My Billionaire Ex-Husband is On His Knees

LAUREL’S POV A smile curved my lips, happiness bubbling in my belly as I stared at my perfectly made-up face in the mirror of my dressing table. My husband will surely be delighted to see me looking this beautiful. Today was a happy day, a special day for us. We were celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary. Frank Sterling, my husband and I married right after college. We were so in love and couldn’t wait to take our relationship to the next level, not minding what anyone, including our families, said or thought. Ever since we got together, our lives have felt like a dream come true. Frank was not only hardworking and success-driven, which propelled him to become one of the country’s youngest billionaires, but he also knew how to take good care of a woman. I’m happy I married him. Happy we get to spend the rest of our lives together. For our fifth wedding anniversary this year, I decided we celebrate it a little differently. I wanted us to recreate our first-ever date. It wasn’t easy planning it but the reward will be worth more than the stress because I know he will like it. I wanted it to be a surprise for him so I asked him to come back early from work but he wasn’t back yet. He was running close to an hour and a half late now and I wondered what could be keeping him. I picked up my phone and called his number severally but it all went straight to voicemail. A sigh escaped my lips but I tried to keep myself from worrying. Maybe something important came up at work or he had to stop by somewhere to get something for the celebration. I’ll just wait a little longer for him. Grabbing my phone, I got up from the dressing table and walked to sit on the bed. I opened my gallery app, scrolling through some of our pictures together when the door swung open and Frank walked in. “Honey, you’re back!” quickly and excitedly, I got up from bed to welcome him. Frank had a striking presence, tall with broad shoulders, thick black hair, a charming face and piercing blue eyes. He was very irresistible, especially in his CEO attire. I love seeing him in that attire. “What took you so long?” I asked as I hugged him affectionately and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You weren’t picking up my calls or responding to my texts. I was starting to get worried.” Frank always returned my kiss and embraced me like I was the only one that mattered in his life. But today, he didn’t. It left me confused and worried. He shifted away from me like I was making him uncomfortable. My brows furrowed as I stared at him, wondering what the problem could be. Maybe he had a bad day at work. Though I wasn’t involved in his work business, I knew how stressful it can be at times. “Frank, what’s the problem?” I asked emphatically, ready to do anything to cheer him up. “Did you have a bad day at work today? Don’t worry okay, everything will be fine. I have planned a surprise for you tonight. I’m sure you’ll love it.” I wanted to give him a comforting hug but he quickly stepped away like I was a virus, leaving me extremely confused, my heart breaking in my chest. “I’m not in the mood for surprises, Laurel,” he said coldly. “Cancel whatever plans you have made for our anniversary because we’re not celebrating it. I need you in my office right now. I have something important to tell you.” For him to cancel our anniversary celebration plans coupled with the stern expression on his face, it was clear this was something serious. And I also noticed he was holding a brown envelope. What was in that envelope? My pulse began to throb erratically in suspense. I didn’t like the direction this was heading. I wasn’t comfortable with his sudden change in character. In all our years of being together, he has never treated me so coldly. So indifferently. He has never cancelled our anniversary celebration plans. He always looked forward to it. Looked forward to the gifts we were getting each other. “Honey, you’re scaring me,” I muttered, my voice breaking. “What happened…what’s the problem…whatever it is, we’re in it together. We will find a way to solve it like we always do…” “You’re wasting my time, Laurel!” He snapped, causing me to flinch in fright. “In my office now! I have nothing to say to you here. Please, don’t call me honey again. It’s irritating to hear. And don’t keep me waiting. I don’t have all the time in the world for you.” He angrily marched to the door and left, not caring to look back and see how much his words and attitude were hurting me Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes but I tried to blink them away. I didn’t know what happened back at his workplace but whatever it was, it must have had a negative impact on him for him to be treating me this way. I was so downcast and heartbroken but I managed to change into my nightwear, packing my hair into a hairnet and removing the make-up I worked so hard on which was all for nothing. I didn’t want to make him angrier by keeping him waiting in his office. I couldn’t believe I had spent almost an hour getting ready for our anniversary celebration only for this to happen. He didn’t even look at me for more than five seconds or at least compliment me on how beautiful I looked. It pained me to the bones knowing I had to cancel our plans for tonight. But I had hoped we’d settle whatever problem that was causing this and have time to celebrate our anniversary tomorrow or next. I made my way to the hallway that led to his office. He saw the need to set up a small office at home to work from due to the movement restrictions that came with the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, he rarely used it, the more reason for me to believe this matter was something extremely serious and urgent. We were incredibly wealthy. Our mansion, a luxurious modern duplex, was located in the most exclusive neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Despite having a team of servants at our disposal, I always took pleasure in cooking and caring for him because I loved him deeply and wanted our marriage to flourish. We have never had any issues since we married and I wanted it to remain that way. He is the only man I have ever loved and will continue loving till the end of days. We started dating from the time we were freshmen at college. During that time, Frank opened up to me about how his parents could barely make ends meet and was struggling to pay his and his siblings tuition fees. He had to take multiple jobs to sustain himself and it took a toll on his health and academics. On the other hand, my parents were very wealthy and influential, owning multiple business enterprises across the country. Being the only child, surely my parents had enough to spare. Due to the love I had for Frank, I managed to convince them to cover his tuition fees and help his family which they did. After we got married and my parents passed away, Frank convinced me to transfer ownership of all the assets and wealth I inherited to him, which I did. Though my family lawyer advised me against it, I loved and trusted Frank with all my heart to hand over everything I owned to him. Right from the time I knew him, he was passionate about venturing into business while I wasn’t so interested in it. We agreed on him doing all the work while I stayed a housewife to take care of the kids when they started arriving. I liked the idea and was glad I could help him achieve his business dream. Gently, I knocked on the door of his office room. But there was no response so I gently opened it and entered. Frank was seated behind his desk in silence. He didn’t bother to acknowledge my presence as I came in. I noticed his jaw was clenched tight, a defiant look on his handsome face as he was looking away. My heart thumped as I sat down, an apologetic look on my face. “I’m here hon…” He scowled at me, a reminder of the warning he gave me never to call him honey or any sweet name. “I’m sorry Frank,” I apologized with a forced smile. “I’m here. What is it you wanted to talk about?” I asked as I adjusted awkwardly in my seat. Without saying anything, he handed me the brown envelope. “What is this?” I asked in confusion as I collected it. “Stop asking silly questions and just open the damn envelope,” he answered harshly. My heart clenched painfully in my chest as I kept asking myself how it got to this. What I have done to deserve this harsh treatment from him? Reluctantly, I opened the envelope and took out the piece of paper inside. Shockwaves rippled through me and my eyes threatened to fall out on seeing DIVORCE AGREEMENT boldly wri tten on top. “Frank… W…what is this?” I managed a voice, my heart beating to my hearing as I looked at him. “I want a divorce.”