Chapter 17 Surprise Visitor
Stewart's P.O.V.
Thanks to Anushka, I have gone from being a successful businessman to being a nobody overnight. My business was struggling, but I would have brought it back. I just needed the right investors. However, when I couldn't find one and Anushka gave me an ultimatum, I thought I would at least stay within the company so I could turn the tables and force her out. I should have known she would go against me. I guess I didn't put her in her place enough when she was growing up. It's time to rectify that. I'm going to put her through hell.
Running my hand through my salt-and-pepper hair with frustration, I look out the window of the small apartment I'm currently renting. Five years—well, it was almost five years ago when she forced me out of my own business. Harrison was supposed to keep her reined in. A woman has no place in a man's world other than to cook, clean, and fuck. I have very little money and no plans, but I will pay her back. I look down at my phone when it begins to ring. Thank goodness, it's the call I've been waiting for.
"Please tell me you have good news." I sit at my tiny kitchen table and wait.
"I searched her entire apartment but couldn't find anything. You were right. Her security system passcode was her mother's birthday. She was supposed to be on vacation for two weeks, but I heard she returned early. Also, she has a new man." I bang my fist on the table, and it shakes as though it's going to break.
"Damn it, I know she has to have it there somewhere. Do you know why she came back early and who the man she's with is?" I shove the table away from me, knocking over the other chair.
"I don't know why she came back. The man she's with is Jordan Holt." I freeze when I hear that name. What is a man like that doing with my Anushka? Maybe I can use their relationship to my advantage. Jordan is a lot wealthier than I ever was. If he truly loves the little bitch, maybe he'll pay for her. I can't tell the person on the other end of the line because I don't trust them with much more than breaking and entering.
"Thanks. Let me know if you find out anything else." After disconnecting the call, I pick up one of the burner phones. There can be no trace of what I'm about to do.
"Hello?"
"I need you to kidnap Anushka. We're going to hold her for ransom. I just found out she's dating a billionaire." The man chuckles, and it sends a chill down my spine. He's the scariest person I have ever met, but he charges a fair price.
"Perfect. What do you want me to do with her when I have her?" He asks. I won't dirty my hands. I'll let this idiot do it.
"Whatever you want, just keep her alive for now." I disconnect the call and smile. I will get my payday and be on top again. That little bitch will be shown her place. I can't wait to have a chat with her. Maybe a little eye-opening news is exactly what she needs to hear. I wonder what she'll say when she learns the truth about where she comes from.
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Jordan's P.O.V.
After Anushka and Dakota pack everything they want to take, I call my car service to have someone pick us up. I'm excited to have them come to my place, and hopefully, they will never leave.
The few minutes we spent laughing before we left were incredible. It seemed that we didn't have a care in the world for that short time. When Dakota said she loved me, my heart almost burst. I went to the island with a plan to get away and relax for a while and returned with a family. Maybe dreams do come true.
Many people think I was born to wealthy parents, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We lived in Brooklyn when I was growing up. One night, when I was five, my dad went to the corner store to buy milk so I would have it for breakfast in the morning. While he was there, three men came in with guns. They left no survivors. My mom and I were devastated.
My dad was a taxi driver, and my mom was a nursing assistant. We didn't have much money, so when we lost my dad's income, my mom had to get a second job just to put food on the table. My mom’s depression after losing my dad caused her to turn to drugs. She died when I was nineteen from a drug overdose.
After losing her, I knew I didn't want to live the way they did. It wasn't living. They were barely surviving. I wanted to be happy and able to provide for my family. Now, I can do all of that and more. The only thing I was missing was a family. I look at Anushka and Dakota as we pull up in front of my building. Now, I have the missing pieces to make my world complete.
"Are you guys ready?" I ask them. Dakota jumps into my arms when I get out of the car, and I hold my hand out to Anushka.
"Yes, I can't wait," Dakota says, kissing my cheek. Anushka smiles and shakes her head.
"You're going to spoil her," she says as we walk inside. The driver and the doorman take the suitcases and follow us.
"That's okay. She deserves to be spoiled. After all, if she hadn't been so persistent, you may not have given me a chance," I tell her as we pile into the elevator. Anushka smiles.
"You're right. Every time my head said it was too good to be true and I should run away, my heart, and Dakota wouldn't let me." I wrap my arm around her and hug them both. The elevator stops on the top floor, and we're greeted by someone I never wanted to see again standing in front of my door.
"Well, doesn't this look cozy? Aren't we all just the happy little family?" Cora says, walking toward us.
"What do you want, and how did you get up here?" I ask as we get off the elevator.
"We need to talk. So get rid of the gold-digger and her daughter so we can go inside." She looks Anushka up and down as though she's nothing.
"You're the one leaving. Now get out of here before I call the police." We walk to the door, and as I punch in the code, Cora says something that makes me freeze.
"Oh, you're going to listen to me. After all, I'm having your son." I look at Anushka, and her face falls as her eyes fill with hurt. I turn to Cora to argue, and she opens her coat to reveal her swollen belly.