The Billionaire's Wicked Proposition

Chelsea POV “There, you are set to go,” I murmured, fixing Austin's already perfect tie. He smiled, planting a kiss on my lips. “You're so sweet. What would I do without you?” he asked, staring at me with those stormy eyes I had fallen in love with. I didn't answer because today, I didn't have an answer for that. “Don't be late for work,” I reminded him instead, reaching for his briefcase and handing it to him. Austin planted another kiss on my forehead before taking it from me. “I'll be late accompanying my wife. What's better than that?” He fired back, the words followed by a soft laugh as he walked toward the door. I watched his back as he walked until his hand reached for the doorknob. Three years ago, I would have walked over and hugged him from behind. Heck, I would have done that a week ago. I would have told him that I loved him and maybe complained about him leaving me alone all day. Today, I stayed where I was. A smile on my face but something twisting in my chest. “Austin.” I called and he looked back. “What? Don't want me to go? Come on Chelsea, one of us needs to work.” He joked but it didn't land where he intended. I swallowed the lump in my throat and the question…the question I had been pondering over the last one week almost slipped out. But…I stopped myself. “Have a good day,” I said instead. Austin's smile widened. “You too, my wife.” He replied. Then he was gone. The door clicked shut behind him and I remained standing there. The house remained quiet for the seconds that passed. My eyes remained fixed on the closed door and the smile I wore earlier slowly slipped from my face. I waited until I heard his footsteps disappear down the hallway before walking to the window. I watched Austin step out of the building, check his phone before getting into his car with a small smile on his face. My fingers curled into fists as countless questions flooded my mind. Who was he talking to? The same person I mistakenly saw him chatting with? I didn't know yet but I intended to find out. I turned around, grabbed my phone, picked up my handbag and left the house. Fifteen minutes, I was seated in a quiet cafe sipping my sugarless coffee. Even as I took graceful sips, my stomach was already twisted into knots. Coffee was probably the last thing I needed but it served its purpose for the day. I wrapped both hands around the cup, the warmth seeping into my palms. However , that did nothing to stop the cold creeping through the rest of my body. Ten minutes later, the person I was waiting for strolled in. I have to admit, he looked nothing like a private investigator or at least, not the way I imagined one would. “Mrs. Brooks?” He asked, pulling the chair besides me and I nodded. He sat across from me and for a moment, he simply studied my face. For some reasons, that made me nervous. After what felt like forever but lasted less than half a minute, the guy reached inside his jacket and pulled out a brown envelope. He then placed it on the table between us and my eyes dropped to it. The envelope carried the truth…the truth that would either ruin me or change my life forever. “Mrs Brooks, before you look, I need to ask you something.” he said and my fingers curled around my coffee cup. “What?” I don't know if that came out louder than I intended out of fear or anxiety or frustration. I couldn't tell. “Are you sure you want to know?” He asked and I stared at him, annoyance finally revealing itself. “ Is that supposed to be a standard procedure question or what?” I snapped. That was answer enough for him. He sighed…then… pushed the envelope toward me. I stared at it for another second then I opened it, my hands trembling. The first photograph slid into my hand and my breath caught. Austin stood outside a restaurant and beside him was a woman, her hand resting lightly against his arm. Then I saw it…the way he was looking at her as if she hung up the moon for him…the same look he gave me throughout our three year marriage. My fingers curled into fists and I felt like someone was squeezing the life out of my heart. “ The woman is also married.” The man added and I felt something churn deep inside my stomach. Was it disgust or just anger? I couldn't tell. “ Are you sure you have not misread the situation?” The man asked cautiously. Misread the situation? Did I really? I thought back to my relationship with Austin. We grew up together then started dating in campus. Austin did everything and I mean…everything to win my heart. When my parents passed away, he was there for me…holding me through the darkest moment of my life. When I finally agreed to marry him, I was assured that I'd made the best decision of my life. For three years, our marriage was perfect…our life was perfect until a week ago when I noticed that Austin was starting to be emotionally detached during our intimacy. Against better judgement or perhaps the best decision to make, I checked his phone and that's when I saw them…flirty messages between my husband and another woman. My thoughts were rudely interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. Glancing at the screen, Austin's name flashed. I hesitated to pick it but eventually did. Austin didn't say anything important, just murmured some sweet nothings which sounded forced to me. He then inquired if I was still sleeping. Listening to him play the devoted husband, I wanted to confront him. I wanted to ask him if it was fun being double faced, pretending to be a good husband to me while flirting with another woman. Yet again, I stopped myself and hummed a response. When the call ended, I turned to look at the man, my gaze pointed. “ Keep digging. I want everything on this woman. Everything.”