Billionaire With Benefits

The message came at exactly 4:00 p.m.

Be ready by six. A driver will pick you up.

—Ethan

Ava stared at her phone for a long moment, her lips slowly curving into a smile she couldn’t hold back even if she tried.

Six years.

Six years of marriage, and somehow, her heart still reacted to him like this, like a girl in love for the very first time.

She hugged her phone to her chest and laughed softly, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet apartment. It had been weeks… no, months, since Ethan had done anything remotely romantic. Not that she blamed him. Being the CEO of a billion-dollar company didn’t exactly leave room for candlelit dinners and spontaneous surprises.

Still… this meant something.

He remembered.

Their anniversary.

Her chest warmed at the thought as she hurried toward her wardrobe. Tonight had to be perfect.

⸻

By 5:45 p.m., Ava stood in front of her mirror, giving herself one last look.

She had chosen a fitted champagne-colored dress that hugged her curves just right, elegant, not too loud, but impossible to ignore. Her makeup was soft but glowing, her lips painted a deep red Ethan once said he loved.

Her hair fell in smooth waves over her shoulders.

She looked… beautiful.

For him.

Her heart fluttered as she slipped on her heels and grabbed her clutch. Just as she reached for her phone, it buzzed again.

The driver is outside.

Ava didn’t waste another second.

⸻

The car waiting for her was sleek, black, and polished to perfection. The driver stepped out immediately, opening the door with quiet professionalism.

“Good evening, ma’am.”

“Good evening,” she replied, her voice light, unable to hide her excitement.

As the car pulled away, Ava leaned back into the seat, her fingers nervously twisting together in her lap.

She tried to imagine what Ethan had planned.

A private dinner? A rooftop? Maybe even a small party?

No… Ethan wasn’t the type for crowds.

Whatever it was, it would be intimate. Thoughtful. Him.

The city lights blurred past the window as her mind drifted through memories, late-night conversations, quiet laughter, and the way he used to look at her like she was the only person in the world.

Things had changed over the years. Life had gotten busier. Harder. Quieter.

But tonight felt like a reset.

Like maybe… they were finding their way back.

⸻

The car finally pulled to a stop in front of one of the most luxurious hotels in the city.

Ava’s breath caught.

Of course, he would choose somewhere like this.

She stepped out slowly, taking in the golden lights, the towering glass, the quiet elegance that screamed wealth without trying too hard.

Ethan never did anything halfway.

Inside, everything was soft marble, warm lighting, and hushed voices. A staff member greeted her immediately and guided her toward a private elevator.

“Your husband is waiting upstairs, ma’am.”

Her heart skipped.

⸻

The penthouse was breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the entire city, glowing under the night sky like a sea of stars. The room itself was dimly lit with soft golden light, candles flickering gently on every surface.

And there he was.

Ethan.

Standing by the window, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight, his presence as commanding as ever.

For a second, she forgot how to breathe.

“Ethan…”

He turned at the sound of her voice.

His expression softened, just slightly as his eyes moved over her.

“You look beautiful.”

Ava smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Thank you.”

She walked toward him, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor, expecting, hoping, he would meet her halfway.

He didn’t.

Instead, he simply gestured toward the dining table.

“Dinner is ready.”

The moment faltered, but only a little. She told herself not to overthink it.

Dinner was… perfect. The food was exquisite. The wine is expensive. The setting is flawless.

But something felt off.

Too quiet.

Ava tried to fill the silence. “You remembered,” she said softly, offering him a smile. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

Ethan nodded once. “I did.”

She waited for more.

Nothing came.

She let out a small, nervous laugh. “Six years, Ethan. That’s… that’s something, right?”

“It is.”

Again, short and distant.

Ava’s fingers tightened slightly around her fork. She wasn’t imagining it, something was wrong.

After dinner, the lights dimmed even further, and soft music began to play, slow, smooth, almost hypnotic.

Ethan stood and walked toward her. “Dance with me.”

This time, her smile was real. “Yes.”

He took her hand, pulling her gently to her feet, his other hand settling at her waist. And just like that… everything else disappeared.

For a moment, it felt like the old days.

They moved together slowly, effortlessly, like they had done a hundred times before. Ava rested her head lightly against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I missed this,” she whispered.

He didn’t respond but he didn’t pull away either.

So she held onto that.

Later, they sat together near the window, and the city stretched endlessly beneath them.

Ava turned to him, her eyes soft, shining with emotion. “Tonight… means a lot to me,” she said quietly. “I know you’re busy. I know things haven’t been easy lately, but… this… this reminds me of us.”

She smiled faintly. “I love you, Ethan.”

The words hung in the air between them.

Heavy.

Final.

Ethan looked at her then, really looked at her and for a brief second, something flickered in his eyes. Not love nor warmth. Something colder, something decided.

“Ava…”

Her heart skipped.

“This will be our last anniversary.”

For a second, Ava didn’t understand what he meant. Her lips parted slightly, her brows pulling together in confusion as she let out a small, uncertain laugh.

“What do you mean?”

Ethan didn’t smile.

“I want a divorce.”