CHASING MY EX-WIFE

CHAPTER 87

Richard's POV

A pulsing ache in my head makes me grab a strong hold of the wheels, my eyes shutting for a minute before the light turns green for us to go.

Moving ahead, I notice how silent Arabel has been since we left the dance shop, and it leaves me sparing her a glance.

Just to see her watching me.

Intensely.

I look away instantly, afraid she will see through me and not believe the lie I am about to feed her.

The memories.

Back bits by bits as soon as I stepped out of that dance shop to find the little girl. My head was spinning as a scene raced through me.

It was the scene of the day Daisy went missing at the dance shop. Just like that little girl went missing and her mother was hysterical.

Arabel was acting almost the same. Squatting at the entrance of the dance shop, crying her eyes out, while I rushed out to find Daisy with fear gnawing at my heart.

I think that was what brought it all together.

That single incident, with Daisy missing, and Arabel's reaction.

“Aren't you going to tell me what happened?” she finally asks, peering at me intently.

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

She remains silent for a while before leaning forward. “Are you sure? You looked pale earlier, like…” she trails off, making me clench my fist and hoping she won't ask me what I think she is about to. “Did you recall?”

“What?!” It comes out sharply in surprise and exclamation.

“You didn't remember, did you?” Disappointment dampens her features and I shake my head.

I shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. I am scared. Scared she would go back to her shell and not act so nice to me anymore. I am scared we would be back to bickering words with each other, with me chasing after her every time.

I am being selfish but I can't help it. I want to keep her for as long as I can. Pretend till it is safe for me to reveal to her that I got all my memories back now.

A sigh leaves her mouth, just in time for the gate of the mansion to come into view.

I asked her to date me. She hasn't given a reply yet, but I plan to keep up with this act till I am sure she is totally mine again.

“I need to visit Ashley later on,” she informs calmly. “Will you be fine on your own?”

Glad at the interruption, I nod intermittently.

Even if I want her to go, this won't let me. The way she gushes around me, caring for me won't let me.

Not only did she move in with me, but she also made the mansion her home again. The same place she dreaded coming into after our divorce.

I also dreaded it.

But now, it feels safe with her beside me. With me. And our child.

When I turn off the car engine in the garage, I walk out and rush over to open the door for her, but she beats me to it, raising a brow at me.

“Are you okay?” She demands again, this time with suspicion.

Nodding meekly, I flash her a smile. “Yes. Can we do this again? Tomorrow?”

She hesitates for a second before nodding. “Sure.”

With a smile, I trudge behind her as we go inside. At the entrance, we almost bump into Leo, who is about to come out.

“Leo,” I call rather too sharply, making Arabel turn around to stare at me again with surprise.

Like he used to, Leo bows in courtesy. “Boss.”

When Arabel realizes how tense the atmosphere is with Leo, who is obviously here for a reason, she excuses us and takes the staircase up.

I signal to him to follow me to the study, and he does. When we are inside, I turn to him.

“Alex is back in New York,” he announces, making me nod my head. Now that I have my memory back, I know I was correct when I predicted his return.

I just didn't expect it would take this long.

“I'm afraid he has been in New York for over a month now,” he adds, making me drop my jaw in shock.

“A month?”

He nods.

Quietly, I assimilate the information, thinking of how to tell Arabel about Alex's presence in New York or whether I shouldn't inform her about it at all.

If I don't tell her, she might never get to know unless he reaches out to her, and the only way he can do that is if she doesn't go out with her guards.

If I tell her, she will become anxious and scared of him hurting Daisy or even her.

I will have to stick to the former. I won't tell her.

I turn to Leo and ask. “What about Eve? Did you do what I asked you to?”

“Yes, boss,” he answers, bringing out a certificate, which I grab from him.

My eyes widen when I see the names written on the marriage certificate.

Richard Giodano and Eve Rogers.

“What?!”

“It isn't a phony boss. I don't know how she did it, but I am scared the marriage is real. I was able to get this from the registry, and that means one thing; the marriage is real.”

“How is that even possible?” Confusion darkens my brow. “I was in the hospital. We didn't see each other until that night, and she…” I trail off. “Oh shit!”

I'm in deep sh*t.

I haven't figured out how Eve did this, but I know this is going to cause a lot of problems. Not only with the public but also with Arabel.

I have to find her.

She knew I was going to know about how real the marriage is and find her, which is why she disappeared into thin air instead of sticking around to make me believe Arabel is the bad one.

“You have to find her. We have to find her immediately and get this silly thing annulled immediately!” Rage flares up inside me.

Not only because I can't figure this out but because this is so silly and it makes me want to despise her more.

Is this how desperate she is? How the hell did she get this done?

The authenticity of this certificate can not even be questioned. A marriage can not be valid without the presence of the groom and the bride.

Which means she didn't go there alone.

The door creaks and closes immediately, making me rush to the door to see Arabel standing frozen.

Shit!

Did she hear anything?

“Arabel,” I call, holding her but she shrugs my hold off and moves back before looking up at me with a terrified expression.

“What did I just hear?” She questions, making me shake my head to tell a lie but she beats me to it. “You are truly married to Eve?”

I can't nod in affirmation, nor can I shake my head in denial. The evidence in my hand is the genuineness of Eve's silly marriage to me.

There is no way I can prove this. And I have no way to defend myself.

Shit!

My head bends in shame.