Billionaire's redemption romance

"Madam, dinner is ready!"

Jessica was reminded by Suzzy, the head maid, who came into her room. With a worried expression on her face, the late forty-year-old maid softly knocked on the door.

Jessica gave a nod. She had just finished getting ready for her early-morning trip. Still, the bag the Clark s had given her contained nothing. Although Jessica's mother-in-law welcomed her and showered her with gifts and love, Christopher's cold-heartedness served as a constant reminder that Jessica was merely a stand-in. She didn't own anything that anyone handed her when she became his wife.

She questioned whether Christopher would be present to wish her go.

Then she gave a headshake. Why was she allowing her mind to be filled with such ridiculous hopes? He was glad to see her go, if his response this morning was any guide. All he wanted to do was get over her as soon as possible.

"I'll arrive there shortly. Have you conversed with Christopher? He must be at his-"

"Madam, Sir has already departed. He mentioned having dinner outside."

"Oh!" That was not anything that was unexpected. The next day she had an early flight. Spending the final dinner with her was the least he could have done.

It seems that she was also undeserving of that.

Ahh!

Jessica held back the hurtful tears that were on the verge of welling up in her eyes. The only way she could prevent this wave of prickling feelings from leaving her was to breath through her mouth.

Now that I think about it...

"I'm not that hungry either," she muttered, confident that she wouldn't look foolish for having decided not to cry in front of the maid. How about if you all get started without me? Before I go to bed, I need to make a few phone calls."

The maid, Suzzy, knew why Jessica's appetite had faded so quickly. While Madam was enjoying her breakfast, their owner, Christopher Clark, slammed divorce papers on the table while she was in the kitchen.

He told her she could take everything she wanted from the house and he had already made reservations for an early flight. Looking at the small amount of clothes the woman had packed, it seemed she was leaving almost everything behind.

She didn't deserve to be treated this way, poor madam. She had consistently shown Sir her charming and polite demeanour. The maids and other house employees had become fond of her because of her tenderness and generosity. She even smiled while handling the master's regular mood swings. Why do decent people experience terrible things? The maid ruminated in silence.

After Suzzy went, Jessica sat on the bed and let a few tears run down her cheeks. She would probably go insane if she kept them any longer. Right then, every emotion she carried around was causing chaos. They asked to be set free. Carman cried silently, hoping that the anguish in her heart and the disappointment she was carrying would go.

* * *

In the middle of the night, Jessica suddenly woke up, gasping for breath. A nightmare that scared and left her gasping for air. But she slid out of bed and proceeded down the stairs, not thinking back on the terrifying experience. She checked on Christopher out of habit, but she also failed to take her medication since she refused to eat dinner.

She was shocked to see a woman peeking through the refrigerator when she came downstairs via the spiral stairs and into the large kitchen. The only light coming from the windows was the moonlight, which made it almost impossible to identify the person. But Jessica didn't have to wait long since the woman quickly turned back and discovered what she was looking for-an apple.

The moment the pale light of the moon fell on the woman's face, Jessica knew who she was.

blonde hair. Smooth skin. Gorgeous pink lips. And appearances that could make the Victoria's Angels blush.

Rivera Hannah . Who else might it be?

the man Christopher's ex-fiancee and, presumably, current girlfriend. The same woman who nine months ago left him at the altar. She was the reason Jessica was forced into this miserable marriage. Her husband's refusal to see her as anything more than a piece of furniture or a commodity that he brought in to beautify his home was solely due to this same woman.

She hated Hannah Rivers, and that's not even a word. However, hating her wouldn't make her life any simpler, would it?

Jessica concluded that the woman should be ignored.

Knowing that Christopher was eager to bring his sweetie home made it hurt even more. The following morning, Jessica was heading out. Why the rush? The least he could have done was honour her as his wife while she remained at home.

God, she had also detested Christopher. That man's nerve. Oh no.

"Oh, no-did we wake you up?" With an unrepentant air of innocence that Jessica could see right through, Hannah questioned. "It is impossible for us to be that noisy, is it? I apologise for disturbing your sleep, though. Is that right, Jessica?" The woman was so arrogant as to boast in front of her own face that she had slept with her spouse. Whoa, would it be acceptable if she gave her a good, hard punch to the face right now?

Jessica just let out a sigh and turned to walk away. She hadn't done anything to deserve her respect. In actuality, Hannah was conceited and rude from the beginning of their marriage. Even so, she had an affair without telling Christopher.

Christopher was so enraged to find out that she had been seeing someone else. But then, like butter melting on a hot griddle, this crafty woman wept a few pathetic tears. Christopher had to have loved this woman too much to overlook such a blatant act.

Jessica, however, was unable to forget. At the time, she was just a menial staffer working for Clark Enterprises' CEO, Christopher Clark, but she had witnessed all the deceit and intrigue this woman was capable of. Maybe they were meant to be together. As if they were meant to be together?

She growled behind Jessica's back, "Dude, you're rude!" "I'm not sure what Christopher perceived in you. Even your attractiveness isn't that great. What a waste of cash and time!"

"At least I have the courtesy to stick to one man at a time!" Jessica grew irate and hissed. Even though the woman's actions were dubious, she couldn't allow her to talk poorly of her.

With her back facing Hannah , Jessica could still feel her getting agitated. "What did you say?" snarled the woman.

Before Jessica had a chance to respond to this woman, she noticed the sombre figure in the shadows who was observing the entire conversation with composure.

Jessica swallowed her words.

"Christopher, baby!" The first to run towards him and fling herself into his arms was Hannah . "Jessica is really impolite, my dear. She referred to me as a liar. How could she?"

Jessica did, in fact, imply that. Furthermore, Christopher would have heard it if he had been standing there for longer than a minute. She didn't need to defend or justify herself. Jessica wasn't feeling up to any of them.

Without a word, Jessica grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed upstairs.

"Will you refrain from speaking with her? She made me feel ashamed!" As Jessica made her way upstairs to her room, Hannah objected.

"I told you not to leave the room!" In his deep voice, she heard Christopher say, no guilt-nothing.

"But-but I was hungry and you-"

"Hannah , enough is enough. Come on, I'll be in the room waiting for you."

Before Jessica entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her, it was the last she had heard of him.

"You're such a jerk!" she muttered angrily, losing the ability to control her hurt and annoyance. "You stupid, stupid man!"

After sliding through the wooden door, Jessica knelt down and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Christopher Clark, you will never win my forgiveness. I hold you accountable for living a miserable and unloved existence."

"How could someone be that cold-hearted?" While sitting at a café close to the airport with Jessica Smith , her best friend, Beatrice Carter complained.

Jessica woke up the following morning and made her way as quietly as possible to the airport following her unpleasant experience with Hannah in the kitchen. She didn't want to cause a scene or give Hannah or Christopher any reason to think she wasn't planning to go. Giving them another opportunity to embarrass her was the last thing she wanted. So in less than an hour, she got out of bed and out of Christopher's hair as soon as the sun rose and the nightstand alarm went off.

But Beatriceshowed up with a glaring scowl thirty minutes before her flight, and she was practically dragged out of the airport.

"It doesn't matter now." Jessica traced the rim of her hot coffee in an attempt to calm her furious companion. "Let's just forget about whatever happened."

"Are you sure you can forget about it?" Knowing that Jessica wasn't the kind of girl to easily let go of her feelings, Beatricearched an eyebrow. Since they were young children, they had been best friends. She was familiar enough with Jessica to know that unless something was done, she would never be able to move on. "Since I don't believe so. We must devise a strategy to avenge him. in order to awaken him to his actions. to exact a price on him. to inflict suffering onto him."

"Beatrice!" With a resigned groan, Jessica realised she was suddenly too weak to continue the tiresome debate. "That is not what we are doing. We were both aware that this would occur eventually. Thus, avoid acting as though it happened overnight, as it didn't."

With her arms crossed over her chest, Beatricepouted, "You're still trying to defend him." "Even after everything he's done to hurt you."

"I'm not." Jessica firmly maintained that she wasn't. All she was doing was being sensible. That is, she hoped. "All I'm trying to do here is to be a bigger person."

Beatricegave a snort. "What's the fun in that?"

"Not everything is meant to be fun, Beatrice."

"You're just dull because that's your choice. "Duh!" she scowled. "If I were in your shoes, I'd make him regret his entire life."

"Well then, it's a good thing that it's my life and not yours." Her eyes genuine, she stretched out and gently grasped Beatrice's hand. As much as I value your support, please just let me tackle this on my own. Have faith in what I say. I'm skilled at what I do. And even if I don't, I'll figure something out. Would you please simply believe me?"

Jessica was not able to reassure her of the same, even though her voice was full of assurance. She could not perceive the truth. Even before she signed the marriage contract, she knew this was her fate. Why it hurt more than it should have didn't make much sense to her. Why did she hold herself to such high standards for a man who never even gave her a close look? Why, with all seriousness, did she play his wife in spite of the sad truth of their relationship? Did he really deserve that? Not after he forced her into a relationship he didn't intend to be committed to. To him, she was just an item. Something he gave no thought to. Absent deference.

All Beatricecould do was cave in. Jessica could not take on more worry when she already had plenty on her plate.

"Fine." She fussed, a little too unwillingly, maybe. "But only because I love and trust you and know you won't let anything knock you down."

Jessica grinned, pleased that they both agreed. She genuinely detested it when they disagreed on anything. Fantastic. That's resolved then."

Before another thought crossed Beatrice's head, she took a sip of her coffee. She returned the cup to the table with haste. "Wait, one more thing."

"What now?" Jessica, who was munching on a fry, asked in jest.

"I have already set the paperwork in motion, but I still need you to say yes."

Jessica was clueless about her friend's intended meaning behind that. Her eyebrows furrowed in perplexity. "What do you mean?"

Beatriceexclaimed, "To join my company," with all the excitement of a person preparing to burst into the biggest surprise of the day. "In fact, I'm offering your partnership." Beatrice!" Jessica gave a headshake. "Don't."

"Why not?" Frustrated, Beatriceasked. "Thanks to you, I had a company of my own in the first place. Without your assistance with the finance, my startup would never have gotten off the ground."

With remorse, Jessica murmured, "It belonged to Christopher," her eyes settling on her lap. "It wasn't mine."

"Yeah, which he very conveniently handed you in exchange for marrying his asshole self." Beatricefurrowed her brow. "Jessica, hurry up. You did not take from him a single penny. You fully committed to me. To be honest, there was a time when I had to decide whether to thank him or strike him in the face, but I have no regrets. Not any longer. He deserves something far worse than hell for what he did to you."

Jessica slumped on her seat, not knowing how to respond. Yes, Christopher had bought her to be his wife. He was desperate to solve the issue when Hannah became cold feet just hours before the wedding. Jessica was never offered an option. or the chance to discover what on earth was going on. She had made an effort to talk him down. But he wasn't prepared to hear anything from anyone, not under these awful circumstances. Not even his parents, no one. or his grandfather, whom he held in the highest regard. In the face of his unwavering determination, everyone failed.

"You're not going to drop him off your hit list, are you?" Finally, Jessica raised an eyebrow.

"Nope!" Beatricegave a condescending shrug.

From the moment Jessica spotted Beatriceat the airport, she knew this conversation was going to bite her in the ass. When she got the chance, she ought to have fled. She wouldn't be able to crawl out of here with Beatriceon her back now. Beatriceexhibited the ugliest stubbornness imaginable. Until she was proven incorrect, she refused to let go.

Jessica didn't have the energy to get into another argument at this moment. She had no energy, no will, and was too fatigued to do anything at all. Her only wish was to locate a comfortable bed and climb into it.

She blew out a laugh and nodded to her, a sigh thwarted from her lips. "Fine."

Beatricelet out a happy squeal. "Congrats! This won't be a regret. I swear to you-"

Beatricewas about to lose it, but Jessica interrupted her, saying, "I'm ready to go back to work." "...but NOT as a partner."

"What? Why not?" Beatricewas perplexed, her excitement waning slightly.

"Because this business is solely yours, and you put in all the effort. Nobody is able to take that away. not even your closest pal. It would be a pleasure to work for you. And that's my one and only need," Jessica continued, sipping her coffee slowly and taking her time-if only to annoy her ecstatic companion. She smiled a lovely smile at her. "For now."

With a frown, Beatriceasked for the bill and looked back at her pal. "This isn't over."

Laughing, Jessica felt grateful to have such a buddy. "We'll see about that, won't we?"

* * * As Jessica and Beatricewere leaving the cafe, a black SUV with tinted windows pulled across the street and they headed to Beatrice's car, which was parked on the side of the road.

The call was taken by the man seated in the backseat.

"Are you certain she's no longer a problem?" He spoke to the person on the other end.

"Yes, of course. She is permanently gone from Christopher's life. We can now go to the following stage of our strategy.

The man hummed, staring at Jessica, who was giggling and laughing.

"I'll believe anything you say. However, if the strategy failed-"

He couldn't finish because of the other person on the queue.

"It won't happen. Possess a degree of faith. Please notify me as soon as you're prepared to begin our next action."

The man squinted his eyes and hung up the phone. He waited until Jessica got into a car and left with the other woman. It was only then that he looked back at the other man in the car. aside from the operator.

"Is this the right time?" His brow knit as he asked.

The other man gave a smile. "Definitely! Strike the iron while it's still hot.

Christopher violently stormed into his older brother's workplace at just eleven in the morning, throwing a file in his face.

"What the heck are you trying to accomplish?"

Erik Clark glanced at the files on the table, at Christopher, with a languid eye, then back to his laptop. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."

"I think you know damn well what this is about." Leaning on the table and gazing at his brother with his jaw tightened, Christopher growled. "Stop pretending oblivion!"

With an inward sigh, Erik finally put the laptop down, sank back in his chair, and focused entirely on his younger brother. There were moments when Erik wanted to shake his younger brother for his foolish attitude, but now was not the moment to lose patience. "I'm not pretending to be anything, Ron," Erik said. He had the whole day ahead of him and he could not take the chance of spoiling the mood. It's you who is speaking in riddles. If you had normal speech, I wouldn't be this stupid. Have you given that any thought?

Christopher's glares got deeper and more pointed, and the corners of his lips raised in a sneer. "I warned you not to participate in the Bakersfield project. Still, you went to Dad and babbled incoherently. Erik, instead of stabbing me in the back, perhaps you can ask me how I accomplish what I've accomplished if you're so upset about my success."

Erik scoffed a little. "It's hilarious that you think I have anything to prove to you."

"The fact that dad named you the project's independent adviser just 10 minutes ago, I take it, has nothing to do with you, right?" Christopher's eyebrow went up. "Which is nothing more than a sneaky way of keeping tabs on me." He lowered his black eyes and slid his hands into his pockets. "I wonder who even came up with it."

Erik gave Christopher a casual shrug and kept the same slack look in his eyes. "Little brother, my estimation is just as valid as yours. Even so, I wouldn't say I'm surprised," he shot back, getting to his feet, turning around his desk, and crossing his arms over his chest while keeping his eyes focused on the lone other person in the room. None of your recent choices have improved the family's standing. Actually, just the reverse. Not to be forgotten is the stunning divorce. Even just for theatrical effect, he paused. "It seems to have upset them deeply," After all, Jessica had grown incredibly popular among everyone."

"Don't!" Christopher issued a warning.

"Why? You're so sick of hearing her name these days?"

Christopher gave a narrow smile. "Not at all. You just don't have to tell it to me. And you won't have a mouth to spew any more garbage the next time her name escapes your disgusting mouth."

Erik smiled, unfazed by the seeming danger.

"And this is my final warning to you." Christopher poked a finger into Erik's chest. "Please don't cross my path. To the greatest extent feasible."

Then he departed.

* * * "Jane, please ease up." Eddie Clark spoke tenderly. "If not, your blood pressure will skyrocket. And that's not what we want. We sincerely hope not to have that."

Jane gave her husband a sharp look as she halted to listen to him. Do you want me to go easy on you? Really? Ed, how can I ease up? How are you able to?"

"Why not?" Eddie Clark gave an innocent shrug, as though he didn't really comprehend the amount of hardship his beloved wife was putting herself through. She was only worrying about nothing, he thought. "I can take it as easy as I want." He was pouring himself a glass of orange juice and smiling. "Watch me."

Jane Clark felt the strongest impulse to rip off her hair, but she forced herself to hold it in so she wouldn't go bald too soon. She was only fifty years old, or so? Most likely less. She had many years ahead of them, obviously, and she couldn't afford to look anything other than flawless. Rather, she gave her ever-loving spouse a furious gaze and a huff. "You're amazing. Are you aware of that? You ought to. since you already are."

Eddie Clark took a gulp of the juice, his radiant smile never faltering.

Even though he was a sixty-something business billionaire, he nonetheless had a handsome and youthful demeanour that would have made younger performers blush. It's not like he enjoyed boasting about it. Okay, perhaps once in a while, but not always with certainty.

"Darling, our kids have all grown up." Eddie went over to his wife and put the glass back on the table. He smiled pleasantly at her and held her by her delicate shoulders, trying to convince her to listen to him. For what length of time do you think you can control them? You have to let them go and let their path take you. They have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit now that we have done our very best. We just have no part to play anymore."

"How can you say that?" Jane sulked, her shoulders giving in impotently. Ed, Christopher separated from Jessica. He didn't even try to ask for our advice. How could he have been thinking? How could he treat such a lovely girl in that way? She must be really devastated."

Eddie sighed too, recognising that his stunning wife wasn't entirely off-target.

But then, really, what could they do? Christopher and Erik were no longer impressionable teenagers. They could no longer just grab them by the ears and make them listen to their parents. For that, it was too late.

Jane was getting angrier by the minute and was still having fits, saying, "She must hate us so much." And if she did, that wouldn't be incorrect. In any case, what have we accomplished for her? Even Christopher was unconvinced that Jessica, rather than that conceited and incompetent Hannah , was the appropriate one for him. I detest that chick so much, ugh." She gave a snort. "Why can't she leave our boy alone?"

Eddie stroked her arms while humming a reflective tune. "Darling, you're barking up the wrong tree. Hannah isn't the problem here, in my opinion."

Jane looked at him in confusion, not understanding what her husband was trying to say.

Eddie gave a headshake. In other words, Hannah is only a trigger. Really, Christopher is the problem. He didn't ever get over it."

"It's been nine months, Ed." Startled that she had to say it, she looked up at him. "How much time does it take to get over a girl who rejected them at the altar? in the true sense. She embarrassed not just him but me, you, and everyone else present at the wedding. Do you have no memory at all?

"I remember everything," Eddie moaned, weary of the repeated exchange. Indeed, that was the darkest day of his existence. Indeed, Hannah 's actions were improper and extremely embarrassing for him and his family. It was, however, nine months ago. Why could she never just let it go? If they continued to discuss the same topic over and over again, what good would it do? Time to move on, it was. Not only for Christopher, but for his spouse as well.

But really, do you need to hold onto something for that long? Simply let it pass. What happened cannot be undone." Eddie let go of his hands and stroked his pepper-and-salt hair with one.

"I see what you mean, but I think we can prevent Christopher from repeating his error. If it weren't for Christopher's happiness, Ed, I wouldn't have given their decision to get married my permission. I don't trust Hannah anymore."

Eddie raised his gaze to the sky. His obstinate wife would never give up on him. Is there any point in trying at all?

He gave one more dramatic sigh and gave in. "All right. What are your desires?"

At Eddie's comments, Jane's eyes glistened, a cheeky smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Eddie could tell his wife had everything planned out based on the expression on her face. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

She looked at him innocently. "I need someone tight-lipped for this one, and let's be honest, you're not very good at it."

That statement deeply hurt Eddie. He grimaced. "Excuse me?"

Jane pulled him in for a cheek kiss while putting her arms around his neck and laughing. "However, we'll keep you informed about our developments. I swear."

"We?" He glared even harder, but he made no attempt to back off. When she tried to entice him by acting all adorable and kind, he really enjoyed it. God, how much he adored her. He allowed her to plant another kiss on his face while her fingers fiddled with his t-shirt collar. There is a second person in your scheme, then. Who's that?"

Jane gave a subdued smile. "I'm sorry, Ed, but I can't tell you. Please understand that I will bring Jessica and Christopher back together, and I won't stop until it does.

Eddie let out a sigh. I mean, this was all planned out, why was she acting so emotional around him?

Yes. But keep in mind, Jane. You can experiment as much as you like, but be cautious and make sure you don't do anything improper. Do you get it?

He kissed Jane's forehead and headed upstairs to his home office only after she nodded.

Jane picked up the phone as soon as Eddie was out of sight and sound.

She dashed into the nearest room and closed the door behind her as the person on the other end responded. Alright, Eddie is here with us now as well. Let's get together tomorrow to finish up the remaining details."

The individual laughed. Yes, Mrs. Clark . I'll hold out for you. Same location, same time."

"Perfect." Jane smiled and ended the call.

It was going to be amazing. Never has she felt more confident in herself.