The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband’s Regret) by Jaike e Rylee
The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband’s Regret) Chapter 8

Chapter &

Kayden.

The moment she descended the steps of the ballroom’s grand staircase, I can say I have been mesmerized. The mysterious aural that she projects instantly made me curious. I want to rip off that mask from her, so I can see her face and look into the depths of her soul through her eyes.

Get ahold of yourself, Steele! She is just a woman!

It’s been years since I had gone out of my skull for a woman… even though I thought that woman was not deserving of my affection. And after that, nothing has ever piqued my interest or provoked deep emotions within me.

But there was something different about this mysterious woman. I couldn’t put a finger on it. She has this air of mystery and elegance, coupled with a touch of mischief and confidence that sets her apart from the rest of the women in the ballroom tonight.

My eyes follow her every move as she makes her way towards the Mayor. As I observe her from behind, I want nothing more than catch a glimpse of her face behind her mask.

Unable to resist the pull any longer, I replace myself making my way toward her. My heart races with anticipation as I dodge champagne glasses and idle chatters along the way.

As I come closer, I catch wind of her conversation with the Mayor. They’re talking about King’s Court and moving its headquarters to Manhattan.

Like hell, I will allow that to happen!

With King’s Court’s lack of a succession plan, I am poised to take over the company, realizing my dream of having a successful chain of luxury hotels under the Steele Corp conglomerate.

Who is this woman? And what does she have to do with King’s Court?

I cannot help interrupting their conversation.

“I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about, Mr. Mayor,” I say.

“Mr. Steele,” the Mayor’s face lights up when he sees me. Of course! I am, after all, his biggest taxpayer. “It’s nice to see you again.”

I

*Pleasure is all mine. As I shake his hand, I try my best to ignore the woman, pretending that I didn’t come here for her.

“I would like to introduce our honored guest. I am not sure if you’ve met before. This is Miss Cassandra King, the heiress of King’s Court.”

“Heiress?”

Did I fucking hear that right? +

The old man King has distant grandchildren, but he had only one child and she died many years ago. He doesn’t have any legal heirs

or heiresses.

The woman slowly turns to me and for a while, I thought she looks familiar. I stare back at her beautiful face, itching to take off her

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Chapter B

mask so I can look into her eyes.

“Ahem!” the Mayor clears his throat, and I realize that I’ve been staring, rather, gawking. “Ms. King is indeed a lovely sight to behold,

Isn’t she?”

Apparently, she also owns Cassandra Designs. I’ve heard about her firm. They have an impressive portfolio, and from what I’ve heard, the owner designed all of their most note–worthy works. That’s why her firm is mostly in demand, especially for high–budget projects.

So, she’s not only beautiful. She’s smart and talented, too.

I turn to her, extending my hand to shake hers. “Miss King, it is good that we’ve met at this event. It is unfortunate that we haven’t

CEO of Steele Corp.” met each other before. My name is Kayden Steele. I am the

Her face remains stoic, expressionless, as she stares at my hand as if deciding if it’s a hand worth her effort to shake.

are c

Damn! Her confidence and haughtiness more intriguing. Something inside me stirs, and my cock slowly stands in attention.

Fuck!

.Just when I realize she isn’t going to shake my hand, she speaks, “Actually… that’s not quite correct. We have met each other before.”

Really? I would have remembered her if I had.

I see her take a deep breath, before slowly moving her mask away from her face. I replace myself holding my breath in anticipation,

And firially, she reveals her face and I feel like I’ve been hit by a speeding tow truck.

“It’s nice to see you again… Mister Steele.”

I replace myself staring at one of the most beautiful faces I’ve ever seen in my life. That face that still haunts my nights, no matter how hard I try to forget it.

“C–Cassie?!”

Is this a dream? Or a nightmare? Did she have an apparition to torment me even more?

His mouth curves into a smirk. “Actually, it’s Cassandra.”

Right! Cassie is more like the jolly, good–natured shy girl I used to know. But this woman is haughty, sultry, and confident. Cassandra

does suit her better.

I try to compose myself as I process the revelation standing before me. Cassandra King, this stunning, sophisticated, and sultry siren is the same woman as Cassie, my sweet, innocent, and shy ex–wife?

I could not have imagined it. Not in a million years!

“You two know each other?” the Mayor asks.

“Y–yes,” I reply. “Many years ago, Miss King and I were very well–acquainted.”

“Oh, that’s good news. You two can catch up on each other.”

“It’s been years since I left South Carolina. If it weren’t for King’s Court, I would not have imagined returning here, Cassie says.

“Why did you leave, though?” the mayor’s wife asks.

“Well…” She hesitates.

I feel a twist inside my chest. I know exactly why she left. And there have been many times in the past four years that I wonder if I did the right thing letting her go.

“Do you remember the fire at Cascade Street?”

“Well, of course!” the Mayor replies. “Was that your house?”

She nods. A shadow of sadness crosses her face at the same time that guilt rears its head inside my mind.

“After that night, I just couldn’t bear the memories. There was just too much pain, too much loss,” she replies. “I grew up here. But some circumstances just made me realize that… I have no place here.”

Fuck!

Hearing her say those words makes me want to kick myself in the nuts. I can hear her pain. And I know, I did that to her.

Suddenly, I feel the urgent need to take her in my arms and comfort her, try to make her feel a little better.

“Ummm… Cassie… I mean, Cassandra…” With a pounding heart, I extend my hand to hers. “Can we dance?”

Her eyes widen, as if in panic. She looks around the room for her options.

‘For old times‘ sake?” I add.

I’m not taking no for an answer.

Reluctantly, she raises her hand to take mine. But just before her fingers can finally touch mine, someone snatches her hand away.

What the fuck!

A man dressed in an expensive Armani suit takes her hand and brings it to his lips. At that moment, I resist the urge to punch all his

teeth down his throat.

“Sorry, I’m late, ma cherie,” he tells her.

I watch her eyes light up as she looks at the man with adoration and happiness.

Did she ever look at me like that before?

Or maybe I was too busy hating her that I failed to notice.

“Ethan!” she beams. “You didn’t tell me you were coming!”

“I moved my schedule. You know that you always come first.”

“Oh my word!” the Mayor breathes. “You’re Ethan Sullivan!”

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I

The name rings a bell. How could I not know? He’s the CEO of Sullivan Financial Holdings. Like me, he’s also one of the youngest billionaires in the country.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Mayor, the bastard says, completely ignoring me.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’d love to dance with Cassandra.”

I watch as Ethan Sullivan whisks Cassandra away onto the dance floor, with his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. He’s clearly sending a message to every interested man in the room, including myself, that Cassandra belongs to him.

An ugly feeling bubbles inside my chest, threatening to overflow.

Am I jealous?

I’m used to having everything I want, I have never felt jealous before.

I hear her giggle as he twirls her around the dancefloor. It’s a sound that stabs my heart, reminding me of the beautiful thing that I used to have, and have lost forever.

“Are… you okay, Mr. Steele?” the Mayor’s wife asks curiously.

At that moment, I don’t bother to hide my emotions. I slam my champagne glass at the cocktail table.

“No, ma’am,” I growl. I am most definitely not okay!”

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