THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET
1307 Words
CHAPTER 5. THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET
Three months.
Sophia had been gone for three months. Alexander Kingston knew because he had counted every day. He did not want to admit it. He just could not help it.
He sat behind his mahogany desk on the top floor of Kingston Group Headquarters. He stared blankly at the city skyline. The morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It made his luxurious office look more luxurious.
Usually Alexander loved mornings. They made him feel in control. They made him feel powerful.. Lately nothing in his life felt right.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in " he said.
His assistant, Ethan Blake stepped inside. He was carrying a folder. "You wanted an update, sir " he said.
Alexander straightened immediately. "What did you find?" he asked.
Ethan hesitated. That was never a sign. "Nothing new, sir " he said.
The room seemed to get colder. "What do you mean, nothing?" Alexander asked.
Ethan swallowed. "We've checked every property under her name. We've contacted employers, acquaintances and associates. We've monitored bank activities."
". " Alexander asked.
"There hasn't been any activity linked to Mrs. Kingston " Ethan said.
Alexanders jaw tightened. Three months. Three entire months. Sophia Hart had vanished like she had never existed. It made no sense. No one just disappears. Especially not Sophia. She was always predictable. She was gentle. She was quiet. She was dependable.
She was not the kind of woman who ran away. Why had she?
Alexander stood and walked toward the window. "Continue searching " he said.
"Sir..." Ethan paused. "With all respect perhaps Mrs. Kingston simply wishes to move on."
Alexanders expression darkened. "Did I ask for your opinion?" he asked.
"No, sir " Ethan said.
"Then continue the search " Alexander said.
Ethan nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
After his assistant left Alexander loosened his tie. Frustration burned inside him. Why could not he find her? Why had she cut off every connection?
Why did it bother him so much?
A memory suddenly surfaced. Sophia was laughing in the kitchen. She had accidentally covered herself in flour while baking. Alexander frowned. He pushed the memory away.
The marriage was over. He had made the decision. Hadn't he?
Hundreds of miles Sophia carefully arranged books on a shelf inside Harpers Bookstore. Life had settled into a routine. She woke up. She worked. She went to doctor appointments. She slept. She repeated.
It was simple. It was peaceful. It was lonely.. Sophia had learned to live with loneliness.
The twins had changed everything. Every morning she spoke to them. Every evening she read stories aloud.. Every night she promised them the same thing.
"I'll never let anyone hurt you."
"Talking to the babies again?" Sophia. Smiled. Mrs. Harper stood nearby. Amusement danced in her eyes.
"They're listeners " Sophia replied.
Mrs. Harper chuckled. "You're glowing, dear " she said.
Sophia instinctively touched her stomach. At five months pregnant the changes were impossible to hide. Her stomach had grown noticeably.
So had her love for the babies. "I had another appointment this morning " Sophia said.
Mrs. Harpers face brightened. ". " She asked.
Sophia could not stop smiling. "The doctor says everything is perfect " she said.
"Wonderful news " Mrs. Harper said.
Sophia nodded. " Wonderful " she said.
Then she lowered her voice. "I found out the genders " she said.
Mrs. Harper gasped. "You did? Tell me!" she asked.
Sophia laughed softly. "A boy and a girl " she said.
The older woman clapped excitedly. "Twins! One of each! That's extraordinary " she said.
Sophias eyes softened. A. A girl. Her son. Her daughter. Her little family.
For the time in years the future no longer frightened her.
That evening Alexander attended yet another business gala. He hated them. He always had.. Tonight felt especially unbearable.
"Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Mr. Alexander Kingston " someone said.
Polite applause filled the ballroom. Alexander acknowledged the crowd with a nod. His eyes scanned the room automatically.
Then he froze. For a split second he thought he saw Sophia. She was standing near the balcony. She was wearing a blue dress. She was smiling.
His heart lurched. Without thinking he crossed the ballroom. Fast. People called his name. He ignored them.
When he reached the balcony— The woman turned. She was not Sophia. Disappointment hit him hard that he actually stopped walking.
"Alexander?" someone said.
He looked up. Isabella Reed stood before him. Concern filled her expression. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Alexander immediately composed himself. "I'm fine " he said.
"You don't look fine " Isabella said.
"I'm tired " Alexander said.
Isabella studied him carefully. "You're still looking for her aren't you?" she asked.
Alexander said nothing. Silence was answer enough.
Isabella sighed. "You divorced her " she said.
"I know " Alexander said.
"Then why can't you let her go?" Isabella asked.
Alexander stared at the city lights. For the time he answered honestly. "I don't know " he said.
The confession surprised him. Isabella looked away. Sadness flickered across her face.
"Maybe you should figure that out " she said. She walked away before he could respond.
Alexander remained on the balcony. Alone. Confused.. Increasingly haunted by memories of a woman he had once believed he did not love.
That night Sophia sat in her apartment surrounded by baby catalogues. Tiny clothes. Cribs. Blankets. She had never imagined shopping for babies
Strangely she did not feel alone. The twins were with her.
Suddenly she felt something. A flutter. Very small. Very gentle. Sophia froze.
It happened again. Her eyes widened. "Oh my God " she said.
Tears immediately filled her eyes. The babies had moved. For the time.
Sophia pressed both hands against her stomach. Another tiny movement. Then another.
A laugh escaped her. Followed quickly by tears. "Hello, my loves " she said.
She cried openly now. Happy tears. Joyful tears. The kind she had almost forgotten existed.
For the hour she sat quietly talking to her children. Telling them stories. Sharing dreams. Promising adventures.
For the first time since her divorce Sophia realized something important. She was not broken. She was healing.
The morning Alexander arrived at the office earlier than usual. A package waited on his desk. Frowning he opened it.
Inside was a box.. Inside the box— A silver bracelet. Sophias bracelet. The one she had worn every day during their marriage.
Alexander stared at it. A note accompanied it. Found among donated items at a womens shelter. Thought you might want it.
No signature. No explanation. Just the bracelet.
Alexander picked it up. Memories flooded him instantly. Sophia wearing it at their wedding. Sophia absentmindedly playing with it while reading.
Sophia smiling as he fastened it around her wrist on their anniversary. His chest tightened painfully.
A womens shelter? Why would Sophia have been anywhere near a shelter? Unless— No. Impossible.
Sophia had left with money to live comfortably. Hadn't she?
Alexander suddenly remembered something. Sophia had refused his settlement. "I don't want your money, Alexander " she had said.
For the time since the divorce genuine fear settled in his heart. Had Sophia been struggling all this time? Had she been alone? Hungry? Scared?
The thought disturbed him more than it should have. Much more.
Alexander closed his hand around the bracelet. Then made a decision. "Get me everything " he ordered Ethan minutes later.
"Everything, sir?" Ethan asked.
"Every report. Every lead. Every security recording. I don't care how much it costs " Alexander said.
Ethan blinked. "Sir?" he asked.
Alexanders voice hardened. "I want Sophia found " he said.
Because for the time in his life— Alexander Kingston was beginning to regret letting his wife walk away.
Regret he would soon learn, was a merciless thing.
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