The Billionaire’s Deaf Wife.

Chapter 7: Realizations.

Maria’s POV

I jolted awake from yet another excruciating dream, my forehead and back drenched in sweat, tears silently streaming down my cheeks.

It was the same nightmare that had haunted me every night since that evening two weeks ago-the night I abandoned my husband and son, handing them over to the care of my twin sister.

In the dream, Isaac was always crying, sobbing in a way that tore me apart. But worse, he had found the words to call me out. In the dream, he could speak clearly, and what he said was worse than any scream.

He called me selfish.

A selfish mother.

He said he hated me for leaving. That he’d never forgive me.That Lucia would be his mother now, not me.

Then there was Elias. In the dream, he wasn’t yelling or angry. He was simply... loving her. Lucia. Holding her the way I used to fantasize he’d hold me. Kissing her. Whispering that he loved her, something I had never heard from his lips. I knew it was just a dream, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Ever since I left, I had become a shell of myself.

That first night? I cried myself to sleep.

And then cried again the moment I woke up in the hollow emptiness of my hotel room.

I barely ate. I barely moved. I just kept staring at Isaac’s picture, alternating between his and Elias'. I had sent a few photos from my old phone, now with Lucia, to the one I currently used: Lucia’s phone.

It was the only thing keeping me going.

Staring into the hollowness in my husband's eyes, and the innocent joy radiating from my son.

On days two and three, I somehow found the strength to get out of bed and find something to eat. Frankly, I was on the brink of collapse, and the idea of dying alone in a hotel room after leaving my family was enough to push me toward survival.

That was the motivation I needed to eat.

But after eating, I’d always end up back where I started, staring, crying, and dreaming.

On days four and five, I began looking for a new place to stay. I couldn’t keep racking up hotel bills I knew I couldn’t afford. I might’ve transferred all the money from Elias’ golden card into a separate account, but I had to manage it now. He wasn’t there to cover me anymore. I had to be wise.

I had to find something cheap and livable, and fast.

I contacted the real estate agent Lucia had once mentioned, the one who found her apartment back when she was squatting with other strippers. We scheduled a meeting last week, and we were due to meet soon.

On days six and seven, I began taking walks.

The confinement of the hotel room was choking me, and I was tired of crying over something that was my fault. I wandered the city, a hood over my head, oversized clothes hiding my frail frame. I might not be Elias’ wife anymore, but I was still in New York.

I was too afraid to leave the city entirely, the idea felt too final.

Besides, Elias had people everywhere. I couldn’t risk running into one.

But experiencing the world as Lucia… it wasn’t all bad. I could go anywhere unnoticed. I wasn’t the billionaire’s wife. I could speak freely.

I didn’t have to pretend not to hear the vile comments from socialites, or ignore the crude remarks from women obsessed with my husband… or from men who just wanted a piece of the deaf wife’s ass.

It was oddly freeing. But not happiness, not by any means.

I only wished Elias and Isaac were here with me… to enjoy this strange peace that came with simplicity.

On days eight and nine, I took myself on a solo date. Well, it was supposed to be solo, until a few men tried to crash it. Still, I made it through the evening, mostly on my own.

It felt good, being seen as just me for once.

Men complimented me, some harmless, others not so much.

It made me blush, but it didn’t move my heart.

That belonged to Elias, cold, distant, but still mine.

On days ten and eleven, I applied for a job at the restaurant where I had my solo date.

The owner liked me instantly, said my pretty face brought in a rush of customers that night.

Maybe he exaggerated, but I remembered at least three or four men who couldn’t stop gushing over me… and two women who chased me down for the details of the dress I wore.

It was one of Elias’ gifts, stunning and expensive, and it definitely made people suspicious about why someone dressed like me was in that part of town.

I took the job anyway. I still had a decent chunk of money, but it wouldn’t last forever. And I needed a distraction. Work helped.

During the day, I was busy enough to silence the thoughts of Elias and Isaac. But at night? At night was when I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore, the pain and self loathing being too much to bear. The pain- a wicked emotion it was; followed me into sleep, and made my dreams unbearable.

On days twelve and thirteen, I continued working. I smiled at customers, politely turned down advances, and kept my pain hidden behind service etiquette. But it hurt.

Every couple I served was a reminder.

Every couple with a son… a dagger to the chest.

Now, on day fourteen, I was finally meeting the real estate agent. We agreed to meet at the restaurant since I was still working.

He sounded friendly on the phone, so I didn’t expect trouble.

Work was routine. My coworkers, especially Ana, had become fast friends.

Ana stayed behind after close, wanting to wait with me before locking up.

It was a little after 9 p.m. when a man walked in. Tattoos crawled across every visible inch of his skin. He had piercings on his brows, his nose, and his lip. He looked tall, probably over 5’9 with broad shoulders, a muscled build, and a cocky swagger in his step.

He wore a sleeveless black leather vest over a red hoodie, black jeans sagging low, and heavy boots that thudded ominously with every step.

He looked like a gang member. And I was instantly terrified.

The restaurant was about to close, so I stepped forward to tell him, forcing a trembling smile.

But then I reminded myself, I wasn’t Maria right now. Maria the shielding, shy wife of the billionaire.

I was Lucia. Lucia didn’t cower. Lucia didn’t flinch. Lucia was a bad-ass stripper who didn’t fear thugs like this.

“Hi. Sorry to burst your bubble, but we’re closed for the night,” I called out, trying to keep my voice even, addressing his broad back as he scanned the restaurant.

He turned slowly, his face splitting into a grin that made my skin crawl.

Gold braces gleamed across his teeth, sending shivers down my spine.

“Well, well,” he sneered. “Look who we have here.”

His eyes lit with recognition, delight, and something more… carnal.

“If it isn’t the sweetest p***y I’ve ever tasted.”

My face contorted in horror. Did I know this man?

Shit… Lucia. s**t.

Did she sleep with this guy? Really Lucia!

He looked like a damn pig. A gigantic, jewelry-dripping, dangerous pig.

“I—”

“C’mon. Let’s sit. I missed you, my sweet cheeks. s**t, you’re even more beautiful now.”

He grabbed my forearm roughly, dragging me to the nearest table. I was sure it would leave ugly marks. I winced at his grip but bit my lip to keep from reacting. I tried pulling away, but he only squeezed harder.

His sneer turned feral. He shoved me into the seat, and my hip collided hard with the chair.

Tears threatened to spill, my eyes stinging.

I darted my eyes across the counter, searching for Ana. I was now genuinely afraid.

A woman alone at nighttime with an angry looking man was doomed for all shades of trouble.

Ana was somewhere in the back. Maybe on the phone with her boyfriend for the seventh time today… or worse, busy with him.

He leaned down toward me again, baring those awful braces.

“I came here to hand over a property,” he said with a growl. “But instead, I found treasure.”

My heart pounded.

“You’re the real estate agent?” I asked, voice thick with horror.

He laughed loud and long, tossing his head back. “Are you dumb, or just pretending again, sweet cheeks?”

I hated that nickname.

I hated it with every fiber of my being.

When I didn’t react, he leaned in again, this time bringing his face far too close.

I jerked back slightly, gagging from the raw-egg stench of his breath.

“You know I’m into real estate, sweet cheeks. What kind of game are you playing?”

I shoved past him and stood, my body trembling with rage and fear.

“Must’ve slipped my mind. I don’t think I’ll be needing your services anymore,” I said, wiping my clammy hands on my apron.

He laughed again, louder than before.

“Ever since you paid me what you owed, you’ve grown a pair, huh? Sweet cheeks, acting bold.”

Realization hit me like a truck. This was Travis.

Lucia’s ex. The same Travis she owed thousands to.

What the hell did Lucia get herself into?

And more importantly, what the hell had I gotten myself into?

“You seem to forget one thing, sweetheart,” he continued, totally unaware of my rising panic.

“You don’t call the shots. I do.”

My heart dropped.

“Now bring your sweet, sweet ass over here and sign the f*****g documents, Lucia. You know how I feel about repeating myself.”

His accent thickened with seriousness.

All signs of playfulness vanished.

His face darkened. He looked monstrous.

I stayed frozen for a few seconds.

The longer I didn’t move, the darker his expression grew.

Nobody needed to tell me what to do. I walked over slowly, trying not to shake, praying Ana would show up. Or that a miracle customer would walk in. But neither happened. I was alone in this.

Holding back the tears burning in my eyes, I picked up the document he shoved in front of me. I scanned the terms as best as I could despite my blurry vision.

It looked legit until it wasn’t.

Below the document, just a little above the signature line was what caused me to explode.

“It says here you’ll have access to my house whenever you want. What the hell for?” My voice rose, barely containing my fury.

That bastard didn’t even blink. He had the audacity of a gigantic pig, I’ll give him that.

“I’m still your boyfriend, sweet cheeks. Of course I’ll have access to your place.”

My mind reeled. Lucia said Travis was her ex.

Clearly, she had broken up with him, he just didn’t get the memo.

And worse… he knew I was applying for the place. He knew. And I didn’t.

Why didn’t Lucia tell me? Did she forget? Why the hell didn’t I even ask?

My thoughts spiraled. I instinctively thought of Elias- like I always did when I was cornered.

But I shoved that thought away. Elias would kill Travis.

Then he’d destroy me, for lying to him, for vanishing, for playing him. Not literally, no, he’d never lay a hand on me. But his heart?

It would break. He’d hate me.

And I couldn’t live with that.

Indifference I could bear. But not his hatred.

What the hell was I going to do?