Billionaire Wife's Old Flame

With a bag of vegetables gifted by the previous tenant in hand, I was on my way to collect rent from the third household when I unexpectedly ran into someone at the entrance of the community.

The man frowned, his eyes fixed on the vegetables I carried, as though he couldn't fathom how I had ended up like this after leaving him.

Following his gaze, I instinctively shifted the vegetables behind my back. My eyes dropped to the muddy water on the pavement, and I never would have imagined bumping into my ex-boyfriend—the one who had grown up with a silver spoon—in this aging neighborhood.

He noticed my movement, and for a moment, something flickered in his expression: a mix of pity and recognition.

"Since you've already learned your lesson," he said, "come back with me."

At his words, I instinctively stepped back half a pace.

"Who said I'm going back with you?"

My rejection seemed to sting, darkening his face.

"I know you're still blaming me for giving Rachel a child," he muttered, "but it's been three years. Isn't it time to stop? As long as you come back, we can be the same as before."

Three years, huh? How quickly time had passed.

Thinking of my little girl at home, still babbling her first words, I couldn't help but smile and shake my head.

"Let's leave it at that. Go home and live your life with Rachel. My daughter's waiting for me to go back and make her food."

Steve Spencer's face darkened, his grip on my arm unyielding.

"Cassidy, I know you're still angry about what happened back then. But I came back for you. Can't you just let it go?"

Clearly, he didn't believe me when I said I was already married with a daughter. After all, everyone in the city knew how deeply we once loved each other.

Back then, we were the golden couple people envied most in our circle.

From the moment we made our relationship official, Steve and I were inseparable. From sixteen to twenty-six, our world revolved solely around each other.

But on the eve of our wedding—our ten-year anniversary—his childhood sweetheart returned from overseas.

I saw the admiration in Steve's eyes the moment he looked at her.

And why wouldn't he? Rachel had been sent abroad at a young age. She carried herself with polish and ease, a woman impossible not to like.

A sharp sting pierced my heart.

That suffocating ache drove me into the bathroom to collect myself. Yet by chance, I overheard the Spencer family's servants whispering outside.

"Cassidy really comes from a small family. Nowhere near as presentable as Miss Rachel Atkins. With Mr. Spencer's conditions, how did he end up with a woman like her?"

Another servant sneered. "Because she fawned over him, of course. Ten years of shameless devotion. He finally caved and agreed to marry her."

A single door separated us. I didn't know if they said it deliberately for me to hear, but humiliation pinned me in place. I didn't dare step out.

I don't know how long I stayed hidden, only that when their voices finally faded, I limped out of the bathroom and back into the living room.

The moment he saw me, Steve frowned. "Why were you gone so long?"

But when his gaze shifted to Rachel, his expression softened.

"I was just telling Rachel that we should go out for a meal later. She's just returned from abroad. It's been ages since she's had authentic local food..."

Go out together?

I didn't catch the rest of his words, but the meaning was already clear.

Biting my lip, I said, "But Steve, today is—"

"Your tenth-year anniversary, right? Steve told me. I'm sorry for intruding on your special day," Rachel cut in smoothly.

Her tone, however, carried not the slightest trace of apology.