Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
*****
The day after Victoria submitted her resume, responses began flooding in. Several prominent companies in Capaville expressed interest, their HR representatives sounding genuinely enthusiastic during phone conversations. Though her professional experience was limited, the design draft she had submitted had clearly made an impression.
They admired her distinctive style and eagerly anticipated potential collaboration.
Interviews were scheduled for three days later, with immediate start dates offered upon successful selection.
Truthfully, Victoria had expected nothing less.
“I’ve moved out of Myers Manor with Robert.” Victoria sat beside the hospital bed, speaking softly to its occupant. “I once promised you I would love Carter forever, but it seems that’s no longer possible.”
In the bed lay Charles, silent and still amidst a tangle of medical tubes. Were it not for the steady beeping of monitors indicating signs of life, one might have thought him already departed.
“Carter has found what he believes is a better situation. That was his choice, and I respect it.” Victoria’s voice remained composed. “Mr. Charles Myers, thank you for the help you gave me back then.”
Years ago, when she had encountered difficulties, he had extended his assistance. She owed him for that kindness.
Through twists of fate, she and Carter had come together… Later, to honor Charles’ wishes, she had tempered her edges, married Carter, and dedicated herself to becoming the ideal wife.
But…
“Mr. Charles Myers, I wish you would wake up. I have a question for you.” Victoria sighed softly, murmuring. “I already know Robert isn’t Carter’s child. Perhaps that’s for the best.” At least this way, she could avoid the messy entanglements that might have followed with Carter.
She had always wondered whether Charles had known the truth of what had happened years before.
But with him lying in a coma, no answers would be forthcoming.
Victoria remained with him a while longer before departing with Robert. Unbeknownst to them, shortly after they left, the previously steady monitors began to flicker erratically…
*****
At Myers Manor, Carter descended the stairs, his head still clouded from the previous night’s excesses.
He massaged his temples, his entire body feeling drained. His stomach churned uncomfortably – he had drunk far too much, and his chronic gastric issues were flaring up again.
He had always been cautious about such matters, making his loss of control all the more surprising. His memory remained hazy; he could recall nothing of what transpired after a certain point.
He had just settled onto the sofa when Sarah approached.
“Mr. Myers, breakfast is prepared in the kitchen. What would you prefer?”
“Just some oatmeal.” Whenever his stomach troubled him, oatmeal provided the only reliable comfort.
Carter sat on the sofa, his gaze sweeping across the conspicuously empty room. He frowned, an unshakable sense that something was missing.
Soon, Sarah returned with a bowl of oatmeal and placed it before him.
Eager for relief, Carter picked up the bowl and took a large spoonful, eating as if he hadn’t had a proper meal in days.
The moment the oatmeal touched his tongue, his face contorted. An instant later, he spat it directly into a nearby wastebasket.
“Sarah!” Carter’s voice rang out sharply.
Sarah, who had been turning to leave, jumped at his shout. Seeing him reject the oatmeal so violently, she hurried back, concern etching her features. “Mr. Myers, what’s wrong? I kept the oatmeal warm – it shouldn’t be too hot.” She assumed he might have burned his mouth.
“Why doesn’t it taste the same as before?” Carter looked up at her, irritation evident. “It’s completely different from what I used to have. What did you change?”
Sarah froze, a nervous flutter in her response. “Mr. Myers, I prepared it exactly the same way! Before… previously, it was… it was Mrs. Myers who made it.”
“Then have her make it.” Carter’s annoyance persisted. The oatmeal tasted terrible – nothing like the sweet, smooth texture he remembered.
“She’s not here.” Sarah lowered her head and replied in a near-whisper.
Carter’s voice rose louder than usual. “Why didn’t you call her? You could’ve asked her to come back and make it.”
Sarah had always been so obedient, but today something felt off. Her awkwardness just rubbed him the wrong way.
“Mr. Myers,” she repeated firmly, “she doesn’t live here anymore. She moved out.”
“You – ” Carter started to scold her, but then it hit him. Victoria was really gone.
She’d divorced him. She’d left.
And yet, he’d just assumed she was still here, taking care of things like always.
For a moment, he felt like laughing at his own reaction just now.
Sarah watched his expression shift and said, “Mr. Myers, all those breakfasts before… Mrs. Myers put real care into them. Noticed every little thing. We don’t know the details, so we just make things the usual way.”
Before he could reply, she added, “After she left, her number was disconnected. If you have her new number, I can call and ask how she made the oatmeal. See if there was anything special.”
Carter shot her a sharp look. What’s wrong with Sarah? She’s forgotten her manners! Is she mocking me? It sure sounds like it.
After a tense pause, he just waved her away. He needed a minute alone.
Victoria’s carefully prepared breakfasts…
Carter thought back to his time in the Myers Manor. Everything he ate or used had been prepared by Victoria. Whenever he worked late, there was always something waiting in the kitchen – sometimes something sweet, sometimes a simple bowl of oatmeal.
Victoria used to make all sorts of oatmeal for him. He could still remember dozens of different types.
Now, even when it looked the same, he could tell right away it wasn’t made by Victoria.
Victoria. Victoria. Always Victoria!
The thought made him so angry he kicked the nearest chair. It crashed to the floor and skidded away.
He was furious. She was the one who left and asked for the divorce. And here he was, still thinking about her? What a joke. No way. He was Carter Myers, CEO of Myers Group. He could have any woman he wanted. Why would he care about some country girl?
Ridiculous!
Totally ridiculous!
It had to be the hangover messing with his head. That was all. He never even liked Victoria. She was just the wife his grandfather picked. If it were up to him, he’d never have chosen someone like her.
“Carter!”
A soft voice called his name. For a second, his heart lifted. But when he looked up, he saw Isabella at the top of the stairs. He hung his head, clearly disappointed. Of course.
Isabella and her son were staying at the Myers Manor. It made sense she’d be here.
“Isabella,” he said, his voice gentle again. He wiped all emotion from his face.
Isabella came down, Jenarth trailing behind. The boy ran straight into Carter’s arms.
“Daddy Carter!”
