The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Aileen

Oakbrook Village, the one place I thought I'd never return to but the one place I have to come to again.

Liam offered to bring me here but I declined. Even when I could use one of his cars, I still declined. It's still not the time to draw attention to myself, especially with what I'm here for.

The cab drives through the simple neighborhood and residents recognize me and wave, their bright smiles making me smile back because I know they're actually glad to see me. It's been a while.

As I get closer to the home I knew for most of my life, my heart starts racing. I'm about to face them again.

While I want to walk up to the door, it seems that the sound of the engine catches someone's attention from inside. The front door opens and Abigail steps out, dropping her head to the side in curiosity as she wonders who's in the cab. As soon as I step out, her jaw drops. "Mom! Dad! You have to see this!" she says with mockery, crossing her arms while standing by the front porch.

I step away from the cab, watching her look at me from head to toe as she shakes her head at the same clothes that I left in.

My adoptive parents soon step out of the house together, both of them scornfully looking at me.

"Look who finally decided to show up after three months of not talking to us."

"You're right about that, mom." Abigail scoffs.

I quietly approach them, their scornful expressions not affecting me at all.

"Stop right there. Don't you dare take another step until you're forgiven. My husband and I just can't forget how ungrateful you've been."

"Looks like life hasn't been so good to you, huh?" He chimes in. "Coming back in the same clothes you left in? I guess the world taught you a lesson. I'll think about forgiving you after you clean up in the backyard. Get the rake and get to work. I want everything flawless and-"

"Actually," I cut him off, "that's where you're wrong. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness.."

"Then what the hell are you here for?" Abigail sneers. "Do you think we'll just forgive you and take you back?"

"Where does it say that I want you to take me back?" I raise my eyebrows. "Leaving was the best decision I ever made because I've seen a different world. I only came to tell you that I'm getting married next weekend."

They look at each other in confusion and burst into laughter.

"I always thought you'd get married to that janitor at our local school, but it's going to be someone else? Who could possibly be better than that for you?"

My mother's mockery makes me smile.

"You'll definitely meet him soon," I say to her.

"Well, we don't want to wait. We want to see whoever that man is."

"You just have to wait because I can't let you see him right now. I could have easily chosen not to come here, but for most of my life, this was my home and no matter what happened, you raised me. That's why I would like you to be there at the wedding."

My adoptive father firmly shakes his head. "The nerve of you to still sound ungrateful even while saying that. How many times have we called and had our calls declined? How many times has my daughter sent you messages, begging you to return?"

I raise my eyebrows. "Begging? Are you sure about that? I'm not here to waste time, so I'll just say everything that I came here for. I went in search of my parents."

"We know that," he says. "How did that work out for you?"

"So far, nothing. That's why I still want you at the wedding. You don't have to come if you don't want to."

My mother bursts into laughter. "Why would we miss this opportunity to see the person who stole you away from the janitor?"

My lips curve into a smile, imagining their faces the day they find out who it is.

"Here," I say to them while holding out my hand with an envelope. "These are your invitation cards."

Abigail snatches the envelope from me, opening it and giving one to her father and one to her mother. The card design is so classy that they all furrow their eyebrows. "This looks so expensive. How could you ever afford this?" My mother asks.

"Just come to the wedding and you'll find out. I'm done here so I have to get going now. See you next weekend, if you decide to show up."

And with that, I turn around to leave, heading back to the cab that's waiting for me.

All three of them call out to me, their words anything but heartwarming as they continue to call me ungrateful Don't they remember how much they made me suffer? It doesn't matter anymore. I'm putting this past behind me.

I never wanted a lavish wedding in my life, but getting married to someone like Liam requires it. Cameras are already set up for the event which will be a live stream from the moment I step out of this

house specifically meant for those

working with the bride.

As my hair is being styled, Liam keeps sending me flirtatious messages and I can't wait for tonight. He's not the only one who's been waiting for this.

"I still can't believe you're about to

become part of the most powerful

family in the world!" Meryl says, sitting beside me in her silky gown see why it took you so long to tell me who the lucky guy was. It also makes sense that the agency helping you seemed so expensive and I wondered how you were able to afford them."

"Yes, but there are still no results. That's why I'm getting married now. Liam's parents wanted to wait but they realized this might take forever. Liam also planned on going ahead with this anyway." "That man adores you! I see the way he looks at you! Imagine what tonight will be like!"

"Shut up." I smack my lips, trying not to blush.

"And hey, I'm wondering why it's taking forever for your family to get here."

"Me too, but I guess they should be here soon."

As soon as I say it, Abigail sends me a message that they'll be arriving any minute, making me get out of my seat.

"Whoa! Where do you think you're going?" Meryl asks, instantly getting up, too.

"What does it look like? I'm obviously going outside to meet them. Do you think I want to miss this?"

"But you need to put on that gorgeous wedding dress before Mrs Richards arrives"

"This will only take a few minutes and hey, I'm sure you want to see this as well."

She smacks her lips and whispers, "To be honest, yes."

I chuckle with amusement. "Then let's go."