The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Aileen

As I wait by the open front doors with Meryl beside me and the staff behind me, the luxurious ride sent to pick up my adoptive parents and sister pulls in the front yard and the three of them step out, their jaws dropping at the towering building in front of them. "You made it on time," I say to them with a smile.

"Why are we- How is- what?" My mother says, unable to blink and it isn't any different for my father Abigail.

Meryl and I glance at each other, trying to hide our smirks.

Even as they're led inside, they can't stop looking around while speechless.

"Now that you're here. I can tell you all about the man I'm getting married to. His name is Liam Richards."

"Who?" They all ask in unison.

"Actually, just read about him and his family. Afterwards, you can change into anything you like. There are several options to choose from. The staff will guide you. Now, if you will excuse me. I need to get ready because we'll be heading out soon."

And with that, I return to my dressing room, Meryl walking beside me.

"Did you see their faces?" She cackles.

"Of course I did."

"That was so satisfying to see after what they said to you last week!"

I only nod as I'm no longer too focused on that because looking at the time, I have to hurry. Mrs Richards should be here soon and she's very strict when it comes to punctuality. That's been the most difficult part about having her guide me during the wedding arrangements.

Just as I begin putting on my wedding dress, I sigh with relief, listing down all the things that have changed for me in the past three months, all because I met Liam.

Even though I still have no idea where my biological parents are, I'm still grateful for this beautiful moment and it's just the beginning.

Meryl stands by the door, taking pictures of me with delight as she holds back her tears and compliments my beauty.

Suddenly, she's pushed forward and almost falls face first when the door behind her is pushed open. I rush to help her up as we both look at the door, my mother and Abigail walking in excitedly.

"Why would you do something like that? Was it so difficult to just knock?" I shake my head at them.

"Oh, please, it's not like Meryl's dead," my mother says, looking at my wedding dress. "Are these real diamonds in your wedding dress?"

She steps away from the door without closing it, rushing to me so she can touch the diamonds but I take a step back.

"What are you two doing here?" I ask, my tone a little harsh.

"We just just read about the Richards family and couldn't finish because there was so much but that doesn't matter."

"This is huge because now we're filthy rich!" Abigail chimes in.

"That's right, sweetie. We're going to move to a new neighborhood, drive the most expensive cars and-"

"Wait a minute," I stop them. "How are you going to achieve all that?"

"What sort of stupid question is that?" My mother narrows her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? Now that you have access to everything, shouldn't you make this happen for us?"

"I think you misunderstood something. I'm not doing anything like that for you."

"You better listen to me clearly." She points at me with a glare. "I have raised you like my own daughter since you were four years old. Don't you dare show me how ungrateful you are! Now, I was just talking to your father and starting now, you'll take care of all our expenses and-"

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" I cut her off.

"I see you're trying to act smart with me." She raises the corner of her mouth with a bitter chuckle. "This isn't the part where you abandon us after making it big. We're going to get everything we want and you're going to make it happen."

"What's with all the noise in this room?" Mrs Richards suddenly pushes the door open, dressed in an elegant gown.

My mother and Abigail chuckle, recognizing her right away and trying to ease the tension.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Richards. I'm Patricia, Aileen's mother and this is Abigail, my daughter and Aileen's sister. It's quite funny that I only get to meet you on the wedding day."

As my mother holds out her hand for a handshake, Mrs Richards looks down at her hand with a blank expression, then walks past her and Abigail as she comes to me and Meryl.

"I see you two ladies are ready," she says, nodding with approval as she looks at us from head to toe.

"Yes we are," Meryl and I say in unison.

"Aileen, there's only one more thing left and then we'll be ready to go."

"You look so gorgeous, Mrs Richards!" Abigail says to Mrs Richards and her voice embarrassingly cracks.

Mrs Richards turns around to face them as she bluntly says, "I'm afraid I can't say the same about you." Their jaws drop as they look down at themselves.

"This is the part where you step out and give us some privacy," she orders them.

"But I'm Aileen's mother and we have every right to be here."

"Of course you are. I heard everything you had to say to your daughter before I walked in."

"You heard all that?"

"That's what I just said. Did you not hear me the first time? Now, some privacy."

Quietly, my mother and Abigail step out, shooting me glares before they close the door. "Meryl."

"Yes, Mrs Richards?"

"You too. I'd like to have a word with Aileen in private."

She nods, excusing herself and closing the door behind her.

"That's the woman who raised you?" Mrs Richards asks, shaking her head in disbelief.

I lower my head. "Yes she is."

"You've always told me how awful it was and just from what I heard, I can't imagine that on a daily basis. understand that she raised you, but don't let her trample all over you like that Respect should be earned. Anyway, I need to speak to you about something important before we leave."

"Is something wrong?"

"There's just something I need to tell you." She approaches the window and looks outside. "You weren't my first choice, not even my last. She was."

She points outside, making me walk over to her to see who she's talking about and my eyes widen at the sight of Stephanie.

I force a smile. "I didn't know she was back in town."

"She left because she couldn't bear the heartbreak, but how could she miss her friend's wedding? It really was supposed to be her, but my son saw something in you and as I've gotten to know you, I see it, too. Just don't let it fade."

She gently places her hand on my shoulder, making my lips curve into a smile. "Thank you." "We should get going now."

On our way to the cars waiting in line outside, Abigail stays close to her parents, the three of them

constantly giving each other

compliments in their classy wedding

outfits that they picked out.

Stephanie hurries to walk right beside me, using the opportunity to speak to me as Meryl receives some instructions from Mrs Richards.

"By walking so close to me, I assume you have something to say," I whisper to her.

"Wow, I didn't know you were smart," she whispers back. "This is such a gorgeous wedding dress. It's too bad it's not fit for the person wearing it."

"Even after all these months, you're still so bitter and I now know why. I just found out everything. But hey, there's no need to be jealous."

"Why would I be jealous? Besides, you know nothing about my relationship with Liam."

She smirks, slowing down and waiting for Mrs Richards.

While her last words raise some questions for me, I tell myself that she's obviously trying to start a fire, but it's my wedding day and I won't let anything get in the way. No matter how hard I try, her words linger on my mind and I glance at her, only to find her still smirking at me. Is she up to something or am I just overthinking it?