Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
“I’ll stay as your wife, you’ll remain my husband. Sounds fair, doesn’t it?”
Victoria’s voice was steady, her eyes locked on Carter. Her expression gave nothing away. Carter couldn’t tell if she was joking or dead serious.
Carter stood frozen for a moment, nearly saying yes. But then he pulled back. Isabella hadn’t actually done anything wrong, yet Victoria was acting like she was the villain here. She was crossing a line.
The truth was, he didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Isabella – never had. But she’d lost everything. Now it was just her and her child, completely on her own. He felt he owed her everything – after all, she’d saved his life.
He was only looking out for them, that’s all. Victoria’s demands went too far.
Just then, Carter’s phone rang at the worst possible moment.
Victoria recognized the ringtone. He’d set it specially for Isabella and Jenarth so he’d never miss their calls.
The phone kept ringing. Carter hesitated but didn’t pick up.
Victoria’s lips twisted into a mocking smile as she watched him.
Finally, the ringing stopped.
“What’s wrong? Not going to answer? Maybe it’s important. Let me guess – Isabella isn’t feeling well again? Or maybe your darling son misses his father?” Victoria let out a bitter laugh. “Sorry, I’ve just seen that helpless act so many times. I already know how this plays out!”
Carter fell into silence.
Victoria had truly changed. Carter didn’t want to argue anymore. He just snorted coldly. “You think everyone’s as unreasonable as you?”
“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out! And please close it behind you.” Victoria shut her eyes, ignoring him completely.
Carter was furious for being dismissed like this again.
“Hurry up and leave! If Mrs. Madilyn Myers finds out you’re here, she’ll probably blame Mommy for trying to see you on purpose, like she’s desperate to hold onto you.
“But honestly, Mommy’s just an innocent bystander. She couldn’t care less whether you show up or not.” Robert spoke with surprising seriousness.
Carter snapped back, “Robert Myers, I’m your father! How dare you speak to me like that? Mrs. Madilyn Myers? Did your mother teach you to call her that?”
“Nope! Mrs. Madilyn Myers told me I’m not worthy of the Myers name and I’m not allowed to call her grandma. So if I can’t call her Grandma, I’ll call her that!” Robert shrugged, completely serious.
“Oh, and Mr. Myers, just so you know – I’m not using your surname anymore. I go by Mommy’s last name now. Call me Robert Lewis.”
Carter frowned. His mother had said those words in anger before; he hadn’t taken them seriously. But Robert remembered everything… Suddenly, his phone rang again – the same special ringtone for Isabella and Jenarth.
The persistent ringing made Carter’s head spin.
First Victoria needled him, fine. And now even Robert was getting in on the act. Carter turned away and finally answered the call.
“I’m busy right now. I’ll come later – ” Carter began, but his expression suddenly changed. “What? How serious is it? Don’t worry, I’m coming right now…”
He hung up and glanced at Victoria and Robert, who were completely ignoring him. “Jenarth fell down the stairs. I don’t know how bad it is, but I have to go.”
“You’re certainly in high demand, Mr. Myers,” Victoria said with a sneer, keeping her eyes shut and continuing to ignore him completely.
Seeing her reaction, Carter lowered his voice, attempting to sound reasonable. “Victoria, I think we need some time to cool down first. Then we should have a real conversation about our situation.”
Upon hearing this, Victoria’s eyes snapped open. For just a moment, Carter thought she might have reconsidered and was finally willing to talk properly. But then her voice came out cold as ice.
“Nurse, please inform all the doctors in this department that from now on, if this man shows up, he’s not to be allowed in. Under any circumstances.”
“Of course, Ms. Lewis.”
Carter stood frozen in place, completely stunned. Just then, a nurse entered carrying medical supplies and spoke politely to Victoria. “Ms. Lewis, it’s time to change your bandages.”
Carter felt his anger rise. Now even the nursing staff was treating him as if he didn’t exist. The arrogance in this place was unbelievable.
His phone rang again – Isabella’s call. This time, he didn’t hesitate. Carter answered immediately, cutting off whoever was speaking on the other end. “Don’t worry, I’m already on my way. Just wait for me.”
He walked out while still talking on the phone.
The nurse moved forward and began carefully changing Victoria’s dressings. Though Victoria appeared calm on the surface, Carter’s simple “wait for me” had carried a tone suggesting the person on the other end of that call mattered more than anything else in his life.
A mocking smile touched her lips. No matter how perfect a piece of fruit might look, once its skin got bruised, the rot would spread from the outside in, all the way to the core.
Carter was no different.
Robert watched Carter leave without a single backward glance and let out a sigh. “Mommy, do you think when your ex finally realizes that the delicate woman he’s been protecting is actually rotten inside, will he come crawling back and beg for your forgiveness?”
“A man who’s already moved on is like leftover food,” Victoria replied calmly. “There’s only one sensible thing to do with it – throw it away.”
*****
At the Myers Manor, Sarah stood aside, looking somewhat anxious. She wanted to check the extent of Jenarth’s injuries.
“Ms. Williams, please let me take a look. We have a first aid kit in the house. If it’s just a bump or a scrape, I can help treat it.”
Sarah tried to move closer to Jenarth, but Isabella immediately stopped her.
“That won’t be necessary. None of you are to touch him. He’s my child – the only one I have left.” Isabella’s voice broke as she spoke. She hugged Jenarth tightly against her, refusing to let anyone come near him.
Seeing this, Sarah could only sigh in resignation and step away.
“Jenarth, my dear Jenarth, if anything happens to you, I don’t want to go on living either.” Isabella held her son close, her voice growing increasingly faint.
When Carter arrived home, he found Isabella sitting on the floor, clutching Jenarth in her arms.
“Isabella! Jenarth!” Carter rushed over to them, his face full of concern.
Isabella looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. The moment she saw Carter, she broke down completely.
“Carter, you’re finally here! I was so terrified!” Isabella sobbed, holding Jenarth even tighter. The boy remained completely still in her embrace. “I saw Jenarth fall down the stairs right before my eyes!”
“It’s alright now,” Carter said, trying to comfort her while taking her hand. “I’m here. Jenarth is going to be just fine!”
Gently, Carter pried Isabella’s arms away so he could look at Jenarth.
The boy lay pale in Isabella’s arms, a swollen bump clearly visible on his forehead. Seeing this, Carter’s expression tightened and his voice rose. “How did this happen?!”
Sarah stood to the side, looking nervous. “Mr. Myers, we were all working in the yard and didn’t see what occurred.”
“You left in such a hurry, and Jenarth was worried about you,” Isabella explained between sobs, her crying growing louder. “He kept begging me to take him to find you. I told him you’d be back soon, but he insisted on waiting for you right by the door himself. He ran down the stairs too fast and fell. My poor Jenarth!”
A weak voice came from Isabella’s arms. “It doesn’t hurt, I’m really fine!”
Isabella looked down at Jenarth, her face full of concern. “Jenarth, are you really okay? Do you still recognize me?”
“Jenarth, how are you feeling?” Carter leaned in closer, his voice anxious.
“Daddy Carter, I’m fine. It was my own fault for not being careful and falling. Please don’t blame Mom, and don’t blame anyone else. It was all my doing.” Jenarth looked up at Carter, tears now rolling down his own cheeks.
