The Billionaire's Runaway Heiress

Chapter 3

Nicholas POV

“Nessa, I’m talking to you. What the hell is going on here?” The man who just appeared demanded. I sat up slowly and Vanessa grabbed my shirt that lay behind her. There was a lot of tension and judging by the look of it, they seemed to be in a relationship. The woman beside him was dressed like a bride which helped my put two and two together.The corner of Vanessa’s mouth lifted in a sardonic smile. “It’s called moving on.”Vanessa met his gaze, her chin lifting defiantly despite the tremor in her hands. “You wanted me out of your life, David,” she said, her voice cold. “Well, congratulations. I’m out.” It wasn’t my place to pry, so I stood there silently, with an expression unreadable as I casually got dressed. "Really, Vanessa?!” David barked, his voice grating. “You couldn’t even wait a day to w***e yourself out?” His eyes darted toward me, but I stayed silent, observing. Turning to me, Vanessa said with a little smile on her face. “I told you my day was just terrible, so here is my supposed-to-be husband, David” she said, gesturing at the man, “and the woman who replaced me on my wedding, Kylie, who he claimed was his cousin,” she pointed at the lady.I couldn’t hold back the amused smile from showing on my face. “Oh?” “Give it a rest, b***h. I won’t pretend to be nice now that we’re not in the chapel anymore.” Kylie said, stepping forward, “You’re nothing but a w***e. A filthy, ungrateful w***e! You embarrassed yourself in front of so many people, daring to wreck our wedding but instead, it’s your image that was ruined.” She held David hand. “My husband says you’re dirty poor and have always been dependent on him. Now, let me tell you that me and David have been close since we were kids and you were nothing but a pastime.”I looked at Vanessa whose fists were clenched.David’s voice was still very sharp as he stared at his face life lovingly, they looked like a match made in heaven. "You're unbelievable, Nessa. I knew you were pathetic, but this?" He gestured toward me, his hand trembling with fury. "This proves it. I’m glad I never walked down the aisle with someone as shameless as you,” he spat, his tone laced with venom. Kylie’s voice rose, shrill and accusatory. “Honey, I guess the rumours were true. She’s just a leech.” She added. A desperate little parasite pretending to be something she’s not. How dare she call you a gigolo!" Vanessa’s face at this point paled at their words. She straightened her shoulders, but I could see her trembling beneath the defiance she tried to project. Vanessa’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, but her voice wavered. "You don't know anything about me, Kylie. Stop pretending you're better than anyone else.""Oh, sweetie, I don't have to pretend," Kylie sneered, stepping closer, her designer heels clicking against the hardwood floor. David, clearly not done, stormed over to the coffee table. He grabbed a stack of papers, he tossed them in Vanessa's direction. The pages scattered across the floor like fallen leaves. "Those are divorce papers," he spat. "Sign them and get out of this apartment before I throw you out myself. We might have just done a court wedding in secret, but I want to make this official."Vanessa glanced down at the papers then at David with a contemptuous expression. “Give it to my lawyer. I refuse to say anymore to the likes of you.”David suddenly moved, his hand rising as if to strike her. That’s when I decided I’d step in. With a swift step forward, I caught his wrist mid-swing. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I said, my voice calm but firm.David turned to me, his fury redirected. "And who the hell are you to tell me what’s enough? This is my business."I didn’t answer. He didn’t deserve one.You should be ashamed of yourself, he added.Funny as it sounds, his attempt to hit me was pathetic at best, swinging his free hand toward me. I sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing his shirt and flipping him onto his back with enough force to knock the wind out of him, and David found himself flat on his back, gasping for air. I straightened, brushing imaginary dust from my imaginary sleeves. “Next time you try that,” I said, looking down at him, “you’ll be leaving in an ambulance or two. Maybe even without the use of both legs.” Kylie let out a shrill scream, rushing to David’s side as he struggled to sit up. “You’ll regret this!” she hissed, her eyes wild with fury.“Will I?” I asked, raising a brow.She scrambled for her phone, her manicured fingers trembling as she dialled. “Security! Get these people out of here!” Vanessa tugged at my sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nick, please, let’s just go before this gets worse. This isn’t worth it."I gave her a sidelong glance, my expression neutral. “Relax,” I said simply. I didn’t move, keeping my gaze locked on David as the apartment door swung open. Two security guards entered, their expressions stern and professional. Kylie pointed at us dramatically."Throw them out!" she barked. "Both of them! Now!" The guards exchanged a glance before turning to me. Their postures shifted immediately, straightening as they gave me a polite bow. "Sir," one of them said and bowed respectfully. “Is everything alright, sir?”Kylie’s mouth dropped open. David struggled to sit up, his confusion evident. I gave the guards a slight nod toward them. “These two are disturbing the peace,” I said. “Escort them out of the building.” “Wait, what?!” David sputtered as one of the guards grabbed him by the arms. "Do you have any idea who I am?""No," I said, my voice dry, "I can’t bother remembering the names of bugs."The other guard gestured to Kylie to use the door. "You’ll regret this!" she yelled. Vanessa stood frozen, her wide eyes bouncing around. “Wait,” she called out as the door closed behind them. “You’re… their boss?” I shrugged, moving toward the exit.She stepped in front of me, her voice quieter now, and with a mixture of shock and gratitude on her face, she said. "Nick... I—thank you. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you… for stepping in." Without meeting her gaze, I walked past her toward the door slowly. "Don’t mention it. It was quite the spectacle, though." Not waiting for her response, I turned and left, my footsteps echoing in the empty hall.The cool night air was a relief as I slid into my car and drove in silence. But my mind wasn’t still. It replayed the events in the apartment, not because of David’s pathetic display, but because of Vanessa. She was still as fiery as I remembered—proud and stubborn. My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced at the screen before answering.“Where are you?” The voice was sharp and demanding. “You’re late,” I said, my tone icy. A woman’s voice responded, shrill and impatient. “I’m at the location, Nicholas. Waiting to sign the papers. Where are you?”“I’m not coming,” I said bluntly.“You’re not—Nicholas! You can’t just—”“I can,” I interrupted, my tone sharp. “And I have. One thing I hate more than incompetence is lateness. We can’t continue with the marriage anymore.”“Do you know who my father is?!” she shrieked, but I ended the call before she could finish bragging and toss the phone onto the passenger seat. My thoughts drifted back to Vanessa as I drummed my fingers lightly on the steering wheel. Her face flashed in my mind, the way she looked at me with a mix of desperation and gratitude. Silence filled the car once more. Vanessa didn’t recognize me. How could she not recognize me? Had I been so insignificant all those years ago? My jaw tightened as he turned onto a quieter street. So she had rejected our engagement plans years ago without bothering to know what I looked like? Only to give her heart to a man as worthless as David Lorraine? But it didn’t matter now, not anymore.A slow, deliberate grin spread across my face as I thought of her boldness tonight—she seemed like a headache. If Vanessa Sanders didn’t want to be my bride back then, she would simply become something else.My property.I smiled to myself, gripping the steering wheel tighter. I loved women who had a little fight in them.