Wedded to the Merciless Billionaire

Chapter One

The Accident

Natalie Rivers stepped into the apartment, the aroma of vanilla wafting up from the cake she carried. The warm scent enveloped her, a sweet promise of the celebration to come. It was her fiancé’s birthday, and she had meticulously planned every detail of the surprise. Her heart fluttered with excitement and a touch of nerves, not just because of the celebration, but because of the news she carried: she was two months pregnant with their first child.

Little did she know that her carefully planned evening would shatter her world into a million irreparable pieces.

The apartment was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the soft glow of the evening sun filtering through the blinds. Something felt off. The usually welcoming silence seemed heavy, almost oppressive. Natalie’s eyes scanned the room, noting the neatness that Asher usually maintained. Everything was in its place, yet there was a strange, unsettling quietness. The faint scent of Asher’s cologne lingered in the air, mingling with the fresh, sweet scent of the cake.

"Asher?" she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She listened intently, hoping to hear his cheerful response. Instead, she heard faint noises coming from upstairs—muffled sounds that made her frown in confusion. Her pulse quickened as she recognized the sounds: moans, not just his but a woman's as well.

Natalie’s heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing louder than the last. The wooden stairs creaked under her feet as she ascended slowly, her grip tightening around the cake box. The hallway leading to Asher’s room seemed to stretch longer than usual, every step amplifying her dread. The familiar pictures on the wall, the soft carpet underfoot, and the faint sound of traffic outside did nothing to soothe her growing anxiety.

Reaching the slightly ajar door, Natalie peered through the gap, her breath hitching at the sight before her. Asher, her Asher, was entangled with another woman. They were both stark naked and had their backs to her. The girl was on all fours, hands clutching the bedsheet, whilst Asher was situated behind her, panting like a hungry dog as he thrusted into her.

“You like that? Tell me you like that.” he said in a voice that was ravenous.

“Yes baby. f**k yes. Harder baby! Faster!” The girl’s plea only edged Asher to ramp up the speed, gripping her at the waist to smash himself against her with a frenzied quickness. “God-you. You feel- so damn good!” she said erratically, trying to speak as her body jerked in motion to Asher’s pounding.

And then, as if he wasn’t close enough, he threw himself forward. His large hand found the back of her head, smushing her face into the pillow whilst he humped her wildly.

“f**k I’m close!” With each second, his manly grunts grew into loud growls as his body got ready to explode in release. Beneath him, the girl’s feminine moans morphed into screams of pleasure, loud and high-pitched, even when muffled by the pillow she was shoved into. Together they hit peaks and made the bed rock like a boat swaying to rough seas.

Her vision blurred with tears as she tried to comprehend the betrayal unfolding in front of her. The cake box slipped from her fingers, crashing to the floor with a dull thud, the scent of vanilla mixing with the sudden sharp smell of betrayal. The sound startled them into awareness.

Asher’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock as he saw Natalie standing in the doorway. The room froze, a tableau of raw emotion: shock, betrayal, guilt.

Asher hastily pulled on his trousers, his hands trembling as he glanced nervously at the woman lying on the disheveled bed. Natalie’s tears welled up, reflecting confusion and hurt. The dimly lit room felt suffocating, filled with the heavy scent of regret and betrayal.

"What's going on, Asher?" Natalie's voice cracked with a mix of anger and disbelief. Her breath came in shallow gasps, struggling to make sense of the scene unfolding before her. The man she loved, standing there with no remorse, only defiance in his eyes.

Asher took a deep breath, his words cutting through the tense silence. "Natalie, calm down..."

"You're cheating on me after everything I've done for you!" Natalie's voice rose, laced with raw emotion. "Do you think this is okay?"

Asher's expression hardened. "Can you just be quiet, Natalie! This isn't new."

Natalie recoiled, her heart sinking. She had sacrificed everything for Asher—her family, her dreams. Now, it seemed like a cruel joke played on her loyalty.

"I would never cheat on you," Natalie pleaded, her voice trembling. "I gave up everything for us, Asher."

Asher's laughter was bitter, devoid of empathy. "You abandoned your family for us? Look where that's gotten us. We're struggling because of your choices."

Natalie's eyes filled with tears. "I did it because I love you..."

Asher's retort was merciless. "That's not love, Natalie. And now you're trying to trap me with lies?"

The accusation hung heavy in the air, each word another blow to Natalie's already shattered heart. "I'm carrying your baby," she whispered, desperation in her voice.

Asher's response was cold. "Do you think that changes anything? We're done."

Natalie's world collapsed. She couldn't believe the man she loved had become a stranger, someone capable of such cruelty. Without another word, she turned and left, her sobs echoing down the hallway.

As Natalie drove, tears blurred her vision. The pain was overwhelming, consuming her thoughts until a speeding truck appeared in front of her. She swerved, but it was too late.

The crash was deafening, metal twisting and glass shattering. Natalie's world spun upside down, pain searing through her body. Darkness claimed her as sirens wailed in the distance.

When Natalie woke, it was to the sterile smell of a hospital room. Her aunt Bianca was there, her eyes filled with worry.

"What happened?" Natalie's voice was weak.

Bianca gently explained, "You were in an accident, Natalie. You've been unconscious for four days."

The door opened quietly, and a tall man with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor stepped in. His white coat was crisp, his stethoscope hanging around his neck. "Good morning, Miss Rivers," he said warmly, his voice deep and soothing. "I'm Doctor Jeremiah."

Natalie tried to sit up, her hands gripping the cool metal rails of the bed. Pain surged through her body, forcing her to fall back against the pillows. Her heart pounded, every beat amplifying the ache in her limbs.

"Don't push yourself, my dear. You need to focus on healing," said Bianca, sitting by her bedside. Her voice was soft and filled with compassion, her eyes reflecting genuine concern.

Doctor Jeremiah moved closer, his expression serious yet kind. "How are you feeling, Miss Rivers?" he asked gently, his eyes searching her face.

Natalie's mind was foggy and confused. Her voice shook as she asked, "What happened, doctor?"

The doctor took a deep breath, his face clouded with sorrow. "Three days ago, you were involved in an accident and sustained serious injuries. I'm deeply sorry, Miss Rivers..." He paused, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "You have lost your baby."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Natalie's eyes filled with tears, her heart breaking. The world outside seemed to disappear, leaving her enveloped in a cocoon of grief and loss.