After He Ran From Our Wedding, I Married a Billionaire

Olivia's POV

Ethan and I grew up together. We were supposed to exchange rings at the altar, make our vows. But on our wedding day, he left me standing there to go save his so-called suicidal ex. Almost killed my parents from the shame.

Four years later, I'm back in Portland with my husband. The city isn't that big, and of course fate decides to throw him in my path again.

He has the nerve to ask me to be his mistress.

I hold up my left hand, the ring catching the light. "Are you blind?"

I've been back home for over three months now.

The days move slowly. I spend them walking with my parents, talking, and video calling my husband and daughter.

My best friend asks me to go shopping today. My husband and daughter are coming in a few days, so I agree. She hasn't changed at all—still dragging me into fitting rooms, complaining about gaining weight.

After trying on clothes, we settle into a table at an upscale restaurant downtown.

My friend orders wine and starts talking. "You know what happened after you left with your family that day? Ethan came back."

She lowers her voice, eyes bright with gossip. "Didn't even wait. Married her the same day."

"Everyone was talking about it, but he didn't care."

I take a sip of wine. "That's all in the past."

She sighs and changes the subject. "Honestly, I was worried about you back then. But look at you now—married with a daughter."

"Does he treat you well? Your husband?"

I nod, can't help smiling.

Thinking about my husband and daughter always brings this warmth. It's real, what I have now. Nothing like when I was chasing after Ethan like an idiot.

We're eating and chatting when my friend suddenly goes pale. "Stomach," she mutters, rushing off to the bathroom.

I sit there alone, scrolling through my phone.

"Olivia?"

A voice behind me.

Familiar enough to make me freeze.

I turn around.

Ethan's standing there with a group of men in suits behind him. He's wearing a dark coat, hair perfectly styled, that smile on his face—the one I know too well.

Fake and smug.

"It really is you." He walks closer, looking me up and down. "When did you get back?"

The men behind him crowd closer, sizing me up with looks that feel mocking.

One of them clicks his tongue. "Look at you, still dressing like that. Pretty plain. Guess things haven't worked out so well for you, huh?"

Another one laughs. "That's why you're here, isn't it? Can't get over the boss, so you came hoping to bump into him?"

"How'd you even get in here? This place isn't cheap."

Their words are like flies buzzing in my ears.

I grip my wine glass tighter.

I used to stand in front of these same people, smiling carefully, afraid of saying the wrong thing and upsetting him.

Looking back, I was pathetic.

Ethan waves his hand, telling them to stop. He looks at me with this... slimy tenderness.

"You look even better. I know you never got over me. Why else would you come back here?"

He pauses, lowering his voice like he's offering me something precious. "Since you still love me, I suppose I could take you back. Be my mistress."

The men immediately start egging him on.

"Ethan is too generous!"

"You should jump at this. You know how big he is now? He's about to close a deal with Mr. Sterling—the Sterling, biggest business empire out there."

"Look at yourself. This is the best you're gonna get."

Their voices get louder, more grating.

People at nearby tables are starting to stare. Some whispering, some frowning.

I feel sick.

Not from their words. From him.

He says it like he's doing me a favor, like it's some kind of gift. Madison clearly isn't enough for him. He sees I'm doing well, sees my husband treats me right, and suddenly he wants me back.

His eyes crawl over me. Greasy and disgusting.

The boy who held me in the rain and promised he'd never leave is long gone.

I set down my glass and grab my purse, standing up.

Can't stand being here another second.

But I barely take a few steps before someone grabs my wrist.

Ethan follows me out, his guys trailing behind.

"What's your problem?" He's frowning now, irritated. "I'm talking to you."

"Look, I married Madison, but I had to. She was going to kill herself. You get that, right?"

"I still love you."

"That's what you want, isn't it? Stop playing hard to get."

I yank my hand away and hold up my left hand. The ring gleams in the sunlight.

"Are you blind?"

"Can't you see I'm married?"