Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

His promise

“Husband?” Freddy was bewildered. “No way. You must be pulling my leg. | just saw the spectacle with you and

the jewelry designer, Vivian. And there is no ring on Renee's finger.”

Freddy took Renee's right hand, showing the ringless fingers.

“Let go of her!” Marcelo snatched Renee’s hand from Freddy, a subtle frown on his face.

He then realized Renee didn’t wear a ring, but at the tof their union, he hadn’t given her one since he didn’t

take things seriously.

Seeing her bare fingers, discomfort gnawed at him.

He was somewhat guilty as well.

Freddy, shaking his head, remarked, “Are you pursuing Renee, sir? I'm vying for her too. With your lack of

manners, you'll be out of the picture before you know it! You...”

“Freddy, he’s my husband.“Renee halted him before he could say something more audacious.

“What?” Freddy was dumbfounded. “You're not playing a prank on me, are you? But he and Vivian...”

“I know, Freddy. But he is, indeed, my husband. We've been married for stnow.“Renee asserted.

Attempting to withdraw her hand from Marcelo’s grip, Renee found it held even tighter.

Marcelo sneered at Freddy, asking, “Vying for her?”

Freddy swiftly altered his countenance, sporting the archetypal smile of a true gentleman. “Mr. King, my

sincerest apologies. The unvarnished truth is that Renee happens to be someone | hold with deep respect. | lied

that | was vying for her because | couldn’t bear the thought of my esteemed boss falling prey to sscoundrel

due to her youthful naivety...Not implying you're a scoundrel, mind you. Just a speculative inkling on my part.”

Marcelo wore a skeptical expression as if challenging Freddy to spin more tales.

This was hardly an opportune moment for Renee to share a meal with Freddy. She interjected, “Freddy, why don’t

we put a pin in this? I'll treat you to dinner on another occasion, okay?”

“Given your subordinate status, the dinner’s on me,” declared Marcelo.

Observing Renee's demeanor, Freddy took a principled stance. “Apologies, Mr. King. | have to heed Renee's

wishes. Seems like she’s not up for the dinner.”

As night descended, the glow of streetlights and neon signs filtered through the window, casting an interplay of

light and shadow on the faces in the back seat.

A thick silence enveloped the car.

“Renee, that Freddy guy is pushing forty,” Marcelo stated, his memory serving him well as he had perused

relevant information about Freddy on his way to pick Renee up.

“Thirty-seven.“Renee corrected.

“Still forty.“He snapped.

Her ire surged. “Marcelo, he’s a friend. Rumors circulate about you and Vivian, yet | can’t even have a male

friend? | don’t meddle in your affairs. Who are you to interfere with my friendships?”

Marcelo remained composed. Turning to her, he inquired, “When did you find out about the rumors?”

1/2

When Freddy brought up his involvement with Vivian, Renee admitted she was aware. Marcelo knew that this

explained the indifference she had shown im in recent days.

Staring out the window, Renee responded coolly, “When you were in London.”

“Why didn’t you askabout it?”

Renee stayed silent.

Marcelo reached for her chin, forcing her to face him. “Say something, Renee. Talk to me”

“How was | supposed to ask? Should I inquire about the nature of your affair with Vivian? You could easily dismiss

it as media fabrication. Should | question your attendance at Vivian's art exhibition? Much like my visit to

Freddy's show today, it's normal to support a friend's work.”

Marcelo, if he so desired, could fabricate plausible reasons.

Renee refused to play the role of a jealous wife to a man who didn’t care about her feelings.

“Marcelo, let go. You're hurting me,” she pleaded, attempting to free herself from his grasp.

Relinquishing his hold,he noticed faint imprints on her chin.

He sighed, realizing her skin got marked easily, no matter where he touched.

“Pull over,” Marcelo abruptly instructed the driver. “Cback in an hour.”

The driver complied without a word, grateful to escape witnessing the conflict between Marcelo and his wife.

Ignorance, sometimes, proved bliss. The driver had no appetite for marital disputes.

“The media is making things up. | attended Vivian's exhibition as a friend,“He explained.

His words fell on deaf ears. They seemed like mere excuses, lacking any genuine effort to provide a plausible

explanation.

“When you went to London for her exhibition, did you know your wife snagged an award the sday?” She

sneered.

Witnessing the rare astonishment on his countenance, Renee couldn't help but revel in a self-mocking laughter,

teasingly remarking, “Sherell extended his congratulations, yet you remained oblivious to my triumph.”

In a moment tinged with expectation, Renee once reached out to Marcelo...

“Why keep it a secret from me?” Marcelo, donning a puzzled frown, inquired, “What's the nature of this award?”

“It holds no significance now, “She r

esponded with a touch of resignation.

Gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he murmured, “Then allowto accompany you during future

award ceremonies.”

He could understand how she felt.He had told her he was her family now, he had made her lean on him when

she had always had to be on her own all her life but he couldn’t be present to an award ceremony.

And with the sad look on her eyes,he could tell that she really needed him to be there.

“I am never going to miss any important events in your life again. He promised.