My Rented Husband is a Secret Billionaire

~Rosemary~

The clock on the wall struck eleven and with that, I chewed my lower lip. I picked up my phone again and texted, "Where are you, honey? Are you all right?" 

It was way past closing hour, but he wasn't back home yet. I had called him numerous times, yet I hadn't heard a word from him.

As I sat on the sofa in the living room, I stared blankly at the wedding picture on the wall opposite. In the picture, the smile on my face couldn't have been brighter, but my husband's smile was rather frozen.

It had been two years since we got married. Although it wasn't a bed of roses, it was peaceful for the most part. Max and I barely argued. But I guess you could say it's because he was rarely at home. I only saw him sometimes in the mornings and at night.

However, today was the first time he was staying out this late. Since I saw on the news that a car accident happened on the same route Max took everyday, I had been dead worried. As I took a deep breath, I felt a sharp cramp in my lower abdomen.

Holding my breath, I rubbed my bulging belly gently. "Take it easy with Mommy, okay? I know you miss your daddy. But don't worry, baby. He will be home very soon."

As soon as I said those words, I heard the sound of a car. I stood up painstakingly and dragged my feet toward the door.

Max Smith, my husband, opened the door before I could get to it. Standing at 6ft2 inches tall, he sauntered into the living room. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbow and his jacket was slung over his shoulder. I noticed that his blonde hair was tousled unlike how groomed it was when I saw him this morning. 

Still, he looked as dashing as ever…still the same man I’ve been loving for eight years now. 

"Hey, I have been calling and texting. Are you okay? Were you anywhere near the car accident?"

Max's piercing eyes reverted to me as I stood by his side, taking his jacket. He glanced at the dining table. "What's for dinner?"

"Would some pizza be enough?" I said, folding the jacket. "I ordered some. Got you your favorite, Beef and Bacon pizza. You have been a big fan of it since freshman year in high school, I bet–"

"Are you kidding me right now?" Max suddenly roared, his nose flaring and his brows arching together.

I flinched and a chill ran down my back. I found that he was shooting me a murderous glare now.

"I work hard every day, yet you think I'd want to have pizza for dinner? I demand a freshly cooked meal!"

I winced, placing one hand on my pregnant belly as the cramp came again. I blew air through my pursed lips and then smiled. "I was extremely ill today, so I couldn't cook. How about you just make do for tonight? Also, don't you think it's high time we hired a chef?"

I staggered back, bumping into the armrest of a sofa. I felt a stinging pain on my left cheek. When I looked up and saw my husband’s hand raised, I realized he had just hit me.

"Stop being so lazy! How long would it take you to whip up something for me? You can cook, so why do I need a chef?"

Pointing in the direction of the kitchen, he added, "Don't make me mad. Go into that kitchen right now!"

A tear escaped my left eye as I held my aching cheek. Trembling, I lowered my head to avoid looking at his red eyes, I walked into the kitchen as fast as my legs could carry me. As soon as I shut the door behind me, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

I held the kitchen island while my body trembled. Before I could stop myself from shaking like a leaf, I felt another cramp in my lower abdomen. I wanted to sit down for a while. But I had work to do.

Biting my lower lip hard, I dragged my feet over to the pots cabinet while holding the island with one hand. I had just turned on the gas cooker when I heard Max call out, "You better make it snappy! I'm hungry, and we need to talk!"

Hearing that warning, I withdrew my shaky hands. 

What’s the purpose of a marriage where the husband makes you so scared? 

I shook my head, realizing this was the wrong time to even think.

 Fifteen minutes later, I held my breath and shakily placed a plate of chicken curry and rice on the dining  table. 

Max dug into the food without sparing me a glance. 

Instead, he stared at his phone. Then he smiled. 

I wondered what made him smile like that. But I could only bite my lips to stop myself from asking.

The silence was killing me. My throat constricted each time I tried to swallow. A billion thoughts ran through my mind as I stole glances at Max. Why was he so silent? Does the food taste bad? Didn't he say he wanted to discuss something with me? What could it be?

Suddenly, Max pulled out an envelope from his back pocket and slapped it on the table beside me. "Sign that!"

I looked at the envelope. "What is it?"

Instead of responding, Max eyed me and then returned to eating. I had to pick up the envelope and open it.

There was a document inside. As soon as I unfolded the document and read the first page, my jaw went slack. I looked at Max again. "A divorce agreement?"