The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

I taught myself to be considerate. I tried to be a better person-a better wife. That bomb he blew in my face was something I had never even imagined. I knew his little exploits, but to run away from responsibility because he was not ready or tried to show the world he was a good man? That was utterly freaking outrageous.

We just got out of the almost highest-profile corporate alleged sexual assault scandal of the century. I couldn’t even imagine watching him and our faces on TV and the internet. It would not only ruin my career but my entire life. I might as well find myself in a mental institution after that. Thankfully, it was over.

Then here I go again-in the middle of the situation because of my ties with Mykel freaking Creed. And here I thought we were planning a family in the future.

I was not usually selfish, but knowing he could have a three-year-old child with another woman? I couldn’t take it. What if it was confirmed that the kid was his? Was I going to take care of his child?

I was crying the whole ride back to Grandpa. I didn’t know how to break it to him. Or would he even be surprised? He warned me, and I didn’t listen because somehow, all I could see was his handsome face that blinded me, his ability to help a woman in distress, and his talent in bed until our sham marriage turned into a real one. Until he fell in love with me, and I fell for him.

And he loves me.

God, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I went directly into my room. Grandpa had just rested. The last thing I wanted was to stress him out because of my terrible decisions.

I guessed I was too over my head. I was young, stubborn, and stupid, and getting what I wanted was what brought me to this austerity. I brought this affliction to myself.

I heard the door open and close. I knew who walked in. I buried my face into the pillow as I couldn’t face him-I felt ashamed.

“Adley?” Grandpa sat on the edge of the bed. His hand was on my back. “I’d never seen you like this for a long, long time, kid.”

“I’m sorry.” I was sobbing. I could barely form a word. “I should have listened to you.”

“I’m glad you didn’t, child. Otherwise, you have wasted your beautiful life.”

“I still made a terrible mistake.”

“Then learn from that mistake. The more you make many mistakes, the more you become strong and make you a good person. It taught you how tough life is, honey.”

“You seemed not surprised why I am here.”

“I just received a call from your weeping husband.”

I chuckled bitterly at the word weeping. I sat on the bed. “I couldn’t take another lie from him.”

“How did you find out?”

“I thought he called you?”

“He did confess. It takes a lot of guts to tell that to his wife’s grandfather, Adley.”

“I don’t wanna talk about it or him.” I wiped my tears dry.

“Why are you crying?”

“He lied to me again.”

“That’s not the answer.”

I met his gaze, and then I looked down at my hands. I tried to take my rings off when Grandpa stopped me.

“Don’t ever think about it. Take responsibility for your action. If your husband made a mistake and tried to make it right, you should admire him. You should be proud of him.”

“I don’t think I can, Grandpa.”

“Of course, you can. When you married someone like Mykel, you did not just marry his body and carry his name; you also married his life, including his past. This has nothing to do with lies. You’re too emotional to face the truth. Sleep it over, and come to me when you’re ready to talk.”

My mouth hung open, and I watched Grandpa leave the room. I lay back and cried all over again.

I woke up in the middle of the night to a constantly grumbling in my stomach. I called for a sandwich. A plate of a turkey sandwiches and a glass of wine arrived in a few minutes.

I cried while eating. I wiped my face, but tears didn’t stop pouring until I gave up. I pushed the plate away. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. And the shocking moment hit me in the guts.

“Oh, no, no!”Accident happens. I sagged against the wall, dragging myself to the floor. I cried there until I lost track of time.

I drew a deep breath and pulled myself together afterward. I kept chanting to be wrong with this, or else I would be losing my mind.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I changed to pajamas and pulled my phone from the bag. It was shocking that I didn’t have a single call or text from him. I swallowed down the pain and the reality that things were changing and happening all at once.

I dialed Blaze.

“Hey.” I felt guilty that he woke up to my call. “Change your mind?”

“For what?” I sniffed.

“Are you crying?”

I chuckled sadly. “Kinda.”

“Kinda? In the middle of the night? What’s wrong?”

“Sorry to wake you up so late.”

“I’m already awake, sweetheart. What’s going on? Is Mykel okay? Your Grandpa?”

“Yeah. I’m here at Grandpa’s.” I let go of a shuddering breath before I burst into tears again.

“I’m coming over.”

“No. You don’t have to do that. Are you with Elise?”

“She’s not in a mood to be with me, you know. It’s the day of the month.” Great. Another huge reminder of my stupidity.

“Is it too much to ask-”

“You don’t have to ask me. Just tell me, Adley.”

“Okay.” I did deep breathing before I talked again. “Drop by the convenience store or a pharmacy-”

“You want a pregnancy kit.”

“How do you know?”

“You’re at Grandpa’s house, and you’ve been crying. Did I miss something else?”

“There’s more, but I wanna tell you everything once you get here.”

“Okay. Be there in an hour.”

Once he hung up the phone, I called security to let Blaze in.

I was pacing back and forth while waiting for him to arrive until I got dizzy. I sat down in the middle of the bed, biting my nails.

I was freaking out about the truth. I was careful, and I’d never been delayed. I never missed the dose either. At this moment, all I could do was blame myself.

I cupped my face and cried again.

It had been almost three months since we started sleeping together and it didn’t freaking occur to me that I did not have my period. Mykel didn’t even ask or say something.

“Adley?”

“Come in,” I answered quickly.

“Hey.” Blaze dropped the bags on the bed and pulled me into a hug. I sobbed in his arms. This time I had a shoulder to cry on.

“It’s gonna be okay. Women get knocked up all the time, single or married.”

“You’re not helping.” I hit him on his arm. “I did not miss a dose, and it didn’t make me feel better because I’ve never been delayed.”

“Yeah. Elise has had it three times because she said she’s messy. She told me to go home when she was on her period.”

“Are you trying to make me feel better or terrible?” I groaned at him.

“What’s so bad about having a baby? You and Mykel have billions of money and can hire twenty nannies monthly.”

“We have planned to have a baby after three years. Not today or tomorrow.”

“Well, it’s already here if you are positive. That’s the consequence of having sex.” He grabbed a bag. “I bought three different brands, Three each, to make sure it’s not tricking us.”

“What else is in the other bag?”

“Ice cream.”

“I want that first.” I grabbed the bag from him and asked spoon from the kitchen.

“Rich people.” He snorted. “Everything is just a press away.”

I rolled my eyes. “We’ve been friends for years, and it didn’t bother you that I’m rich.”

“I know there’s something you’re not telling, Adley. What is it?”

I pulled the lid off and looked at the delicious tiramisu-flavored ice cream. Tears rolled down my face again.

“Adley, what is it?” he asked again when I couldn’t find an easy way to tell him.

“He knocked up someone else years ago. And he’s asking Sax to look for the woman and the child.”

“Oh, fuck. I’m so sorry, Adley. Come here, sweetheart.” He opened his arms for me.

I went into his arms with a tub of ice cream in my hand. “He said he wasn’t sure if it’s his, but he did sleep with that woman. I don’t think I can take care of another woman’s kid, knowing Mykel is the father. I know it’s selfish, but I’m not ready, Blaze.”

“I know, sweetheart. He puts you in a tough situation. What if you’re pregnant right now? What are you gonna do?”

“I’m gonna raise my kid alone,” I answered sternly, glaring at him.

“You know you two are married, and he’s gonna find out, right?”

“I know that. I haven’t forgotten that fact, and I don’t know what to do.” I bit my lip nervously.

The bowl and spoons arrived. We ate the ice cream directly from the tub. Somehow, it comforted me.

He cleared his throat before he spoke, “Elise mentioned something today that Mykel left for a business trip.”

I lifted my head and stared at Blaze in utter shock.

“Hey. Don’t ever overthink.” He wiped my tears from my face.

“I already am. I wondered why he didn’t even call or text me after I left. I guess that’s the answer I was looking for.” I wiped my tears that never ran dry.

“Or maybe he wanted to find the answer he’s looking for directly from the source.”

I sighed deeply and scratched my head. “I think I’m getting a divorce.”

“Are you crazy? This is not something you should think about overnight, Adley.” He narrowed his eyes, scolding me.

“I can support my own kid, Blaze.” I got out of bed and crossed my arms over my chest.

“You’re right, but he will fight for the custody and bring it to court. Is that really what you want? We don’t even know yet if it’s really his kid. Did he tell you this himself?”

“Yes.”

“Then, after you’ve been through with that bitch, all he wanted was, to be honest. He might want to start over with you, Adley.”