The Cold Billionaire In My House

2 The Ring Returned

DANIELA’S POV

I stood in front of the mirror, checking if I looked presentable enough to make Emiliano reconsider his decision. Fear tightened my chest. I didn’t know what would happen at the wedding, but I’d made up my mind. I was going.

I remembered the funny stunt my homeowner pulled on me last night, and it lightened my mood. "Hey beautiful, can I drive you into your bedroom?" Those were his words.

He reminded me of Emiliano. I snapped back to reality and I picked up our wedding band from the bedside table. It slipped from my hand and landed on the pillow where Fabian was sleeping. He looked peaceful. He always reminded me of Emiliano, same eyes, same lips.

That resemblance made it harder to forget him.

I never got the chance to return the wedding ring. Emiliano forced me to sign the divorce papers and threw us out of the DEO mansion after Ruiz, Fabian’s twin, was killed in a hit-and-run. That same day.

I didn’t fight back. The family lawyer, whom I was close to, prepared the divorce letter himself. He quietly advised me to leave without noise or escalation. I followed his advice. It was clear he’d been compromised.

Sometimes I wondered if that lawyer practiced law or witchcraft, the way he disappeared after signing. One minute he was promising me safety, the next he was gone like free Wi-Fi during an exam.

“You want to attend that wedding, don’t you?” Putella said from the door, arms crossed.

“When did you start coming in without knocking?” I tried to sound light, heading to the kitchen to check what I was cooking for Granny Emilia and Fabian.

She ignored my jab. She’d probably seen me through the window. Her body language said everything. Putella was against me going.

“I’ll stay with Granny and Fabian till you return. But I don't think I support this. I’m only doing it as your friend,” she said, making her displeasure clear.

I walked over and hugged her tightly. I could feel her pulse, and I could understand.

“My heart is heavy. I need to drop his ring and say a word to him. I can’t do it once he’s fully married. I will be back in two days,” I explained.

She gradually hugged me tighter. “I understand. Be careful,” she said, patting my back. Her hug lingered long enough for me to think: if hugs could pay bills, I’d be a billionaire.

“I kept my movement from Emilia; she wouldn’t have approved. Please, you know what to do,” I said, holding her gaze.

I heard Fabian’s little footsteps coming. “Please take care of my people, especially Granny. Her meds are beside her food. I have to go.”

If Fabian saw me, he’d delay everything. But I trusted Putella to take care of them.

THE WEDDING PARTY

_____________________

The sound of the wedding went down to Third Street. Even on an Uber, I could hear the MC’s voice and loud music. A tightness spread through my chest, my heartbeat suddenly loud and sharp.

“We’re here,” the driver said. “I know,” I muttered.

I asked how much. “Twenty euros,” he replied. I gave him the money, stepped out of the car, and he sped off without a word.

“Fermin had left 1,700 euros before traveling. Between that and the groceries he stocked, I had just enough to make breakfast for Fabian and Emilia, cover this trip, and still drop some cash with Putella to look after them. I owed him.”

I walked toward the event center. The narrow walkway to the hall was crowded. I could feel I was the center of attraction, and they were familiar faces from my wedding three years ago.

The closer I got, the more my confidence dropped. A month had passed, but I didn’t know how I’d react to seeing Emiliano again.

Then two security men approached and grabbed me. One on each arm.

“Let go of me!” I yelled. They dragged me to the gate and shoved me hard. I hit the tiled floor, bruising my knees. Dust covered my clothes.

I felt a blow on my face, and darkness followed. “How dare you show up here, you shameless gold-digger!” Beatriz hissed, yanking my hair.

“Leave my hair alone!” I screamed.

“Hey baby, are you okay?” Emiliano walked over, kissed her forehead, and led her back into the hall like I was nothing.

I could not believe this humiliation. Raw and public. There were whispers and quiet mocking behind me. Some faces held pity, but no one moved.

“What could make Emiliano hate Daniela this much?” someone muttered from the crowd. “Don’t let that witch in here again!” Emiliano shouted.

The guards grabbed me again, lifted me. “Take your hands off me,” I screamed, but no one came to my rescue. My clothes were torn. Blood stained my dress. My thighs and knees were exposed.

I knew no one in Burgos except Emiliano. After I married him six months after moving here, I stayed home, focused on family. Now, the same people who once smiled at me looked away.

Then the family lawyer stepped forward, frowning like he’d smelled something rotten. “Why did you show up here? You brought this to yourself,” he said, then turned his back on me.

“You disgust me,” I shouted after him.

Then a voice cut through. “Take your wretched hands off her.” I looked up and saw a tall woman, about six feet, standing a few meters away, backed by four strong men.

“Let go of her before I make your life miserable,” she said calmly. I watched as my arm was freed. The guards dropped me immediately and bolted.

Still sitting on the ground looking dejected, I looked up again. She reached out a hand.

“Maria,” she said. “Daniela,” I muttered, taking her hand as she helped me up.

She looked at me and scoffed. “What was that all about?” I didn’t respond. I walked slowly ahead of her, too ashamed.

I didn’t want her to confront Emiliano. Despite everything, I still loved him. I believed he was hiding something, and Beatriz had twisted his mind. I couldn’t help defending him.

“You don’t want to talk about it. That’s fine. But he doesn’t deserve you,” Maria said, clearly annoyed.

She turned to the men behind her. “Have your service fee.” She handed some cash to one of the men. They left the premises.

She turned to me. “I’ll be in my car. If you’re ready to talk, I’ll listen and also help you if you want.” Her words comforted me. I don’t know why, but they’re not enough to fix everything. But enough to keep me standing

I stepped into the owner’s corner. “Maria wasn’t hired to be your driver, was she?” she said with a teasing smile. I couldn’t help but grin. She opened the front door for me. “Let’s talk like mutual friends,” she said. “You’re my friend now; that situation brought you to me.” She started the car and drove to a nearby hotel, where we went to the bar section.

“Trust me, let me handle this situation,” she said.

She left me at the lounge bar to speak to the bartender, then returned.

“Is that guy your ex-husband?” Maria asked.

“We celebrated our wedding ceremony at that same place three years ago,” I replied.

“His name is Emiliano. He used to be loving and caring. He provided everything I wanted before I even asked.”

“Here is your request,” the bartender said, dropping a Tinto de Verano on the table where we were having our discussion.

“Thank you, dear,” Maria replied. “Sorry, Maria, I don’t drink alcohol. You should have ordered something for two,” I said.

“I have told you before to trust me. Right now, this is exactly what you need to help let go of the past, especially when reality is right in front of you,” she said reassuringly.

I was about to take a swig from the cocktail after a lot of persuasion from Maria when I saw Beatriz with a cute man entering the bar, the man’s arm across her shoulder.

Beatriz was in her wedding gown, and the guy’s giggles cut through the lounge.

“Is that not Beatriz? And is she not supposed to be with Emiliano?” I said unconsciously under my breath.

Maria turned toward Beatriz’s direction. “Who is Beatriz?” she asked. “The bride of the day,” I replied immediately, still staring in that direction.

Maria eagerly said, “What could she be doing here?”

I begged Maria to let us leave the lounge bar, and she agreed. Beatriz was already sitting in front of the cocktail table as I walked past her.

I turned back to her, facing her directly, backing the guy and I threw the wedding ring at her, “Give this ring back to your husband and tell him he will meet his waterloo.”

I left her presence without the guy noticing me. Her smile froze. For a moment, she saw me, and the cup dropped from her hand, spilling everywhere. She looked like she had seen a ghost. The guy glanced at her, confused.

I didn’t stop. I kept walking.

I walked as fast as I could to Maria’s car. She joined me shortly after and was about to drive to another hotel, this one far away from the first.