Chapter 15 SHE'S MY WIFE
DASHIELL
My face clouded in anger at his words, as I took a step towards him, glaring at the idiot that thought to speak. "Who the hell are you to speak to me in that manner?" I demanded. "Brion Marshall," he deadpanned, waiting for my face to dawn in recognition, and it did.
Brion Marshall owns one of the most famous jewellery companies in the United States. Of course, I know him. He was the man I was to partner with on an upcoming project. "Ring a bell?" he demanded, taking more steps towards me. "I don't care who you are, or who the fuck you think you are, Mr Dashiell James, just get the fuck away from my girlfriend."
"Your girlfriend?" I scoffed, regaining from the initial shock I got at the mention of his name. "She's my bloody wife, and we are married. I will advise you to remove your claws from what doesn't belong to you. Because she's mine! Touching her is courting death."
"Yours?" Nova stepped in, glaring as she took his hand in hers, further infuriating me. "I'm not a property. I'm my own person, and I've got to choose what's right for me. And you, my darling, isn't the
right choice."
"Nova, I -"
"Don't ever seek for me. I hope this will be our last meeting, Mr James. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to use drastic measures on you. Ones you won't appreciate at all. Excuse us."
I watched them take off, too stunned to do anything. My reaction was late. It was still surreal. The moment the door shut behind them, I regained my sanity, realizing what it meant now. Nova is back, but she's not alone. She returned with the same guy she left with. But that wasn't all. My docile wife seemed to have transformed into a sassy woman.
"Fuck!" I screamed, tugging my hair as I knelt on the floor. I didn't know what to do. Knowing she was still dating someone else left a pang in my chest as I wondered what was so good about him that made her stick with him. Was it because of his wealth? Nova had always gone for the richest, so I wouldn't be surprised.
Was he better than me? Richer even? But I doubt that. I was the richest man in the entire country. Brion had just one-third of what I did. Even with half of my assets still locked - because of the will- I still had more than enough. There was a large margin between me and the runner-up. I was still the wealthiest man in the country. If Nova was going for the richest, shouldn't I be the one?
"Sir!" I heard my secretary call out as she approached. "I've been looking all over for you. It's time for the closing remark, and -"
"Tell Mr Maximo to do that." I ran my hand through my hair, with my gaze still on the door. "If there's anything that needs my involvement, you can do it."
"But, sir -"
"It's an order." Growling at her, I left through the door Nova had gone through with her lover, trudging along like a zombie out for brains.
My legs took me to Lilith's house. How I walked the distance from the exhibition venue to her building came as a shock to me when I realized I was standing on her front porch, about to ring the bell.
Without thinking much about it, I raised my hand and knocked on the door. I didn't bother pressing the bell as I went the old-fashioned way.
"Who's there?" Lilith asked.
"It's me, Lils," I replied, leaning on the wall next to the door.
"Dash?" She threw the door open. "What are you doing here?" She demanded, giving me a suspicious look. "Why are your eyes bloodshot?"
"She's back," I whispered, peering down at her
"Who?" She squinted at me. "Who's back? What are you talking about?"
"Nova." I pushed away from the wall and walked into her house, removing my shoes by the door as I did so.
She closed the door behind her and followed me to the sitting room, where I plopped down on the sofa, groaning.
"Nova? Like Nova Anderson?" She demanded, sounding unsure as she sat next to me.
"Yeah. She's back." I nodded, looking up at the ceiling.
"How did you know? Did you meet her?"
"Yup. She's the designer you spoke about two days ago. Nova Anderson."
"Impossible." She sat up on the couch. "How did she get so popular? Are you certain about it? Could it be your eyes didn't -"
"I lived with her for two years before she left. Of course, I will always know my wife when I see her." I was beyond pissed that she would think I wouldn't be able to recognize Nova.
"Your wife," she mussed, looking down. "She's now your wife? What happened to your words five years ago when you promised to get married to me? Was that all a sham? Your scheme to get me to
stay with you?"
"You know that's not true." I reached towards her and removed the stray strands of hair from her face. "I love you Lils. I still love you. I just..."
"No, you don't." She got up from the sofa, and turned her back to me, folding her arms. "With Nova back, you won't have the time for me." "That's not true!" I got up from the couch and hugged her from behind. "Her return doesn't make any difference to me, Lils. I still love you."
Even though I felt a pang at the thought of seeing Nova with another man, I still wanted to be with Lils. She was, after all, the one who stood by my side during my dark moments.
"Is this for real? Or do you just want to take my mind off the -"
"It's for real." I turned her, so she was facing me. "You are perfect." I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I still love you, and will always love you." With those words, I kissed her, drowning
in her womanly scent. I was eager to forget about tonight and knew the right way to do that. In Lilith's arms.