The Billionaire's Forgotten Vow

CHAPTER 2

Vanessa's POV

My hands wouldn't stop shaking. The sound of laughter still lingered around me, following me down the corridor, mocking me and chasing me like ghosts that refused to rest.

I pushed through the restroom door and locked it behind me, pressing my back against the cold wood. My heart pounded such that I could see my chest rising and falling. I turned on the tap and lowered my head under the tap as if the water could wash away the humiliation.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and it looked like a stranger… like a broken woman painted and designed in expensive makeup and a fake smile.

The celebration was still going on. I could still hear the music playing, though distant… but all of it to me felt unreal now. .

Why had I gone back into that room? Why didn't I leave when I had the chance? I could have avoided the situation if only I had ignored the shadows.

A tear slipped down my cheek, followed by another. I let them fall this time. I shut my eyes, took a deep breath in and let it out.

And soon, my attention was caught by footsteps I heard coming toward the restroom. I kept mute, trying not to draw attention to myself. And in no time, I heard her voice.

It was Nancy. My body went still such that I was afraid to breathe.

She was laughing. That same laugh that used to make every man turn their heads. I could tell it was sweet enough to mask the bad person she was.

Then… I heard another voice — someone else was with her, maybe one of her friends. Their tone carried that gossip style of sound.

I heard them as they spoke but I didn't care to listen.

“She looked like she'd seen a ghost,” one of them said in between giggles.

And I heard Nancy laugh again. “Oh, I'm sure she has. If only she knew how long it's been going on. Poor Vanessa.”

I looked up at those words of hers and moved close to the door, my nails digging into my palms.

“Have you seen her around? I wanted to apologize again for what happened back then.” Nancy laughed again, mocking me. “Well, Braxton will come around.” She continued, her voice descending like she doesn't want someone else to hear her words. “He has no choice. Not after what we share now.”

I wanted to unlock the door and step out. But I just couldn't. And soon, I heard her utter the words… she really said it but with a whisper. “His child grows inside me.”

I froze where I stood, almost stumbling against the door. For a second, I thought I'd misheard her. Maybe it was a cruel joke. Maybe I was losing my mind. But she laughed again and repeated herself, claiming that she would never lie to her friends.

And yes, she wasn't lying… she wouldn't have said it, if she knew I was there.

Immediately, my tears stopped. The shaking did too… and all that was left in me… I could not even explain it.

I unlatched the door and stepped out before I even realized what I was doing. My heels clicked against the floor and the women turned.

Nancy's face faltered when she saw me, her legs losing balance as she staggered on her feet.

For a moment, nobody spoke. I could see her jaw twitching, her neck moving, like she was swallowing something.

Then she smiled; that awful, taunting smile you used when you wanted someone to know they'd already lost.

“Vanessa,” she said sweetly. “I didn't know you were…”

“Save it,” I cut in. My voice didn't sound like mine. It sounded like I had more authority. “What did you just say?”

Nancy chuckled, took a brief look at her friend and took a step back. “What're you talking about? What're you saying?”

At that moment, her friend hurried away, like she was avoiding the situation.

I smiled and bit one end of my lips. “His child's been growing inside you?” I said with tears rolling down my eyes.

Nancy was silent at first and in no time, she crossed her arms, pretending to stay calm, but her steps wavered. “You shouldn't make a scene, Vanessa. It's embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?” I repeated, stepping closer. “You slept with my fiance, only God knows how many times and then you told your friends you're carrying his child, and now I'm the one embarrassing myself?”

She laughed. “Oh, come on. Braxton is charming and he's every lady's dream. It got to me and I did what was necessary.”

My hand shot out before I could control myself and landed a slap on her right cheek. “You still have the guts to say that in front of me?”

She turned her head swiftly and laughed, brushing her cheek with her palm. “Don't feel too comfortable with Braxton. He doesn't love you. You were just a play thing. Something that makes him feel convenient whenever he's stressed.”

I bit down the inside of my teeth, holding on to the shred of calm that was within me. I was going to speak up when I heard a quick footstep. I didn't even need to look to know who it was.

Nancy's friend must've gone to call him, probably thinking she was helping.

“What's going on here?” He asked, looking between me and Nancy.

I turned to him slowly. “You tell me,” I said. Though my voice cracked a little, I didn't care. “Is it true?”

He frowned. “What are you talking about, Vanessa?”

I pointed at Nancy. “Tell him. Go on, Nancy. Repeat what you just said.”

Nancy's eyes darted between us. And for a second, she looked unsure. Then she dropped her gaze to the floor. And the next thing was silence, that went on, long enough to make my pulse thud.

I laughed. “So, you can't say it now, huh?” I turned back to Braxton, my chest rising fast. “Then I'll say it. Is it true she's carrying your child?”

His body went rigid. He narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned his head toward Nancy. “What's all this? What does she mean by that?”

“Don't,” I snapped. “Don't you dare act like you don't know what I'm talking about.”

Braxton's jaw twitched. “Vanessa, you're taking things too far. Whatever you think…”

“Too far?” I shouted, cutting him off. “I heard her! I heard her outside the restroom saying it herself! She said the two of you…” My voice broke but I continued. “She said she's pregnant with your child!”

Nancy straightened, tossing her hair back. “Since you want it out there so badly,” she said, her lips curling, “then fine. Yes, Vanessa. I had a good time with Braxton. More than once, actually.” She shot him a sideways glance. “And I'd love to have it again. Now, I'm carrying his child.”

My body shivered, my chest rose up. Every sound faded for a second. It felt like my mind emptied out, replaced by a buzzing in my ears.

I turned to Braxton, my lips trembling. “Say something,” I whispered. “Tell me she's lying.”

He looked at me… he really pressed on with his gaze on me, but he said nothing. And that silence of his, shattered whatever hope I had left.

Nancy stepped forward. “You know what the real problem is, Vanessa?” She paused just long enough to smirk. “You. You're the only thing standing between us.”

My blood boiled and before I knew what I was doing. I rushed toward her and slapped her across her face. The slap was hard enough to turn her head to a side and let out a gasp. But I don't care. I raised my hand again to land a second slap. But this time, Braxton grabbed my wrist.

“Stop it Vanessa!” he sighed, like I was the one who'd done something wrong.

My eyes widened as I looked at him, his hand still around mine.

“You're defending her?” I whispered, my voice shaking. “After all she said?”

He said nothing again. He just stood there, holding my arm like I was the one he needed to protect her from. And that broke me…. It really broke me.

I yanked my hand away with more force than I meant to. I stumbled and was going to bump into Nancy, but she pushed me hard and before I could get my balance, I tripped and fell, rolling down the stairs. I could hear Braxton calling my name.

The world spun, bright lights and blurred faces flashing past as I hit the ground hard. Pain shot up my back and then everything went quiet.

Though I could hear voices, they sounded far away. Someone was calling my name. Maybe it was Braxton. And the last thing I saw before everything turned dark was Braxton's face hovering over me.