THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX IS BACK

CHAPTER 1 NORA'S POV I sat across from Vanessa in the city park. Her nonchalant demeanor irritated me as she took a slow sip of her orange smoothie, the same way she always did when she wanted to get under my skin. I stared at her, barely able to contain my frustration, before finally breaking the silence. "Did you seriously drag me out here just to waste my time?" I wasn’t in the mood for games, especially not with her of all people Vanessa leaned back on the bench with a smirk on her lips. "Calm down, Nora. I just thought we could have a little chat, you know like best friends do." Her voice dripped with insincerity, and I scoffed at her audacity. "Best friends?" The words tasted bitter on my tongue. "You really think that after what you did five years ago, we could ever be friends again?" The memory of her betrayal flooded my mind making my blood boil. I still didn't know why I had agreed to meet her, even if it was in a public place like this. Vanessa rolled her eyes, clearly unbothered by my anger. "You're still holding on to that? Nora, that was three years ago. It’s time to let go." Her dismissive tone only fueled my anger, and I had to fight the urge to lash out. "You betrayed me, Vanessa. I’ll never forget that." My patience was wearing thin. "Now, just tell me why you called me here. I have things to do." I glanced at my watch, feeling the minutes slip away. Ethan would be home soon, and it was my responsibility to ensure everything was perfect for him. Vanessa sighed as if my urgency was a burden to her. "Fine, if you're in such a hurry. Want a smoothie?" She casually offered me the cup she was drinking from, her tone almost mocking. I stared at the cup, a frown creasing at my forehead. "No, thanks," I replied her coldly. "Just get to the point." Vanessa smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, how cold," she muttered. I checked the time on my phone again, I didn’t have time for her games. "If you have nothing to say, Vanessa, I’m leaving," I said to her standing from the wooden bench. "I can’t waste my time on you when I have a husband to care for." "Is it the same husband who can’t keep it in his pants when he’s around me?" Her words were a cruel punch to the gut, freezing me in my tracks. I turned back slowly, my eyes narrowing into slits. "What’s your game here, Vanessa? Are you trying to create a rift between me and Ethan?" I couldn’t believe a word she said, not after everything she had done. Vanessa leaned back on the bench, her smirk widening. "You know, he always liked the fact that you were such a dutiful housewife. But that doesn’t mean he’s faithful. Men like Ethan, they get bored. They need excitement." I took a deep breath, refusing to let her see how much her words affected me. "You have no idea what you're talking about," My voice wavered despite my efforts to stay strong. "Ethan loves me and we have a good life together." Vanessa’s laugh was cold and mocking, sending chills down my spine. "You think cooking his dinner and keeping the house tidy is enough? Wake up, Nora. Men like him need more than a Stepford wife." "Stop it, Vanessa," I warned, my voice shaking with barely contained anger. "I won’t let you poison my mind with your lies." "Lies?" She chuckled darkly. "You’re so naive, Nora. It’s almost sad." With a dramatic sigh, she reached into her bag and pulled out a folded document. "Take this," she said, tossing it onto the bench between us. I looked at the paper, my heart pounding in my chest. "What is this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I picked up the document with trembling hands, my mind racing with possibilities. "Did your thyroid examinations come out positive?" I couldn’t resist throwing the insult, desperate to maintain control of the conversation. Vanessa’s smile widened, and I saw the satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Why don’t you take a closer look, Nora? It’s not my exam results. It’s an echograph." My heart dropped as I unfolded the paper, revealing an ultrasound image. The name at the top of the document made my blood run cold. Vanessa’s name. And the date…. it was recent. "This can’t be real," I whispered, my hands trembling. "You're pregnant?" Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with triumph. "Yes, Nora. I’m pregnant. And guess who the baby belongs to?" "No! it can't be… you're lying." My voice cracked as I stared at her, willing myself to stay composed. "You probably fabricated these reports to create chaos in my relationship with Ethan." I knew Vanessa could be that malicious. She had always been the type to manipulate and deceive to get what she wanted. "Ugh! You really are that dumb," Vanessa sneered. "Let me give you a reality check. A few months ago, didn’t you notice how Ethan’s work schedule suddenly became more demanding? More flights, more meetings, working through weekends and holidays. Oh, and last Christmas… where do you think he was?" She leaned in closer, her eyes boring into mine. How did she know all of that? My heart raced as the pieces began to fall into place, though I desperately tried to deny them. It couldn’t be that Ethan was cheating on me with Vanessa… of all people. "You’re lying, Vanessa," I insisted, clinging to the last shred of hope I had. "You’re just jealous and bitter that five years ago, Ethan chose me instead of you." Vanessa chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You really think that’s what happened? That he chose you because he loved you more?" Her tone was dripping with condescension. "He settled for you, Nora. You were the safe bet, the easy choice. But men like Ethan, they always come back for what they really want." A cold shiver ran down my spine as her words cut deep, making me doubt everything I thought I knew about my marriage. "Ethan isn’t like that," I insisted, though my voice sounded weak even to my own ears. "He wouldn’t do this to me." Vanessa’s smirk grew wider, her eyes glinting with malice. "You’re so naive, Nora. Do you know how many times Ethan has complained about how barren you are? How you’re incapable of giving him the family he wants?" The tears threatened to spill, but I refused to give her the satisfaction. I wouldn’t break down in front of her. "You’re vile, Vanessa. If you think this is going to break me, you’re wrong." Vanessa leaned in, her gaze piercing into mine. "Why don’t you confront Ethan about it? Take the medical report with you. I haven’t shown him the results yet, so be a good girl and tell him for me. You should probably divorce him while you’re at it and leave the country." I clutched the ultrasound image tighter, my resolve hardening. "I will," I said through gritted teeth. "And when Ethan realizes the mistake he’s made, he’ll come back to me." Vanessa laughed, the sound echoing ominously in the quiet park. "We’ll see about that. Good luck, Nora. You’re going to need it."