My Billionaire Husband's Regret

CHAPTER 5

I stormed out of the house, my shock still hung on me as my mouth still opened ajar even while I trotted forward. Taking the next available taxi, I was at Crustark at exactly 4:58 PM.

Immediately I alighted from the taxi, an enormous black limousine drove towards me, "I'm Jude, and I'll be driving you from here, ma'am. Please hop in," he said.

My hands pressed against my chest as the news washed over me again. My father's investment made years ago had just yielded returns hugely. 'But why after his demise," I pondered.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt the weight of my bittersweet experience. My father was no longer alive to share in my joy. Memories of my father flooded my mind still, causing me greater invisible pains. A mixed feeling of happiness and sadness settled on me. My face, a combination of smiling and frowning, was a testament to my confusion.

Soon, the car came to a halt. My heart pounded against my chest as I alighted from the car.

The cool evening breeze cascaded my skin as I leaped forward, waving my hands in return to several security personnel who welcomed me, and also gave me a sense of safety. As I walked, torn between sadness and gratitude, my heart felt like a battleground. Suddenly, I saw cameras flying across my direction, all focusing on me. The journalists threw several questions at me, but I wasn't ready for that.

I pondered on how fast my life had changed in just one day. The news of my pregnancy. My father's death. And now on the road to becoming wealthy.

I had gotten so lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize we had gotten into the magnificent building that was afar some moments ago. "Hi, Mrs. I'm Albert, the CEO of Gravsbinch Logistics. Please have your seat while I get the necessary documents," a man in a gray suit said to me, his thick voice sending shivers down my body.

Albert looked sternly at me, as if examining my identity, then he said, "Here's a post- dated check of Five million dollars. We sincerely apologize for the delay, it would take seven business days before we finalize the transaction. "

The tension in my body was visible in my face, my eyes blinked non stop, my hands shook uncontrollably, and my heart beats escalated into serious pounding, I raised my brows as if to say, "And after seven days?"

He continued, "It would be ready to be cashed."

I grinned, "Thank you so much Mr…. "

"Albert," he completed. "We look forward to seeing you soon while you make the best out of this golden opportunity. Thanks for your time, Miss." He flashed a warm smile in return as I handed the document over to him.

As I emerged from the enormous building, the peaceful atmosphere casting a contrast to the conflict I fought within, the weight of my father's passing ate me up, yet the massive inheritance from his long forgotten investment pacified my sorrow. I thought about the pregnancy, and Alfie's decision of divorce. My life seemed to be like a line, interwoven between joy and sadness.

Journalists swam around relentlessly, their cameras and microphone focusing on me.

"Ma'am, how does it feel to be on the road to becoming a millionaire?"

"Did you expect this sudden turnaround?"

"What are your plans for the future?"

The questions seemed like a stab in the chest, causing my heart to ache in return. 'If only they knew I'm not yet a millionaire and the conditions attached to it.' Just then, my phone rang. Alfie's name flashed on the screen, making my heart skip a beat, balls of sweat gathered on my forehead as I struggled within myself to decline the call.

As the sun peeped gently, casting warmth on my skin, I stood still, torn in between disbelief, grief and optimism. Just a few hours ago, I was a poor girl, who could barely think of how I would survive, but suddenly, my late father's fortune was about to change my life.

As I walked away from the enormous building doubt crept in. What do I really know about managing millions? The world felt heavy on my shoulders.

“Hey, you!” a voice called out suddenly, disconnecting me from my thoughts. I turned to see a young but older lady, a thin line of desperation drawn on her face, “That check doesn’t belong to you!”

“What?” I stammered, confusion flooding my mind. “This is my inheritance! My father left it to me!”

The woman stepped closer, her eyes fierce. “I am the rightful heir! I’m the long-lost daughter of Mr. Lawn. Hand it over!”

I shook my head, backing away. “I don’t believe you! My father never mentioned anything about you to me."

“Of course he wouldn’t!” she spat, anger evident in her face. “He thought I was dead, but since I am alive, nothing can change the fact that I deserve what’s mine.”

As the tension intensified, I felt a surge of fear. “You can’t take it from me. I was the only child of my father. I do not know you.”

The woman’s expression twisted into something dark. “Oh, but I can, brat. You have no idea what I’m capable of." She sprang forward, sending a deafening slap across my left cheek, and her hands reaching for the check. I struggled to keep the check away, enduring the pain which accompanied the slap and trying to run

Just then, a sleek black car pulled to a halt beside me, the driver’s window rolled down to show a man with a sympathetic gaze. “Get in now. It’s not safe here!” he shouted.

I hesitated, glancing back at the lady who was still advancing towards me, her eyeballs darting in fury. With my heart pounding, I made a quick decision, not considering anything else at the moment, not even the

screeching sound made by the bones in my legs, or the pain I felt as my muscles contracted, I hopped into the car. The door slammed shut behind me, and the driver sped off, leaving the chaos behind us.

A sudden sense of relief washed over me. “Thank you. I… ” I began, but the driver cut me off.

“Don’t say anything, yet, Amelia. Just hold on,” he instructed, his voice steady but urgent.

'How come he knows my name?' I cussed silently beneath heavy panting.

As we raced down the street, I felt uneasy, as the cold breeze washed over my bare body. “Wait, who are you? Where are you taking me?” I questioned.

The driver glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “Somewhere safe. You wouldn't want to be mixed up with her.”

My instincts screamed, an indication that something was wrong. “I don’t even know you. What if you’re working with her?”

He chuckled quietly. “If you really think she’s the worst of your problems, then, you have no idea what’s coming.”

Immediately, the car veered off the main road, heading into a dark, bushy part. “What are you doing? This isn’t safe." I screamed amidst panic.

“Trust me, Amelia. I'm sure you want to know the truth about your father,” he said, his voice low and cold. " I’m the only one who can show you.”

He had barely completed his statement when the car came to a halt, my heart sank.

A still, low voice cut through my inner ears. "You are trapped."