The Billionaire's Mysterious Ex-Wife

Bustling with happiness and excitement, Astrid prepared her husband's favorite snack. She was informed this morning about his return from the two months business trip he went on.

Her heart was filled with melody as she swayed her hips to the rhythm of the song she was humming.

It was still seven in the morning and the workers were beginning to arrive for work.

The first to return was the head chef, she was surprised to see the madam in the kitchen joyfully preparing a snack.

Once Astrid noticed her presence, she turned around with a beautiful smile.

"Good morning, chef Gladline," she greeted, her voice soft as a Harp . The elderly woman felt blessed by her pretty smile and responded to her greeting happily.

"Good morning, madam."

"Oh, Chef Gladline, how many times have I told you not to call me madam? Just say my name," Astrid playfully reminded her and the chef took corrections.

She continued with her cooking with joy, and letting the chef help her in the preparation.

Astrid was married to the Wade family. One of the most powerful families in Los Angeles, she was like a trophy in the household. She was the beautiful golden madam who flawlessness captured the heart of her employees.

Compared to other women, she was tall and built with qualities that every man wanted.

However, that was not the same for her husband. He was cold hearted and domineering. Never for once has he paid attention to his wife.

Yet, she loved him to the moon and back. There was nothing more joyous than to be married to your childhood crush.

Astrid had fallen for her husband while they were still kids and chased after him until their families planned their engagement.

She was grateful that her husband had not refused her. And promised to put in her best in the marriage.

After finishing up with the baking process, she put the snack into the oven and asked her Chef to look out for it.

Her phone rang and she went out of the kitchen to answer it.

It was her husband's grandmother, the main Madam of the wade family. She doted on her Granddaughter in-law and always filled in the gap her Grandson failed to do.

"Good morning, Grandma," Astrid's cheerful voice ran through the phone once she answered the call.

"Oh, look who is happier than the moon," her Grandma teased her and she giggled like a little teenage girl.

"Why won't I be happier than the moon? Rowan is coming home today and I can't wait to see him," she chimed, blusting with excitement.

"That's so sweet of you my dear daughter. I called to hear your voice and know how you are doing. Also, I sent some new bag collections from Chanel to your house. It will soon arrive," her Grandma said and Astrid gasped in surprise.

"Grandma, you didn't have to. The ones you sent last week, I haven't been able to use any of them yet. You should stop for a while, okay," Astrid requested but her Grandma had her hands double crossed.

"Alright, alright. I will just have to change the gifts to something else," she said.

"Grandma," Astrid groaned defeated. There was no way she could change her mind. The wade family always did whatever they like especially for their loved ones.

"I know, I know. But you are like a daughter to me. The least I can do is shower you with gifts. My son only gave birth to your husband. And now that I have you, all I can do is dot on you. So accept my gifts, okay?" She said and Astrid had no choice but to agree with her this time around.

They discussed a little more before Astrid brought up a topic that has been bothering her for a long time.

"Grandma," she called, biting her lips as she grew a cold feet on what she was about to say.

"Yes, dear."

"There is something that has been bothering me lately. And I don't know how to tell you about it," Astrid said, pausing at the end.

"I am listening, tell me what is bothering my dear granddaughter," she coaxed her with gentle words to give her the courage to speak up.

"Well, it's been three years since I married Rowan. And I have been wondering if he doesn't find me attractive. I...I...I know it is ridiculous to bring up such a matter...but..." Astrid stuttered.

"There is nothing wrong with what you have said. You have every right to question my grandson of his behavior. I can't believe he is also cold in his own marriage. You should have told me about this sooner. I am going to call him right now," her Grandma said and Astrid panicked.

"No, don't. I just wanted to let you know about it because I have been wondering when we will have our own children. Oh please, forget that I ever mentioned this," Astrid covered her face in embarrassment.

She worried of what her husband would think of her if he heard about her complaint. Also, she didn't want it to seem like it was his responsibility to have children with her and make him do what he doesn't want.

In a way, she blames herself for her husband's cold attitude towards her. She tied him down with a marriage he didn't want and he put up with her just because of his grandmother's influence over him.

"Nonsense, Rowan needs a good scolding. How dare him neglect you like this? Does he call you all the time?" Grandma asked and she lied like she always does.

However, that didn't stop her Grandma from putting her Grandson on the line.

"Hello," Rowan's cold and dark voice spoke through the phone.

Astrid froze from his voice and her heart began to skip fast. This was the first time since two months she heard his voice. And it was still as charming and effective as before.

"What do you mean by, hello?" His Grandma barked at him and he sighed.

"Good morning, Grandma," he greeted. She was the only person that moved Rowan. No one except her was able to make him do anything.

"You cold hearted brat! When last did you speak to your wife? Do you not miss her at all? You are such an ungrateful husband. Do you know how it feels to be left alone in a big house with any assurance of comfort," His Grandma scolded him and Astrid nervously listened.

Even after his Grandma had scolded him, he made no attempt to ask about his wife instead he told them that he would return in the evening.

This infuriated his Grandma and she blurted out the question Astrid had begged her not to.

"You block head, when do you intend to get your wife pregnant? When am I going to get my first great Grandchild? I can see that you want me dead before that time comes. The fact that you have been neglecting your wife and prioritizing business matters is absolutely foolish of you. When you get back better fulfill your duties or else..."

"There is no use of you worrying about a great grandchild, Grandma," Rowan suddenly said and the both women were rendered speechless.

"What do you mean by that? Or are you trying to make a joke?" His Grandma asked while Astrid grew nervous about the situation.

"No, Grandma. I have a son." He declared confusing both women at the same time before he went off the call.

The both women thought he was making a joke and decided to push it aside, little did they know that he was telling the truth.

Once it was evening, Astrid summoned all the workers and dismissed them early for the day. They were grateful to her and wished her a good time with her husband.

After they left, She went into the kitchen and prepared his favorite dish. She had a feeling that her husband would be back anytime soon.

However, she had no idea what was waiting for her ahead.

She carefully prepared for him and made sure that everything was in check. Her husband was particularly strict about cleanliness and order.

A little dust could change his mood and make him ignore her for days.

Meanwhile, Rowan, the coldest domineering CEO of the Wade group, sat at the back of his car with a little child in between him and a fair woman.

He had never thought he would meet the woman he once loved at the airport with his own child.

After his private jet landed in Los Angeles, he thought of going back to his grandmother's house first before returning home.

But he saw her, standing by the exit of the airport. The very woman who had left him yet his heart longed for her after her disappearance.

When she had told him of his son, he couldn't believe his ears and saw the resemblance of the child.

Now, he was bringing them home. His grandmother's call from earlier made him feel glad. As her wish for a great grandchild was finally granted.

As for his wife, he knew that she would accept them regardless of anything. To him, she was foolishly kind and that was why he had not divorced her yet.

She had tied him down with a marriage that he did not want. The least she could do now was accept whatever that he desires.

Once his driver arrived at his home, he carried his son out of the car and went up to the front door of his house.

Astrid who was waiting for him, rushed over to the door to welcome him home. She thought of different ways to greet him but when she opened the door, she froze at the spot. Unable to utter a word.

"Move aside," her husband coldly said and her heart deflated like a punctured balloon.

It was after he muttered those cold words to her that she realized that her husband had brought two foreigners home.

"Rowan," she finally got the courage to call his name. She demanded an explanation, the woman who brought he home, she recognized her.

When her husband was passing through hell because of this woman, she had watched him with a heavy heart and offered him her shoulders even though his pain was for another woman.

This woman was no other than Victoria James, her husband's childhood sweetheart. A slender woman with black long hair and eyes as brown almonds.

She had a bright smile on her face as she walked into the living room, observing the entire place with keen eyes.

"Hello, you must be Rowan's wife. Please take good care of me and your husband's son," she blurted out and Astrid's eyes darted to her husband.

Yet, he tried not to explain anything to her instead he said,"Prepare a place for them to stay."

He walked coldly walked away and all Astrid could do was clench her clothes and blink away the tears that formed in her eyes. She was too emotional and tender like a fragile glass.

Even at that she tried not to show any form of hurt and acted like everything was fine.

She showed Victoria to her room and went up to meet her husband. They stayed in different rooms but she wished for him to come down for dinner.

Astrid got to his room door and contemplated knocking for minutes before she got the courage to do so.

Once she did, the door opened instantly and her husband stood with his hair wet from the shower and his eyes as cold as ice.

"I...I wanted to let you know that dinner is ready," she managed to say, nervous to her toes.

He pulled her into his room and slammed the door shut. A terrified gasp escaped from Astrid's mouth as he trapped her against the door.

Astrid's heart raced stupidly as his cold gaze scrutinized her.

"What was it you discussed with my Grandmother?" He questioned her and she shrunk against the door in fear.

"Nothing." She refused to talk and he squeezed her cheeks with his right hand.

"I have given you more than you deserve, Astrid. Don't bite more than you can chew because it will give you a bad belly ache. To be clear, don't expect me to have children with you," he sternly said and moved away from her.

Astrid was hurt by his words yet she did not remind him of coming down to dinner before she left his room.

She went to her bedroom, and broke down in tears as her husband's return was nothing but a thorn to her chest. She knew he did not love her but tried all she could to make him see her in a good light.

Yet he had no place in his heart for her. After staying in her room for a few minutes, she went down to set the table.

However, her husband was already in the dining room eating the dinner she had made with his childhood sweetheart.

Upon noticing her presence, Victoria got up from her chair and turned to Astrid.

"Oh, I had to set the table since you were not available. I hope you don't mind me doing so and the food is quite healthy," Victoria said.

She had intentionally set the table just to get on Astrid's nerves but Astrid showed no sign of being offended as her heart was still heavy.

"Next time, let me take care of you," Astrid replied and joined them.

They continued to eat and Astrid watched them crack jokes and laugh. It was the first time she had ever seen her husband so happy. He never looked at her with this much joy in his eyes as he looked at his childhood sweetheart.

All through, she was made insignificant. Her husband was so engrossed in his childhood sweetheart to even notice her.

She picked her food until she couldn't bear to watch her husband anymore. As she was about to leave, the little boy beside her got up with her.

"Please, young Miss, can you take me to my room?" He asked and Astrid turned to the duo whose attention was now on her.

"Yes, come. I will send you to your room," Astrid smiled at the child and took him away from the dining room.

After tucking the boy to sleep, she went back to her room and tried to sleep but her mind kept wondering about her husband and the unwanted guest.

She became to ponder on her actions, whether it was right for her to leave them alone in their own space.

Unable to settle with her thoughts, she got up from her bed and went to her husband's room. She knocked, wondering if he had retired to bed already. A part of her wanted to leave but she was too scared that her marriage would crumble if she let things go as they are.

After standing at the door for ten minutes, she gave up on waiting and turned to leave, but the door clicked open.

"Why are you here?" Her husband's cold voice echoed through the hall.

She smiled within seeing that he wasn't with the unwanted guest.

"I...just wanted to say goodnight. Sorry for disturbing your peace. I will take my leave now," she hurriedly said and turned on her heels to leave.

"Tomorrow, I have an announcement to make. Be up early," he informed her and Astrid returned to her room full of anxiety against tomorrow.

The next morning, Astrid woke up feeling horrible and weak. She was unable to get a wink of sleep after hearing her husband's words last night.

She got up early as she always did whatever he was around just to prepare his breakfast. Although, he employed a chef to handle his meals, Astrid wanted to be the one making his meals.

After taking cooking classes for a month, she began to take charge of what he ate.

Beaming with happiness that he always ate her food, she got the energy to leave her bed and prepare for the day.

However, her smile was wiped off when she saw Victoria in her kitchen.

"Good morning," she greeted with a sly smile that infuriated Astrid.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Astrid questioned her, her voice now on a high tempo.

She walked up to Victoria, and snatched the bowl of eggs she was holding and made a horrible mess.

"Did I not tell you to let me take care of you? You should know your boundaries Miss Victoria," Astrid cautioned her.

Even though her husband welcomed her into their home, Victoria had no right to trespass into her kitchen left alone to make food for her husband.

It was embarrassing enough that she stole her husband's attention. But Astrid was not going to let her assume her duties, never.

Sighting Rowan from her peripheral view, Victoria fell to the floor.

"Ahhh, why did you hit me? All I ever did was to help you out of my good heart," Victoria cried.

Astrid was confused about her sudden drama and froze when she heard her husband's voice.

"What do you think you are doing?!" He growled at her.

"I did not do anything," Astrid defended herself but Rowan walked past her and went to Victoria who was sprawled on the floor.

Astrid was shocked at how she twisted the truth and acted like she was pushed to the floor.

"What happened?" Rowan asked for an explanation but Astrid was too shocked to explain.

"I tried to cook up something for breakfast. But she came in and yelled at me for being in her space. When I tried to explain to her, she snatched the bowl of eggs I was mixing and hit me. When I cried out she pushed me to the ground. Now, my waist hurts," Victoria lied.

Astrid stumbled backwards from her pretense. This was her first time meeting a pathological liar.

"That is not true," she whispered aloud.

"How else would you explain the mess you caused?" Rowan pointed at the spilled eggs on the floor.

"She is lying, Rowan. I didn't even touch her," Astrid defended herself yet Rowan chose to believe his childhood sweetheart.

"I am so disappointed in you," he said and walked away with Victoria in his arms.

Astrid clenched her fist and blinked back her tears as she watched her husband carry another woman. He never treated her with such gentleness before.

Her heart swelled with pain yet all she could do was hold back.

Chef Gladline walked in, confused at the mess. Astrid didn't bother to give her an explanation and instructed her to prepare breakfast for the day.

She went up to her room and took her phone with tears in her eyes, she called her best friend, Rose Wright.

"My sweet buttercup," she answered on the first ring.

"Rose," Astrid said with a teary voice that got her best friend worried.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Rowan. He...I...think he is going to kick me out soon. His... Victoria is back... living in our house," Astrid cried.

"What? How dare he do such a thing? Does his Grandma know about this? I am coming over," Rose sparked over the phone.

"No, you don't have to come over. I just don't know what to do. He will hate me more if I tell his Grandma about this. I don't want him to hate me, Rose," Astrid complained. Even though she was hurt by his actions, she couldn't stand to lose him.

Her love for him was too much for her to whisk away all because of a woman who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

After wailing to her best friend, she listened to her advice and told her not to worry too much.

"If he continues to act like that then tell his Grandma or I will," Rose said.

"Please, don't. I will try to talk to him. Maybe, come to peace with Victoria," Astrid foolishly muttered.

"Don't do that! She is the threat in your marriage. If she keeps persisting, call me and I will give her a good beating. Then we will go on vacation in Miami and have a wonderful time together. So please don't cry. That bitch is not worthy of your tears," Rose consoled her.

After talking to Rose, she felt better and more determined to fight for her husband's attention.

She went down to the dining room and met them. Astrid scoffed in her mind at the audacity of the woman beside her husband.

The drama she had played this morning still shocked her. A grand pathological liar.

"Good morning," Astrid greeted, ignoring the cold gaze her husband threw at her.

"Good morning, young Miss. You are looking sad. Did you not sleep well last night?" The little boy asked and Astrid smiled at him.

He was more thoughtful than her ignorant husband.

"Something got into my eyes," Astrid said just to put the boy's mind at ease.

"My Grandma always blew air in my eyes whenever something got into them. Would you like me to do the same for you?" The boy innocently asked and Astrid's heart reached out to him.

He was kind and well brought up unlike his mother who hid under a sheep's clothing.

"Thank you, little one but my eyes are good now," she said and the boy turned to his food.

After a minute of silence, Rowan cleared his throat and asked the maid in the room to summon everyone.

Once they were gathered, he got up from his chair and made an announcement that shattered Astrid's pride.

"As from today, Victoria will be third in command in this household. You will attend to her demands and make sure she doesn't lack anything," he declared and they obeyed without raising any objections.

However, Astrid was against his decision. As it was a trample to her pride and power as his wife.

"Rowan, you can't give such authority to her when I am here. She is your guest and she has to remain as your guest," Astrid said even though she was nervous at the same time.

"And let you repeat what you did this morning?" He blurted out and Astrid went silent. The fact that he didn't believe, hit her hard.

"If that is the case, then give me an explanation why they are here? Tell me who they are to you. I have every right to know. So please, tell me," Astrid said with a subtle voice.

She was all cracked inside. The man she loved still cherished his past lover. She thought that he would learn to love her, to accept her but now she realized that she would always be the last priority in his life.

All he cared about was his company, wealth and now his past lover.

"Of course, you deserve to know about their connection to me. Astrid, this is my son, Noah and his mother, Victoria. They will be staying with us as it is my responsibility to care for them," he shamelessly said.

Astrid couldn't find the right words to say anymore. Her husband had a child, that was his mistake in the past. But now he was feeling less concerned about her feelings and only thinks about his responsibility.

She looked at the little boy beside her and couldn't bring herself to hate him.

'Don't let your emotions control you, Astrid. You can do this. Everyone makes mistakes.' she mumbled in her mind and a little smile broke out on her face.

"If you are going to grant her authority over the entire house, exempt the kitchen. It is mine alone to handle," Astrid said with a calm voice as she stared at her husband with the hint of betrayal written on her forehead.

Victoria tried to object to her wish but Rowan stopped her and granted his wife what she desired.

After having breakfast, Astrid went to the backyard, where she tended to her little garden of flowers. Aside from cooking, she vested her time in the garden.

While she was enjoying her peaceful time caring for her flowers, Victoria and her son came into the garden.

Astrid tried not to mind them but Victoria's intention was to provoke her.

She threw a little ball at Astrid and pretended not to have seen her. Astrid knew too well that she came for trouble and chose to ignore her.

Later on, Rowan joined them in the garden as he wanted to bond with his son more. They were all together in harmony until Victoria decided to play dirty.

"Let me help you with the bucket," Victoria said to Astrid.

"No, I don't need your help," Astrid answered and turned away from her.

Suddenly, Noah cried out in pain and Victoria screamed.

"What did you do to my son!"

Astrid stood shocked as she watched Victoria hold up her son who was bleeding on his face.

Before she could move an inch, Rowan rushed past her, quaking her in the process.

"Rowan, please save my child. Your wife is so cruel. I know that she doesn't like me but why did it have to be our son," Victoria vomited those words laying a strong emphasis on *our son*.

Without clarification, Rowan turned to Astrid and yelled at her. "How can you be so wicked?! Don't you ever come close to my son again! Or I will call the police," he spat out.

It was there and then Astrid realized that she wasn't needed anymore. Her husband's actions already made it clear to her that he would always show his childhood sweetheart over her.

Astrid didn't bother to utter a word as it was no use trying to convince them. She stormed up to her room, picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"It is time, get me the papers." She ordered, brooding with anger.