I'm Over You, My Billionaire Ex

The river water was ice-cold and merciless, enveloping my body with its icy grip. I thrashed desperately, my limbs flailing helplessly, but the more I struggled, the deeper I sank. My lungs burned. Screaming for air, I was on the verge of suffocating. I'd come to the riverside, hoping to drown my sorrows in alcohol. But out of nowhere, someone had pushed me from behind, sending me plunging into the river. In the dim light, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was my best friend, Kaitlyn. "Kaitlyn, is that you?" I could barely believe my eyes. She smirked maliciously, her voice dripping with venom. "Yes, it's me. I've been waiting for this moment for so long. Your husband, Benjamin? He's been mine for a while now. Your money, your family, they'll all be mine soon enough!" It was then I realized that the person who had been plotting against me all along was her. "But why, Kaitlyn? Haven't I always treated you well?" I asked, anger and sorrow mixing in my voice. "Who do you think you are? You were always just a stepping stone for me." She sneered, her tone sharp and cruel. "Once you're gone, I'll take over everything. Goodbye, my dear Alice!" With that, Kaitlyn turned and walked away, leaving me struggling in the frigid river. In a daze, I thought I saw my deceased grandmother reaching out to me. I was about to take her hand, ready to give in to the darkness, when I suddenly remembered. 'I couldn't die. I had unfinished business. My children...' I bit down hard on my lip, the pain jolting me back to reality. I summoned every ounce of strength I had left and cried out for help, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Help... Help..." Suddenly, I felt a strong grip on me, pulling me up and out of the water with one swift motion. I gasped for air, coughing violently as my lungs fought to expel the water. My vision was hazy, but I made out the silhouette of a tall figure standing before me. The setting sun cast a golden glow around him, almost like a halo. "I'm Ian," he said in a lighthearted tone, flashing a heroic pose. "Don't worry. You're safe now." "Alice..." I managed to whisper, my voice weak. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I got a better look at the man who'd saved me. Ian stood there in a bright windbreaker, looking handsome and full of energy. His gaze fell on my soaked clothes, my thin shirt clinging to my curves, the fabric pressing tightly against my chest, especially highlighting my breasts under the wet fabric. He swallowed hard and then quickly composed himself, seemingly pulling out a vibrant jacket from nowhere. Draping it over my shoulders, he grinned. "Put this on, beautiful lady. You don't want to catch a cold." With surprising ease, he scooped me onto his back, his tone playful. "Let's get you home, shall we?" I clung to him, feeling the firmness of his muscles beneath his clothes, his body radiating warmth. Before leaving the house, I hadn't had time to put on proper undergarments. Now, as my chest pressed against his back through the wet fabric, I felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation growing stronger with each step. When we arrived at my shabby rental, I was horrified by the scene that awaited me. The place had been ransacked. Anything of value was gone, and the rest was left in chaotic disarray. My legs gave way beneath me, and I started to fall, but Ian was quick. Ian steadied me but inadvertently pressed his hand... right on my breasts. "Ah!" I gasped, my body jerking in surprise. Ian recoiled, his hand pulling back as if he'd touched something scalding. "Uh... Sorry about that! You okay?" I slid down the wall, my knees giving out as I crumpled to the floor, tears spilling down my cheeks. Between sobs, I told Ian everything about the life I'd lost, the husband and children I'd once loved, and the betrayal I never saw coming. Kaitlyn's meticulously planned scheme took everything away from me. Now, I was drowning in debt, with no husband and no custody of my three children, and she'd tried to kill me by pushing me into the river. "For a moment there, I thought my life was over..." I choked out, my voice shaking. "Thank you for saving me." Ian listened intently, his expression shifting from shock to anger as he heard my story. His brow furrowed, his fists clenched, and he looked like he wanted to fight for me right then and there. Finally, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a delicate seashell necklace. "Here," he said, offering it to me. "A friend gave this to me once. She said it brings good luck, and I think you need it more than I do right now." After giving me the necklace, Ian had to leave, but his warmth lingered. The necklace wasn't fancy, but it felt comforting as I held it in my hands, a strange sense of peace settling over me. After a moment, I carefully placed it around my neck, feeling its cool weight against my skin. I began to pack what little I had left, preparing to leave. I had a sinking feeling that the burglary had something to do with Kaitlyn, and this place was no longer safe. As I rummaged through the mess, I found my grandmother's will. Inside its folded pages was something I'd never noticed before. It was a deed to a small house in a town called Harbor Town in Feretah. At the same time, a photograph slipped out as well. It was of my grandmother in her younger years, and around her neck was a necklace, one identical to the one Ian had just given me!