Chapter 12 Ex for Expired
Behind the Billionaire's mask!
Chapter 11
Sophie's POV
As I stepped out of the car, a sea of flashing cameras blinded me. The sudden barrage of light and sound made my heart race. I felt a surge of nervousness.
I walked side by side with Julian, our heels clicking in sync on the pavement. The bodyguards followed closely behind, their imposing presence a reassuring shield against the chaos.
As we entered the venue, the din of voices and camera shutters intensified. I gripped my clutch tightly, my palms growing sweaty. Julian's silence beside me didn't help calm my nerves.
We navigated through the crowded room, dodging microphones and outstretched hands. The air thickened with anticipation, every eye fixed on us.
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. My gaze swept across the room, meeting the expectant faces.
We reached the podium, and Julian's secretary handed us a microphone each. Julian's eyes scanned the room, his expression commanding attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome," Julian began, his voice confident and clear. "Today, I'm here to address recent speculations and introduce my wife, Sophie."
The room erupted into a flurry of camera clicks and shouted questions. I forced a smile, trying to appear composed.
"Sophie, please," Julian said, his eyes flicking to me.
I took the microphone to my mouth, my voice steady.
"Thank you, Julian. I'm honoured to stand beside my husband today."
"How long have you been together?" a reporter from the front row asked, her eyes fixed on me.
"We've been together for months now." Julian replied.
"Was it love at first sight?" another journalist chimed in.
"Yes, more like it." Julian replied.
"Sophie, how do you handle the vast difference in your backgrounds?" another reporter asked.
I can't believe they already know about my background.
"I believe our differences complement each other," I replied, trying to sound diplomatic.
"Julian, is it true you're planning to take over your family's business empire?"
Julian nodded. "I'm committed to leading Blackwood Industries into a successful future."
Then, I noticed the reporters' faces lighting up with curiosity as they simultaneously glanced at their phones as if receiving a synchronical message.
"Sophie, a source claims you just broke up with your boyfriend of three years, not up to a month ago, after catching him cheating on you. Is it true?" a tabloid reporter asked, his tone off-color.
I felt my face flush as I struggled to respond.
"Is it true you married Julian for his wealth and status?" a gossip columnist pressed.
"How could you move on so quickly?" another reporter chimed in.
"Sophie, didn't you swear to love your ex-boyfriend just weeks before marrying Julian?" a sensationalist journalist asked.
I glanced at Julian, whose expression turned icy.
"Did you disclose your recent breakup to Julian before marrying him?" a lifestyle magazine reporter inquired.
The questions kept coming:
"Was your marriage to Julian a whirlwind romance or a calculated move?"
"How do you respond to claims of gold-digging?"
"Did Julian know about your past relationship when he proposed?"
I stood frozen, unsure how to respond.
Julian opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.
"I understand why these questions are being asked, but I assure you, my marriage to Julian is based on love and mutual respect. My past relationship ended due to irreconcilable differences, and I've moved on.
"Julian and I connected on a deep level, sharing values and goals. Our whirlwind romance may seem sudden, but we've found something special.
"As for allegations of gold-digging or using Julian for revenge, I can confidently say those are baseless. I bring my own strengths and aspirations to this marriage.
"Julian knows everything about my past, and I'm grateful for his unwavering support.
"Our marriage isn't a publicity stunt; it's a commitment to each other.
"I understand scepticism, but I hope you can respect our happiness."
"Yes, and I've loved her for two years," Julian added, his voice filled with conviction. "But she wouldn't reciprocate my feelings until recently. When I learned about her boyfriend's infidelity, I proposed to her again. She accepted, confessing she had also loved me but didn't want to betray her boyfriend."
I stood frozen, stunned by Julian's fabricated story.
"So, you're saying you've been pining for Sophie for two years?" a reporter asked, scepticism evident.
Julian nodded, his expression convincing.
"I knew she was the one, but she needed time to realize her feelings."
The room erupted with murmurs, but Julian's secretary intervened.
"Last question, please."
A journalist from the back shouted, "Sophie, how do you feel about Julian's ex-fiancée suddenly back in the picture?"
I turned to face the reporter, my eyes locking onto Victoria, who had just walked in with two men. My chest tightened as i recall memories of her kissing Julian. Was I jealous? No, it couldn't be because of Julian; I barely tolerated him. Maybe it was Victoria's stunning beauty that sparked envy.
"Do you feel threatened?" a reporter asked, snapping me back to reality.
Evelyn and Isabella's words echoed in my mind: "I don't want her to hurt my brother again","You can be a billionaire's wife." Suddenly, confidence surged through me.
"Why would I feel threatened by someone who broke my husband's fragile heart?" I replied, meeting Victoria's gaze.
I could feel Julian's eyes on me, but I continued, my voice steady.
"My husband got over her long ago, and she's an ex. Do you know what 'ex' means? It means expired!"
The room fell silent, then erupted into a flurry of camera clicks and murmurs once again.
Julian's voice cut through the chaos.
"Victoria and I have been over for a long time. My heart belongs to Sophie now."
I felt a rush of triumph, my words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Victoria's eyes flashed with disdain, and she spun away. "Let's leave now," Julian's secretary urged.
Julian's grip on my wrist was swift and unyielding, his fingers encircling me with an icy intensity. My gaze darted to the contact, my breath escaping in a soft whoosh.
The spark of his touch ignited a flurry of sensations: my heart stuttered, my pulse quickened, and my skin tingled with electric awareness.
As our skin connected, a wave of longing washed over me, threatening to consume my resolve. The memory of Victoria's kiss still lingered, but now I recognized the emotion it had stirred – primal possessiveness.
I craved Julian's dominance, his passion, and his possessions.
The realization shook me to my core.
How could I desire someone I barely knew, someone I didn't even like?
But denial was futile.
\------
"Why didn't you tell me you had an ex who cheated on you?"Julian asked, on our way home.
"The same way, you didn't tell me you had one." I threw back at him.
Julian glared at me, and I looked away.
The rest of the drive home was silent.
"Sophie, I'm proud of you." Evelyn beamed, immediately enveloping me in a warm hug as we entered the house. "You did wonderfully."
I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude, and hugged her back tightly.
"Thanks, Evelyn. I couldn't have done it without your advice," I replied, stepping back to gaze at her radiant face.
Evelyn nodded. "Julian's reaction was priceless. He's clearly smitten."
I blushed, unsure how to respond.
My phone beeped, and I excused myself to retreat to my room. Within minutes, I was bombarded with notifications – I was all over the news, with the headlines: "JULIAN'S WIFE CALLED HIS EX;EXPIRED"
Countless calls poured in from acquaintances I hadn't heard from in ages. Even my uncle, whom I'd reached out to for financial help during my mom's surgery, was suddenly eager to reconnect. My high school classmates who I thought I don't even have their numbers reached out.
Isabella's call cut through the chaos. "My friend has become a celebrity!" she squealed.
"I'm proud of you, boo! You and Julian are everywhere – trending on social media, splashed across headlines... girl, you're a sensation! You were fabulous, Soph! I loved how you handled Victoria."
I couldn't help but laugh at Isabella's infectious enthusiasm.
"Thanks, Izzy." I replied, trying to sound calm despite the whirlwind surrounding me.
"But how did the reporters know a lot about you, even about that scumbag"
"It's probably the work of Victoria, she did a background check and hinted the reporters."
"Wuah! That girl is a total whack job." Isabella said, in disgust. "Stay away from her, abeg."
"I will." I said, laughing.
We chatted for a few more minutes before Isabella rang off.
Isabella and Evelyn would have been perfect for sisters.
Exhausted from the constant notifications, I put my phone on Airplane mode, welcoming the sudden silence.
I know Victoria wouldn't back up without a fight but I was ready.