The Billionaire's Intertwined Affair

Chapter 2

"You look absolutely radiant, Regina," I was greeted by some of the guests, their voices filled with admiration.

I forced a smile, acknowledging their presence and attempting to play the role of a blushing bride, even though my heart felt heavy with unease.

Mrs. Benitez, a graceful woman with silver hair, approached me with a warm smile. "You resemble your late grandmother so much, my dear. She was a woman of elegance, just like you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Benitez," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. Though her words were kind, I couldn't shake the feeling of disconnection, as if I were merely an actress performing a role in someone else's script.

From a distance, my father watched my every move, his gaze penetrating and demanding. He had made it clear that I must not disappoint him, that this marriage was an essential part of his plans. The weight of his expectations settled upon my shoulders, suffocating me with each passing moment.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

A group of distinguished business tycoons approached, their stature and success evident in their confident strides. Their words of congratulations mingled with the sound of clinking glasses and lively chatter, enveloping me in a whirlwind of celebration. Kiro's hand gently found its way to the small of my back, a touch that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You two looked so perfect for each other," remarked an elderly gentleman.

I was so bored with the series of non-stop greetings.

Kiro played his part flawlessly, acting the role of a doting husband-to-be. In this sea of influential figures, I had no choice but to go along, for there was no escape from the intricate web that had entangled us.

The beach wedding was an intimate affair, in line with my father's wishes. He had carefully curated the guest list, inviting a select group of influential individuals from the realms of business and politics. Some had traveled from distant lands to witness the union of two families bearing the weight of illustrious names. The presence of the media added an extra layer of scrutiny, ensuring that the event would be immortalized in the public eye, its significance reverberating far beyond the sandy shores.

A curious voice broke through the surrounding conversations, directing its inquiry toward Kiro and me. "So, what are your plans after this wedding?”

Kiro took the lead, responding with a confident smile. "We will be celebrating our daughter's birthday before embarking on our honeymoon. Due to a flight delay, the celebration has been rescheduled for tomorrow."

A frown creased my forehead, a sign of brewing discontent. If Kiro believed that I would acquiesce to his plans for a honeymoon, he was sorely mistaken. I had no intention of following his lead blindly, especially when my heart whispered of secrets yet unveiled.

"I will send a special birthday gift for your daughter tomorrow. Wishing you both the best of luck and a prosperous marriage."

After bidding farewell to the guests, we retired to the hotel. The weight of the day settled upon me, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. There was no joy to be found on this day. If given a choice, I would have preferred to rest and find solace in sleep.

Quickly changing into more comfortable attire, I sought relief from the burdensome garments. As I moved about the room, my eyes caught sight of a drawer. This hotel belonged to the Villareal family, and with the large portrait of Kiro adorning the wall, it was safe to assume that this was his room.

I wasn't aware of his sentimental nature until I stumbled upon a photo album within his drawer. It was filled with pictures of him and a young girl. Judging by their affectionate poses, she must have been his childhood sweetheart. I had no intention of confirming it with him, as I had no interest in such matters. My focus lay solely on unraveling my true identity, for I sensed that I was not the Regina I appeared to be. I was not content with the life I currently lived.

The next morning, I awoke early. It seemed that Kiro hadn't slept in this room, as it appeared exactly as I had found it the previous night. Shortly after, the doorbell rang, interrupting the stillness. I opened the door to find Kiro's hurried housekeeper, who seemed eager to convey something to me.

"Madam Regina, aren't you going to get ready? Your daughter, Ayesha, is already at the airport. Their car will be arriving here in about half an hour."

I couldn't explain why I felt a tinge of excitement. Perhaps seeing the child in person would confirm whether she truly belonged to me, even though I had no recollection of her whatsoever.

"The makeup team is also on their way to assist you—"

"There's no need to have them come. I can manage on my own," I interrupted, cutting off her words.

The housekeeper's face reflected her surprise. "Are you sure, Madam? You personally selected the makeup team from abroad to attend to you on every important occasion before. Don't you remember that?"

I fell silent for a moment at her statement. The mere sight of those makeup products the other day irritated me. I despised having anything applied to my face. Moreover, the weight of the makeup felt suffocating. I doubted my father would become angry if I refused the services of my makeup team. Besides, I was in my right mind now, and my personal life should no longer be interfered with.

"Yes, I will take care of myself," I replied firmly.

"Alright, Madam. Just call if you need anything, alright?"

I nodded in response.

After the elderly housekeeper left, I began rummaging through Kiro's closets in search of something to wear. There were women's clothes there that I didn't particularly fancy—besides lacking in fabric, I disliked the colors: red, green, and yellow. With no other options, I settled on one of Kiro's white long-sleeved polo shirts, which felt comfortable against my skin. I paired it with fitted jeans and black stiletto heels with a two-inch height. The outfit turned out well, fitting me just right.

As I stepped out of the room, everyone was busy preparing for our daughter's surprise celebration. The food was ready, a large cake adorned the scene, and the birthday setup looked stunning.

"Madam Regina, is there anything else you'd like to change?" an event organizer asked me. I couldn't comprehend why they needed my opinion when everything had already been arranged.

I could see how preoccupied Kiro was with the ongoing preparations. I observed him with a furrowed brow, appearing to scold one of his staff members. Unbeknownst to me, I must have been staring at him for too long because when he noticed my gaze, he approached me.

"You've woken up late. Is there something you want to eat?" he asked in an affectionate tone, but I knew it was merely a pretense, especially since some of the household staff and event organizers were currently watching us.

"No, I'm fine. Is Ayesha arriving soon?" I redirected the conversation, causing him to glance at his wristwatch.

"Yeah, probably in ten minutes." I nodded and glanced around, feeling embarrassed by the grandeur of the surroundings, yet I hadn't brought a single gift.

After a while, I found myself gripping the table tightly as the surroundings began to spin. Waking up from that two-year coma was truly a miracle. I remembered clearly what the doctors had told me—even though I was awake, I would still experience consecutive headaches and dizziness, requiring me to undergo monthly check-ups.

"How are you feeling? You should have stayed inside our room and rested," Kiro's voice became muffled as I struggled to hear him. He held onto both my arms to support me.

I wanted to brush his hands away, but I didn't have the strength to do so. My body was too weak, and I couldn't protest as he lifted me and carried me to the bedroom. Once we arrived, he gently lowered me onto the bed. My vision was fading, and I could no longer make out his face.

But before I lost consciousness, I could feel the tight grip of his hands on mine.

"Mom... I miss you so much," I suddenly woke up, still in Kiro's room, and the only voice I heard was that of a crying little girl. It took a few seconds for my vision to clear again. That's when I saw Ayesha's innocent face, filled with intense longing.

"Mom, how are you feeling today?" she asked, tears streaming down her cheeks.

A surge of unfamiliar emotions welled up within me as I attempted to sit up. When I cupped her face in my hands, her crying only grew louder. I held her close, lifting her onto the bed before embracing her tightly.

"Shh, baby... Don't cry. Mommy is here beside you. Mommy won't leave anymore," I reassured her.

Despite my lingering doubts, I was given a profound reason to stay by Kiro's side. Since the day I regained consciousness, this was the first time I felt a unique joy in my heart.

Ayesha broke free from my embrace and held my hand tightly. "My classmates always bully me because I don't have a mom. Can I introduce you to them?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with hope.

I smiled and nodded. "Yey! Don't worry, mommy. Daddy and I will do our best to take care of you so you won't get sick again."

She repeatedly kissed my cheek, overflowing with joy. Seeing my daughter's smile felt utterly priceless. Suddenly, all the weight on my chest vanished, replaced by the overwhelming love she bestowed upon me.

Having a second chance at life wasn't a mistake after all, because I was incredibly fortunate to have her.