MY CONTRACT HUSBAND IS A RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 7 - My Husband's Ex

"Alexander! You're back!"

The voice was sweet. Too sweet.

I froze in the living room.

A woman. Blonde. Red dress. Sitting on HIS couch. Drinking HIS whiskey.

Like she owned the place.

"Isabella." Alexander's voice was flat. "What are you doing here?"

Isabella Reyes. His ex. The CEO's daughter. Manila's golden girl.

She stood up and walked to him. Kissed his cheek.

"I missed you, babe. The board sent me to discuss the merger."

Babe.

My chest tightened.

Alexander pulled away. "We do business at the office."

"Oh come on." She laughed and turned to me. Her smile dropped.

"And who is this? The new maid?"

I smiled. The fake one. "No. I'm his wife."

The word felt like a weapon.

Her face fell. "Wife? Since when does Alexander Virel get married?"

"Since 3 months ago." I linked my arm through his. "Right, honey?"

Alexander looked at me. Surprised. Then his arm wrapped around my waist.

"Yes. My wife."

Isabella's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. Because the last I heard, this was all just for the company."

"Things change." Alexander said coldly.

Dinner was hell.

Isabella talked about their "memories". Their trips. The time she almost became Mrs. Virel.

I just smiled and cut my steak.

After dinner, she cornered me in the kitchen.

"Listen." She whispered. "We both know this is fake. So why don't you step aside? I can give you 5 million to disappear."

I laughed. "No thanks. I'm already getting paid."

Her face twisted. "You gold-digging-"

"Isabella." Alexander appeared behind us. "Leave."

She stormed out. But not before looking at me.

"This isn't over, Mrs. Virel."

When she left, it was quiet.

"Thank you." I said quietly. "For backing me up."

He didn't answer. Just poured himself a drink.

"Alexander?"

"What?"

"Is it true? About you and her? About marriage?"

He downed the whiskey. "The past is the past."

"That's not an answer."

He turned to me. Eyes tired. "No. It isn't."

And he walked away.

Leaving me with one thought:

If I was just a contract...

Why did it hurt so much to see his ex in our home?