DEAR BILLIONAIRE EX HUSBAND, IT'S PAYBACK TIME.

CHAPTER.2

CHAPTER 2

TWO YEARS LATER

EMMA.

The shrill ring of my phone snapped me from the yoga exercise I was doing. I sighed and went for the phone. Seeing my sister's name on the screen, I sluggishly picked it up.

“Hello?”

I could hear her grunt from the other end. “Little b***h!”

“It’s been years, and you wouldn’t even call your own family?”

Her voice was always reminiscent of our mother’s—filled with authority as if she had given birth to me, but she didn't.

“What is it now?” I questioned, rushing to grab a can of water. I needed to stay hydrated to keep my shape in check.

“You need to come home for my anniversary.”

I almost choked on the water I was drinking.

“Uh-uh!” she scolded. “No is not an option, Emma. I need you there, and that is all!”

With that, she ended the call.

……

As I cat walked with confidence, my luggage beside me in the airport lobby, I scanned the area in search of Ivy or Doris. They were supposed to pick me up at the airport.

When I didn’t spot them, I sighed and sat back on the couch in the lobby. I was just returning from Spain. I had a variety of countries I could have visited when I left New York, but I ended up choosing Spain. France, London, Australia, and a lot more were on the list, but actually, I didn’t really choose it. It was the effeminate airport receptionist who chose it for me when I arrived at the airport two years ago.

I could still remember how I narrowed my eyes when I heard that effeminate voice say, “How may I help you, ma'am?”

I smiled and casually asked him which country he would love to visit if he had the chance, and he said Spain without stuttering. That was how I ended up in Spain. And lest I forget, I’m actually a smart lady and graduated university with a second-class upper, so it was extremely easy for me to get nice jobs with mouth-watering offers.

Well, I didn’t plan to come back to New York just two years later, but my sisters forced me to return since Ivy, my older sister, was having her twentieth marriage anniversary. I slowly took off my dark shades to get a clearer view. A lot hadn’t changed in my hometown; it seemed to be just as it was exactly two years ago when I left and bid this place—and the pains it caused me—goodbye.

I wouldn’t have come for this damn anniversary if it didn’t also fall during the Christmas holidays. Perhaps let’s just say I’m back to celebrate Christmas with the only family I have left.

About thirty minutes later, I picked up my phone and dialed Ivy’s number. I hated these girls; they had a way of riling me up and bringing out the worst in me.

“I'm very sorry, sweetheart, but Damian won't let me come out,” she said. There was an annoying, sheepish laugh at the end before she continued.

“It seems like he's having some nostalgic moments from our honeymoon, and he just keeps getting horny every day.”

I forced a smile, trying to remain the calmest I've ever been. “Oh, okayyy… that is fine. I'll take a quick cab. Enjoy, sis.”

My lips pulsed into a disappointed sigh. She takes every minute to rub it in my face that I don't have a partner at thirty-two. Well, who cares?

I picked up my luggage and strutted out like it was really the runway. I hailed a private cab…... .don't ask if I have enough money for that. I'm a manager of one of the biggest oil magnates in Spain, and I'm paid well. I have nobody to spend it on,no kids,no friends so I'd rather spend it on myself.

And I have proudly been doing so. I took a first-class flight and paid for a new whip I'd use to cruise around once I got to New York.

As I settled into the car and it zoomed off, I relaxed my head and fixed my eyes on the window. I needed to see things so I wouldn't think too much of him. Being in Spain made me feel like it had been ten years, but back in my hometown, I could feel the wound was still fresh.

After a rough ten-minute ride, the driver came to a halt, and I quickly exited the car in front of the biggest mall in New York. I needed to buy some goodies for my nieces and nephews, or I'd have to face their wrath.

But as I raised my gaze, my eyes flickered to the advertisement in Times Square! My eyes grew wide as I saw pictures of Carlos Forbes, my ex-husband, all over the banners on display.

What the f**k is happening??

It said, “Carlos Forbes, owner and CEO of Carma Tech Company, the new face of tech. The Messiah of tech.”

My lips pressed together, trying to suppress the gasps threatening to escape. I was at a loss for words and just stood there in awe. For a moment, I didn’t know if I was being stupid, but I felt so happy for him. I mean, at last, he was able to achieve his dreams. It’s something beautiful to see—or was I overthinking it?

Flipping out my phone, I quickly scanned the QR code in front of one of the banners, and it took me to Carlos's biography. My jaw dropped open in shock when I saw how much he had managed to achieve in such a short time.

“Emma?” That familiar voice that makes my heart flutter every time snapped me from gawking at my phone, and I raised my head to find Carlos standing in front of me. He looked as handsome as ever, his hair swept back in an Italian style, his blue shirt clinging to his body like a second skin, and his deep dark features accentuated by the color of his eyes.

“Emma?” he breathed again, staring down at me in shock. I tried so hard to muster a little smile, if anything a sarcastic one, so he wouldn't see the old, young, and naive Emma he used to know.

“Oh, Carlos Forbes,” I smiled. “How have you been doing?” I asked, not because I gave a damn about him.

But instead of answering my question, he rushed and pulled me into a hug. For an instant, I thought I was going to break in his embrace.