THE BILLIONAIRE'S UNDOING

Episode 2 DON'T MOVE

Elizabeth propped herself against the headboard and read a book. Abruptly, the bedroom door swung open, her husband walked in.

Before she could utter a word, Jake pressed his lips to hers, the smell of alcohol mingling with the rain's freshness.

"Don't move." In a thick, persuasive tone, Jake commanded, his cold hand slid under her skirt, pressing firmly against her resisting leg.

She allowed him. Not like she had the energy to fight anyway. She was not ready for that so she allowed him.

She emitted faint, distorted noises. Knowing how much it annoyed him, she increased her volume.

At her sounds, Jake frowned and placed his hand over her mouth.

Being silenced, Lizzy found another way to annoy him as she clung to Jake's muscular arm, her grip desperate as if anchoring herself in a tumultuous sea.

She was overwhelmed by the time Jake released her and headed for the shower. But he did not enjoy himself either. She was pleased.

Moments after Jake disappeared behind the bathroom door, his phone on the nightstand came to life.

Out of reflex, she glanced at it and saw a new message flash on the screen. "Jake, I'm sorry, okay? Can you stop going back to your mute wife every time we fight? It's really hurting me."

The light faded from Lizzy's eyes. She realized she would never master the art of playful scolding or tender grievances shared softly in the quiet of night.

She could only produce fragmented sounds to show her displeasure.

Through the frosted glass of the bathroom window, she could see Jake's tall silhouette. She averted her gaze quickly.

Jake was carelessly drying his damp hair, looking down at her with a dismissive stare. "Did you just look at my phone?" he asked.

Lizzy tensed, shook her head swiftly, and instinctively denied it. She wanted to clarify that it was an accidental glimpse.

But Jake's patience had worn thin. He declared icily, "Don't touch my phone again."

She forced a smile, biting her lip as she nodded. Jake's love was not hers to claim.

For five years that they had been together, which includes their one year of marriage, Lizzy had never overstepped, even now when she was fully aware of Jake's affairs, yet she remained silent, fearing he would find her bothersome.

Taking a deep breath, she gestured to fetch a glass of milk for him. Without the courage to meet Jake's indifferent gaze, she hastily exited the room.

Behind her, Jake picked up his phone and dismissively deleted the message without even checking its content.

Lizzy got up early.

Jake, notorious for his picky eating habits, had a delicate stomach.

So she had developed the habit of meticulously preparing his breakfast every morning.

As Jake walked down the stairs, the first thing that caught his attention was his wife, bustling about the kitchen.

The strings of her apron accentuated her slender waist, while faint hickeys lingered on her neck from the night before. She was the epitome of gentleness, always serene and avoiding making a fuss, truly an exemplary wife.

A subtle softening touched Jake's usually impassive features. He broke the silence. "Let's have breakfast together."

Overjoyed, Lizzy nodded vigorously and signed her gratitude. Or at least, she pretended to be.

Elizabeth had sworn to herself that she would have one marriage and she would make it work. Thank had been her vow on her wedding day. Evidence of a broken home.

Her mother married twice and she had sworn never to follow in that woman's footsteps. That was why she had remained in this godforsaken marriage. They hadn't even passed the five-year Hallmark of marriage and it had already fallen apart. So she learnt how to pretend.

She removed her apron and seated herself carefully next to him, closer than they'd ever been.

Jake passed her a sandwich, which she accepted with a cautious, grateful smile.

In a nonchalant manner, Jake mentioned, "Tomorrow is my brother's baby hundred-day celebration. You should come with me."

She nearly let the sandwich slip through her fingers in astonishment. He seldom invited her to public gatherings. Yet here he was, asking her to join him for such an occasion. Her eyes flickered with hesitation and conflict.

A trace of reluctance crossed her expression, unnoticed by Jake.

Nonchalantly, Jake added, "I'll have my assistant drop off some clothes tomorrow and pick you up at noon."

"I can pick up my own clothes!" She snapped.

"Sorry sweetie. There's just a really beautiful dress. Actually there's four of them that I got for you. And I'd like you to wear one of them. Sorry if it came out sounding like an order. I'm sorry baby," he apologised, rubbing her fingers carefully.

This was the problem. This minute, he was a good husband. Twenty minutes from now, he was the w***e of Babylonia.

Lizzy had no other option but to agree.

Jack's family held immense influence in Arcpool, and his brother Tom, the eldest son, was celebrating his firstborn's hundred-day milestone with a lavish affair.

Tom had reserved a premier hotel for the occasion, now buzzing with excitement.

Lizzy, dressed in a beige gown complemented by subtle makeup, looked radiant. Her fine features and bright eyes made her the center of attention.

However, the gazes that swept over her were critical, not admiring.

"How fortunate she is! She married so well. Why can't I be that lucky? Yet she is still without a child! They say she's good with words."

"And what good is talking to you? Can you evoke sympathy the way she does?"

"What are you implying?"

"People call it luck, but it's all calculated. You should learn from her!"

Lizzy inwardly protested, wanting to disappear. Yet, she knew her silent rebuttal fell on deaf ears.

"Elizabeth, there you are! We've been waiting for you."

A sweet, melodious voice filled the air. It belonged to her sister-in-law, Melinda, who was cradling her baby and smiling warmly at Kallie.

"Come hold the baby for some good luck," Melinda urged. "You and Jake have been trying without any news. It's time to pick up the pace."

All eyes suddenly fixated on Lizzy, sharp as knives. But she didn't mind. She picked up the cooing child. She loved babies. Plus it wasn't her fault that her husband preferred to kiss people's wives in the dark that make babies of his own.

Melinda continued, "Look, no one blames you for your disability. But sweetness alone won't suffice as a wife. How can you meet your responsibilities if you can't bear children?"

However, she was abruptly stopped by another hand. Her mother-in-law, Shirley, quickly took Melinda's baby away.

"This child is healthy. We can't let her risk being affected by bad luck or sickness once you hold her."

Lizzy's heart sank. She tried to explain that it wasn't that she couldn't bear children. The thing was...

The crowd murmured in agreement, "Exactly, we must think of the children's well-being!"

She felt a cold dread. If she couldn't have children, then surely that woman could? She wasn't as infertile as Melinda implied. She had once fallen pregnant unexpectedly.

However, Jake's attitude coerced her into having an abortion. However, she owed this family no explanation whatsoever.

So Lizzy dropped Melinda's baby. And then she gracefully walked out of their party, dialing her lawyer's number.

She was finally ready to file for that divorce.