Married to the Billionaire by accident

An Unexpected Encounter

Ethan had been out of the country for some time, and ever since his return, he hadn’t revealed himself to the staff. Most people saw him as mysterious, with only a few close allies knowing the truth about his identity. It was why James, his right-hand man, was assumed to be the head of the Prescott Empire.

Ethan walked directly to his office, with James following behind him. His mind was racing, his anger growing with each step. He could feel the weight of everything that had happened. The way Cynthia had humiliated Maya—it wasn’t just about the disrespect. Ethan knew it was a reflection of how little people valued Maya. She wasn’t just being judged for her humble beginnings, but also for marrying someone who was seen as beneath them.

Ethan understood the pain Maya was enduring. He had been there for her when she was abandoned by Andrew, the man she had trusted. And now, that same man was with her stepsister, Clara. Ethan couldn’t help but feel the sting of that betrayal, even though he was now part of the problem. The woman he had promised to protect was being hurt by the people he once thought he could trust.

“James, who is that woman talking to Maya?” Ethan asked, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.

“She’s a senior staff member in the company and the daughter of Mr. Frederick Asher, one of the company’s top shareholders. That’s why Cynthia always looks down on others. She expects everyone to bow to her,” James explained, his voice laced with disdain for Cynthia’s elitism.

“From this moment on, James, I’ll stop working with the Prescott Empire,” Ethan said, the words heavy with finality. “They need to fire her. If anyone dares to treat my wife this way, they will suffer the consequences.”

James was silent for a moment, knowing the weight behind Ethan’s words. “I will do exactly as you say,” he replied, though his expression betrayed the storm of thoughts running through his head. He had known Ethan was capable of making tough decisions, but this felt like something deeper.

After sorting out some files, James asked about Maya’s whereabouts. When he found out that Maya had finished her cleaning job and was about to leave, Ethan’s concern for her deepened.

“Maya,” he said softly, almost to himself. He couldn’t let her leave like this, not after everything she had been through. “James, please, help me delay her. I need to speak to her.”

With that, Ethan ran after Maya, determined to make things right.

“Maya, I’m sorry for the initial dispute you had with Cynthia,” Ethan said, his voice full of genuine regret. “I’m glad Mr. James was able to handle it amicably.”

Maya stopped in her tracks, the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily on her. “You don’t have to be sorry about it. It wasn’t your fault. I brought this upon you. I was the one who asked you to marry me.” Her voice faltered as her emotions swelled. “I know you’re being humiliated just because of me.”

Ethan’s heart twisted with a mix of anger and sympathy. He knew what Maya was going through. He could see the weight of her words, the guilt she carried for something that wasn’t her fault. The harsh truth was, he had failed to protect her from the very people who should have accepted her.

“You don’t have to think like that,” Ethan said, gently reaching for her hand. “I agreed to marry you, and you didn’t force me. So now we are partners, not strangers anymore. You’re my wife, and we’ll get through this together.”

Maya’s eyes filled with tears as she fought to keep them back. “I’m really sorry, James. I’m just disappointed in Andrew and Clara. Clara was my stepsister. I never expected her to turn against me. And as for Andrew, I was supposed to marry him, but he was only using me as a shield to obtain his inheritance while he and my sister had a secret affair behind my back.”

“I know it hurts,” Ethan said, his voice low but firm. “But it’s time for you to move on. It’s a good thing you saw the kind of man Andrew truly is. Look at how miserable he would have made your life. You should be grateful you didn’t end up with him. We should forget about Andrew now. I have good news for you.”

Maya looked at him with cautious curiosity, her heart still aching but yearning for a sliver of hope. “What is it, Ethan? Quickly, tell me.”

“The Prescott Empire accepted me to work with them,” Ethan said, his voice holding a note of pride. “I’m now a mechanic working for the Prescott Empire. That means we’ll be seeing each other more often since we’re working at the same place.”

Maya’s face lit up with surprise and joy. “This is great news! I think we should celebrate.”

“Yes, we should,” Ethan said, his smile returning. “I should probably get you a gift. I couldn’t get you a wedding ring because of the situation, but now I think I should.”

Maya hesitated, her smile faltering. “I know the head of the Prescott Empire must have paid you well for your services, but you shouldn’t spend it on a wedding ring. We have so many expenses that we have to prioritize.”

Ethan’s eyes softened as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about the expenses, Maya. I’m employed now, and you can be sure there will always be money to take care of our needs. We’re married now, so you shouldn’t be afraid of anything.”

“All right, since you say so,” Maya said, the weight of her concerns momentarily lifted. “Let’s go get the wedding ring.”

They headed to Maxwell Jewelry Store, the most luxurious jewelry shop in the country.

Maya had always dreamed of stepping foot into such a*****e, but her background had always held her back. She could never afford any of the beautiful jewels displayed in the windows. The idea of walking into Maxwell’s seemed almost absurd, yet here she was, standing beside Ethan at the entrance.

“Ethan, are you really going to get the ring from Maxwell’s? We could get it from an ordinary store, which would be cheaper. You don’t have to spend so much on me,” Maya protested, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Ethan turned to her, his expression soft yet determined. “I’ve told you, Maya. The head of the Prescott Empire paid me well today after my service. I can afford some of the jewelry in this store. So, let’s just go in and get a ring for you.”

Maya’s heart swelled with emotion. She had never imagined this moment—standing in a place she had once thought was reserved for people far beyond her reach.