Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 110

Chapter 110: Basking in Sunlight by the Pool

2:00 AM.

The ride home from the masquerade ball was stiflingly silent. Olivia stared out the window, her face set in a cold, unreadable expression, while Owen, slightly intoxicated, leaned against the car door, his head lolling.

Despite the seething anger brewing in her chest from witnessing his betrayal, Olivia forced herself to endure the awkward closeness. They had arrived together, and leaving in separate cars would only invite suspicion.

When they reached the Scott Family Residence, Olivia stepped out briskly, not sparing Owen a glance as she made her way inside. The male house-help hurried to Owen’s side, helping the drunken man stagger to the bedroom he shared with her.

In the bathroom, Olivia stood in front of the mirror, the vapours clinging to its surface blurring her reflection. With a swipe of her hand, she cleared the glass, revealing her own hardened gaze staring back at her.

She caressed her growing belly and whispered darkly, “I promise, you will pay for my pain, my tears, and my humiliation, Owen. I won’t let you off so easily.”

Determined, she pulled open the drawer beneath the sink, retrieving a small container of supplements from under several neatly folded towels. Lifting the lid, she shook two capsules into her hand and washed them down with water from the glass on the counter.

Glancing back at her reflection, her lips curled into a sinister smile. “You won’t see this coming,” she promised through gritted teeth.

When Olivia returned to the bedroom, Owen was sprawled across the bed, snoring softly. Her eyes narrowed in disdain. “Who said you could sleep here?” she muttered under her breath, her anger bubbling to the surface.

Climbing onto the bed, Olivia positioned herself deliberately before delivering a sharp kick to his side. Owen rolled off and landed on the rugged floor with a dull thud, groaning but remaining oblivious as he mumbled incoherently in his sleep.

Satisfied, Olivia slipped under the covers and shut her eyes, blocking out his presence entirely.

—

11:00 AM.

Xander’s Residence.

Xander awoke to an empty bed, his hand instinctively reaching out for Aurora, only to be met with cool sheets. Frowning, he quickly got up, freshened himself, and headed downstairs.

“Where is my wife?” he asked the house-help setting the dining table.

“She’s at the pool, sir,” the girl replied politely.

Xander tilted his head slightly. “At the pool?”

Without waiting for further clarification, he made his way to the yard through the backdoor of the main house, his steps quick but composed. Stepping outside, he spotted Aurora lounging on a sunbed near the pool, her sunglasses shielding her eyes and a business magazine resting on her flat stomach.

Xander’s eyes swept the area, noticing the discreet presence of his bodyguards stationed at various corners of the property. His brows furrowed slightly. “How could you let them see you like this?” he thought more to himself than anyone else.

Aurora, sensing his presence, turned her head toward him and took off her sunglasses. “What are you staring at?” she asked playfully as she slowly sat up.

“Nothing,” Xander replied with a smile as he approached her. “I was just wondering why the sun feels so hot today.”

Stopping in front of her, he bent down to capture her lips in a soft kiss. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

Aurora returned his smile warmly. “Good morning,” she replied enthusiastically as she closed the page of the magazine she was reading.

Xander settled into the sunbed beside her, his sharp gaze not leaving her for a moment. “How long have you been out here?” he asked, still unable to get over the fact that his bodyguards had seen his wife in a bikini first. And he did bet that Aurora had no idea about their presence otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so comfortable.

He believed that the woman he knew would never bask in the sun in a bikini knowing that other men were watching her surroundings.

“Maybe ten, thirteen minutes,” Aurora replied casually, setting her magazine aside. “I wanted to swim but felt too tired to actually get in the pool.”

“That’s understandable,” Xander said, though his eyes flicked to the sunscreen on the table between them. Grabbing the tube, he offered, “Let me help you with this.”

Aurora chuckled softly, laying down on her stomach in agreement. “If you insist.”

Xander sat beside her, squeezing a dollop of sunscreen onto his palm before spreading it across her back in slow, circular motions. As his hands worked gently over her skin, two things caught his attention.

First, the way her bikini bottom rode up slightly made him tense, knowing his bodyguards were nearby. He subtly raised his hand, gesturing for them to turn their backs. Without hesitation, the guards followed his silent command.

Second, the sunscreen was smearing the knotted strap of her bikini top. Without warning, he tugged it loose, letting the fabric fall away.

Aurora gasped and started to sit up, but Xander gently pressed her back down. “Relax,” he said soothingly. “I’m not doing anything crazy. The strap was in the way.”

Aurora sighed, her tension easing as she rested her head back on her folded arms. “You scared the heavens out of me,” she mumbled. “I’m too famished to handle any surprises right now.”

Xander laughed softly, his hands continuing their careful work. “I know. But one of these days, sweetheart, we’re going to do something more exciting right here by the pool.”

“What?” Aurora exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and amusement. Turning over quickly to face him, she inadvertently exposed the sides of her chest.

Xander’s eyes flicked down, following the soft curve of her movement before he bit his lip seductively. “Sweetheart,” he said in a low, teasing voice, “you’re putting on quite the show for me right now.”

Aurora frowned, her confusion evident. “What show are you talking about?”

His gaze lingered pointedly, and when her eyes followed, she finally understood. “You pervert!” she yelped, crossing her arms over her chest as her cheeks flushed a bright pink.