart twisted with nervousness and excitement all together. “It probably skipped his mind.” She told herself. The music hit her first, it was loud, pulsing, spilling out from the house like it had a life of its own. Lila stepped out of the car slowly, her heels clicking against the pavement as her eyes scanned the crowd. Everyone at the party seemed to know something Lila didn’t. The laughter felt louder, sharper, like it was aimed right at her. She felt her chest tightening with every second she stepped into the house. “Go on,” Tara nudged her lightly. “Your man’s inside.” People filled the place and were laughing, drinking, moving like they belonged there. Like they knew something that she didn’t. Her fingers tightened around her phone again as she searched for him, her chest tightening when she realized just how out of place she felt. Then she saw him. Ethan Cole. Her Computer Science boyfriend who spent most of his time glued to his laptop “fixing bugs” or yelling at football games with his friends. Lila knew he could do better but he always claimed he was too busy. He was smart but not motivated and that 2.3 GPA of his was enough proof. Ethan stood across the room, surrounded by people, laughing and looking like he was completely at ease. Like nothing was wrong. Like she hadn’t been checking her phone all evening waiting for a message that never came. Damn. She hated that it bothered her this much. She made her way over, weaving through bodies until she was close enough for him to notice. He did. His eyes lifted to hers, and for a second, just a second, something unreadable passed between them. Then he gave her a small smile, something polite and brief but not exactly welcoming. And just like that, he looked away. Back to his conversation. Back to everyone else. Like she hadn’t just walked in. Like she hadn’t been waiting all day for him to say something. Lila stood there, frozen, her chest tightening as laughter bubbled around her. She forced herself to breathe, glancing over her shoulder but only to realize Tara and Maya were gone, already swallowed by the party up to God knows what. Swallowing hard, she gathered what little courage she had left and stepped closer, her voice quieter than she intended. Her chest tightened as flashes of earlier filled her mind- of her standing in front of her mirror, fixing her hair for the hundredth time, wondering if she looked good enough. She almost laughed. All that effort, just for her to walk into this. “Ethan… Can we talk?” she spoke up almost like a squeak. He barely glanced at her this time, like she’d interrupted something trivial. “Not now, Lila,” he said, tone light but dismissive. “I’m kind of in the middle of something,” he added. A few of the people around him shifted, their attention flickering between them. “I just—” she started, lowering her voice, trying to keep it between them. “You’ve barely spoken to me all day. I didn’t even know you were hosting this- ” “Okay?” he cut in, finally turning to face her fully, but there was no warmth in it. “It’s just a party. You’re acting like it’s a big deal.” She fell silent. To top it all up, a girl she didn’t recognise, faced Ethan to continue their conversation and blurted out; “Soooo… how excited are you about London? I heard you're leaving soon!” Lila’s head whipped so fast in his direction, it was a miracle it didn't fall off. Ethan noticed and let out a big sigh, so big that the cat came out of the bag that same moment. “Leaving? Ethan… what are they talking about?” Lila asked “Wait, you didn’t tell her you’re leaving next week?” someone else asked For a second, Ethan said nothing. He was too silent for her liking. A small laugh slipped from someone nearby, quickly stifled, but the damage was done. Ethan exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “Lila… I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.” Deafening silence pressed in around her, heavy and suffocating. “And can you not do this here?” he added, voice dropping, impatient now. “Don’t make a scene.” That was it! “You know what…” she let out a small, hollow laugh, shaking her head. She turned, ready to walk away and ready to escape the eyes, the whispers, the humiliation creeping up her spine. “Lila.” His voice stopped her but it wasn't soft and wasn't pleading. It was just firm. She paused, her back still to him. “I think it’s better if we just end this here.” Lila turned slowly, her brows pulling together like she hadn’t heard him right. “What?” Ethan sighed, like this was long overdue. “This… it’s not working. I’m leaving, and you’re… you’re here. It’s just not realistic anymore.” Her chest tightened. “So that’s it?” “I don’t want to drag this out,” he added, almost casually. “It’s better this way.” Better for who? The question burned in her throat, but the words wouldn’t come. Around them, the music kept playing. People kept talking. Like her world hadn’t just cracked open in the middle of a crowded room. And somehow… that made it worse. Lila felt the heat rise to her face, her chest tightening as every eye suddenly felt too close, too sharp. For a moment, she couldn’t even speak. Couldn’t breathe. For a second, she just stood there, staring. And then the embarrassment settled in slowly, sharp, and impossible to ignore. ********* Back at home, Lila stared at the ceiling, letting the echoes of Ethan’s words replay in her mind and sighing over and over and over again. Her hair slightly messed, mascara smudged, lips glossed but pale with her phone in hand, screen cracked from her nervous gripping. “Lila! You can’t just wallow forever. Graduation happened, heartbreak happened, now let’s move,” Tara said, practically dragging her out of bed. “Tee is right girl! C'mon he wasn't even all that, I don't even know what you saw in him.” Maya added. “I don’t even feel like going anywhere,” Lila mumbled and added an eye roll. “Exactly why you need us,” Maya added with a grin. “We’re saving you from yourself tonight.” Maybe hiding here would be safer… but staying alone just feels worse. She let out another loud sigh and watched as the girls dismantled her wardrobe looking for an outfit, their conversation sounding like they were miles away… or was it just her mind…