Divorce by Mistake: A Billionaire's Desperate Second Chance

At the investor event that we prepared for.

The ballroom is filled with sparkling faces, gleaming smiles, and quiet talks. I supported Max, with my arm securely tucked in him as if we had rehearsed many times. 

With every stride I make, the heaviness of the special diamonds hanging on my neck feels more oppressive and the constriction in my chest intensifies.

I fake a smile while welcoming the guests, exchanging handshakes with strangers and acting as if this is just another evening at a typical event in his flawless universe.

However, that is not the case.

No longer.

Max is impeccable — shining in his custom suit, with bright and strategic eyes, welcoming every investor one after another as if they are the most significant individuals in the room. 

He speaks as if he possesses the whole world, and in some sense, I suppose he does.

I try to stay current, expressing joy with a gentle smile the way I used to do. I affirm with a nod. 

Furthermore, I chuckle at the appropriate times. As time goes by, it feels less like I am actively engaging and more like I am pretending. 

I used to easily slip into the role of the perfect wife standing dutifully next to my powerful husband. 

"Oh, Max glanced at me and I glanced back at him, we both responded with a smile. 

However, now it seems unfamiliar.

I looked at Max again. He effortlessly radiates charm. Addressing a gathering of men dressed in dark suits, his voice is deeply smooth, tilting slightly as if he's selecting the words carefully.

I wish I could view it as unappealing, I wish I could resent the way he governs the region as if he's the center of attention. 

Nevertheless, there exists one more element concealed beneath.

I can't exactly identify it presently, but it's present, bothering me in the back of my thoughts.

Some minutes ago one of the investors walked gently and sat down close to me.

Thereafter, as Max, though he can read my mind, he looks at me. His smile is friendly, but there's a hint of something shrewd in his eyes. It may be discreet, but I notice it.

"Is everything okay?" he asks, with a quiet gentle voice, low enough that only I can hear. 

I give him a tight smile. "Yeah. I'm fine." 

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I don't correct it. 

I observed Max looking at me every time.

Throughout the evening, I observe the communication between Max and the investors. 

I am no longer just blending into the background — I am now involved in the show. And that's okay.

The more time I spend in it, the more I see how much of my life has been focused on this world.

I used to prosper in this place. I used to have my role down pat, able to captivate a crowd just like Max could.

 The private events, the formal meals, and important discussions were all part of the world I entered when I became involved with him.

However, at some time, during the journey, I lost my sense of identity. I not only ceased being Lila; I also ceased being anything beyond Max's influence.

When I agreed to the ring, it felt as though my life no longer belonged to me. 

Each occurrence, every transaction, and every choice went through his perspective, and initially, it didn't bother me. I believed that I was content, and I was safe.

I kept asking myself.

Do I exist in this particular part of the world?

I can't make it to the party tonight because I have to finish a big project for work.

My thoughts are abruptly interrupted as I sense Max's hand resting on my back. His touch is strong yet soothing, a unique source of comfort only he can provide.

" You are doing well, Keep up the good work," he murmurs in my ear. Simply maintain a smile and everything will turn out okay.

I agree in silence, but I feel nauseous. There's a strange feeling about tonight, something that seems improper.

I glance at the bar and notice a man in a gray suit who captures my attention. That's him. 

The person I've been encountering in the dark. The male individual who attended the philanthropic gathering. The person who observed me earlier this evening.

I briefly pause, feeling my heart rate increase. Max appears oblivious, immersed in a discussion with a businessman ahead of us.

The man in the gray suit looks straight at me with an unsettlingly intense stare.

I gulp nervously, redirecting my attention to Max, attempting to clear the discomfort from my thoughts. 

However, I can't get rid of the sensation that someone observing me.

There was heavy rainfall, causing some confusing sounds and overflowing that flooded the entire streets.

I would like to inquire about Max himself. I want to know why I constantly see this man everywhere. However, the moment never arrives.

Instead of that, Max guides me to a table where important investors are seated. We meet each other, and the discussion immediately turns into a mix of corporate terminology. 

I daydream. As I observe Max with a fresh perspective, the background noise of the room becomes a faint hum. He has always been the focal point of this world.

His speech and movements seem carefully planned and practiced. And for the first time, I ponder if he has ever truly existed.

We unlock our gaze with him once more, as if he's Reading my mind. "Are you certain that everything is alright?" he inquires, his tone slightly cautious.

I fake a smile, hesitant to use my voice. "I'm just slightly exhausted, that's it."

"Okay," he replies, his demeanor momentarily becoming gentler. Then his phone vibrates. His gaze fixes on the screen, his jaw clenches, while his eyes turn quickly around the room.

"Sorry," he said suddenly to the group before walking off.

I observe him depart, feeling my heart in my throat.

What is happening?

A famous actor is set to star in a new movie. He is highly praised for his performance in every film he is in.

Time goes by, and I find myself solitary at the table, attempting to keep my emotions in check. 

I looked around the room, and once more, I saw the man wearing a gray suit.

This time, he is more than just observing. He is coming closer to me.

As he gets closer, I shiver with a cold sensation down my back. I feel my heart beating faster, and I resist the temptation to retreat. However, I do not.

"Lila," he whispers as he approaches me, his voice soft, a touch of menace in his tone.

I gulp nervously, attempting to speak with assurance. "Are we acquainted?"

He smiles, but his eyes remain void of joy. "We haven't done so yet, but we plan to in the future." I have been watching you closely.

I attempt to brush it off with a laugh, yet the sound sticks in my throat. " I am unaware of the subject you are discussing."

Moving nearer, he leans forward slightly, allowing me to catch a whiff of his subtle cologne. "Lila, you are in a risky situation." You are simply unaware of it at the moment.

I take a step back, automatically reaching for my phone with my hand. 

Before I have a chance to call Max or anyone else, the man vanishes into the crowd, causing me to stand still.

As I look through his direction, Lila, are you okay? Max inquired quickly with a loud voice. I nodded.

The cat chased the mouse around the house until it eventually caught it.

A few moments later, Max looks around the room before finally meeting my gaze. "Is everything alright?" he enquires again, his tone overly relaxed.

Yeah. I respond, attempting to conceal the fear eating away inside me. "Sure." I am doing well. Alright, he responded immediately.

However, I am not. Not at all.

I look towards the door where the man in the gray suit vanished, and for the first time this evening, I question if I have made a dreadful error by agreeing to attend.

Max's surroundings are becoming tighter, and I don't know if I'm being shielded or if I'm the one at risk.

At the end of the night event, I was drained, and my nerves were on edge. The number of people in the crowd starts to decrease, with the soft sounds of the evening becoming less noticeable. 

Max puts his arm around my waist and brings me near. "We're nearly finished," he whispers. "You performed excellently." I managed to nod.

I acknowledge, but my thoughts are somewhere else.

Furthermore, I must be informed about the current situation.

While heading towards the exit, I feel a vibration from my phone in my pocket. I feel my heart come to a halt.

This text is from Anna.

Lila, he's keeping a secret. Do not believe in him. Leave now before it's too late.

I become frozen.

Max gazes at me, detecting the shift. "What is the issue?"

This time, I need to confront Max, before it is too late. No matter what would happen. There is no going back again. I said, and mean it.

Before I responded, the doors to the ballroom were forcefully opened.

A man enters the room.