The Billionaire's Forgotten Vow

Vanessa's POV I should have been happy. I should have been glowing with the kind of joy every woman dreamed of; surrounded by music, sounds of laughter that filled every corner of the room and the people who claimed to love her. But as the music played through the speakers and balloons flying in the air and the sight my eyes caught, something in me was restless. My Baby shower was everything I'd imagined…peach ribbon, a tower of cupcakes… yes, everything was here with my name printed across a banner above the cake. The first thing I noticed was the sound of laughter that filled every corner of the room. Balloons brushed against the ceiling, the tables glimmered with white ribbons and my name. “Vanessa, you're glowing tonight.” someone said as they passed me a glass of juice. I smiled automatically, the kind of smile you give when you're too tired to correct people's exaggerations. I stood there in my gown, one hand resting on my baby bump, smiling until my cheeks hurt. Everyone was here for me. My husband, friends and his family. The perfect night for a perfect woman, they said. But I had no idea how wrong they were. Braxton stood beside me, looking perfect, his arms resting lightly on my shoulder. The crowd adores him. My mother-in-law kept telling anyone who cared to listen that her son was the kind of man every woman prays for. I also believe that because ladies admired him, and it freaks me out. But then, my freaking out turned serious when I started noticing his eyes, darting often to where Nancy stood, smiling at some jokes one of the guests said. Well yes, Nancy looked stunning in her red dress, with her hand brushing her hair over her shoulder in a way that could get anyone's attention. She was supposed to be his business associate. That's what Braxton had told me. But now, it wasn't feeling like it. When her gaze met his and their smiles lingered a little long, something crawled up my chest. I couldn't tell what it was, maybe fear, or maybe suspicion, or maybe I was just imagining too much. “Vanessa, let's get a picture of you two," my mother-in-law said, raising her phone. Braxton circled his arm around my waist and smiled for the camera but his eyes were elsewhere. I smiled too, pretending not to notice how his thumb brushed my waist once, then pulled away as if touching me was a burden. The flash went off. And the sound of laughter rose again. And soon, I saw Nancy join Braxton near the wine stand. I saw her hand brush his sleeve and he didn't move away. Was that supposed to be right? No; for a business associate, it wasn't. “Excuse me,” I said softly, stepping away from the noise to get a breath of air. And soon, I heard whispers, three ladies round a table talking. “Did you see them earlier? Braxton couldn't take his eyes off her.” “Nancy, right? They're awfully close, aren't they?” I froze at their words and took a brief look at Braxton, he was still spying on Nancy. “She's practically glued to him. And the way she looks at him… please… anyone could see what's going on.” My heart raced faster than normal. “Oh, come on,” the other voice said in a whisper. “His wife's pregnant and he's out here acting like he's single. Maybe we should stick around for sometime.” Laughter followed after that last statement. I stopped listening and I couldn't take it anymore. I forced a smile as someone congratulated me on how lucky I was. If only they knew how quickly luck could turn into humiliation. They were talking about my husband. I swallowed my own saliva and walked back toward the parlor. I scanned the crowd for Braxton, my heart was beating so fast that it almost hurt. Braxton came from behind to scare me, holding two glasses. “You should sit,” he reached out with a glass to me. “You've been standing too long. My heart felt relieved for a moment. “I'm fine,” I soon told myself that people just tend to gossip at parties. Especially the jealous ones. He looked at me as if trying to decide whether to argue or walk away. “You know I love you, right?” he kissed my forehead. It should have comforted me. But it didn't. I just nodded. When he turned, I caught Nancy watching us again. She smiled, the kind of smile women give when they think they've already won. The thought crawled back again as I watched him attend to someone. At one point, I had to use the restroom to spit out saliva. I hurried back immediately as I had to watch over my husband. But then, I noticed the door to the study room was half-opened and a light spilled out, reflecting two shadows. The first thing that came to my mind was Braxton. I hurried toward the door and when I stepped inside, I was right. Her back was against the desk and his face leaned close to hers. His hand was almost resting on her waist and she gave off this smile that didn't belong to a business associate. “No,” I whispered. He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. That was all it took. I pushed the door wide open, the sound echoing like a gunshot. “What the hell is this?” The room felt still. Braxton jerked back. Nancy gasped, her face lit up with innocence that was obviously false. “Vanessa…” “Don't you dare say my name,” I snapped, my voice louder than I meant as I stepped out of the room and they followed me. “What’s your name again… Nancy or what?” Nancy stepped forward, trying to reach me. “It's not what you think, Vanessa. You're misunderstanding things.” I halted. “Am I?” I clapped my hands while still laughing. “Then why are you here with my husband while everyone else is celebrating our coming baby? Tell me what I just saw.” Braxton spoke up. “What you just saw was me trying to help my business associate.” He reached out his hand. “Vanessa, please. You're overreacting.” The words hit me like I was slapped. I stared at him feeling stunned. The man who once held my hand through sleepless nights, who vowed to love me no matter what… was now standing there, calling me dramatic for catching him with another woman. “Yes, Vanessa.” Nancy nodded. “I was drunk and we were on our way to get some drinks, but I entered the wrong room. I almost stumbled and he rushed to help me… that was when you showed up, Vanessa.” “Help you? In that position?,” I laughed again, like I was almost going crazy. “You're my husband. I'm carrying your child and you're here touching her like… like I don't even exist!” I shoved him in his chest. I soon heard a gasp behind me. I looked back and saw almost everyone who came to celebrate with me now watching us. I could feel their eyes piercing through me. “Vanessa, you're making a scene,” his mother said softly from the doorway. “It might not be what you think, Vanessa… maybe you're just too sensitive.” Someone else said from the crowd. “Are you all serious right now?” I whispered at first. “Are you all serious right now?” I yelled a second time. Nancy's voice broke through. “Maybe you should calm down. You're pregnant. Stress isn't good for you.” I turned to her slowly. “You should worry about yourself, Nancy. Because I'm this close to forgetting I'm pregnant.” Her smirk faltered but that was when Braxton stepped between us. “Enough. Vanessa, please go upstairs. Please.” “Don't tell me what to do,” I swallowed hard, tilting my head as tears welled up in my eyes. “You stand there pretending to care when you've been lying to me for God knows how long.” He reached for me,aaa but I pulled back. Every pair of eyes fixed on us like a live drama. “I'm sorry, Vanessa. He was just helping me out… that's all.” Nancy shrugged. “You heard her, right. I was just helping her out, Vanessa.” He let out a deep breath. “Is it bad to help out my business associate?” He said, referring to the crowd watching us. Murmur arose and most gave him the response he was expecting. I felt humiliated and belittled. None of them were on my side. With my head lowered, I dragged my feet out of the scene.