Chapter 9

I had just finished a five-hour surgery. The moment I walked out of the operating theater, I felt like every ounce of energy had been drained from my body. My shoulders ached, my feet were sore, and all I wanted was a few minutes of peace before seeing my next patient.

I leaned back in my office chair and closed my eyes for a brief moment. Just then, my phone started ringing.

I glanced at the screen, it was my best friend Thelma, I answered the call, and before I could even say hello, her voice blasted through the speaker.

"Girl, where have you been keeping your phone all day?" She yelled.

"I have a job, Thelma." I replied tiredly. "I was in the operating theater saving lives."

"You have been trending all afternoon!" She practically screamed.

My eyes flew open. "What?" I exclaimed, sitting upright. "Why me? Are you serious?"

Without waiting for her response, I quickly ended the call and opened my social media apps. The first thing that appeared on my screen made my heart stop.

It was a picture of Andre and me kissing outside the hospital yesterday. The headline read, “Nicole Davies Seen Kissing Her ex Husband's Rival, Andre Andrew.”

I stared at the screen in disbelief. As I continued scrolling, more headlines appeared one after another. Every single one was talking about me, David, and Andre.

Some claimed I had cheated on David, others claimed I had divorced him for another billionaire. Some even called me a shameless gold digger who had simply moved from one wealthy man to another.

My grip tightened around my phone. How had this spread so quickly? More importantly, how did they even know David and I had been married? No one was supposed to know.

During our entire three-year marriage, David had kept me hidden from the public. He never took me to business events, never introduced me as his wife, and made sure our relationship stayed out of the spotlight. Yet somehow, the media already knew everything.

I opened the comment section, hoping it couldn't get any worse, I was wrong. My blood boiled as I read through the endless stream of hateful comments.

Who did this? Who leaked this story and made it go viral overnight?

Before I could gather my thoughts, the door to my office swung open, I looked up sharply. David walked in as if he owned the place. I immediately stood from my chair, anger replacing my shock.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded. "Who gave you permission to walk into my office?" I asked, glaring at him.

“Listen to me, Nicole. I'm not here to fight with you.” He said calmly. “I guess you have already seen the news.”

I folded my arms across my chest and stared at him. “Did you do it?” I asked. “Is this your way of getting back at me because I told you I don't want you anymore?”

David let out a scoff and shook his head. “You of all people should know that's not my style.” He said. “If anyone is capable of doing something like this, it's your boyfriend.”

I frowned but didn't respond. He walked farther into my office, stopping a few feet away from my desk.

“I know you probably won't believe me,” he continued, “but I don't think Andre has good intentions toward you. He's been known as a playboy for years, and he hates me. He's only dating you because he wants to get under my skin. He's using you to get back at me, Nicole. He's not the right man for you.”

I laughed bitterly. “And you are?” I asked. “What exactly do you want from me, David? We are divorced. Our marriage is over, and we've both moved on with our lives. Why can't you just let me have some peace?”

The words left my mouth with more confidence than I actually felt, why does he have to get under my skin this earlier when I am still planning a way to get him to sleep with me.,

I needed him but that didn't change what he had put me through during those three miserable years of marriage. The loneliness, the humiliation, the countless times he made me feel invisible... none of it had disappeared. Those wounds hadn't healed, and I certainly wasn't looking for closure from him.

David was silent for a moment before speaking again. “I want you back in my life.” He said quietly.

I blinked.

“I made the biggest mistake five years ago, and I have spent every day regretting it. I finally realized how stupid I was. You are the woman I love... the woman I should have been with all along. Staying with Tamara because I felt indebted to her was the biggest mistake of my life.” His voice softened. “I know I hurt you, and I can't change the past, but I want the chance to make up for everything I put you through.”

I could only stare at him, pure shock washed over me. Was this really David speaking? The man I had loved for years had never been capable of admitting he was wrong, let alone confessing his feelings. Yet here he was, standing in my office, telling me he loved me.

For a moment, I wondered if I had somehow misheard him. I shook my head, trying to make sense of what he had just said.

“First you loved Tamara,” I said slowly. “Now you're telling me you love me?” I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Are you drunk, David? Do you even hear yourself?” I asked. “Not that I care, but what exactly is supposed to happen to Tamara?”

“She knows.” He said without hesitation. “She knows I'm in love with you, that you are the woman I have always wanted. Please, just give me one chance to come back into your life.”

My expression hardened.

“Never!” I snapped. “You broke me. You made me feel cheap, unwanted, and worthless. I will never get back together with you. Not now, not ever.” I took a shaky breath, refusing to let him see how much he was affecting me. “Even if Andre is pretending and all he wants is sex, I'd still rather sleep with him than come back to you. Over and over again.”

The words had barely left my mouth before David strode around my desk.

In one swift movement, he grabbed my arms, stopping me from moving away.

“Nicole...” His voice was low and strained. “It kills me to imagine another man's hands on you. Especially Andre's.”

I immediately tried to pull away, but his grip didn't loosen. I pushed against his chest, trying to create some distance between us, but he barely moved.

I shut my eyes tightly, forcing myself to stay calm. He couldn't be this close to me. Not when a part of me still hadn't completely healed. Not when my heart still reacted to his presence in ways I hated. I finally opened my eyes and glared at him.

“I'll sleep with whoever I want,” I said through clenched teeth. “It's my body, and it's none of your damn business.”

I pointed toward the door. “Now get out!”

For a few seconds, he simply looked at me. Then, slowly, he released his hold. He took a step back and lifted both hands in surrender.

“I understand.” He said quietly. “I know you are angry. I know you hate me right now, and I don't blame you. But I'm here because I want to make things right. I didn't understand back then... but I do now. I know what I lost, and I want to be part of your life again.”

I frowned, his words caught me off guard. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Know what?”

He held my gaze, his expression turning unusually serious. “The secret you have been keeping from me for the past five years.” He said.