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CHAPTER 007

Penulis: Richard Wright
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-14 23:41:14

KARMA

DERRICK

I sat in my office, fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee, staring out the window as the city slowly came to life. The cool morning air drifted in through the slightly open window blinds, brushing against my face like a fleeting reminder of peace. For a moment, I tried to lose myself in the stillness, to pretend that everything was fine.

But it wasn’t. No matter how hard I tried to push away the chaos, it always found a way back in. My mind was a battlefield, and I was losing the fight. I forced a sip of my coffee, its warmth spreading through me, but it did little to ease the tightness in my chest.

The scandal at ATLAS CORP had grown beyond my control. What started as whispers had become a raging fire, spreading from one department to another, reaching boardrooms, clients, and even the media. The weight of it was suffocating.

I could feel the stares, the hushed conversations that stopped the moment I walked by. Colleagues I had once shared drinks and laughter
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  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 008

    THE BABY ARRIVES.BRIDGETA month had passed, and I focused on myself and my unborn baby. With Davis’s unwavering support, I threw myself into preparing for motherhood, determined to move forward and leave the past behind.I attended prenatal classes, read countless parenting books, and even started redecorating my apartment to create a cozy nursery.Every day was a step toward building a new life. one that didn’t include Derrick or the heartbreak he had caused. I was determined to be strong, not just for myself but for the little one growing inside me.Davis was my rock, always there with a listening ear, a comforting hug, or a much-needed distraction when the weight of it all became too heavy.6 Months Later I sat in the hospital room, cradling my newborn son in my arms. The soft glow of the morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a warm golden hue over the room. Tears welled in my eyes as I gazed at his tiny face, his perfect little nose, and the way his tiny fingers c

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 009

    THE PARKING LOT INCIDENT.BRIDGET“Oh my God! Someone help!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the empty parking lot. My heart was pounding as I rushed toward the man lying on the ground. He was motionless, his body sprawled awkwardly on the cold concrete. Blood pooled beneath him, staining his white shirt a deep crimson. I knelt beside him, my hands hovering over his chest, unsure of where to touch without causing more harm.My mind raced with questions. What had happened to him? Who had stabbed him? Why was he here? But there was no time to think about that now. The man in front of me was dying, and I had to do something to help him.His breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling weakly. His skin was pale, almost ghostly, and his hand twitched faintly as if he were trying to hold on to consciousness. Panic surged through me as I fumbled for my phone, my hands trembling so badly I could barely dial 911.“911, what is your emergency?” The operator’s voice was calm, but it

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 10

    THE CAFE DERRICK I sat in the corner of the café, a steaming cup of tea in front of me. My eyes firmly fixed on the road outside, watching as a fleet of cars passed by in a steady stream. The rhythmic hum of the city felt distant, almost muffled, as if I were underwater. My spoon clinked against the ceramic cup, stirring the tea endlessly, though I hadn’t taken a single sip. My mind was elsewhere, racing through a maze of regrets and what-ifs. Bridget. Her name echoed in my thoughts like a haunting melody. How had I let her go? How had I been so blind? Vera’s disappearance after my suspension at Atlas Corp had been the final blow. It was like the universe had pulled the rug out from under me, forcing me to confront the mess I’d made of my life. I had chosen Vera over Bridget, and for what? A fleeting sense of validation? A false promise of stability? Bridget had been my rock, my constant through every storm. And I’d thrown her away like she was nothing. I was a fool, I thought

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 11

    THE CONFERENCE MEETING BRIDGETA sudden buzzing sound pulled me out of my thoughts, jolting me awake. My phone vibrated insistently on the nightstand, its screen lighting up with an incoming call.I sighed, dragging my tired body up from the bed. Ever since that disastrous day when my life had come crashing down, peace had been a distant memory. Sleep was hard to come by, and when it did, it was often restless, filled with dreams of what could have been and what was lost. Reaching for the phone, I glanced at the caller ID. *Lisa.* My coworker. A frown formed on my face as I tried to make sense of why she was calling me so early. Today was supposed to be my day off, a rare chance to catch up on rest and spend time with my baby. “Hey, Lisa,” I greeted, my voice still thick with sleep. “Hey,” Lisa’s voice came through, sounding unusually urgent. “The boss will be visiting the company today, and it’s mandatory for all staff to be present.”I sat up immediately, my frown deepening. “Wa

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 12

    THE MEETING BRIDGETLisa nudged me excitedly, her voice barely audible over the noise. “Brie, that’s you! Get up there!”With shaky legs, I rose from my seat and slowly made my way toward the stage, my pulse racing. As I climbed up, I could feel all eyes on me, but none were as intense as the pair of stormy grey eyes watching me intently.Smith Spencer got up from his seat and walked toward me, his gaze locked onto mine. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, and for a moment, I wondered if he remembered me too. But his expression gave nothing away, his demeanour calm and composed.“Bridget Hales,” he said, his voice smooth yet firm. “Can we take a moment to talk about your recent performance?”I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Of course, Mr. Spencer.”He studied me for a moment before continuing, his tone measured and professional. “I’ve been thoroughly impressed with your work on the recent projects. Your dedication and leadership skills have not gone unnoticed

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 13

    DERRICKA KNOCK ON THE DOOR Knock. Knock.I heard a firm knock on the door, pulling me from my thoughts. My mother had mentioned visiting today, but she was still supposed to be at Auntie’s. It was too early for her to be done with that visit.Curiosity filled the air as I walked over to the door. My fingers tightened around the doorknob before I twisted it open. The moment my eyes landed on the face standing before me, my breath hitched. Vera. My heart stilled for a fraction of a second before it resumed beating, this time with an uneasy rhythm. Of all the people I expected to see today, she was the last."Vera?" My brows furrowed in confusion. "What... are you doing here?"She looked just as put together as ever—her brown hair in perfect waves, her designer dress hugging her figure, and her lips painted a shade of red that used to make my heart race. But not today. Not anymore."Did you forget something?" I asked, my voice tight. A part of me already knew she wasn’t here for some

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 14

    D NIGHT SMITH SPENCER The evening air was crisp, carrying the soft melody of birdsong through the open balcony doors. From my vantage point, the city stretched endlessly before me, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. The skyline shimmered as glass towers reflected the last remnants of daylight, casting long shadows over the streets below. Inside, my penthouse was a sanctuary of wealth and refinement. polished marble floors, towering glass walls, and chandeliers that dripped with crystal. The ambient lighting cast a warm glow over the plush velvet furniture, while the scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air. I stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling around me as I adjusted the silk belt of my golden robe. The fabric draped effortlessly over my frame, cool against my skin. A thick, white towel rested around my neck, absorbing the dampness from my freshly showered body. The air-conditioned space carried a sweet, savoring aroma—truffle, rosemary, and the unmis

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 15

    ROMANTICBRIDGETIt’s been a year since Derrick shattered my heart and chose my best friend, Vera, over me. A year of pain, of rebuilding, of trying to find myself again. But tonight, for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel alive. Smith has a way of making me feel seen, cherished, like I matter in a way I haven’t in years. He’s wealthy, yes, and undeniably handsome, but it’s his kindness, his warmth, that draws me in. He’s not just a man with power; he’s a man with depth, and being around him feels like stepping into the sunlight after a long, cold winter.We’ve spent the evening laughing, talking, and drinking wine in his penthouse, the city lights twinkling like stars below us. The air between us is electric, charged with something I haven’t felt in a long time—desire, yes, but also a sense of connection, of being truly understood. Smith’s gaze never wavers when he looks at me, and it’s intoxicating. He makes me feel like I’m the only person in the room, in the worl

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15

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  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 39

    BrieShadow Of The Past: Continued. I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. Davis had always been my rock, the one person I could count on no matter what. But I just didn't want to talk about this. I was tired of bringing up Derrick, talking about a past I had tried so hard to leave behind.“It’s Derrick,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “He called. He wants to be a part of Liam’s life.”Davis’s eyes widened in surprise. “Derrick? After all this time? What did he say?”I recounted the conversation, my words tumbling out in a rush. As I spoke, I could see the concern written all over Davis’s face. She knew how much I had struggled after Derrick walked away, how hard I had fought to build a life for Liam and myself. “I don’t know what to do,” I confessed. “I can’t let him waltz back into our lives like nothing happened. But what if he tries to take Liam away from me? What if he goes to court?”Davis reached for my hand, her grip firm and reassuring. “Listen to me

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 38

    The Shadow of the past: A fight for Liam.It was my second day off. The director had given me some days off to go spend time with Liam, who had just been released from the hospital. I sat on the couch, my gaze fixed on Liam as he slept peacefully in his cradle. His tiny chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, a reminder of how fragile life could be. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, hope, and now, relief. Liam was finally home, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe. Liam, He was my world, my everything. When I almost gave up on life, he was the only thing keeping me going. He was my lucky charm, and I was just so overwhelmed by joy to see that he was finally recovering well.As I stood up to go get the drugs the doctor had prescribed for Liam, my phone rang out, the screen flickering. I averted my gaze towards the phone, wondering who that might be calling me by this time of the night. I picked up the phone and saw an u

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 37

    “Ey, Amigo, I’ve been waiting on you for the Smith guy’s details and the transfer. You waste more time, and it’ll cost you double of that money, you understand?” Tyrell’s voice crackled through the phone, low and menacing, like the growl of a predator circling its prey.I clenched the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles whitening in the grip. The weight of his words pressed down on me, a reminder of the stakes I was playing with. These Gang members weren’t the kind of people you play around with. They were the kind who made people disappear when they were disappointed. And right now, I was dangerously close to becoming one of those people.“Hey, man, I’m on my way to the location where I’ll get you what you want. Trust me, I won’t take long,” I replied, my voice shaky despite my efforts to sound calm. The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I wasn’t sure how much longer this would take, and every second felt like a ticking time bomb.Tyrell grunted, a sound that could have meant anything,

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 36

    A Glimmer of GraceBrieThe hum of the office was a distant buzz as I rested at my desk, my fingers hovering over the keyboard but not typing. My mind was elsewhere, replaying the image of Liam lying in that hospital bed, his small frame dwarfed by the machines and tubes surrounding him. The memory of his laboured breathing, the way his tiny hand had gripped mine, sent a fresh wave of guilt crashing over me. I should have been there sooner. I should have noticed he wasn’t feeling well before it got that bad.“Brie?” Lisa’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. She stood in the doorway of my office, her expression a mix of concern and apology. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come see Liam at the hospital. I didn’t even know he was sick until Mark told me. How is he doing now? Is he okay?”I forced a smile, though it felt brittle on my lips. “It’s fine, Lisa. You don’t owe me an apology. And Liam’s doing better, thank God. The doctor said he’ll be discharged today.

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 35

    A Deal with the DarknessDerrickI sat in my car, the engine off, the silence pressing against my ears like a weight. The parking lot was empty, save for a few scattered vehicles, and the faint glow of a street light flickering above. My hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, as if holding on tighter could somehow steady the storm inside me. Bridget’s face flashed in my mind. Her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, the way she used to look at me before everything fell apart. And then there was Liam. My son. The boy I’d barely known, the life I’d missed out on. The guilt gnawed at me, a relentless ache that had only grown sharper since I’d seen him again.I’d spent years running from it, burying the regret under layers of denial and excuses. But seeing Liam at the hospital, really seeing him had shattered all of that. He was a bit older now, with Bridget’s eyes and a quiet confidence that made my chest tighten.I wanted to be part of his life. I needed to be. B

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 34

    The Weight of ChoicesBRIEIt was 6:22pm in the evening. The fluorescent lights of the emergency room buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow over the tense atmosphere. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, a persistent reminder of where I was and why I was here. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions. fear, guilt, exhaustion, all battling for dominance.“I’ll be taking my leave now, Brie,” Smith muttered, his voice soft but firm. He rubbed his hand on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch offering a fleeting sense of comfort. “I have to be at a short meeting with some clients. I was headed there before I got your call and decided to rush here to meet up with you.”I looked up at him, forcing a smile that felt more like a frown. “It’s fine, Smith. Thanks for stopping by.”He nodded, his kind eyes filled with concern. “My pleasure, Brie. And get some rest, okay? He’ll be fine.” With that, he turned and walked toward the exit, his polished shoes clicking against the ti

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 33

    Derrick I left the hospital in a daze, My chest felt heavy, like a weight had settled deep inside me, pressing against my ribs with every breath. The image of Bridget leaning into Smith, his hand resting on her shoulder, played on a loop in my mind. *Fiancé.* The word echoed in my head, a sharp, unrelenting reminder of what I had lost or maybe what I had never truly had.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I walked quickly to my car. The parking lot was quiet, the occasional sound of a distant siren or the hum of a passing car breaking the silence. But all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat, pounding in my ears like a drum.I slid into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. The engine roared to life, and I sat there for a moment, staring at the hospital through the windshield. Liam was in there. My son. And Bridget was with him, with *him*. Smith. The name felt like a punch to the gut every time I thought abo

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 32

    A Stranger In Her Life.Derrick The sterile hum of the hospital filled the air, a constant reminder of the fragility of life. I sat in the waiting room, my mind drifting back to the past, back to Bridget, to baby Liam, to the life we once shared. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet the memories were vivid, as if it were just yesterday. Vera’s betrayal and downfall had brought me a strange sense of closure, and now, with Bridget back in my life and my son Liam who I've made up my mind to be there for, I dared to hope that things were finally falling into place.Bridget had gone into the emergency room to check on Liam, who was undergoing treatment. My heart ached for him, for her, for the time we had lost. She had always been beautiful, but the woman I just saw was a completely different version of Bridget. She was stronger, more radiant, as if the trials she had endured had polished her into something extraordinary. She was no longer the same girl I had once known; she was a woman who h

  • BETRAYED BUT MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE.    CHAPTER 31

    The Weight of a Single Call*The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting a glow over the small waiting area outside the emergency room. I paced back and forth, my arms wrapped tightly around myself, as if the pressure could hold me together. My sneakers squeaked against the linoleum floor, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent space. Davis sat on a plastic chair nearby, her leg bouncing uncontrollably, her hands clenched into fists on her lap.Every second stretched into an eternity. My mind raced with terrifying possibilities. What if they couldn’t bring Liam’s fever down? What if it wasn’t just a virus? What if it was something worse…something irreversible? The thought of losing him, my sweet, bright-eyed boy, was like a knife twisting in my chest. I couldn’t breathe."Bridget," Davis said softly, her voice cutting through the fog of my thoughts. She reached out and grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop pacing. "He’s strong. He’s going to be okay."I nodded, but the

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