Cheated On, Claimed by A Billionaire

Chapter Twelve: Into His Arms

*Nina's POV*

When I got home, everyone had already retired to bed. My triplets were sleeping peacefully.

Quietly, I dropped my bag. I brought out my phone and texted Alexander to thank him for the ride. I thought I was just being polite.

Even after I came out of the bathroom, I got no response from him. What was I thinking? How can a human being be warm and cold at the same time?

I sighed and went to sleep.

The next day, I went to work earlier than usual. I needed to finish this project already.

By 6:30 p.m., I was done with the calculation part.

I was still trying to figure out how to put everything into a presentation format that would make it easier for the boss to present and explain during the bidding when Marcus walked in.

He saw me thinking hard and let out a mocking laugh.

"I warned you countless times to back out, but you refused. I won't let you off the hook if we fail this time," he sneered.

I ignored him and continued focusing on the computer.

He stood there for a while before picking up his bag and leaving.

I finished everything and neatly packaged it in a folder. The boss was still around, so I went to submit it.

I knocked lazily on the door. I was already exhausted.

After he permitted me, I walked in. I wondered what he was still doing in the office at this hour. It was already 8:46 p.m.

"You're done already?" he asked as I placed the folder on his mahogany desk.

I nodded slowly.

"You look tired. Can you get home on your own?" he asked, looking as though he actually cared.

It seemed his soft side was back. I didn't want to inconvenience him, so I told him I could go home alone.

"You can also take three days off if you wish," he said, still wearing the same calm expression. I nodded.

I returned to my desk, picked up my bag, and left.

The cool night air brushed against my skin, and I felt a little relieved. It was finally over. The restless days were over.

I walked slowly along the lonely street. My whole body ached. Sitting in one position for hours with my face glued to a monitor was truly exhausting.

Then I noticed a car trailing behind me. I didn't bother looking back because I had no strength left.

All of a sudden, everything started spinning. I stopped for a moment, trying to steady myself.

The car stopped too, and someone rushed out.

I couldn't tell who it was, but luckily, I collapsed into the person's arms instead of hitting the ground.

What happened next, I didn't know.

*****************

The next day, I woke up in the afternoon. As usual, Zoe wasn't around. She never joked with work.

The children were playing downstairs when I came down. "Mummy, you're awake!" Mia shouted happily.

I nodded.

"We were scared something had happened to you. Aunty Zoe said one uncle carried you back," Ethan said.

Who would be kind enough to carry me home? The only person who knew where I lived was my boss. Could he have been the one who brought me home?

"Mummy, when are we going to start school?" Finn asked.

"Next term, my love," I replied.

He nodded and went back to playing.

I couldn't enroll them in school immediately because they had been preparing for their promotional exams in the States before we traveled.

Since they hadn't taken those exams, they couldn't be enrolled here without repeating the class.

I just hoped they wouldn't be bullied when they started school here.

"Mummy, aren't you going to work today? Today is Friday," Mia asked, looking puzzled.

"No, baby. Mummy is on leave," I replied.

They all looked surprised. I let out a soft laugh.

"Yay! Mummy is going to play with us!"

"Yes, but Mummy has to eat first."

Then I hurried into the kitchen.

*Alexander's POV*

If I hadn't followed her yesterday, she would have collapsed onto the ground.

She had assured me she could get home alone, but I wasn't convinced. She looked far too exhausted.

I had wanted to stay longer at the office to review the bid proposal, but I couldn't concentrate. I kept worrying that something might happen to her.

So I grabbed my car keys, gathered the files, and drove off.

Before long, I spotted her walking slowly down the lonely street. The headlights from my car lit up the road ahead of her.

Suddenly, she stopped.

She looked like she was about to fall. Instinctively, I rushed out of the car. Then she collapsed straight into my arms.

Thank goodness I had followed her.

When I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

I didn't understand why she was working so hard when she lived in such a luxurious apartment.

Could it be that her husband mistreats her and forces her to work?

That must be the reason... but the children don't know their father.

Maybe he's dead, and the house is the only thing he left her.

Or perhaps the woman who opened the door owns the house. I've seen them together at the company, and she certainly looks wealthy.

That has to be it.

It seems Nina doesn't want to depend on her.

According to the information Fred gave me this morning, she doesn't have a sister except Liana, who is actually her stepmother's daughter.

Then that woman must be her friend.

My thoughts were interrupted when my maid asked whether I still wanted dinner.

"Why am I suddenly thinking about her?" I muttered to myself.

I ate a little before returning to the proposal. She had really done an amazing job.

For the first time since we started working on this project, I felt confident that we would win the bid.

The next morning, I arrived at the company early to prepare.

She wasn't at the office. For some reason, I felt disappointed.

About thirty minutes later, I was finally ready.

Fred drove me to the venue. I made sure I looked my best.

I wore a navy-blue suit and a pair of polished black shoes—the same pair she had spilled dirty water on.

I didn't know why I had chosen to wear them today.

I also sprayed on my usual cologne. It always gave me a sense of confidence.

I entered the conference hall at exactly 8:30 a.m. The bidding was scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

I hated being late.

A few minutes later, the other businessmen arrived. At the far end of the table, I spotted the woman I believed was Nina's friend.

Then I became even more convinced that she probably owned the house.

One after another, everyone presented their proposals.

Some were impressive. Others were terrible.

But the woman, Zoe, really impressed me.

I learned her name when she introduced herself before beginning her presentation.

She was exceptionally good. At one point, I actually became nervous.

She was the only competitor who posed a real challenge. If I lost... She would definitely be the winner.

I glanced at the proposal Nina had prepared for me. My confidence returned immediately.

Soon, it was my turn.

Nina had arranged everything so well that presenting it was effortless.

Before I even finished, every executive in the room stood up and applauded.

"This is exactly what we're looking for, Mr. Alexander," one of the executives said, extending his hand. "Let's close the deal."

Just like that...

I won the bid.

*****************

At the parking lot, Zoe walked over to me.

"Your financial team really outdid themselves," she said with a smile. "I'm impressed. I hope to learn one or two things from you in the future."

Although she smiled, I could hear a trace of disappointment in her voice.

I knew this contract had meant a great deal to her.

"You weren't bad either," I replied politely.