Fated To My Billionaire Saviour

Chapter 2: Fooled

Ella

My face went pale in shock, my hands trembled as I looked from the file in my hands to Marcus’s face simultaneously.

“C’mon, Ella, don’t give me that look, the agreement is clear.” His evil grin stretched to his ears. “Rent for the penthouse, utilities, your art supplies, the studio space I provided, food, clothing, and that little car you drive, it all adds up, Ella. I've been very generous, but generosity has its limits."

“How.. Whe…n” I stammered. I know the signature was mine, but I couldn’t remember signing these documents. This is strange, I have cracked every wall and corner of my brain, but no answer was cooking up. “Was I drugged or something?” I murmured

“I can see you’re still confused, let me help your dull, blocked brain a little.” He mocked. “May 5th, 2024, right in this room on our anniversary, clown.” He smirked.

Memories flooded back like water falling down a waterfall. May 5th was definitely our anniversary, relationship anniversary, of course.

Marcus has always marked the date; he never forgets to honour it with flowers and an expensive date night. Our last anniversary was the most epic of all. I even got carried away and became drunk that night.

I could remember he brought me some papers to sign, he had said they were just formalities for the business and nothing more, I’d trusted him completely and signed without reading a word.

“Damn, I’ve been fooled.” I cursed under my breath. Marcus had set a trap, and all I did was walk right into it. He must have planned this all along.

“Why did you do this to me?” I muttered. “What have I done to deserve such cruelty from you, Marcus?”

“Don’t give me that crap Ella. What were you thinking? I would let all my sweat and money go just like that after all these years of lavish spending on you and providing for all your needs. C’mon, Ella, I thought you had brains, you should have known more than this.”

“But you said you love me, Marcus. You promised to be by my side forever. What happened to those promises? What happened to you?” I asked amid tears that were now flowing uncontrollably down my chin.

I’ve invested so much into what we shared, why is he so cruel to me all of a sudden? Why?

“Hugh.. love?” He smirked. “Who cares about love? Get hold of yourself, Ella, there has been nothing like love, it has always been business, and it's time to pay your debt in full.”

“Business? Is that what you call what we share? This is unbelievable, Marcus, I’ve been your asset all along?”

“Of course, Ella, that’s what you are and nothing more.”

“Then why did you put a ring on my finger? Was it just to humiliate me?” I screamed.

“Well, let's just say, it was part of the plan."

“This is so unfair. How am I supposed to raise two hundred thousand dollars? That’s a huge sum of money, Marcus. Please don’t do this to me. I don’t have anywhere else to go. Please, Marcus, please, I beg you.”

I went down on my knees in tears as I tried to reach out to his hand, but he quickly moved back and shoved my hands away.

“There might be an option,” Isabella's voice rang in my ear. She moved to Marcus’s side and slid her arm through his like she belonged there. Like I never had.

"What option?" My skin cringed at her tone.

“Victor Dane has been looking for an in-house artist,” Marcus said. “He’s willing to accept your debt in exchange for an exclusive contract. Two years of work, and you’ll be free and clear.”

Victor Dane. The name was very familiar; everyone in the art world in this city knew the wealthy art collector. But why is he interested in my work? Why does he want to get involved with the debt I owe?

“You work for Victor and create pieces for his private collection. He pays off your debt to me, you get a clean slate and move on with your life, everyone wins,” Marcus, who saw the confusion in my eyes, added. He made it sound so easy, but nothing about this felt simple.

“You see, Ella,” Marcus squatted in front of me. “Considering your predicament, that’s the best shot. You see, Ella, I still care, even in your lowest moment, I’m offering to help, what more do you need from me?” His words stung me so deeply, I felt like tearing him apart. How on earth did I agree to date this monster?

"And if I refuse?" I asked, my eyes piercing into he’s.

“Then I guess I’ll see you in court, Ella.” He gave a cold smile, rose to his feet, and adjusted his suit. “You’ll be charged for breach of contract, fraud, and theft of intellectual property. I bet you, the judge will not be merciful in his judgment.” He scoffed. “And with your background, how do you think that will go?"

My background? Is he referring to my mother's struggles, the times we'd scraped together rent money, the scholarship that had gotten me through art school? The humble beginnings he'd once claimed to find charming?

"Choose carefully, darling," Isabella purred. "Prison orange really isn't your color."

My mind drifted to the engagement party–my engagement party, it was very much active beyond the bedroom doors. I could hear, clinking of glasses, laughter from well-wishers, and congratulatory messages that were meant for a bride-to-be who no longer existed.

The ring Marcus gave me reflected on the window, and the pearls on the ring felt like the stars in the sky when he slipped it onto my finger.

But now, it felt like shackles.

"I need time to think."

"You have until morning," Marcus said. "Victor's car will be here at 10 am sharp. I’d advise you to pack light."

He turned to leave, Isabella’s hand still linked through his arm as though they were meant for each other. At the doorway, he paused. “For what it’s worth, Ella, you are talented. Your designs for the Grandview will make millions, I bet you. Too bad you’ll never see a penny of it.” He jeered.

They left me kneeling in my shattered dreams.

My hands shook as I twisted the engagement ring off my finger. All I saw in the ring was three years of lies and deceit. I had seen a future, but all he saw was business.

I wiped my tears with the back of my palms as I felt a sudden twist from heartbreak to something sharper than grief.

Rage.

The ring clinked against the marble as I dropped it into the trash. I stood to my feet and stared at myself in the mirror, and all I saw was a new me.

If this bastard son of a b***h thinks he can destroy me, he is about to learn how wrong he is. I'd survived poverty, loss, and every obstacle life had thrown at me. I'd survive this, too.

I won’t let this go, and guess who is going to pay dearly, Marcus.