The undercover billionaire

The cold evening wind howled through the city streets as Arthur Price climbed the steps of the Harris family villa. His shirt clung to his back, damp from sweat even though the air was chilly.

In his pocket, the hospital receipt was folded and creased, nearly tearing from how tightly he had been holding it the whole way here.

The bank had called him earlier to inform him that the little deposit he had made for his mother’s hospital bill had been withdrawn and the teller had said the recipient was someone from the Harris family.

Arthur did not need to guess twice to know who took the money. It was Racheal Harris, his wife and first granddaughter of the Harris family. 

They had been married for three years, not out of love, but through a marriage agreement arranged between Racheal’s late grandfather and his mother, Madam Aiyun, the only family he ever had.

And now, she was lying in a public hospital bed with no treatment, no special care, and no hope, because the little money he had deposited had been taken away from him.

When Arthur pushed open the villa door, the warmth from the heater inside hit his cold face, but it did nothing to thaw the heaviness in his chest. The living room looked like a painting with a grand chandelier, soft white rugs, and the faint scent of jasmine tea.

The Harris family was seated as if nothing in the world could trouble them. Racheal sat elegantly on the couch, wearing a silk robe. Her father, Mr. Harold was reading a newspaper while her mother, Mrs. Linda sipped hot tea from a porcelain cup. No one looked up when he entered.

Arthur’s lips were pressed together. He wanted to speak, but the sound stuck in his throat. He was angry, yes, but there was also that old, familiar feeling that he was not worthy to stand here, not worthy to raise his voice in this house.

Still, he took a step forward. “Racheal,” he said softly. “Can we… talk? Outside.”

She barely turned her head. “Talk about what?”

Arthur glanced at her parents. He didn’t want to spill this here, not in front of them, but the way they sat, watching him from the corners of their eyes made his palms sweat. “Just… for a minute. Please.”

“No.” She set her cup down with a click. “Say whatever you came to say right here.”

“Please…” Arthur begged.

“Shameless. All he does is beg.” Rachel's mother sneered, her eyes ripping with utter disdain as she glanced at him from her seat.

Still, none of them moved.

The comment sent a jab at his heart, but what could he do? 

Who told him to be a son-in-law?

Finally Rachael sighed, stood up, and stepped aside with him.

Arthur’s fingers twitched at his sides. “It’s… about the money I paid at the hospital...”

“So?” Her tone was airy, careless.

“I… the bank said you—”

“Yes, I took it.” Her voice cut him off, calm as if she were telling him the weather.

Arthur’s breath caught. “That was meant for my mother’s treatment. How could you take it out without my consent?”

“Did you even hear yourself Arthur?” Racheal repeated with a cold chuckle. “You wanted to use that huge sum of money to save a dying woman just because she calls you her son? What about me? I am your real wife, but when have you ever given me enough to get what I want?”

Arthur felt his chest tightened, his fists slightly clenching beside him.

Being married to someone like Rachel was said to have been a blessing from above by many.

He had been looked down times without number just because he was poor. Yet, he never said anything.

He knew he didn't deserve her. She was too out of his league and that was why he always made sure to get her what she wanted.

He even went as far as taking multiple odd jobs just to get her something nice, but it was never enough.

He was never enough.

He had been told the story many times of how his father had abandoned them without a fortune. So, his Mother was the one who struck the marriage deal with Racheal’s grandfather, believing it would give him a stable life.

Arthur’s voice shook as he tried again. “That money was all I had for her treatment. Racheal, please—”

“That money is our household money,” Racheal said flatly. “You’ve been living here for free for three years. No decent job, and no income, yet you still act like you own something.”

Arthur’s mouth opened, but no words came. He wanted to tell her how he had scrubbed her father’s car until his fingers cramped, cleaned her mother’s shoes until his knees ached, cooked meals without cmiddle-agede wanted to say he had tried.

But before he could gather the courage, Racheal’s voice rose. “Don't you dare think for once those menial jobs you do for my parents was anything! You were supposed to provide for me as the husband, but I do those. Me! If this marriage wasn't a contract, and if my grandfather hadn't agreed it, do you think I'll be with a useless man like you?”

Her words were so loud, even her parents were drawn. 

Arthur’s fingers dug into his palms, the stinging pain sending zaps to his numb brain.

He looked at his wife. 

The woman he had come to know for three years now.

It would be a lie if he were to say he didn't have an ounce of feeling for her. 

He was poor, but loyal to a fault. A trait not many would have, but yet. Again. It was not enough to satisfy this woman. 

“Rachel…” he started, only to be cut off by her reprimand.

“Don't call my name!” She fumes, rushing up the stairs like a flash.

Her mother, Linda, with arms akimbo, and her ever frowning face twisted with a scowl glared at him in disgust. “What have you done to my daughter this time?”

“I—”

“Shut up!” Linda cut, “isn’t it embarrassing enough that we refer to you as our son-in-law? Now you embarrass my daughter just because she withdrew three thousand dollars from your card!”

“That money was for my mother's treatment.” Arthur gritted, his cold eyes boring at Linda before it disappeared.

Linda flinched, her heart pounding slightly at the unfamiliar gaze he cast on her.

The look made fear creep in her heart, but seeing him back to his pitiful self, she flared up again, hitting him across the face.

“You bastard, how dare you look at me like that?” Linda hissed, her face red with anger.

‘How dare this lowlife look at her like that? And that bastard of a husband couldn't say anything!’

She thought, throwing a side glare at her husband.

Just as she was about to say anything more, Rachel stormed down the stairs with a paper in hand.

Once she got down, she stared at him, her lips moving without hesitation. “You want your money, sign it!”

A stack of documents landed with a slap on the glass table.

Arthur stared at them with disbelief.

“W-What is this?”

“What do you think it is?”

“Divorce papers.”  

“Sign them,” she said. “Do that, and I’ll give you double the money I took.”

Arthur took a step back, shock clouding his features.

Of all things, he never expected divorce papers.

Was all the years he spent with her in vain?

Sure, there was no intimacy between them, but Arthur felt they had a connection, but all that was crumbling because of the money she took.

“Rachel don't do this. It hasn't come to this. I—”

“You want to save her right?” She swiftly cut him. “Sign. Otherwise, get out of my sight.”

Mr. Harold, finally spoke, clearing his throat as he did. “Do yourself a favor, Arthur. Your mother is dying, she needs the money. So the faster you sign it, the quicker we get this done.”

He spoke like an elderly caring for the younger generation.

Arthur felt his stomach churn at the thought.

He knew his father-in-law never liked him, but he hoped one person would be on his side.

Sadly, the one person who had always sided with him wasn't here.

He looked around, his eyes landing on the disgusted faces of his wife and mother-in-law.

“The choice is yours,” Linda spoke with a sneer. “but if you try to prove otherwise, I won't hesitate to break your legs. Its bad enough that my father had to make that stupid contract with that mother of yours and bind my daughter with a scum like you.”

Racheal flung her hair sideways, but she didn't say a word against her mother. 

To Arthur the words sent a stab to his heart, but what hurt more was Rachel's nonchalantce. All he could do was blink the sting in his eyes away.

Arthur gripped the papers, his body going rigid as he stared straight at them. “If I sign this you promise you'll give me the money?”

Racheal snorted, a small laugh bubbling in her chest as she gazed at him. Linda's mocking laughter breaking through the air.

Loud and exaggerated, that even a deaf could tell how fake it was. 

“Just like I expected, you are useless. For a measley amount, you decided to sign the divorce papers, where is your dignity as a man?” 

“Mom, that's enough.” Rachel called softly with a sigh, a light smile tugging at her lips as she faced him. “You have my word Arthur so just sign it.”

Closing his eyes, Arthur his the glint that crossed his eyes.

One day.

One day he'll make sure they regret this decision.

He bent his head, picked up the pen, and signed the papers without hesitation.

When he placed the pen down, Racheal didn’t even glance at the papers. She reached into her purse, pulled out a check, and flicked it at him.

“There. That’s your ‘payment,’” she said. “Now get lost.”

Arthur bent to pick it up. Before he could straighten up, two large bodyguards entered the room.

“Escort Mr. Price out,” Mr. Harold ordered.

Arthur calmly glanced at Racheal. “I can leave myself.”

“We just want to make sure you do,” Racheal said, adjusting her robe. “And don’t you ever come back again.”

The bodyguards grabbed Arthur roughly by the arm, the two imposing muscular men flanking him on both sides making it impossible to even turn his head.

“Don’t touch me!” he snapped, yanking his arm, as he steadied himself.

“Just go already.” Linda hollered, turning her back as she went with her daughter.

Mr Harlod, the ever quiet father only shook his head as he took left the scene.

The door slammed behind him. The wind outside was colder than before. Rain had started to fall again.

Arthur stood alone on the porch, holding the rails with shaking hands.

Inside he had tried to control his emotions, but now it was all rushing in.

The papers in his hands burned despite how cold it was, and the check he pocketed stung like a cruel reminder.

Just like that, he was divorced.

Walking down the street, all he could think of was the years he had spent with Rachel.

He didn't love her, but he was starting to have feelings for her.

He wished he could provide, but it was never enough. Now, his marriage was over because he wasn't good enough.

Deep down, he knew it was because the three year marriage agreement was over, but still…

The humiliation was humbling.

Suddenly, his phone began to ring. It was the hospital calling. 

His heart pounded, as he stared at the call. 

Reluctantly, Arthur picked, only for his face to turn pale.

“Mr. Price,” the nurse’s voice came through, rushed and dry. “The patient that you brought in, her condition has worsened. You need to come to the clinic now.”