I Raised My Husband's Love Child...Then He Shot Me

Chapter 20

I stormed into the house, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. My blood was boiling. Xavier, lounging casually in his wheelchair, glanced up at me with a smirk that said he already knew. "Let me guess. You ran into Micheal and his family?"

I let out a frustrated breath. "That's not even half of it."

Xavier chuckled, sipping his tea, unfazed. "Well, I have a little surprise for Micheal. We're headed to his office."

A slow grin spread across my face. "Now that… I like."

And that's how I ended up standing outside Micheal's boardroom, Xavier by my side, his butler quietly standing behind him. My heart raced with excitement, but I kept my expression calm, my eyes fixed ahead. Xavier played his part, fiddling with his tie like a child.

I pushed open the heavy doors, and instantly, all eyes turned to us. The board members looked confused, but my focus was solely on Micheal, sitting at the head of the table. When he saw me, his jaw tightened.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

I strolled in, the sound of my heels echoing through the silence. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just here to finalize a little business."

I placed a thick document on the table in front of him. Micheal's eyes flicked over it, and realization began to sink in. "The deal with Blake Empire…"

I smirked. "Yes, the one you were supposed to sign."

Before he could reach for it, I snatched the papers, tearing them in half. Then I tore them again. And again. Until the pieces fluttered down onto the polished table like snowflakes.

Micheal shot to his feet. "Rachel, what are you doing?!"

I dusted my hands off casually. "Cancelling the deal. I'd never do business with your company."

The room fell into stunned silence. Micheal's face twisted with disbelief.

"You—" His voice cut off as the truth slowly hit him. "You're the Blake heiress?"

I tilted my head. "Took you long enough."

He looked almost pale. "Why… Why didn't you tell me?"

I laughed, the sound sharp. "Oh, you mean in between the times you humiliated me, betrayed me, and let your precious Susan poison your son's mind against me?" I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "You were never worthy of knowing who I really am."

Micheal clenched his fists, fury in his eyes. "We can talk about this in private."

I smirked. "No, we can't."

Turning to the board members, who were all nervously awaiting what I would say next, I spoke coldly, "Let me make this clear. I've bought every single one of Micheal's shares."

Gasps echoed through the room. Micheal whipped his head toward me. "That's not possible."

I smiled sweetly, enjoying every second of his shock. "Oh, but it is. And I didn't buy them for myself." I placed a hand on Xavier's shoulder. "I bought them for my husband."

Micheal's face darkened, his voice a low growl. "What?"

I gestured to Xavier. "Meet the new CEO of your company."

Micheal's rage exploded. "So you're choosing this crippled, childlike man over me?" He scoffed. "Xavier can't run this company. He can barely function like an adult."

I crossed my arms, my stance unshakable. "We'll see about that."

Micheal's eyes blazed with fury. "I will get my company back."

I flicked my fingers, signaling the security guards by the door. "Escort Mr. Micheal out."

Micheal's glare burned into me as the guards grabbed his arms and began pulling him away. "This isn't over, Rachel."

I gave him a playful wink. "Oh, I know."

As soon as he was dragged out of the room, the board members turned to me, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.

"Welcome to the company, Mrs. Xavier Blake," one of them finally said.

Xavier giggled, keeping up his playful act. "Can I have a big office with lots of toys?"

The board laughed nervously, unsure whether he was serious. I patted his head, playing along. "Yes, darling, you can."

Back at the mansion, I poured myself a glass of wine and spun to the soft jazz playing in the background.

Xavier leaned against the bar, watching me with amusement. "Enjoying yourself?"

I took a sip, savoring the taste. "You should've seen Micheal's face."

Xavier chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. The best shock is yet to come."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

He merely smirked. "You'll see."

That night, we celebrated in our own way—passionately, intensely, completely lost in each other.

The next evening, I arrived at the grand ball, dressed in a daring sequined gown. My entrance was met with hushed whispers. Susan and Maria wasted no time in sneering.

"Where's your crippled husband? Did he finally realize he couldn't keep up with the pace?" Susan remarked with a smirk.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Stay away from me."

Before I could say more, Micheal grabbed my wrist, pulling me away from the crowd. He dragged me into the garden, his grip tight and forceful.

"Give me back my company," he demanded, his voice low and filled with menace.

I yanked my arm free. "No."

He growled, his eyes darkening. "Why are you doing this, Rachel? I know you still love me."

I laughed, bitterly. "You don't know anything. You're so fucking clueless."

His eyes flickered down to my exposed collarbone, his voice turning low and dangerous. "You're trying to forget me with other men?" He reached out, his fingers grazing my skin. "I can pleasure you better than anyone else."

I slapped his hand away, disgusted. "You disgust me."

I turned to leave, but before I could take another step, Micheal grabbed me roughly, spinning me back around.

But before I could react, a powerful fist connected with Micheal's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.

I gasped, whipping around. Xavier stood beside me, no longer in his wheelchair, no longer the helpless child he had once pretended to be. He towered over Micheal, fury burning in his eyes.

He took a step forward, his voice sharp and commanding. "Leave my wife alone."

Micheal, sprawled on the floor, stared up at him in complete shock. "You. You're—"

Xavier smirked, a cold, triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Surprised?"