Divorced By One Billionaire, Claimed By Another

Emma’s POV

“Is the gift ready?” I asked Jane, my assistant.

The wind blew, causing goosebumps to grow on my skin. Maybe the skimpy dress I had chosen wasn’t worth it.

“Yes ma’am, it’s already packed in the bag” she smiled, opening the door to let me into the car.

I nodded, my mind was full of too much to do. There were too many things on my mind. “Good, prepare the documents for tomorrow's meeting by eleven but until then, you’re free” I smiled, knowing she would be happy for the break.

“Thank you ma’am” and I was on my way.

I couldn’t help the smile on my face from widening even further. The thought of seeing Alexander, didn’t matter how many times I had before sent butterflies moving in my stomach.

Soon we arrived at the already packed venue and as anticipated, the media stormed towards me, questions on their lips, all of which I ignored.

“Take the gift to the stage” I told the maid that had come to get my jacket.

She bowed, “Immediately Mrs. Cross.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, every time I heard that name, it reminded me who I was and who I had been for seven years, married to the man I was comfortably in love with.

The first thing I noticed when I walked was his absence, he wasn’t at the stage as he should have been and maybe that should have rung the first warning bells but it didn’t.

What rung the bells was the way everyone stared at me as I walked in. It was as if I was the stranger, not the co-organizer of this ball. I looked around, trying to find him and that was when I looked up, spotting him up on the balcony except he wasn’t alone.

Isabella, one of our mutual friends, someone I considered a close friend stood with him and they both seemed to be talking except much closer than they usually did.

Before I could thin too much of it, I found myself walking up the stairs and towards him, aware that eyes remained on me.

Just as I reached the landing, I saw Alexander, the man I considered my husband wrap his hands around her delicate waist and pull her in for a kiss. Their lips joined and it wasn’t a delicate kiss. No, they kissed like they were familiar with the action.

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth coupled with the urge to throw up.

He pulled her closer, their body flush against each other and it didn’t seem like they were about to stop.

Before the torture could go any longer, I found myself crying out, “Alex!”

My voice was a screech, the echo of it seemed to stop the light music. Now, there was nobody in the ballroom that didn’t have their eyes on us.

None of it seemed to matter to Alex.

He turned around leisurely, his arms still around her waist loosely but not letting go. “You’ve finally arrived” he said.

Tears gathered at my eyes and I felt myself swallow to keep it back, “What’s happening? I don’t understand” my voice had dropped.

He shrugged carelessly as if the answer seemed obvious. “What does it look like?”

“How can you?..”

Isabella came to stand beside him, her hands on his chest. The position that I was so familiar with because it was usually me there. “Please don’t cause any drama Emma” she said, her voice condescending.

“I’m the one married to him” maybe she needed a reminder.

She huffed, “Not for long”

They both began to walk down the stairs and I stared in disbelief, “What the hell is happening?” my voice had risen again, the shame was wearing off and anger and sadness had begun to replace it.

Alexander didn’t even turn back when he responded, “Why don’t you come down and find out”

I followed behind them, aware that eyes remained on us, I could feel it burning into my skin. As we walked past to the stage, I kept my eyes low, not caring to hold eye contact with anyone.

When we reached the stage, I watched Alexander’s assistant hand him a file. He turned towards me, “Read it”

I took the file and opened it, reading carefully through it just to be sure. My eyes found his before falling back on the papers. I felt my breath cut short, “What…I..is this?” I stammered out.

He stepped back, shoving his hands into his pocket, “Exactly what it looks like”

The crowd had gathered and despite my desire to keep it low, I knew they could hear all of it. “You cant be serious Alex”

“But he is” Isabella was the one to cut in, “He wants a divorce from you”

My hands shook slightly, if you weren't next to me then you wouldn’t notice but I did. The words on the paper had turned into a blur of words. I didn’t want to believe it but it was right there. “How could you?”

He rolled his eyes, “Don’t be dramatic Emma,” and then he came closer, “You only want to stay with me because of the money wasn’t it? Isnt it what you’ve been doing all these years?”

Isabella joined in, “The world should know what sort of disgusting woman you are”

“I haven't done anything of that sort.”

I wasn’t sure where the papers came from but the next thing I knew was that Alex threw a couple of papers on my face, “Why don’t you see it for yourself?”

Isabella’s voice was louder, clearly for the people to hear, “She’s been giving some of our information to the rivals, leaking it so that some of our projects were already public before we could launch”

“That’s not true” I began to say.

Alexander didn’t even give me a chance, “Sign the papers and leave Emma, before I make things worse for you. You have betrayed this company and my trust. I don’t want you any more”