BILLIONAIRE REGRET: THE WIFE HE IGNORED

CHOSEN

Maria’s POV

“What do you mean by divorce?" He grumbles with an intimidating voice, I tremble.

I never question his instructions or do anything to annoy him. But today, that line crumbles. I square my shoulders, raise my chin, and stare right into his eyes without wavering.

“You heard me right. I am dumping you," I say with a sharp voice, no remorse, no hesitation.

His gaze flickers, and then confusion befalls his features. He takes a step closer me to, trying to hold my arm. I withdraw, keeping the distance.

I have made up my mind. Since I am no more than a polished trophy wife, he doesn't deserve to keep me either.

“What's wrong? You don't mean that, do you?"

"I meant every word, Nelson," I say firmly.

He grabs his hand over his face, exhaustion evident under his eye bags.

“Tonight's dinner, I had been occupied and couldn't make it..."

His voice goes silent in my ears as I mute him off.

Excuses upon excuses.

“Is that why you escorted your ex back to a five-star hotel?" I cut him off.

He raises his brows,“Is this what this is about?"

“What do you mean? Is this what this is about? You were at a hotel with Lucy Parker when you were supposed to be with me!" My voice raises to a high thick pitch fused with anger.

“It was our anniversary. I waited at the restaurant," I say, tears blurring my vision as my emotions start to pour over the place. "I waited for hours." My lips tremble as I speak. “I just...I just wanted to have a nice dinner and a cool evening watching the city lights..." I mutter, my voice choking from the frustration that was building up inside me.

“We can reschedule the dinner if you desperately want to eat out," he says as if it meant nothing.

His nonchalance fuels my anger. Driven to let out the emotions I had pent up for so long, I screamed. He startles, staring at me like I had gone crazy.

“Desperately," I quietly mumble after him. I start to laugh, wiping the tears that roll down my eyes. “I was desperate to eat out, but my appetite is gone. I want a divorce…desperately."

“You don't have to be overly dramatic because of a simple dinner. Look, I will buy you flowers, expensive gifts, an island. Whatever you want, name it," he blurts out, flaunting his money.

He doesn't get it. I laugh at myself, realizing that he never cared. After all, his inheritance is all that matters to him.

“Keep your expensive gifts to yourself." I roll my box past him, heading towards the door.

“You don't have to do this," he mutters behind me. "If you leave, there is no going back." His tone changes to a threat.

I feel so frustrated that I wish to yell and curse at his face. How can he be so dense? It was infuriating and stupid at the same time. I can't believe I loved for so many years without my feelings being reciprocated.

At first, I thought getting close to him was a necessary step. Later, feelings would follow as we live together. I can remember the day we signed our marriage contract. How excited and overwhelmed with joy I could die from being called Mrs Winston.

I can remember following him around, trying to keep him company, and endeavored to fill my presence at every corner of his large and empty mansion.

Looking around for the last time, I realize I had worked so hard to make it possible. In the end, I am the one losing.

“I never thought you were this heartless, Nelson. In my next life, I will make sure we don't cross parts," I say over my shoulder before opening the door and rolling my box out.

A hand grabs my arm. It stings so hard that I wince at how tight he is holding me.

"So you are abandoning me?" He scoffs as he pulls me to him. Our bodies almost crash into each other. “If you leave, have it in mind that you are betraying me, and that counts as you being a traitor," he audaciously says with a firm voice that makes my blood boil.

“You betrayed me the day you left your heart with your ex. I am done being a substitute, a trophy wife you flaunt around at parties. I am done being your second option when you get home. I have made my decision, and my lawyer will be in contact with you." With that, I withdraw my arm from his grip and proceed towards the foyer.

Descending the stairs, I feel the weight in my heart lessen. He doesn't chase after, just watching, shocked that the woman he always had by his side is leaving him.

A white Maybach pulls up at the driveway. Knowing who had sent it, I get into the car without glancing my soon-to-be ex-husband goodbye.

Once we are out of his compound, I let out a heavy sigh. It took a lot of might not to break down. After all, he was my first love.

Lost in my thoughts, I don't realize when we arrive at our destination. Until I hear a cheery familiar voice.

"Pum Pum, I have missed you so much!" Rita, my best friend opens the door and jumps on me with a bear hug.

"I have missed you too." I slightly smile, trying to mask my sad mood.

But Rita knows me like a book. She quickly senses the off vibe and pulls back to search my face with a frown.

“Did something happen? Is it Nelson? Did he hurt you again?" She queries. I shake my head, knowing she would flame up if I tell her about everything.

“Don't lie to me, Maria Crawford. I have known you for years to detect when you are telling the truth or not. So be honest with me. What did he do to make you to make you this distressed?"

“We are getting a divorce," I reveal calmly her eyes widen as rage consumes her pupils.

“He dares to divorce you!" She raises her voice to a cutting edge.

"No, no, no. It's not like that. I am the one divorcing him."

Rita's lips form an oh as she falls silent.

“That serves him right. I have never been a fan of his since you married him. He has no idea how much of a gem you are," she boasts, trying to lighten my mood.

I chuckle as she rants on, bad mouthing Nelson at every chance she got.

My phone vibrates on my lap, causing Rita to go silent. An unknown caller flashes on the screen. Rita and I exchange glances, thinking it would be Nelson.

I don't answer at first ring. But the second time, I picked up the call and put it on loud speaker for us to hear.

“Miss Crawford?" The voice sounds unfamiliar. It couldn't be Nelson.

“Yes, you have got the right person," I respond.

“We received your application at our Beauty Academy. However, getting in contact with you has been difficult. My boss has an offer to make." He switches the line, forwarding the call to his boss.

I forfeited the beauty academy years ago. How is it possible they still want me?

“Hello," another voice speaks through the phone. His voice was much deeper than the first caller. "Miss Crawford, would you like to take the position of the COO of Adventi Beauty?"

"What?"

“We have been trying to reach out to you after we evaluated your product idea submission. It passed the evaluation, and you have been selected as the COO of our company. May I ask…"

“Yes," I say, interrupting him. "I accept the offer."

“Congratulations, Miss Crawford. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Good night." He ends the call. Both Rita and I burst out in joy, celebrating the new victory. This is my chance to start a new life and fulfill my dreams. I won't let it pass me again.