Chapter 80 I’ll get you back

Chapter 80 I’ll get you back
Richard crossed his arms and glared at Tonia. His patience was already thin, and her presence in his penthouse was only making it worse. 
He had thought that by kicking her out the first time, she would get the message, but clearly, she hadn’t.
“What the hell are you doing here, Tonia?” he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation.
Tonia pouted slightly, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder as she took a step toward him.
“I came to see you, Richard,” she said softly. “I miss you.”
Richard let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “You miss me?” He scoffed.
“That’s funny, Tonia, because the last time I checked, you were too busy screwing another man behind my back to care about me.”
Her face twisted with guilt, but she quickly masked it with a small smile. 
“I made a mistake,” she admitted, her voice laced with fake remorse. “I was stupid, Richard. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t mean to hurt me?” He took a step closer, his dark eyes piercing into hers. “You knew exactly what you were doing, Tonia. And you didn’t care.”
She shook her head quickly, reaching out to touch his arm, but he stepped back before she could. 
“No, Richard, that’s not true. I regretted it the moment it happened. I regretted everything.”
He let out a dry laugh. “Oh, really? And yet, it took you all these years to come crawling back?”
Tonia sighed dramatically, lowering her gaze. “I was scared. I thought you hated me.”
“I do,” Richard said coldly.
She flinched slightly at his bluntness but quickly recovered.
“Richard, please. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I want to make things right. I want us to try again.”
Richard stared at her in disbelief. “Try again?” He almost laughed at how ridiculous she sounded. “Tonia, do you really think I’m that much of a fool?”
Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but Richard didn’t give her a chance.
“If you hadn’t come into my life years ago, I never would have divorced April.” His jaw tightened as his anger grew. 
“I never would have let go of the woman I should have been fighting for. And now, after everything, you think I’d take you back?”
Tonia’s eyes flickered with something unreadable, but she quickly plastered on another smile. 
“I brought fruits,” she said suddenly, motioning toward the bag she had placed on the coffee table. 
“I thought we could spend some time together, maybe have a movie night, like we used to.”
Richard stared at her in stunned silence for a moment before bursting into laughter. 
It wasn’t a laugh of amusement, but rather disbelief. “You think bringing some fruit and suggesting a movie night is enough to make me forget everything you did?” He shook his head. “You really do take me for a fool.”
Tonia’s smile faltered, and she bit her lower lip. “Richard, please… I know I messed up, but we were good together once. We can be good again.”
Richard’s expression hardened. “Get out.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Richard—”
“I said, get out,” he repeated, his voice dangerously low. “Or I’ll have my security throw you out.”
Tonia straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms. “So that’s it? You’re just going to throw me away like I’m nothing?”
Richard clenched his fists. “You threw me away when you decided to cheat. You don’t get to play the victim here.”
Tonia let out an irritated sigh, rolling her eyes. “Oh, I get it now,” she said bitterly. “This is all because of April, isn’t it?”
Richard’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.
Tonia smirked knowingly.
“I saw the pictures of you and her flying around the internet. So that’s why you won’t give me another chance. It’s because your stupid ex-wife is back in your life, isn’t it?”
Richard’s eyes darkened at her words, but he remained silent.
Tonia took a step closer, tilting her head as she studied him. “I can’t believe this,” she scoffed. 
“After everything, you’re still hung up on her?”
Richard’s patience was running dangerously low. “Leave,” he ordered firmly.
But Tonia ignored him. “You do realize she’s just going to hurt you again, right?” she continued, her voice sharp with jealousy.
“She never fought for you back then. She let you go without a fight. And now, just because she’s back, you’re suddenly acting like she’s the love of your life?”
Richard’s fists clenched at his sides. “You don’t know anything about what happened between me and April.”
“I know enough,” Tonia shot back. “And I know she’s the reason you won’t even consider giving us another shot.”
Richard exhaled sharply, his patience officially gone. “That’s enough,” he said, his voice like ice. “You can believe whatever you want, but I don’t owe you any explanations.”
Tonia narrowed her eyes. “I’m not giving up on you, Richard,” she said firmly. “No matter what it takes, I’ll get you back.”
Richard remained unfazed, his face void of any emotion. He had fallen for her tricks once, but those days were long gone.
Without another word, Tonia spun on her heels and stormed toward the door. 
Richard watched as she yanked it open and stepped out, slamming it shut behind her.
He let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. Tonia was more delusional than he had thought. Did she really believe she still had a place in his life?
Turning to Rose, who had been standing quietly nearby, he said, “Make sure security knows she’s never allowed in here again.”
Rose nodded quickly. “Of course, sir.”
Without another word, Richard turned away and made his way up the stairs. 
He had originally planned to return to his study and finish his work, but he no longer felt like working.
Instead, he headed straight to his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He needed to clear his head. 
Because one thing was certain—Tonia was going to be a problem. But no matter what she did, he wasn’t letting her ruin his life again. Not this time.