Divorcing The Billionaire On Valentine's Day

24. Adeline

ADELINE

The phone slipped from my grip but I could care less what happened to it. There was no coming back from this. There might have been a glimmer of hope if I was some famous celebrity who could flip over scandals with one press conference, but I wasn’t. I was Adeline, a mere gold digging commoner whose father had too much of a gambling addiction to be anything but a bum. Elena Archer’s exact words, not mine.

Even being there, I almost believed what the story sold. I was a two timer, who chased after another man for his morning whilst still being married to the most sort after bachelor in town. The oversized shirt and free cargo pants, the way I leaned away, like I was trying to create space for the trays of junk food.

Grayson had been right. I should have listened to him. There was no way to denial it or turn a blind eye. Aaron had been the one to start the stories about me. How Grayson knew was beyond me, but it all made sense. How the stories always kept trying to chip Aaron in when Grayson was the business mogul.

I needed to leave. Jay would be at the bakery, Kris was supposed to be too, but she was more an assistant who strolled in to help once in a while than a partner or co-owner. She had spent the entire morning knocking at my door non-stop. I knew she must have seen them, she was always online and I didn’t want to talk about it. What was that going to do? What has that ever done for me?

I blocked the notifications, plugged in my earbuds and left the house before Kris could rush to the sound of my door opening. The sun was scorching, but it didn’t matter, staying home with nothing but my thoughts to keep me busy was worse.

Addicted by Zerb played on repeat, the electric background was distracting, just what I needed as I took the back road and began my walk. I had no target in mind, I just knew I needed to walk it off. There was nothing I could really do about it. I wanted to confront him, but if Grayson had been right about him starting the blogs, he had to be right about him being broke.

Unshed tears stung the corners of my eyes, blurred my vision. I blinked furiously, urging them to go back in. I was not going to cry for someone that would do that to me.

Despite my best efforts they slipped down my cheeks freely. I took the chance with Aaron because I thought he was the better man. He was supposed to be my fantasy come true, I didn’t even need him to be generational wealth rich, just enough to get himself by, I could have sorted myself, but I must have really had fool written on my forehead because all he say was a ticket to his five seconds of fame.

I swiped at them angrily. What was I crying for? It was like I learnt absolutely nothing for the past five years. First, it was my father who offered me on a platter to Grayson. Then, it was Grayson who proposed a contract marriage and couldn’t even have the normal human decency to treat like a fellow human. And now, it was Aaron who probably only ever got with me to boost his stupid acting career. I hope he freaking falls off the stage and land flat on his face!

The back road was usually less crowded, just what I needed. I couldn’t stand the thought of people, who knew what they saw. I kept my head low as I bee-lined for the nearest tree.

I squatted to the bottom of the first tree I saw, the shade it provided more than needed.

I gasped, sucked in air through my teeth and then forced it back out. I was winded and I hadn’t even noticed. I stayed there for only heavens knew how long.

There was nothing to do but look around to make sure I was alone and nurse the ache in my chest. It wasn’t like I had been in love with Aaron or anything absurd like that, it’s just the feeling of being used like that, it felt like a spider had crawled it’s way up my arm and then jumped into my ear.

My phone buzzed in my hand. I flipped it over to be sure who was calling. Kris. I ignored it and shoved it back face down. I loved her and loved how she wanted to make sure I was okay most of all, but I didn’t want to have that talk. It only made it harder to deny how stupid I had been. The signs were right there, the entire time, but like a love strung fool, I fell for it still, hook, line and sinker.

It vibrated again and I let my curiosity win. Kris. Again. I flipped it back and ignored. I rested my head against the trunk of the tree and just enjoyed the moment, it wasn’t much, but it peace.

My phone buzzed again. For the third time. I didn’t bother checking. I just swapped it to ‘do not disturb’ mode.

Grayson hadn’t been the most caring, heck, he was almost emotionless, but at least he didn’t try to use me for anything other than being his son’s nanny, that would have been mostly harmless if it wasn’t the reason I had to quit school at the time. Working two jobs and being a full time nanny didn’t quite mix well with school hours. It was either that or starve and leave mum to suffer too because she had been unfortunate enough to marry my sperm donor.

The sun had began to lose its intensity by the time I felt calm enough to go back home. It wasn’t even my home. I was supposed to divorce Grayson, start school, my savings were supposed to help us survive while I got a better paying job, I was supposed to date, meet someone good and start my life like I should have five years ago. Somehow, I was not only back where I started, but it was like things had gotten worse.

I sighed and pushed off the tree. I couldn’t run away forever. The walk back home was much quicker and I l even though I wasn’t in a better mood, I was at least thinking with a clear head.

“Where the hell did you go?! You had me worried sick!” Kris pounced on me the moment I stepped through the door. She turned my face from side to side, her eyes inspected every inch of it, “why weren’t you answering your calls, did you lose your phone? Was it stolen? Say something!” She rushed, the worry in her eyes sent guilt straight through me.

“I’m fine!” I raised my hand in surrender, but my eyes kept drifting to the figure behind her. What was he doing here?

“Well, if that’s the case,” she suddenly smacked my shoulder.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I whined, forcing my eyes to stay focused on Kris.

“That was for ignoring my calls when you know how worried I get. I was just about to call Jay to file a missing person’s report!” I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Kris was always so dramatic, it was funny most times though.

“I was out for barely three hours, Kris.”

“Yes, and you apparently think it’s still a wise choice to go outside without letting anyone know where you’re running of to with all the serial killers running loose out there.” She planted a hand on her waist.

I raised both hands again in surrender, “I’m sorry, I’d write a full letter next time.”

She rolled her eyes, then her gaze softened when they settle on the corner of my eyes and I knew what she was looking at. The dried streak of tears.

“Do you feel any better?” She guided me to a couch, opposite the one he was seated on. He hadn’t said a word. I guess Kris could tame anyone.

“A little yeah.” I said truthfully. I knew the hurt would never go away, but at least a pinch of the weight on my chest had been lifted.

“I’m so sorry for convincing you to set up that stupid profile and go on that date, I was jus-”

I covered her hand with mine before she could finish. I knew Kris only had my best interest at heart. If she hadn’t thought it was the best choice at the time, she wouldn’t have pushed for it.

“You need a change of scenery then.” He finally spoke, pulling both our attention to himself.

“No.” I argued just as quick as Kris said, “I think it’s a good idea.” I knew stalling wouldn’t change the outcome. It was just reflex to say no when Grayson was involved.

“You would be protected in the house, you’d have Johnny to keep you busy and I would take care of the rest.” The way his eyes darkened when he said he would take care of the rest sent shivers down my spine, but I would rather not know.

“Fine. Give me a few minutes to grab a few essentials.” I nodded, too tired to fight him. The harder I fought, the more in s**t I fell in. I would just grab a few things for a few days. Jay wouldn’t like the fact that I left without letting him know but I would call him and explain.