After My Billionaire Ex Begged Me Back, I Married Her Rival

I took a delivery gig cooking meals at someone's home. Thirty thousand dollars an hour.

The client was a young guy who'd ordered three large boxes of home-cooked dishes, all of which had to look, smell, and taste perfect.

"My girlfriend made fun of me for not knowing how to cook. I have to show her what I've got!"

"But I seriously have zero talent. I almost blew up the rice cooker."

"Good thing it's her money, so no skin off my back. Bro, you gotta help me out!"

Rowena Ashworth was an ordinary office worker. Her job was exhausting, and her stomach had always been sensitive.

To help her take better care of herself, I was constantly experimenting with new recipes. When it came to cooking, I was confident in my skills.

But I'd barely set down the first dish when there was a noise at the door.

The young guy looked toward the woman walking in, panicked.

"Babe! Why are you back early? You didn't even tell me!"

The woman's voice dripped with affection.

"Dummy. I knew you'd hire someone to cheat. Caught you red-handed."

"I'm the CEO of the Ashworth Group, after all. You think I'd let my husband tire himself out cooking for me?"

"The food does smell amazing, though. Where'd you find the help?"

The moment I heard that familiar voice, I spun around in shock.

The woman standing before me, dressed head to toe in designer labels.

It was Rowena Ashworth. My girlfriend of five years. The one who told me she made four thousand a month.

——

Hot oil splattered onto the back of my hand, a sharp, searing sting.

But it was like I'd lost the ability to control my own body. I just stood there, frozen, staring at the two of them.

Leonard Winfield raised an eyebrow.

"Sweet talk won't save you. This guy charges thirty grand an hour. Watch your wallet!"

Rowena hadn't noticed me. She leaned in and kissed Leonard on the cheek, smiling.

"Don't underestimate your wife. I'm worth over a hundred million. What's thirty thousand to me?"

"Even if it were three million an hour, as long as my Leonard's happy, it's worth every penny."

Leonard pulled her into his arms, appeased.

"That's more like it."

"I just finished a dish. Try it?"

"Sure. Whatever you say."

Rowena turned her head with a smile still on her lips. The instant our eyes met, she froze.

Leonard assumed she was reacting to the aroma of the food. He puffed out his chest proudly.

"Not bad, right? The guy I found is legit. His cooking smells incredible, and he's even got a certified nutritionist license!"

Six months ago, Rowena had been rushed to the hospital with acute gastritis.

Her face had been twisted in pain, but she'd still forced herself to tell me not to worry.

I'd been so heartbroken that I cried. Then I went and got my nutritionist certification.

To make medicinal meals that actually tasted good, I'd burned my hands more times than I could count. The scars on the backs of my hands still hadn't faded.

When Rowena said nothing, Leonard shot me a suspicious look.

"What, you two know each other?"

Rowena snapped out of it and lightly flicked Leonard's forehead.

"What are you thinking? He's a good cook. Some people at the company hired him before."

Leonard snorted out a laugh.

"Fair point. You're the CEO of the Ashworth Group. No way you'd know some hired cook."

"Hey man, go ahead and bring the dishes to the dining room."

Rowena didn't look at me again. Like I was just the help. Nobody worth a second glance.

Something lodged itself in my chest, a dull, suffocating ache.

As I was plating the food, I picked the scallion bits out of the bowl without thinking.

By the time I realized what I'd done, Leonard's surprised voice had already cut through the air.

"How'd you know I don't eat scallions?"

I froze. Leonard's eyes lit up, like something had clicked.

"Oh, I get it! You must have told him ahead of time. No wonder you two were acting so weird just now!"