The Billionaire Secret Obsession

Chapter 9

"Wake up, wifey," I heard his familiar voice pulling me from my dreams.

"Five more minutes, please," I mumbled, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

"Hurry up!" he insisted, and before I could protest further, I felt his strong arms scoop me up effortlessly.

"Hey! Put me down!" I groaned, rolling my eyes at his playful antics.

Instead of complying, he gently placed me on the kitchen counter, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, and before I could say another word, he kissed me gently.

"Why did you do that? I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet," I said shyly, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh, wifey, you taste good," he teased, pausing for a moment as the realization of his words hit him.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Here we go again. You and your dirty mouth."

He smirked, leaning closer. "I mean, you always smell good. Everything about you is… addicting," he said softly, his voice carrying an unspoken vulnerability.

I hid my blushing face in my hands, trying to shake off the butterflies in my stomach.

---

"Why did you wake me up? It’s too early," I asked, changing the subject.

He grinned, leaning back against the counter. "Today is August 14."

"So what?" I raised an eyebrow, not understanding his point.

"Let’s celebrate our second wedding anniversary," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

My eyes widened in surprise. It was the first time we would celebrate it, and the thought made my heart race.

"You mean it?" I asked, smiling brightly.

His warm gaze met mine, and he nodded. "Of course. I want to make this day special for you."

---

We spent the day at a private beach. The sun kissed our skin as the waves lapped at the shore. I wore a red swimsuit that I’d been saving for a special occasion, but my husband’s overprotective nature kicked in, and he immediately covered me with his oversized T-shirt.

"Unfair," I pouted, watching as several women openly admired his abs and broad chest.

He smirked, pulling me into his arms. "Let them look. I only belong to you."

His words melted my irritation, and I found myself smiling again.

---

"Happy second anniversary, wifey," he said as the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.

"Thank you for loving me, even though I was a red flag before," he added, his dark brown eyes glistening. "I never thought you’d truly learn to love me."

"Hush," I said, cupping his face. "That was before. I love you yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Always."

I leaned in to kiss him, sealing my words with a promise of forever.

To my surprise, he suddenly knelt before me, pulling out a small velvet box.

"Will you marry me again? This time in a church, in front of a billion people, and this time it won’t be an arranged marriage."

Tears filled my eyes as I nodded. "Yes, I will marry you again."

He slipped a diamond ring onto my finger, his hands trembling slightly as he smiled with uncontainable joy. My heart swelled with happiness. I couldn’t believe it—my dream wedding was about to happen, and with the man I truly loved.

---

As we drove back to the hotel, our laughter filled the car, the world outside feeling distant. But my joy dimmed the moment I spotted my father standing near the hotel entrance. His face was pale, his expression a mix of fear and desperation.

"Clea, can we talk?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I glanced at Dawn, silently asking for his understanding. He hesitated but eventually nodded, stepping back to give us privacy.

"What’s wrong, Dad?" I asked as he pulled me aside.

"I’m sorry," he said, tears streaming down his face. "I made the biggest mistake trusting someone who turned out to be an imposter."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

"If only I had known sooner," he continued, his voice cracking. "I wouldn’t have let you get hurt. I promise, I’ll make it up to you—"

Before he could finish, a deafening bang echoed through the air.

Time seemed to slow as I turned to see my father clutching his chest, blood seeping through his fingers.

"No! Dad!" I screamed, rushing to his side.

"Don’t die yet, please," I sobbed, pressing my hands against his wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. "You promised to make it up to me. We still have time—please!"

His breaths grew shallow, his eyes filled with sorrow as he whispered, "Protect yourself… at all costs, my long-lost daughter. I love you."

His hand fell limp, and the life drained from his eyes.

"Dad, wake up!" I cried, shaking him. "Dad, please—don’t leave me!"

As grief consumed me, I scanned the area for help. That’s when my gaze landed on a familiar figure.

My heart froze. Dawn stood a few feet away, a gun in his hand, his expression unreadable.

"How… could you?" I whispered, my voice trembling with betrayal.

The man I loved, the man I trusted, had just killed my father. I felt my world shatter.