Chapter 6 The offer
“You’re healing well, Nia. Very well.”
Nia sat across from the doctor, her fingers clasped tightly on her lap as she listened. The room smelled faintly of disinfectant, the steady ticking of a wall clock filling the silence between his words.
“So… that’s it?” she asked quietly. “No more visits?”
The doctor smiled reassuringly. “That’s it. Your body has recovered completely. There are no complications. You’re free to stop coming for checkups.”
Nia released a breath she did not realize she had been holding. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Just take care of yourself emotionally too. Physical wounds heal faster than the rest.”
She gave a small nod, standing up slowly. “I will.”
A week had passed since she left the hospital. A whole week since she last laid eyes on Anthony DeLuca’s house. She had not returned for her clothes. She had not asked about her belongings. Thank goodness she and Sophia shared almost the same body size. It made surviving easier.
Outside the doctor’s office, Nia paused for a moment, resting her hand on the cool wall. She felt lighter. Empty… but lighter.
“You’re free,” she whispered to herself.
She walked out of the hospital building, pulling her cardigan closer as she searched the street for a cab.
That was when the sky turned dark.
Within seconds, rain poured down like it had been waiting for her. Heavy. Angry. Soaking her hair, her clothes, everything.
“Oh come on,” Nia muttered, shielding her face as she hurried forward. “Today of all days?”
She glanced around desperately, looking for shelter, for anything. The rain only intensified, drenching her completely.
Then a sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop right in front of her.
A Maybach.
Her breath caught.
The door opened and a tall man stepped out, holding a large black umbrella. He moved with practiced grace, walking straight toward her.
“Madam,” he said politely. “Please, get in the car. My boss would like to offer you a ride.”
Nia stared at him like he had lost his mind. “Your boss?” she asked incredulously. “I don’t even know your boss.”
The man smiled professionally. “The rain is getting heavier. Please.”
She glanced at the tinted windows of the car. She could not see inside. Her instincts screamed at her to refuse, but the rain was merciless, soaking her down to her skin.
Her teeth began to chatter.
“Fine,” she said reluctantly. “Just… just for a ride.”
She stepped into the car.
The door closed behind her with a soft click, shutting out the sound of the rain.
Her heart stopped on seeing the man inside the car.
She knew that face.
She had never met him in person, but she had seen him on television. In interviews. In business headlines. For the past three years of her marriage to Anthony; She had watched Anthony curse at the screen whenever his name appeared or face appeared.
Xavier Cole.
The second most powerful billionaire in the country.
Anthony DeLuca’s biggest rival.
She stiffened immediately. “You…”
He looked at her calmly, his expression unreadable. “Good afternoon, Mrs. DeLuca.”
Her pulse spiked. “You know who I am.”
“Yes,” he replied smoothly. “I do.”
She shifted away slightly. “Then you should know this is inappropriate. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but if this has anything to do with Anthony…”
“It does,” he interrupted calmly. “And it doesn’t.”
She scoffed. “That makes no sense.”
“Relax,” he said, his tone even. “If I wanted to hurt you, this car would not be involved.”
Nia crossed her arms. “So what is this? Kidnapping me politely?”
For the first time, the corner of his lips twitched. A brief, forced chuckle escaped him before his face returned to stone.
“I am not the type to kidnap a rival’s wife to get even,” he said. “That would be childish.”
“Then what do you want?” she demanded.
The car moved smoothly through traffic as rain slid down the windows.
“I’ll go straight to the point,” Xavier said. “I know your marriage has never been a happy one.”
Her breath caught. “You know nothing about my marriage.”
“I know plenty,” he replied calmly. “Three years. No affection. No gifts. Barely a conversation. A wife who lived like a shadow.”
Her fingers curled into fists. “Stop.”
“I also know what happened recently,” he continued. “The fall. The hospital. The loss.”
Her eyes burned. “Enough.”
“And I know,” he added, his voice lowering slightly, “that you did not leave that marriage whole.”
Silence filled the car.
Finally, she asked quietly, “Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I want to make you an offer.”
She laughed bitterly. “You businessmen always do.”
“And you should hear it,” he said.
“What offer?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he reached into his jacket and handed her a sleek black card.
“Attend the horse racing event tomorrow evening,” he said. “City stadium.”
She frowned. “Horse racing?”
“Yes.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.
He studied her. “You’re good with racing.”
Her heart skipped. “How do you know that?”
“You gave it up,” he continued, ignoring her question. “Your talent. Your confidence. All buried under a marriage that never deserved you.”
Her throat tightened. “You’re wrong.”
“I’m not,” he said simply. “Come tomorrow. Participate. Step out of that shell.”
“And if I don’t?” she asked.
“Then this conversation ends here.”
The car slowed.
“Why are you helping me?” she whispered.
He did not answer.
“Where are we?” she asked as the car stopped.
“Your stop.”
She turned and stared out the window.
Sophia’s apartment building stood right in front of her.
Her blood ran cold.
“How do you know where I live?” she asked slowly.
Xavier met her gaze. “I know a lot about you, Nia Malik.”
The rain had stopped.
She opened the door slowly, stepping out onto the pavement. The driver handed her the umbrella, but she shook her head.
“I’m fine,” she said.
She stood there, watching as the Maybach pulled away, disappearing down the street… leaving her with more questions than answers.
Dreading the fact he knows so much about her than she knows nothing about him.
