Surrendering To My Billionaire Ex

002

My heart pounded hard against my chest, threatening to break free and end whatever nightmare I was stuck in. I was trying my best not to scream, but I ended up wheezing as it felt like my lungs were being crushed.

“Are you alright?”

My vision tunneled, and all I could see were flames; a burning rage seizing control over me.

"Penelope, are you alright?”

My eyelids fluttered until I zoned back into reality. Sebastian’s face was an inch away from mine, the warmth of his breath kissing my cheeks. His forehead was buried in frown lines and his eyes roamed over my face.

“I’m alright.” I mumbled, taking a step back as I suddenly felt ashamed. My eyes darted back to the crowd where the ghost from my nightmares stood.

"No," I shook my head franticly as I struggled to believe my vision. For the first time, I wished I was schizophrenic.

Ryker had made his way through the pews and was at the center of the aisle, his muscular arms clasped firmly together. The flashes of the camera went wild and almost everyone had their phones out to capture the moment.

I shut my eyes tight and then reopened but he was still there.

"You can't be here." My voice cracked as tears welled up in my eyes. "Not today, no."

I felt a strong hand grab my arm. It was Sebastian, and his eyes were no longer animated and calm. He looked vicious.

A shiver ran down my spine as my body became stiff under his hold.

"Do you know my brother?"

I shook my head franticly as tears trickled down my face.

His eyes did not leave mine, and i knew he could tell I was lying

“Hello brother.” Ryker broke in, his voice echoing in the cathedral.

Sebastian drew me aside and stood in front of me. “I'll handle you later." He muttered, his voice laced with a threat.

Sebastian stomped down the stairs with his hands balled into tight fists. While he was considered a tall man, standing next to Ryker made him look small.

“Why are you here?” Sebastian snapped, his voice booming aggressively.

Right from young, the rivalry between the halfbrothers was known to all residents of Ravenport. Sebastian, the younger, legitimate son who never got into trouble. And then there was Ryker, the bastard son who had his first mugshot at the age of twelve for beating up bullies in his middle school.

Ryker had always been the black sheep of the Wellington family. The one who parents advised their kids to stay away from. It was no surprise Sebastian took over the company while Ryker was obviously more interested with the underground mafia dealings of the family.

Ignoring the question, Ryker beamed with a bright smile. “You look great, brother. Now that father is dead, I’m sure you have enough money to waste on w****s and drugs.”

I heard a low growl from Sebastian’s throat, and I knew that couldn’t be anything good.

“You haven’t answered my question.” He snarled, balling his fist tighter. “Why are you here?”

“Is that how you welcome your brother?" With a smirk stretching from his mouth, there was no trace of fear on Ryker's face. No remorse either.

This was a game to him. Coming in here to ruin my wedding after nearly destroying my life. This was all a joke to him.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, those honey eyes drifted towards me.

My heart jilted, forcing a quiet gasp out of my lips. I held my breath, refusing to look away. He still had those piercing deep set eyes, dark and icy enough to drain one’s soul from just staring.

“Hi,” He said.

My teeth bit harder into my bottom lip as I fought against the vile words that hung loosely to my tongue. Father would kill me if I lost my temper. And I still couldn’t forget that my seven year old son was seated in the crowd, watching his mummy. I couldn’t let my anger ruin my chance of having a better life.

I accepted defeat and I averted my gaze to the floor, feeling the tears sting at my eyes.

My cheek burned and my knees became weak and wobbly, struggling to hold me up on my feet. I wished I could close my eyes and open them and this would be one of my daydreams.

“Look at me—”

Ryker took a step towards me and that was all it took for Sebastian to lose his cool. He stomped towards his brother with a raised fist, muttering curses under his breath.

Like a pause in time, Sebastian stopped abruptly and slowly looked down. I watched his hand lower and then I noticed red dots aimed at his chest and entire body.

From the crowd, over thirty men in suits and dark shades covering their faces rose to their feet, bearing armed machineries.

The crowd broke out into a roar of screaming and crying, but no one could leave the cathedral as another set of armed men blocked the entrance.

A smirk formed on Ryker’s face and it made my stomach churn. I looked at the crowd and spotted my son, crying out ‘mummy’ with glistening eyes. Marie held onto him tightly and nodded her head to assure me they were both fine.

My gaze found Ryker's. His smiling eyes were fixed on me, so passionately as though I was the only one that mattered.

I hated him so much. I wanted to hate him even more.

The silly look in his eyes and the arrogant smirk that crossed his face any time he did something cruel, that was the exact look that had won over my teenage heart.

“Ravenport is my town.” Sebastian hissed, his face about five inches away from Ryker’s.

With a mild shrug of his shoulder, Ryker whispered but his voice was raspy enough for everyone to hear. “Not anymore.”

I could feel my throat turn bitter and I stared back at him. I hoped he could see the hatred in my eyes. I hoped his skin burned from my gaze and that he felt wretched for betraying me. Heaven knows I wanted nothing more than to watch Ryker suffer, even if my heart wasn’t convinced yet.

“If you’re here to fight for the inheritance, it’s too late.” Sebastian fumed, walking even closer to his brother.

Ryker patted his shoulder and smiled. “I don’t need daddy’s money to be rich. I have mine.”

My throat constricted as a wave of anger surged through my veins. The lock on my tongue broke free. “Then what do you want?” I blurted out.

The crowd turned to me and I instantly regretted speaking.

Ryker smirk grew wider and his hands reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a brown envelope which had an official red seal on it.

“I’m here to collect a debt, love.” He declared, straightening his jacket that fitted him perfectly as though it was sculpted to his skin.

Flicking his finger, he tossed the envelope at me and it fell on the floor right at my feet.

Ryker smiled at his brother. “Sorry for bashing your wedding. You can carry on.”

Without another word, he turned around and walked away. His mob trailed behind him, silent and deadly, and within seconds, the cathedral was rid of the threat.

Yet no one dared speak.

Sebastian cleared his throat and then motioned towards me to pick up the envelope.

I had no idea what could be there but I had a gut feeling it was not good.

Could he possibly know about Elvis? My eyes darted to my son. He was cradled safely in Marie’s arms.

I had told nobody of Elvis’ true father apart from Marie, and I trusted her with my life. It was impossible for Ryker to know about our son.

Reluctantly, I crouched to my knees. The feeling of the envelope against my fingers sent an icy trail down my spine. I could smell Ryker all over it. His rich cologne that stank of money and power.

Breathing heavily, I summoned courage to flip the seal open, and I pulled out a folded white paper. It was a document with the Wellington’s name and symbol on it. Father’s name was also written and his signature as well.

At the bottom paragraph of the document was my name written in red, and next to my name was an amount of thirty million dollars.

I swallowed hard, my throat drying out.

“What’s in it?” Father stammered,

snatching the document from my hand. As soon as he read it, his face was washed off color and became pale.

“What does this mean?” I queried, my mind juggling a million and one thoughts per second.

Sweat beads creased along his hairline. “You’ve inherited our family’s debts, Pene.” He said with a small voice, unable to look at me. “You owe the new Mafia boss.”

My body became stiff and brittle, like if someone hit me, I could scatter into a thousand pieces.

Retrieving the document, my eyes scanned through it until I saw the last signature on it.

“R. Wellington.”

I owed my ex thirty million dollars.