Billionaire's Accidental Wife novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. “I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don’t think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian’s harsh tone toward you. I can’t claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.”

“He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya.” The animosity in my voice is clear.»

“Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry.” He turns away from Christie and looks back at me.” But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I’m not as involved in it as you think I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me. He partners with other companies for the equipment and works with some corrupt Kenyan leaders to ensure cheap labour and even exploit children. He holds separate business meetings to make sure no one in the company finds out. I just drafted the contracts.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re innocent,” Chelsea spit as he dropped his head in shame.”

“No, you’re right. It doesn’t. But he’s my partner. I don’t have the heart to go against him.”

For a moment, the room is silent. I am not angry and neither is Christie. I think we both feel sad for Dave and how conflicted he feels. “Dave, come with me. I want to show you something.

I entangle my fingers with him in a simple yet electrifying move. We hadn’t spoken in a long time. His skin is soft and silky, as I recall, and he immediately relaxes as he feels it. I walk him to a huge box labelled Kenya in the centre of the chaotic living room. It houses all of my images, letters, and mementoes from my trip, as well as lesson plans and gifts from my pupils. It is my most valuable property, yet I rarely show it to anyone.

I dig through the box and quickly find a stack of pictures. “Wow, is this Kenya? It’s gorgeous… “Dave says, breathless. I show him pictures of the gorgeous landscape with its rolling hills, deep valleys and lush fields. But the picture he holds is one of my favourites. It showcases the Kenyan landscape, with the sun shining brightly on the horizon while a few elephants mill about in the background. “I took this picture on a break from one of my classes at the orphanage. Isn’t it beautiful? This was my view every day and I never tired of it.” “I wouldn’t tire of it either. It’s beautiful.” I smile at him, quite smitten by his childlike awe over the photographs. “I bet this is the side of Kenya your partners never speak about or care to see.”

“You know Sebastian has never been to Kenya, right?”

“WHAT!” I shouted. My head whips around and then darts to Christie, who shares the same expression. “Are you serious? He’s never even been there and yet he’s planning an operation?”

He operates everything from London. He says Kenya is too dirty for him.”

“I can’t believe that…” Christie says, looking horrified by what she has heard. I feel my blood

boil, but I try my best to control it. Dave is not my target and I cannot allow myself to attack him for the faults of his partner.

“Are these your students?” I stare at the picture in Dave’s fingers. I am so transfixed by the people in it that I take it from him and immediately begin to feel the tears well in my eyes. Their faces are dark and their clothes are old and tattered, a symbol of their troubled childhood.x “Lada was the smartest girl in my class. She had to travel the furthest distance, and she was always on time, despite not having any shoes. Her partner died in a mining accident a few miles from the orphanage. Her sister took his death extremely hard. She was unable to bear the burden of having to take care of three kids on her own. She was both unemployed and uneducated. But she was a fighter, though. She battled with the heads of the mining company and even the government for compensation, but they refused.” My face floods with tears as I desperately try to finish the story, but I am too overcome with sadness. I completely forgot that this picture was in the box.x”A few days after this photo was taken, we got a call from one of Lada’s neighbours, telling us that Lada’s sister had hung herself from a tree. I guess she just felt that was her only way out,” I cry. “I drop the picture and feel Dave’s strong hands caress my shoulders, the sensation easing my pain somewhat.” I’m sorry, Chelsea,” he whispers. I rest my head on his broad shoulders and am comforted by his presence. It feels wonderful to be so close to him again. “Dave, we need to stop Sebastian. Look at this!”