THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECOND CHANCE

THREE

Tara Coleman

The night was long for me, but at least I got some sleep in the wee hours of the morning after turning and tossing on my bed the whole night. My mother was worried about me, and she kept checking in on me to make sure I didn't do anything hasty, but I promised myself that I was not going to let Mark win again after what he did to me.

To say I was devastated and hurt was an understatement. I was angry, and all I wanted was to punch him right across the face, but he didn't deserve my energy, did he?

The following morning, I woke up a bit late and got a note from my mom. She had left for an early meeting but was to be back before the end of the day. At least I had the whole house to myself and space to pity myself without anyone questioning me.

I washed my tear-smeared face and walked to the kitchen. Lydia smiled as soon as she saw me and gave me a cup of coffee.

"I was worried about you, but I am glad you are finally up. How are you feeling?" She asked, concerned, and I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee when I suddenly felt the urge to throw up.

"Are you sure you made this as usual? Like how I like it? I don't know, but I feel like it is tasteless." I complained as I pushed the cup aside.

Lydia was confused for a few seconds but was quick to cover it up with a smile. "Of course, two sugars, just the way you like it. Maybe you are sick or something is wrong with you; you look pale." She replied, reaching to feel my temperature, and I moved back, holding my forehead to see if she was right.

"Nothing is wrong with me; I don't think I'm hungry anymore. Maybe I should just take a glass of cold juice; that might help." I interjected and quickly walked over to the fridge. I poured myself a glass of juice, but the moment I sipped it, I felt the urge to throw up again, and I ran to the bathroom.

"You are running hot; you should see a doctor," Lydia suggested a few moments later after I walked back into the living room. She was holding a glass of water and headache pills in her hands.

"No, I don't feel sick but thank you. It is probably just fatigue." I added not wanting to talk about it, and she nodded.

Lydia had worked for my family for so long, ever since we were kids, and she became part of our family. Even when my parents wanted her to retire and take care of her family, she insisted on staying around because she considered us her family. Her son was away working for the military, and he was rarely at home, so staying with us was the best idea.

"Maybe you should take a pregnancy test. I know it is none of my business, but when I was pregnant with my son, I didn't know. I took some painkillers for a headache. I thought I only had to end up in the hospital. I almost lost him, but I always thank my late husband for being there in time."

"I can't be pregnant, Lydia. I can't have kids; at least that is what the doctor said. Maybe the reason why my husband cheated on me was that I couldn't bear him, kids."

"Sometimes doctors are wrong, my love, and if I remember well, he said they are medical conditions that can be dealt with; you are not entirely infertile. Just take the pregnancy test before you take any painkillers that might cause harm to your unborn baby."

I didn't know what else to do; I was scared, nervous, and not sure if Lydia's suggestion fit my current situation. I couldn't be pregnant, or maybe taking the test was the only way to be sure.

As I sat on the toilet waiting for the results, a lot of questions ran through my mind.

What happens when it turns out to be positive?

What will Mark do when he learns I'm carrying his baby? Will he cause drama just to get access to his child?

He has always wanted to be a dad, and pregnancy isn't something I can hide. Will he just let me live my life without constantly worrying about his next step?

I looked at the positive kit and exhaled sharply. Some parts of me were happy to learn that I was pregnant, but others were afraid of what Mark would do to make my life a living hell. He had all the money and power to make sure he won custody of my child, and I wasn't going to let him win again.

I walked out of the bathroom as a confused person. I was mixed up with emotions. I walked to my room and looked at my unpacked suitcases; they were all intact.

Maybe starting life somewhere else is not so bad; maybe this is my wake-up call to build myself and my career and make a future for my baby. This city only gives me nightmares day and night; this is my sign to move on and forget this ever happened. Go somewhere no one knows me, start life all over again, and lay low as I raise my baby.

The voice in my head was louder than my thoughts and that was the very moment I made up my mind to move out of the city and tell no one about my plans. I quickly rushed to my room to draft a resignation letter to my boss. I know it sounds crazy that I was working whilst my husband was a billionaire.

Well, before we got married, Mark begged me to be a housewife and not work but I am a determined and independent lady, I insisted on working and I did a pretty good job. My boss always appreciated my work and that is why two years into starting to work for him, I was already the CEO of his company, a rival company to my husband's but in the corporate world, we don't mix love with business and that is why I was able to be a boss at work and a wife back at home.

After drafting the letter, I kept it in my drafts and walked downstairs. I intended to leave before my mom or anyone else came back from home, and Lydia was the only obstacle.

"Hey Lydia, I don't know if you can do me a favor."

"Anything for you, what is going on?" She asked concerned and I nodded. I had thought it through and I knew that was the perfect time to elope and never look back.

"It is something I left at my brother's place; it is work-related, and I don't want to go back to my house."

"It is okay; just tell me what it is, and I will fetch it for you later in the day."

"No, it is urgent. I need it right now to write a report. It is a work iPad that I keep important information in. Just go and tell my house manager what I want and she will give it to you, I already called my driver to take you there. It won't take you long and don't worry, I can finish up your chores."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I was done anyway; just get some rest I will be here before you know it." She promised and I smiled. I watched as she got rid of her apron and got ready to leave and that is when I started working on my escape plan and calculating the time I needed.

I had less than forty minutes before she came back so I quickly called a cab and the guy was understanding enough to help me drag my heavy suitcases downstairs.

I gave my parent's house one last look and all the memories ran through my mind as I headed for the door. I got in the car and locked the door behind me; there was no coming back. I was prepared for what life had in store for me in Paris and France was the only country I wanted to live in apart from New York, far away from America, and far away from Mark and his little w***e, Mia. I had enough cash to get me back on my feet and enough to push me through until I had my child.

As I sat in the passenger's seat, I wished there was a way out for me, but taking that bold step was the only option at the moment. Mark was used to winning and I wasn't going to let him walk over me again. I sent my boss the resignation letter to his email and apologized to Mom for leaving without a word before I removed my SIM card, broke it into pieces, and threw it outside the window.

Time was moving fast as we approached the airport, I watched the city through the window and the taxi disappeared into the tunnel leading to the main airport road.

I wish you nothing but the very best, dear self. You are destined for greatness and so is your unborn child. Go out there and make yourself proud; you deserve happiness.

I whispered to myself later as the plane took off and I watched the beautiful evening skies with a victory smile sealed on my lips.