The Billionaire's Mistake (Anya and Daniel)

 novelbin

Donald stood uncomfortably at the gala, awkwardly sipping a glass of champagne as dignitaries and influential figures mingled around him. He had never been one for these stuffy social events, preferring to keep his head down and focus on his work.

But tonight was important; Jason Grey was here. He had hoped to have a conversation with him but Jason seemed hostile towards him.

As a cluster of ambassadors and executives approached him, Donald straightened his tie and tried his best to look engaged. One portly diplomat extended his hand.

"Ah, Donald! An honor to meet you. We've all heard so much about the incredible work you and your wife Elena have been doing."

Donald's smile froze on his face as the man continued effusively.

"Elena is simply brilliant from what I understand. The way she has been handling negotiations and brokering those international deals behind the scenes...remarkable woman. You are a lucky man."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group as they lavished praise on Elena.

Donald could only nod dumbly, his stomach tying itself in knots.

Of course none of these people knew that he and Elena had divorced a while ago after her relentless focus on work tore their marriage apart.

But clearly, based on their comments, Elena had been much more involved in the company's dealings than Donald realized.

He had never once given her a glance or time of the day. He had only brought her out to these events because she begged and insisted to go. Finding out that she had been paving way for him made him uncomfortable.

He had no idea she was the one strategically greasing the wheels to help push his projects forward.

A flush of shame crept up Donald's neck as he absorbed the extent to which he had been obliviously taking credit for Elena's behind-the-scenes dealings this entire time.

No. He never asked her to do this. She had done this on her own. He had no reason to feel uncomfortable. But he still did.

"Yes...my wife is, uh, quite remarkable," Donald managed to choke out, barely registering the woman next to him who was his date for the event, while Melanie still in the hospital

As the group of dignitaries finally dispersed, Donald felt a presence looming over his shoulder.

"Well, well, if it isn't the great Donald Mitchell," a syrupy voice dripped with contempt.

Donald turned to see Bruce sneering at him coldly.

"What do you want, Bruce?" Donald sighed, lacking the energy to endure whatever mind he wanted to say.

Bruce was hostile to him all night and if he was not from the famous Grey family, Donald would have thrown a punch.

"Just calling it like I see it," Bruce said with a cruel smile. "Sounds like your beloved Elena was the real brains behind this whole operation. Without her working her magic, you're basically just..."

He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Well, nothing, really. Just thank your lucky stars she stuck by your clueless self for as long as she did." Donald's fists clenched, but before he could retort, Bruce had already slithered off into the crowd, leaving him seething. He scanned the gala, trying to locate Elena's familiar face. There she was, across the marbled floor, engaged in what seemed to be a very cozy conversation with none other than Bruce himself.

Something ugly and primal flared within Donald's chest as he watched them laugh together. He waved off his bewildered date and strode over, his ears burning.

"Elena," he spoke in a harsh tone that made her whip around. "A word?"

She regarded him coolly as Bruce looked on with undisguised glee.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait until later, Donald. This is hardly the time or place."

"You're right, this is neither the time

nor the place for you to be behaving in such an inappropriate way," Donald growled, nodding towards the smirking Bruce. "My God, Elena, do you have no shame? I may not be your husband any longer, but that's no excuse to start sleeping around like some kind of-" Content belongs

The resounding crack of Elena's hand against Donald's cheek reverberated through the surrounding space as hushed mutters rippled outwards. Donald's head whipped to the side from the force of the slap, his eyes widening in shock.

"How dare you," Elena hissed, her

eyes flashing with fury. "My personal life is none of your concern any

elhet

longer, Donald. And even if I was et

'sleeping around' as you so

indelicately put it, that would be my

choice a choice that has absolutely

-

nothing to do with you."

"if you are so adamant, then why are you attacking Melanie online?" he asked.

To this, Elena a scoffed, letting out a small laugh.

"I am not sure if you and that girl have main character syndrome. Or else, why are you so obsessed with me? Why do you keep feeling I am the one obsessed and won't let go?" She said.

"So you say, yet the inte is obsessed with Melanie right now. You ere the only one who hates her enough," he said.

"Hate her? Your Melanie had been sending photos of your tryst since the moment you started and she went ahead to brag over and over again. If I wanted to deal with her, I would not have waited till now," she sneered.

"Sending it to you? What do you mean?" he asked.

"where do you think I got all those photos and videos?" she asked and he went pale.

"Please. You are the greatest mistakes I have ever made in my life. I wish I could go back and erase it like it never happened. I wish you and your entire family would do me a favor and leave me alone," Elena said.

The words lanced through Donald like sharpened stakes as the horrible truth slammed home. She was right -they were divorced. Her actions

her decisions, her life...none of it had anything to do with him anymore. The severance was complete.

"You're right...I apologize," Donald murmured, unable to meet her blazing stare. "That was unforgivable of me. You've moved on, as you should have. I...I wish you nothing but happiness."

He turned and walked away, throat burning with swirling emotions of shame, regret, and loss. Elena didn't call after him - didn't even spare him a backwards glance. Their chapter, for better or worse, was well and truly over.

He was determined to stop blaming Elena for Melanie's situation after this. Melanie had saved his life years ago, which had made him protective of

her.

She was never one to fight for attention. Why would Elena say she had been the one to send her the messages?

He walked out of the gala and entered the back of his car, telling the driver to drive.

He took out his phone and called Melanie.

"Donald! I have not heard from you for a while, I thought you were going to abandon me," she said and he felt a head ache.

"Are you still in the hospital?" he asked.

"Yes, don't worry, Elena did not come to disturb me after that,” she said and he frowned.

Why did she bring up Elena?

"I hope you two don't fight, but it is okay if she tries to slander me online. I know it's because she feels I destroyed her marriage," Melanie said and Donald's face contorted.

He had never noticed it before, but Melanie said a lot of things about Elena that seemed to be neutral and even sometimes, forgiving, but completely made Elena look bad.