Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
Victoria looked at him sternly. “Did you forget what you promised me?”
A chill ran down Robert’s spine.
Crap! He’d been so frustrated earlier. Isabella and Jenarth had been so fake and annoying that he’d deliberately exposed them, hoping to teach them a lesson. Had he gone too far?
Robert averted his eyes, his face scrunching up in a pout. “Mom, I was just sticking up for you! That fake mother-and-son duo were bullying us! Are we just supposed to take it?” His voice trembled with genuine grievance. “Dad’s a jerk, and he’s gone. It’s just us now. We need to show those bullies what regret really feels like!”
Victoria listened to Robert’s passionate defense, and a wave of warmth washed over her heart.
“Sweetie,” she said softly, walking over and kneeling down to hug him tightly. “I’m just worried about you.”
Robert remained silent, returning her embrace.
Victoria pulled back slightly to look him in the eye, her expression serious. “No more public tricks, okay? The things you do on the Dark Web make a lot of powerful people nervous. Let’s not risk unnecessary trouble.”
“Got it, Mom,” Robert mumbled into her shoulder.
As she held him close, a flicker of worry passed through Victoria’s eyes. Robert was her child, and since he had nothing to do with Carter, she needed to cut ties quickly. Every moment of hesitation was just inviting more danger.
Robert was a natural learner – he grasped complex concepts with just a glance, especially when it came to computers. His hacking skills were extraordinary for his age. At just five years old, he’d taken down a major underground market and freed numerous trapped individuals. In the black market, the alias “Mr. Caesar” was now prominently featured on several most-wanted lists.
She couldn’t let anything happen to Robert. Protecting him was her top priority.
Right now, the most important thing was finalizing the divorce from Carter, ridding themselves of that useless man for good. And then… well…
Victoria hesitated. With her current situation, once she left the Myers family, she’d need proper employment.
It wasn’t strictly about the money – she and Robert had sufficient resources. But she still needed to plan for their future, to establish a stable life.
Time to find a job!
The word “job” felt foreign in her mind, almost surreal.
But for Robert, she was determined to find something suitable, something that would allow her to build a secure and normal life for them both.
Carter drifted through a dream where Victoria stood at the end of a long aisle, radiant in her wedding dress, smiling as she waited for him to approach. Even in his subconscious, this woman remained determined to marry him. Hadn’t she already achieved what she wanted?
Ha!
Suddenly, he felt a gentle touch – soft fingers tracing his face in a teasing caress. Carter stirred but kept his eyes closed, playing possum.
Had Victoria returned?
After yesterday’s dramatic display, he’d decided to let it pass. Her provocative behavior had clearly been designed to get a reaction from him – and she’d succeeded brilliantly. She had managed to infuriate him completely.
Was she here now to apologize?
The sensation of her hand against his skin gradually softened his sour mood. At least Victoria recognized she’d gone too far. If she approached this reconciliation sincerely, he might consider forgiving her.
But then the touch traveled downward, slipping beneath the bedsheets. Carter’s brow furrowed slightly.
Since when had Victoria become so bold?
They were married, true, but their physical relationship had always been… perfunctory. Was she actually initiating intimacy? This was unprecedented. He never imagined she could be so compliant.
Just as Carter began enjoying the fantasy of Victoria attending to his needs, a saccharine voice whispered in his ear.
“Carter…”
The unfamiliar tone jolted him awake. He sat up abruptly, his momentary confusion turning to shock when he found Isabella leaning over his bed.
“Isabella!” Carter drew a sharp breath, his mind reeling from the disorienting transition from imagining Victoria to confronting reality. He stared blankly for a moment before registering his surroundings – his own bedroom. “What are you doing here?”
Meeting his gaze, Isabella offered a soft smile. “Your door was open, Carter. I thought you were already awake. When I saw your blanket had slipped, I simply wanted to make you more comfortable.” Her delicate fingers gently adjusted the edge of the duvet.
Seeing her earnest expression, Carter felt a flush of embarrassment. “Sorry to concern you. Did you and Jenarth sleep well? Is everything alright?”
Isabella immediately shook her head. “We’re perfectly fine. Actually, I came to tell you that we’ve decided to move out and find a rental property.”
“Why would you leave?” Carter’s expression shifted instantly. “Are you uncomfortable staying here?”
“Not at all.” Isabella demurred, shaking her head gently. “It’s just… I feel terribly guilty. You’ve done so much for us, taken such good care of us. But if Victoria discovers Jenarth and I are living here, she’ll certainly make another scene. You two keep arguing because of us, and your relationship is suffering. I’d never forgive myself. Please, just let us handle things on our own.”
“Don’t concern yourself with her,” Carter snapped immediately. “You should stay here and make yourselves at home. This is Myers Manor – Victoria has no say in the matter. She’s merely throwing a tantrum. Once she comes to her senses and gets this nonsense out of her system, she’ll come crawling back.”
Isabella’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “Carter, this is all my fault…”
Hearing the choked quality in her voice, Carter grew concerned she might become overwrought and faint again.
“Carter, I’m truly sorry. If I weren’t so fragile, you wouldn’t be distracted, and Victoria wouldn’t be talking about divorce. If you two actually separate, I’ll forever be the other woman.” Isabella delicately wiped the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Witnessing her distress, Carter threw off the covers and rose from the bed.
“Isabella, none of this is your doing. Victoria simply doesn’t know how to behave, and I’ve neglected her for too long. She’s just using this as an excuse to act out. Once she’s had her fill of drama, she’ll return – she has nowhere else to go.” Carter sought to comfort her. “Victoria has been part of this family for six years now, always playing the perfect wife and mother, scarcely ever leaving the house. If she walks away, she’ll quickly learn the meaning of regret.”
His mind drifted back to when Charles had arranged the marriage. He remembered his first glimpse of Victoria – a lovely young woman he hadn’t minded marrying. Over the years, he’d grown accustomed to her presence. He’d assumed they would grow old together, living out a peaceful life. But now Victoria was making divorce threats, talking tough and behaving like a spoiled child. Even their son Robert had become disrespectful, publicly calling him a jerk.
Was Victoria behind all this?
She came from the countryside, and even after six years, had failed to acquire any refinement?
In contrast, Isabella and Jenarth were different. They understood propriety, were consistently polite and comforting, and most importantly – they never caused trouble.
As Carter thought about Victoria’s resolute insistence on a divorce, a profound weariness washed over him. If only Victoria could be more like Isabella – so gentle and considerate – then maybe their marriage wouldn’t have ended up like this.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft gasp from Isabella.
“Carter…”
He snapped back to reality and saw Isabella, her cheeks flushed pink, deliberately avoiding his gaze. Only then did he realize he was still in his pajamas, the collar hanging open, leaving him looking completely disheveled.
Feeling suddenly self-conscious, Carter quickly took a step back and grabbed a jacket to throw on.
“Isabella, could you give me a moment? I need to change.”
Isabella gave a slight nod and turned to leave, but as she did, her legs suddenly buckled, and she stumbled forward.
“Watch out!” Carter reacted instantly, catching her and pulling her securely into his arms before she could hit the floor.
“Ugh… I’m so sorry, Carter,” she mumbled, leaning against his chest while holding her forehead. “I must have been kneeling in the same position for too long. I stood up too fast and got dizzy.”
“Are you okay? Here, sit down for a minute.” Carter guided her over to the bed, helping her sit.
“I’ll be fine. Thank you for catching me – I would have taken a nasty fall otherwise.” Isabella offered a weak smile and tried to steady herself, but her hand remained in Carter’s. When she finally noticed, her face grew even redder.
Carter felt the tension too. Alone in the room, hands still touching – the situation felt increasingly uncomfortable.
