Indebted to the Billionaire

Chapterone

Camelia POV

What does it feel like to be in a loveless marriage? That was how my marriage with Brady was. I loved him more than he did, but he never for once cared about my feelings towards him. He always behaved as If I didn't exist, but I couldn't care less.

I was ready to stay with him despite his harsh treatment, not to mention his unfaithfulness towards our marriage, his late nights outings, the smell of female cologne on his clothes, the suspicious messages that bops on his phone. The thought of all these shattered my heart.

I tried to confront him once, but he'd shut me down, warning me to stay out of his business.

Despite the hurt, I continued to support him, even giving him access to my finances. The memory of signing over my account to him still stung. I thought it would bring us closer, but Brady's indifference remained.

Tonight was no different. He'd left for work without a word, leaving me to wonder if I existed at all. “It was our third wedding anniversary and I decided to do something special–a small surprise to put a smile on Brady, my husband's face. I watched the clock on the wall tick, and it was 11pm.

My lips grinned side to side as I waited for him to come back from work. My heart raced from the fear of what his reaction might be, but I convinced myself…..it wouldn't be that bad, after all it was our anniversary celebration.

Finally he was here. “I heard the zooming sound of his car” his key scraped against the lock, and the door creaked open.

He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me. His gaze lingered on the dining table, but his expression remained unreadable. I forced a smile, hoping to bridge the gap between us.

“Happy anniversary, my love,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Brady's response was a curt nod, his eyes already drifting away. 'What's the occasion again?' he asked, his tone dripping with indifference.

My heart sank, but I pushed on, desperate to salvage the evening. 'Our anniversary, Brady. Three years.'

“Was today our anniversary?” he blurted out, staring at me with disgust. My heart dropped when he uttered that. He didn't even remember that today was our anniversary. “He probably forgot because he was busy with work,” I lied to myself. But deep down I knew the truth–I wasn't a priority to him.

“Hmmm…yes it is and I've prepared this little dinner so we can celebrate with it” I replied, turning to look at the carefully set table in the dimly lit dining room. The aroma of the savory roasted chicken filled the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers; It was meant to be a romantic celebration.

Let's have dinner, I said, forcing a smile out of my teeth. I know it's pretty late, but let's do that before we get some rest.

We? Brady asked, “You've been at home all day”, what exactly do you need to rest from? Or is it because of this measly feast you prepared?

Why are you getting worked up? I meant to say “so you can get some rest”. I quickly twisted my words to avoid any more dramatic responses.

A year into our marriage, I'd traded my journalistic dreams for domesticity, surrendering to Brady's wishes without a fight.Looking back, I wondered: had I sacrificed my passion for love or simply been naive? The thought stung, a reminder of the compromises I'd made."

Ring! Ring!

Brady's phone shattered the silence; The phone's shrill ring made my heart jump; and he abruptly creaked the door open stepping outside to pick his call.

Who could that be? I wondered as I sat on a chair at the dining table. My stomach growled, a sign of how famished I was, but there I was waiting patiently for Brady to join me, only for him to walk in with Maddie.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her visit. Why is Maddie here? I asked myself….

“Hey Maddie” I greeted her with a surprise look on my face . What brought you here so late?

Or did you come to see me girl? She didn't respond, her eyes twitched and her brow furrowed instead which made my concern grow.

Wait! Did something happen?

Are you fine? I asked her questions without taking a breath.

She was the only trusted person I had left after I lost my mom a few years back.

Didn't know if I should be worried or concerned about her visit; it was unlike her, she'd normally call before she comes over.

I ...needed to, she stammered.

Before she could finish her sentence, Brady came in disrupting our conversation, standing beside Maddie and gently holding onto her hands.

Is there an occasion? I blushed.

Why are you both holding hands? I asked , standing up from where I was sitting. Maybe they were just being goofy.

But I could tell from the looks on Brady's face that something was amusing him.

He also had this look when he got his first car but this situation is different.

"We're getting married, Camelia," he said, his voice dripping with smugness. "Maddie's pregnant with my child."

For a minute I snapped out of this world,

The room spun around me as I struggled to process the news. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, and my breath knocked out of me.

What's Brady saying……I'm lost here!.

Maddie, tell me it's not true," I begged, my voice shaking with emotion. "You're my best friend, my confidant. You won't do this to me!"

Tears streamed down my face as I grasped for Maddie's arm. "We've been through so much together, Maddie. You're the only person I trusted after Mom passed away. I gasped as I breathed shakingly with tears clouding my eyes. This time I couldn't control it any more and they fell like drops of rain.

Plea..se I sobbed my voice almost inaudibly.

Camelia, “it's as Brady had said” she finally spoke after staying mute.

I'm pregnant with his child she muttered holding her tummy and I love Brady Camelia.

Love? Did you just say love? It only fueled my anger.

So it was Maddie all along?

The late night calls,the strange message, now it made sense as I put the puzzles together.

How could you Maddie? I felt a knot tightening up in my stomach.

Stop acting like the victim here, Camelia, she barked! We all know that's your area of specialty, alway playing the victim card.

Brady has never loved you, and you know that!

Maddie reminded me of my pain. I never thought or imagined Maddie would do something so cruel to me, not even in my dreams!

You know what? She placed her hands on her head and gave it a gentle massage…..you know I’ve always liked Brady, yet you stole him away from me!

I was confused. This was not the Maddie I knew.

You've gone mad Maddie, I retaliated. I had met Brady while in school and I introduced him to Maddie, so what false accusations and gaslighting she was playing at.

“Camelia watch your manners”! Brady snapped, finally stepping in. Don't forget she's with my child. He sternly warned me, and she has had enough drama for the day.

" Let's get this over with Camelia. " Maddie needs a lot of rest," he said, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

I felt my heart burning seeing such a distasteful act right before me, then he stepped away for a few seconds heading for his briefcase he left on the chair and returned back with a brown envelope.

Here you go Camelia.

Sign this!

My eyes fell to the table as I stared at the envelope. What are these Brady?

They are divorce papers dummy! He smirked.

Sign them and get out of our lives, he said, throwing a pen at me like I am some sort of plague, Maddie was no different they both stood staring at me disgustingly.

I could barely feel my legs.

I felt a wave of chill running down my spine, my breathing becoming more rapid.

Divorce pap..ers? I stammered.