Cressida: The Billionaire Heiress Returns

A year after surviving an assassination attempt, I moved to Vegas where I fell in love with Richard. We’ve been married three years now, and even though he made me promise we wouldn’t have a big anniversary till our fifth year, today was special. Richard and I had been working on a deal that could save his failing company. It took hours of late at night work, and pausing my career to support him, and today, the company had signed off on the deal, and I wanted us to celebrate. Richard had always wanted a new wrist watch. I’d seen the way he admired the one in a*****e not far from home, so I decided to get it for him. He was a good man. Flawed? Yes. But I loved him still. Lately, he’d been working closely with his secretary. She was new, and spent most days in the house with us. There was something odd about the way they worked together. They had closed door discussions in his office, and attended dinner dates and events for his company alone. I had my doubts about her, but Richard gave me his word that their relationship was strictly professional and nothing more. I stopped by a café to grab a cup of coffee. The place was quiet and barely had any customers. But I noticed a young man quietly watching me over the rim of his cup. He wore a black suit and a hat on his head that pulled low over his face. But I recognized him. “Dante,” I called, walking over to his table. He looked up at me, a playful smile lingering on his lips. “It’s been a while, Sister.” I slid into the seat across from him. I wasn't exactly thrilled to see my brother, especially not here. But if Dante had come all this way to see me, he certainly didn’t come bearing good news. “What are you doing in Vegas, Dante? We agreed you wouldn’t come looking for me again.” He smiled, taking a sip from his coffee. “Can’t I pay my big sister a friendly visit to know how she’s doing?” “There’s nothing friendly about you being here. Now out with it. What do you want?” He took another long sip, then frowned. “When are you coming home, Cressida?” Without thinking, I lunged across the table and cupped my hand over his mouth. “Shh! I told you not to call me that here. It’s Emily now, Emily Hemsworth.” He clicked his tongue. “Tch. You sound ridiculous. Hemsworth? What is that?” “My husband’s name. And don’t make fun of it.” He looked at me like he wanted to say something else, but he didn’t. The silence between us stretched, and I suddenly hated how loud it felt. “What do you want, Dante?” I asked him again, sinking back into my chair. “The last time you came, I told you I'm happy here. I've built my life here.” I hesitated, and then the words slipped from my lips. “I'm even pregnant now.” He was sipping on his coffee when the words blurted out, and he choked mid-gulp. He coughed roughly and set down his cup. “You’re what now?” I rolled my eyes at him. “Pregnant,” I repeated, quieter this time. I watched him stare at me, replicating that scornful look only our father could give, and I hated it. “Don’t give me that look,” I frowned. “Cressida, father is ill,” he began, his words leaving a heavy shock above me, “Father is ill, and he’s been stripped of his position as CEO. Just as company policy demands.” I was quiet, and a shiver ran down my spine as the room suddenly felt too cold for me to bear. Dante didn’t appreciate my silence. The frown on his face said it all. He rose up to his feet and dropped a few dollar notes as a tip underneath the cup. “You asked me why I’m here.” He paused, and looked around the café. “I came looking for Cressida Rivera, and not Emily Hemsworth. I came to tell her that her family legacy is about to be swept up by the same wolves that tried to have her killed.” He let out a deep breath and gazed at me. “Come home Cressida. Is Richard really worth losing your empire?” I still didn’t respond. I was shaken by the news of my father’s illness, and barely had any time to process his words after that. I only remember feeling his hand on my shoulder as he whispered to me. “I’m in town for the weekend. Think about what I said, and give me a call.” Dante left me alone in the café, surrounded by only my thoughts. I couldn’t possibly give up starting my own family with Richard and our unborn child for a group of business men who wanted me dead. So, I pondered telling him the truth about my real identity, and taking him back home with me. My alarm rang and I realized I was running late to meet with Richard. I ran out and hauled a taxi to the company. I was uneasy striding towards my husband’s office, and Dante’s question about his worth seemed to be all I could think of. My hands trembled by her sides, a knot tightening in my stomach with every floor the elevator climbed. I held the box containing his gift in my right hand. It was our third wedding anniversary, my husband had signed a new partnership deal, and I was going to surprise him with the news of our baby. Surely, no inheritance could be better than this. Lost in my thoughts, the soft chime of the elevator caused my eyes to blink into focus. The top of Richard's law firm was reserved for only company executives, so only a few people were around when I came. I put on my brightest smile, held my head high and walked straight to his office. The stares I got from his executives frightened me, but I clutched the gift box tight, and walked forward till I got to the door of his office. I raised a hand to knock, but decided against it. Taking a deep breath, I twisted the door knob and walked into a sight that scarred my little fragile heart. Perched atop the desk was my husband’s new secretary, her shirt unbuttoned and legs spread open while he buried himself inside her with desperate, fevered thrusts. Her moans filled the room, hands wrapped around Richard's neck as he groaned heavily. They were both completely lost in the moment, and unaware that I was standing at the door. I felt my heart tear through my chest, betrayal sinking into my bones, and then rage. Hot and blinding rage I couldn't contain. The gift box slipped from my trembling fingers and the wrist watch crashed on the floor. I wanted to scream. Wanted to run, and pretend I hadn't just seen my world crumble. But without thinking, I charged forward. My hands slammed down on Richard's shoulders, yanking him back with insane strength before my palm found his secretary’s face with a resounding slap. “Melissa you shameless b***h!”